2020-12-04 14:18
The ebook is free on Amazon to anybody with a Kindle Unlimited. For everybody else, one hundred copies will being given away by GoodReads.com in a drawing on 16 December 2020.https://w… Read More
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John Stilwell Blog
johnstilwell.blogspot.com
Several subjects by author John Stilwell. E-publishing tips, product reviews and tech support cheat sheets.
2020-11-27 22:40
If there was a zombie apocalypse, they'd let me know because I can make the hooch! This is a joke I tell once in a while. But it does to the basic question that survivalist… Read More
2020-10-11 11:45
When I looked at the photo for my new work ID, I was horrified. I looked fat. The scale said 210 lbs. I've never need this heavy before. I had to do something… Read More
2020-08-23 13:06
There are a crazy number of ways to make money in the stock market, from slow as safe (Time Cost Averaging) to fast and highly risky (Day Trading). In my book, 100 Way to Save a… Read More
2020-07-21 17:56
A friend complained to me that he doesn't want to wait until he's 70 to retire. The problem is that the younger you are when you start collecting social security, the less you get per… Read More
2020-07-19 16:47
I'm close enough to retirement age to spend a lot time thinking about it. The goal is to maximize one's retirement income while minimizing your overhead. For many, the bigg… Read More
2020-07-19 16:46
Invest or pay down your mortgage? Which is better?If you've read my book, you'll recall that I recommend comparing at the interest rate of your debts against the likely rate of return… Read More
2020-07-19 16:46
If you've read my book on how to get more by paying less, you'll be familiar with the idea of running all your purchases through a credit card that gives you sky miles. This is one of… Read More
2020-05-13 13:51
Year: 2020Waiter/Waitress, avg pay $21,780Cashier, avg pay $22,430Bartenders, avg pay $22,550Retail Store Sales Associate, avg pay $24,340Hair Stylist, avg pay $24,830Line Cook, avg pay $25… Read More
2020-03-19 11:42
New and improved. 100 Ways to Save a Dollar, Second Edition is free to Kindle Unlimited members. https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Dollar-without-Lowering-Lifestyle-ebook/dp/B085XML9NV/ref=s… Read More
2020-02-24 22:12
Enter to win a chance at one of one hundred copies of John Stilwell's newest science fiction novel, The Back of Beyond. The concept is Robinson Crusoe goes to Hell. It answers the question… Read More
2020-02-15 13:40
Want to write a book? The The Independent Author's Handbook 3rd Edition is now available in both ebook and paperback. If is free to Kindle Unlimited members.I will be at panel gu… Read More
2019-10-27 14:30
When an author enters his/her book into the KDP Select program, Amazon Prime members can read the ebook for free. Amazon monitors how many pages the reader reads and awards the author… Read More
2019-10-26 13:44
I thought I'd throw this observation to any authors who may visit my blog.Unlike back in the 1980's when I started writing, it is currently easy to get published but very hard to get noticed… Read More
2019-09-04 23:21
Hi all,I will be a panel guest at Farpoint (http://www.farpointcon.com/) again in 2020. It will be fun. I hope you are there.Farpoint 27 – February 21-23, 2020, D… Read More
2019-03-15 20:54
Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful started as a thought experiment, how would you build Steven Hawking's time machine. Hawking's design was based on theoretical physics. Some of the key c… Read More
2019-03-08 22:20
To all you who where at the Farpoint Sci Fi convention last month, it was great spending time with you!Remembering Farpoint 2019So now it's March. Here is what I'm up to.1. I am far i… Read More
2019-02-25 21:21
Yes, you heard right. Adrift on a Sea of Stars, book #3 is now on Audible! The adventures of the crew of the starship Beagle continue. Can the Tarden be trusted.? Do they h… Read More
2019-02-02 00:55
Hi everybody!I hope you all are staying warm. I'm doing fine here. I was going to connect up with a bunch of screenwriters Wednesday night. By walking in Baltimore at… Read More
2018-12-21 20:43
Enter the drawing on GoodReads.com before 10 Jan 2019 to win a free copy of the snarky comedy Platteville! I am giving away 100 copies in Kindle ebook format. The year is 1980. Somewhe… Read More
2018-09-18 20:44
Adrift on a Sea of Stars https://www.audible.com/pd/B0734566G8/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-089323&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_089323_rh_us Earth not forgotten (Adrift book #2)htt… Read More
2018-09-14 20:21
For those of you who have been reading my novels, the general theme has been starships adventuring into the unknown. With my newest book, I decided to try my hand as a snarky com… Read More
2018-08-06 17:37
The galaxy is vast. So where is everybody? Win a copy of my newest sci fi novel, The Silent Stars! Just go to GoodReads.com. Read More
2018-05-31 00:58
This ebook is finally out for Kindle. It is free to Amazon Prime members for 90 days. At that time, I will release the epub and web based versions.Ancient artificial intelligence… Read More
2018-02-03 15:13
It's Feb 2018. I guess it's time for an update on what is happening. I will be attending the Farpoint Sci Fi convention. I'll be wearing a t-shirt with one of my book cover… Read More
2018-02-02 02:48
Wine dates back to about 7000 BC. That's 2000 years before beer! Why? Because wine is easy to make. If you ever had an interest in wine (or beer making) you might fin… Read More
2018-01-09 21:15
The second book in the Adrift on a Sea of Stars made it to Audible.com last week. I am in talks with the producer to have audiobook versions of book #3 and #4 before Christmas! Read More
2017-11-25 12:21
I am giving away 5 copies of The Tarden Agenda on December 15. Go to Good Reads (GoodReads.com) to enter Read More
2017-11-18 15:41
I find that I don't like book trailers with actors running back and forth. There have been a could that I liked. I want to see this TV show... Or the movie? Then I am disap… Read More
2017-10-22 15:27
I am busy as always. The audiobook version of "Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful" produced by Brad Hill is on it's way to Audible, Amazon and iTunes. Hopefully, it'll go online in a week. I will the… Read More
2017-10-06 21:18
Looking for a way to advertise your ebook? One idea is to make a book trailer. Make a video in the fashion of a movie trailer, but for your book. Make it action-y with chan… Read More
2017-07-30 18:05
I have been thinking about Trump's Wall. If we built it, it should be a tourist attraction! People pay to walk on the Great Wall of China. So, here's my stupid idea of the… Read More
2017-07-28 19:47
The voice talent is back to work on Adrift on a Sea of Stars. Something like Dennis Taylor's We are Bob meets Heinlein's Time Enough for Love. For any Bob fans out there, m… Read More
2017-07-05 00:13
The dramatic reading of Adrift on a Sea of Stars is done! Isaac Boone has done it again. For those of you out there that love to listen to Sci Fi, I hope you'll check it out.&nbs&hell…Read More
2017-06-04 13:19
The voice talent is back to work on Adrift on a Sea of Stars. He has one chapter left. Listening to the latest 2 chapters, I became a little emotional. I thought that I had… Read More
2017-04-22 13:42
The 4th Adrift novel is coming along well. The crew of the Starship Beagle once again have their hands full. Two more read throughs and then I can hand it to the proof readers. I had… Read More
2017-04-03 22:44
ACX.com is now accepting auditions for voice talents to perform a dramatic reading of my book of short stories, The Puppy of Doom.The other exciting news is that on the heels of The Ga… Read More
2017-02-22 20:37
Here are two websites where you can call your phone for free and make it ring so you can find it..https://www.callmylostphone.com/calls/DsiBOHazpMYhttp://www.phonemyphone.com/ Read More
2017-01-21 03:09
It's a new year and I have a lot planned. The 4th book in the Adrift on a a Sea of Stars series is progressing nicely. It's on track for a Christmas 2017 release.What's more exci… Read More
2016-11-03 22:46
For the next 2000 people, I am giving away a free copy of my short collection of time travel stories, Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful. If you like it, please give me good review on Goodreads… Read More
2016-10-02 23:16
I couldn't wait. I released my newest novel today instead of Christmas. It is the 3rd book in my "Adrift on a Sea of Stars" series. It is only available on Amazon until January. Then I c… Read More
2016-09-13 22:53
For the next 2000 people, I am giving away a free copy of my novel, The Galactic Time Trap. If you like it, please give me good review on Goodreads, Smashwords or Amazon! You can get y… Read More
2016-08-10 09:42
How does one write story? Most authors have their own recipe. As a rule, you need a problem along with the solution. Every story consists of showing what is normal. Then and event happens. T… Read More
2016-08-09 02:59
In The Puppy of Doom and my first couple of novels, most of the plots were based on my reaction to other people's plots -- clever idea but it doesn't work that way. This is what would really… Read More
2016-08-02 00:02
College is the second largest bill you will have in your life. It will cost less than a house but many times more than the cost of your car. There are several ways to take a bite out of this… Read More
2016-07-27 23:50
Picture quality:I have a $500 High Def projector and like to watch TV and movies 12 feet wide. I have heard that the HD being transmitted through Fios and Xfinity are 720 while DirectTV give… Read More
2016-07-24 21:05
When you feel that you had more money in your savings account and want a higher rate of return, a CD (certificate of deposit) is a safe and simple stuff before tackling the stock market… Read More
2016-07-19 01:49
Cashier, avg pay $19,310Waiter/Waitress, avg pay $19,250Bartenders, avg pay $19,530Line Cook,avg pay $21,720Retail Store Sales Associate, avg pay $22,040Janitor, avg pay $23,440H… Read More
2016-07-16 15:14
When you feel that you had more money in your savings account and want a higher rate of return, a CD (certificate of deposit) is a safe and simple stuff before tackling the stock market… Read More
2016-07-15 21:25
The 3rd book in the Adrift of Stars series is done! The next step is for book 3, The Tarden Agenda to be handed off to the proof readers. It should be easy to make the Christmas… Read More
2016-07-10 15:56
Renting out houses can generate a lot of income over the years. Whether it is a really bad renter or you want to simplify your life, one day you will decide it is time to stop being… Read More
2016-06-28 23:40
When you feel that you had more money in your savings account and want a higher rate of return, a CD (certificate of deposit) is a safe and simple stuff before tackling the stock market… Read More
2016-05-10 20:05
11 March 2016: I have a new novel in the works. Somebody who read Adrift on a Sea of Stars and Earth not Forgotten, asked me a couple of month ago and asked it I would writ… Read More
2016-05-09 20:34
Good Reads is running a book giveaway contest until 30 May (2016). Enter to win a free paperback copy of my science fiction novel, the Galactic Time Trap. A mysteriou… Read More
2016-02-15 12:57
Good Reads is running a book giveaway contest until 15 March (2016). Enter to win a free paperback copy of my science fiction novel, Earth not Forgotten. In Adrift on a Sea of S… Read More
2016-02-07 13:35
1. Surf to Amazon.com and sign in.2. Click on your account3. Under account settings, click on manage your household. This is the page where you can add one adult and two children.Where… Read More
2016-02-06 16:38
Whether you have a professionally produced audio book version of your ebook or you made it yourself, it is a big job. If your full length book is a collection of short stories, you mig… Read More
2016-01-24 18:31
If the snow is really deep, icy or heavy slush, a gas powered snow blower is the only thing that might get the job done. But most of the time, this isn't the case. Unless you liv… Read More
2016-01-23 03:58
The holy grail for audio books is Audible.com. Getting your book into them is a challenge. That doesn't mean that you don't have other options available.In this idea, produced a… Read More
2016-01-22 10:40
Does your home have a digital power meter? Check with your power company. If they have different rates depending on the time of day then running appliances like clothes dryers an… Read More
2016-01-16 16:43
Good Reads is running a book giveaway contest this month (Jan 2016). Enter to win a free paperback copy of my science fiction novel, Adrift on a Sea of Stars. For years space tel… Read More
2015-12-24 19:20
For those of you who have read, Adrift on a Sea of Stars and want more, I am happy to say that I am busy working on a sequel. With any luck, it will be out by Christmas. (Fingers… Read More
2015-12-06 13:48
Here's the idea when on vacation rather than carrying an expensive cell phone, buy an inexpensive one. If it gets lost the replacement costs $100 rather than $500. If the phone d… Read More
2015-10-05 20:14
A smart person is one who learns from their mistakes. They don't make the same mistake twice.A brilliant person learns from other people's mistakes. They only make new and differ… Read More
2015-09-28 20:27
I am doing this with I have iTunes version 12.2.1.16.1. Download the mobi file to your computer. For example, Smashwords.com has lots of free ebooks.2. Connect your phone t… Read More
2015-09-20 11:56
The common belief is that a married couple pays less in income taxes than two separate singles. Is this true?Sadly, this is not. A married couple pays more income tax in th… Read More
2015-08-26 21:21
The sequel to Adrift on a Sea of Stars is out! In it we follow the continuing adventures of the castaways of the starship Beagle. In Earth not Forgotten, the Tarden mount an expe… Read More
2015-03-02 11:53
Cashier, $15,232 - $24,059 avg pay $18,970Waiter/Waitress, $16,359 - $33,635, avg pay $18,580Bartenders, $16,170 - $42,879, avg pay $18,900Teacher, daycare, $16,364 - $30,306, avg pay $19,51… Read More
2015-03-01 12:52
Do you have too many bills and can't seem to get ahead? Keep in mind that "loan consolidation" is about lowering the interest rate you are paying, not shrinking the number of people yo… Read More
2015-02-15 19:44
The essence of being a Mad Scientist on a Budget is fascination with the little things. Whether it is trying to find the answer to a scientific question or making an exotic rocket, it… Read More
2015-02-13 20:07
Have you noticed the "first star at night"? You know, the one that appear long before the others? This is a planet! Try this trivia on a date.Mercury and Venus are never ve… Read More
2015-02-07 14:08
You discover who your true friends are when it is time to move to a new home. &nbs&hell…Read More
2015-01-31 12:40
In the 1920's when alcohol was illegal, people made their own wine in their bathtubs. It is easier than you might think. I started with apple juice from the grocery store and mad… Read More
2015-01-24 01:38
OnelineBookclub: Hunting for reviewers for one of my books I found myself on onlinebookclub. Opening a free account was simple. It was awkward finding the proper page to submit m… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Ever patch a wall and wish you could buy just a small piece of sheet rock? Ever need only half of a 2 by 4? Most hardware stores and lumberyards only sell sheet rock and plywood… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
The ink has hardly dried on the book run of Earth not Forgotten and it is time for the next novel! The Galactic Time Trap is now out for Christmas 2015. For the next three month… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Once you have your book published, gathering reviews in an important thing to do. There are lots of websites that will do this, most for a cost. But if you have to pay them, will… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Problem: The phone rings but there are no click noises when you type a text message. You can't hear Siri talk. You can't hear music playing. But you can hear it all w… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Life is complicated. It can be hard to figure out who is good and who is trouble. You're life will be happier of you avoid. So, when in doubt, ignore what they say and only… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
With the high cost of cable TV you may be looking for a less expensive alternative. If you have internet, an idea is to cancel your cable all together. No, you don’t have t… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
When you sign up for a cell phone, the phone itself is inexpensive. You can get an iPhone for free! But if you lose or break it, you normally will have to pay full price for a re… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
I find a great way to proof read is to use text to speech software. When I listen, I hear what I wrote, not what I had intended to write. There are some pretty good software pack… Read More
2006-06-07 11:16
Good Reads is running a book giveaway contest this month (Jan 2016). Enter to win a free paperback copy of my science fiction novel, Adrift on a Sea of Stars. For years space tel… Read More
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