An Open Book

Welcome Readers,

We already have one winner in the Meet the Characters Contest #8 and there is still a week to go. On May 31, this contest will end and on June 1, 2009 the Winners will be announced.

The section Meet the Characters will still be under development. Don’t be surprised even after the contest ends if your name is selected for a bonus prize because you talked to the characters. This will be a random

I have received several new reviews and comments on the book. So I would like to thank those on Itunes because there is no way to reply to them.

Thank you for Reviewing and rating The Mark of a Druid! It means the world to me

Tracey Tay, Cassiopia, Jedanatc, Finisp, Artnerd, Obedientfollower, DannyCat, PollyP, Geoggrrr…4, Jacksongril1998, Suuu. You all rock! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and rate the book. Please feel free to post the review on Amazon too and help spread the word.

Coming soon will be a new trailer for the book. I am currently knocking out about 1000 word ever two days on the sequel, When Either Descend. At the same time I am working on, Truth Slithers.

The next contest will start on June 1, 2009.

Huge thank you to all the new subscribers to the new book site. www.themarkofadruid.com. If you haven’t subscribed it is really easy and quick. I hope you will join now. Until next time, take care.

Keep Writing, I Know I Will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Welcome Readers and Fans.

This week like many of the recent weeks has been really busy. Podioracket is taking off and we are releasing an episode a week in May on top of last weeks mini episode for Nina Kimberley the Merciless by Christiana Ellis I have been swamped. But having a lot of fun helping Christiana with her push to sell her novel at its release. This unfortuanaily has run into a snag. So please keep checking back get it as soon as you can and until then it is also available as a FREE, COMPLETE pdf version, which you can download here: Nina Kimberly the Merciless PDF. Tell a Freind! Oh heck, Tell two friends. 

www.podioracket.com

Get your news up dates at www.podioracket.com!

This week is also busy. Join me for a special http://www.blogtalkradio.com/PodioRacket show about Podiobooks.com 2.0 up coming changes fetureing Chris Miller the guy behind the sceens at www.podiobooks.com. 

Then Emerian Rich the author of Night’s Knights and  Sweet Dreams, Mistress of the dark and founder of  HorrorAddicts.net  is going to join me to close the show. She is a fascinating author and is about to publish Night’s Knight in print. The show will start at 8:00 pm PST May 18, 2009. Call-in Number: (347) 996-3319 call in and ask Emerian questions about her work.

 Wednesday we release a new episode in which I interview Mark Eller author of Traitor, Book 1 of The Turner Chronicles and James D. Priest author of the Family friendly release on Podiobooks.com of Kirins The Spell of No’an. Make sure to get the new release at www.podioracket.com.

The rest of the week I will be getting some word on pages for When Eithers Descend and booking some more interviews for both podioracket and blogtalk episodes.

Remember that there are a couple of weeks left in the May contest on www.Themarkofadruid.com  Go on over and Meet the Characters and click participate on contest number 8.

Talk next week!

Rhonda R Carpenter

Welcome Readers,

I was shocked when I looked at the stats this week. Pleasantly shocked! Overall downloads had hit 50,000. I never thought when I put the book out in this manner that I would ever have so many downloads. Thank You, to all the Readers for downloading, commenting and Rating and Reviewing. Please keep telling your friends and spreading the word.

This has been a super busy week with Podioracket.com. Have you heard that one of the characters from my book was nominated for the position of Champion for Podioracket against the Nina Kimberley and her barbarian horde?

What is this all about?

Christiana Ellis the Author of Nina Kimberley the Merciless  is about to go to print with Dragon Moon Press and her character, Nina Kimberly the Merciless has decided that all in the pod-o-sphere shall surrender to her. Podioracket among others are now in the resistance and is seeking a champion. Vote for King Brian Boru! Take the survey and declare your loyalty!

Website update! The new site is growing like crazy. Thank you to all the new members and I will be announcing the winners of the sing up contest # 7 very soon.

When Ethers Descend: the second book of The Mark of a Druid series is coming along.

Got Insight Blog over at Lifefirst.com Will be posting a new free session. It is It is completely free for download. Gain Self Esteem, Increase Focus and receive the gift of answers from your infinite wisdom!

Until next time, take care!

Keep Writing, I Know I Will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

What is New with Rhonda Carpenter

Update on what has been happing in the world of Rhonda Carpenter the writer. Things have been rolling along at a very fast clip. The new site for The Mark of a Druid is live and while it is not complete I thought it was better to take it live now then make everyone wait. So you will all get to see it grow as I get to filling in all the blanks and building the pages. Register now so you can play in the contests and talk to the characters as it all goes live.

This will be a slow process with all of the things I am involved in, but stick with me this proves to be a fun. The site will be growing every week from here on out and as the next book is completed it too will be housed here as a podcast and in other formats.

Summer 2009 I am dedicated to getting The Mark of a Druid available in other media formats such as PDF, E-book (on this site), I-Touch. I will be making announcements as these formats become available.   

I am also dedicated to writing the next book, When Ethers Descend, and begin Podcasting the book this winter.

My new project www.Podioracket.com I have joined forces with Heather Roulo the author of, Fractured Horizon, available on Podiobooks.com. Podioracket is an informational podcast for Podiobooks.com. We are giving upcoming, new and present authors a quick hitting format to find out what it is coming out, completing, works. We are also covering the contests and news about those authors. We invite you to enjoy the 2 episodes that are currently available.

While doing this project I am getting to have wonderful and informative interviews with authors who are on Podiobooks.com. While PodioRacket is a fast hitting show some of these interviews run longer than we can use in the podcast. These are fascinating discussions with Authors. Here is one of the longer full interviews I had with author of, The Fox, Arlene Radasky. A portion of this interview will also be in an upcoming show on podioracket.

Have a great week everyone!

Rhonda R Carpenter   

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

Mathew Wayne Selznick, the author of Brave Men Run, has been tracking Podiobook.com authors for the last couple of months. If you would like to read his blog post check his site at http://www.mattselznick.com/blog/scribtotum/2009/02/17/the-top-podiobooks-at-amazoncom/ I enjoy Mathew’s perspective on social networking and dig that he is so inventive, not only as a writer but as a podcaster, musician and DIY media guru. I actually attended a house concert he held on http://www.ustream.tv a short few weeks ago! It was so much fun.

The book made the number 17 slot for the Top 20 Podiobooks on Amazon.com And my dear friend Arlene Radasky author of The Fox Made the 19 slot! Among the other top podiobook authors I feel sure the only reason we made the list is because of the timing of the study, but I don’t care it is really cool to see my name right up there with the big folks of podcasting. Like Scott Sigler, Mur Lafferty, Jalal al-Din Rumi, Matthew Wayne Selznick, Bill DeSmedt, Tee Morris, Philippa Ballantine, Seth Harwood, Leslie Ann Moore, Mark Jeffrey, Joe Cottonwood. Congratulations to everyone who made this top twenty list.

This week will be the last posting of The Mark of Druid podcast so look for it to hit late in the week. The audio book is out there in full so please go listen and leave a comment and rate the book where ever you listen.

This blog is changing scheduled and will now come out every other week. So write to you all in two weeks!

Remember to enter The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest in the 2009 Contest Series at. This Contest winners will be announced On March 5, 2009 the weekly blog on the book site www.themarkofadruid.com blog to enter and win the next round! The new website should be up in the next 4 weeks! It is all about Twitter follow me at @rhondacarpenter. And a huge thank you to Trucker Rich for his fabulous interview! See it at His Blog!

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

This week I uploaded the last chapter (episode 33) in Book One of The Mark of a Druid Series!

Next week will be the final upload for this podcast. I will be producing this week the first chapter for When Ethers Descend. This is the next book in the series. And while it is not yet wholly written, I wanted you all to get a taste for book two.

What is next for The Mark of a Druid?

A larger presence as a PDF and other formats is in order! I hope to even catch up with Arlene Radasky’s The Fox, and make it to iphone and digital formats.

I also ask for listener help last week on www.themarkofadruid.com I meant it and wanted to say thank you to all of the listeners that commented both live and in email form. Thank you! I have taken your comments seriously and have reproduced episode 1 and 2 this week. They are now live. I hope they are better. I will be reproducing episode 3 this week and I hope I will be able to maintain the schedule this week and have it live on Sunday afternoon. But either way I want to you know your comments are greatly appreciated and I am doing something about the stilted speaking patterned you all noticed in the first 3 episodes along with Quality. These were the episodes I recorded in my old office so unless there is something else you guys notice these will be the only ones I redo. This pod cast novel has been a huge learning experience for me and I am thrilled that it is getting such great reviews again keep them coming. And if you know someone who prefers to read the book is available at Amazon!

Now for the what’s next? Section a new colleague and I are working on a podcasting idea and when it is firmed up I’ll be share it. Until then, know I am writing every day! YES! It feels great!This Week’s Recommendation: I suggest you go nab Fractured Horizon By H.E. Roulo. She is a wonderful author and her book is now complete and free for you to enjoy. It is a hot story that has a logical and fun plot line. Technology and cloning a race of superior warriors called the Adams vs. the Royals who have some very interesting capabilities themselves. And Kay her main character, is someone I have had a blast flowing through time with. Don’t miss this one go to Podiobooks.com and get all the episodes now. You won’t be disappointed, I loved it and am now looking forward to listening again straight through!

Visit her blog at Fractured Horizon Novel’s official site!  

Click here to hear the Promo Now!

Remember to enter The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest in the 2009 Contest Series at http://www.themarkofadruid.com.This week’s winners will be announced in just a few hours in the weekly blog on the book site. The new contest #4 will also be announced and will end on 3/01/2009 enter and win the next round!

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

If at any time you need to contact me please send and email to info@rhondacarpenter.com!

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

That is right! The entire audio book is complete and ready for upload over the next week or so it will all be out there and available for free on Podiobooks.com

As this phase of production comes to a close and I move forward with the other books I am writing I am looking for ways to continue spreading the word about the Mark of a Druid and its availability. In that realm I am continuing to schedule interviews to talk about the series. My next interview is with Behind the Mike hosted with Joel Michalec.  This should be a fun interview and I am very excited about please join us on Feb 17 6:30 pm PST on his blog talk radio show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BehindTheMike

I am asking for comments and receiving them which is really cool. Especially since the book is not completely out there yet. Thank you Itunes, podiobooks and Amazon fans. In an effort to honor the you I will be releasing a sample of When Ethers Descend. So all you listeners out there stick around to hear the teaser chapter of the sequel.

The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest #3 in the 2009 Contest Series at http://www.themarkofadruid.com . This contest will end on February 15th

This weeks recommendation. Do you like to laugh? Love a silly story about real life? Then Check out http://jdaze.weebly.com/index.html  This show has been very entertaining and I have laughed out loud.

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

There is nothing I have found more exciting as seeing a desire or dream happen and happen bigger than you ever imagined.

When you spend years doing something and then find this incredible way to put it out into the world, for me it is tremendously excited. I hope that all of you will get excited too. Things are changing in the publishing world and while I believe there will always be paper books I think that podcasting and audio as well as PFD and other electronic forms are just going to become more and more popular.

I have struggled with many aspects of putting this book out there, The Mark of a Druid, into print and podcast; having said that, it has been fun to take this first journey into publishing in several different venues at the same time. The journey is not over by a long shot. When Ethers Descend is in progress and I am so excited about having time to write on a grander scale.

Marketing is one of my biggest challenges. So please bare with me through this weekend when the formal release happens. I will be twittering about the numbers on February 1, 2009 throughout the day. We Arlene Radasky and I will be telling our friends on all of our social networking sites. It will be this one day that we are asking you to help us rise in the Amazon.com rankings by purchasing our books and/or rating, commenting, reviewing The Fox and The Mark of a Druid.

Our interview with www.horroraddict.net went live last night. It is very funny and the bloopers are classic. Gary and Ruth from the www.celticmythpodshow.com have placed a written interview in their blog. www.Podiobooks.com have posted an author news blog about the rush called the Celtic Bums Rush.

Learn more about upcoming web event at The Buzz http://www.themarkofadruid.com/mod/?page_id=376

Remember to enter The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest #2 in the 2009 Contest Series at http://www.themarkofadruid.com. This week’s winner will be announced in just a few hours in the weekly blog! Win a free singed copy of The Mark of a Druid and other very cool Celtic stuff this week it is a Sterling Silver Celtic Cross. The Next Winner to be announced 2/01/2009 During the Rush!

This weeks recommendation. Do you like horror? Then you should check out Dark Matters By Michele Roger She is so spooky!

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

I love the era we live in as I write this blog I am listening to Mathew Wayne Selznick perform a live virtual concert from his home on usteam.tv. Amazing stuff is happening out there and I encourage you all to join in the fun. I mean really how cool is that! I must say though, it is hard to hold your bic in the air and type at the same time. The concert rocked. Thank you Mathew Wayne Selznick hope you do it again soon.

So numbers, I have been sort of watching numbers since I started podcasting The Mark of a Druid and since the book became available on Amazon, I have watched the numbers in comparison to what I am doing to promote the novel in all its forms online. And while it is totally cool to be in the charts on podiobooks and I expect to be back there when the book is out in its entirety. So as of today here is were the numbers stand or lay as the case may be. What I love is that people are listening and reading and commenting so thank you all!

Subscribers through Podiobooks.com 295 folks are listening on Podiobooks.com

Itunes counts their downloads singularly so there is no way to know exactly how many subscribers there are but so far 13,873 files have been downloaded of 25 available episodes from the Itunes format.

The hosting company that shows the numbers says to date total downloads from the first episode to now is 18,604. Love it!

4015 of those are from www.themarkofadruid.com

Juice and Zoon are neck and neck with 335 each. Then there are several small numbers from other locations on the web.

Now lets look at amazon.com. These are ranking numbers and the lower you get the better. That a means if you have a number 1 book that is as good as it gets. The category that The Mark of a Druid falls under is General Fiction/Fantasy. Huge category, which means lots of competition and I will be the first to admit that I am just learning about all of this ranking and numbering stuff. But I do understand that the lower your number the more frequently a book will come up in the search criteria for Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

There is a beta site http://www.titlez.com/welcome.aspx that shows sales rankings Their best raking so far has been 116,187 The worst 957,793 Not bad. Today The Mark of a Druid is Ranked 1,360,834. Here is where you guys come in. Amazon’s ranking today#852,705 in Books. Each time you leave a comment, rate the or buy the book, the ranking changes. On February 1, 2009 I hope to see this ranking drop under the hundred thousand mark. So please Join in the fun and watch the numbers with me.

Remember to enter The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest #2 in the 2009 Contest Series at http://www.themarkofadruid.com. The winner will be announced in next Sundays blog. You must play to win but there is no purchase required. Contest #2 is a Sterling Silver Celtic Cross. The Next Winner to be announced 2/01/2009 on the formal release date of The Mark of a Druid in print form.

On February 1, 2009 Arlene Radasky and I are formally releasing our two Celtic novels. Please go to  Valentines Sweet Idea for your sweetheart. Help us be seen on Amazon.com.

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter

Photo by Henry Diltz

Welcome Readers!

I want to shout out a huge thank you to a number of folks who are going out of their way to leave reviews, rate and leave comments for The Mark of a Druid. Then I am going to do the same thing for a number of folks who are out there playing our duel release promos and other promos in support of Arlene Radasky’s The Fox and Rhonda R Carpenters’ The Mark of a Druid.

Podiobooks: Thank you, Rennie, JaneInPA, Barry, Theresa, Ren&Merlin, Emerian, Rowan, Arlene, Miss Amie; You are all very kind and it truly a joy to have comments good or bad so that I can gage how I am doing in the endeavor and it really helps other people decide to listen.

Itunes: Thank you, Audrey67, Tabitha, Winerebel; I know Itunes doesn’t make it easy to leave a review so I wanted to be sure you knew I do appreciate you reviews and am so please you are loving the book. One of you said that you couldn’t wait and went and bought a copy, Thank you and if you email me your address I will be happy to send you a free signed bookplate so your copy is autographed.

Amazon: A.R., Devoted Reader, P.B., Rowan, Dr. Sally Witt; You thoughts and comments a truly appreciated and on Amazon mean more than just a comment they help this book move up in the rankings so that it comes up on searches in its area more frequently. So Thank you!

And a huge thank you to all the podcasters out there that are playing the push promo and helping us spread the word. JDAZE podcast, Edwardgtalbot.com, Celticmythpodshow.com, Michele Rogers, Horroraddicts.net, The Dr. Sally Witt Show, Jeremy James. Thank you for all you do!

Learn more about upcoming web event at The Buzz http://www.themarkofadruid.com/mod/?page_id=376

Yesterday Arlene Radasky and I did a very fun interview with Dr. Sally Witt on Blog Talk Radio. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Dr-Sally-Psychic-Healer/2009/01/17/Two-Celtic-Time-Travel-Themed-Authors-Psychic-Rhonda-Carpenter-open-for-Readings This interview is two fold and available in the achieves of her show. The first hour Arlene and I talk about how we met and why we are releasing our books together in time for Valentines Day. You can hear each of us read from the books and it is a fun hour, the second hour was an open reading hour with myself and Dr. SallyWitt! Very fun!

Today Arlene and I had a recorded interview with Emerian Rich of http://www.horroaddicts.net and http://www.emzbox.com. I had so much fun doing this interview too. Emz is a h00t. I love her show and I am soaking up her tips on how to more scary! I believe Episode #016 will air on 1/29/09 where the co-authored horror short that Arlene Radasky and I wrote, Walk-In will be played for your listening pleasure.

In Honor of Emerian Rich I am featuring her this week.

http://www.horroraddicts.net/

Tune in and listen to what is happening in the Horror Addicts world of books, movies, music, events and podcasting.

Emerian Rich

This is a face you just want to sew buttons on? Hold Still!

There you go. Now you belong forever! All messing around aside, I love her show and I am enjoying her pod novel Nights Knights By Emerian Rich and you can get that free here http://podiobooks.com/title/nights-knights  

Remember to enter The Mark of a Druid 2009 Contest #2 in the 2009 Contest Series at http://www.themarkofadruid.com. This week’s winner will be announced in just a few hours in the weekly blog! Win a free singed copy of The Mark of a Druid and other very cool Celtic stuff this week it is a Sterling Silver Celtic Cross. The Next Winner to be announced 2/01/2009.

I actually got time with all the marketing going on to write some on the next book in The Mark of a Druid series, When Ethers Descend.

Keep Writing, I know I will!

Rhonda R. Carpenter