My Philosophy of Supporting Employees

I believe human interaction is important. I also believe that entry level jobs are important, whether they are held by teenagers part-time or adults working to support themselves and/or their family.

As such, I avoid self-checkout aisles, and at the gas station I don't pay with a credit card at the pump whenever possible. I pay (even via credit card) through an actual person--an employee. I don't direct deposit or use an ATM card--I go to a teller at the bank.

Employers watch and pay attention. If a worker doesn't serve customers, they are not longer needed. If the employer deems a position as "no longer needed," the job disappears. Individuals that hold that "no longer needed" position are out of job.

Sure, they could get additional training and get a better job--one that pays better and has benefits, etc., but they are either working entry level jobs (such as a cashier), or jobs that could be eliminated if faceless automation takes over (such as with a bank teller). Even more, I am polite and strive to greet the individual with a kind word or comment. Just because the job doesn't pay well doesn't mean it is fun and stress free.

Yep, call me old fashioned. It takes a little more time and effort, but I think it's the right thing to do.

Article: Writing a Novel Synopsis

Fiction Factor published my article Writing a Novel Synopsis. For those visitors here who novelist (or aspiring novelists) creating a brief, effective synopsis can be quite a challenge.

If you're a writer or have an interest, take a look and see what you think.

Free Ebooks for ALL Gryphonwood Titles on October 31st!

Hey Folks,

I just received word that as a special promotion all Gryphonwood titles will be available on Halloween (October 31st) for free! That includes Flank Hawk!

Normally Gryphonwood Ebook titles are only $1.99--a great deal but free is even better.

You'll need to enter codes to get your free novels. To get the codes just visit the Gryphonwood Blog.

Happy reading!

First Signing Event

My first signing event will be at Around About Books this Friday (October 30th) from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. A number of other authors will be in attendance as well.

Location information:
Around About Books
8 West Main Street
Troy, Ohio 45373
(937) 339-1707

Look forward to seeing you there!

Flank Hawk Now Available to Order

Flank Hawk is now available for Order!
(Official Release Date is October 27th)

What happens when fire-breathing dragons battle Stukas for aerial supremacy over a battlefield? Can an earth wizard’s magic defeat a panzer? Krish, a farmhand turned mercenary, witnesses this and much more as he confronts the Necromancer King’s new war machines resurrected from before the First Civilization's fall. Worse yet, a wounded prince tasks Krish to find the fabled Colonel of the West and barter the royal family’s malevolent Blood-Sword for a weapon to thwart the Necromancer King’s victory.

Flank Hawk is set in the distant future where magic exists and brutish ogres are more than a child’s nightmare.


Available at:
***All Bookstores, if not on the shelf then through special order
***Online through Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble
***Ebooks available through Smashwords.com, Amazon Kindle and BarnesAndNoble.com (soon).

ISBN 13: 978-0-9825087-0-1
ISBN 10: 0-982-50870-0

Signed copies available. Contact author through ervin-author.com for details.

Cover for Flank Hawk

Observations? Let me know what you think.

Shadowfae by Erica Hayes Released Today!

Fans of Urban Fantasy, Erica Hayes' debut novel Shadowfae was released today by St. Martin's Press. Check out the book trailer!

No, I haven't read it yet (I pre-ordered it, however, so it should be in my hands soon), but I have had the pleasure of editing some of Ms. Hayes' work through an anthology she was published in. Yes, Shadowfae will be bumped to the top of my 'to read' list.

Shadowfae is available at Amazon.com and in bookstores everywhere.