Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween, Samhain, Samhuinn, and even Beltane to those in the Souther Hemisphere!

Well tonight is Halloween, and I will spend it firstly trick-or-treating with my dear 2 year old son Freddy. He will for the first time actually be able to say trick or treat... and once he realizes he gets candy for it I am sure he is going to repeat the words over and over for the next few days hoping the magic words still work. It should be a very fun ride indeed. After that I'll be honoring the ancestors in my own way this year with a small solitary ritual/remembrance but it should be fun. I hope that everyone who celebrates this holiday in one way or another has a blast and enjoys every moment of it.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Status of the Book

Looks like its available now in e-book format as well as pre-order for paperback at www.dreamz-work.com. Only pre-order on the paperback it may be another week or so before its totally live depending on any other printer issues. But Yay at least its semi-available. (Its also live on Amazon Kindle!)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

"Official" Author Page

My official author page is up and running at www.davidduir.com. Its simple and I'm liking it. Should be fun working with it. I am getting really excited about the book which will be available soon (I will keep everyone posted) and the ad I placed on pagan space I am hopeful it will help. Seems to be a writer you need to learn quite a bit about marketing... its been fun though. I'll have quite a bit of advice for others when I am done too I am sure. Definitely first bit would be... no matter how much you may hate doing it you can't be afraid to toot your own horn. If you don't speak up for you... Who will?

Guess thats it for today. Be well.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Today's Thoughts

We keep moving forward waiting for the proof to come in so the book can go live. I'm excited and anxious about it. I'd especially like to get the copies because I've had some offers for reviews. Marketing has nearly consumed all of my free time the last few weeks so it will be nice to see how I've done. Between the videos and sites I belong to, plus a few ads here and there and my contest I seem to at least be generating some interest in the book. I hope it all works out and I hope that those who read it, end up liking it or at least some part of it. I sometimes worry about the length because it is short, but somehow I feel it makes it more approachable. While doing this I've also been thinking about some follow up books and those would be lengthier. I guess for my first go its not half bad. Lots of work on both ends of the writing it seems. I definitely have a deeper respect for my favorite authors now.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Book Status

Well the book is still coming soon. We're waiting on a few snafus from the printing company but it should soon be available for purchase I will be sure to let everyone know once it is and where it is. Thank you all for your interest in it and your patience. I am also excited because a couple of stores have contacted me and want to carry it. Its really exciting indeed.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Video about the contest and Introducing the Name Chooser

My Cafepress shop

I've updated my cafepress shop www.cafepress.com/oaklight and it now features some items with my book cover on them feel free to check them out. And don't forget my contest at http://contest.oaklight.org for a free signed copy of my book and other prizes also be on the lookout for a new video about the contest and how the winner will be chosen!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Updates

Well the book is moving on and should be available in a week or two. I'm very excited. Its to be reviewed by a few people and sites so I am nervous and hope it goes over well. We'll see what happens. Don't forget the contest at http://contest.oaklight.org For a free signed copy of the book and other prizes brought to us by Dreamz Work Productions LLC www.dreamz-work.com.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

We had a praying mantis visit us today. Here is a video with a stupid little commentary from me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wHzQaqSIP8

Monday, October 19, 2009

Book Contest

I Would like to announce the "Under an Expanse of Oaks, A Druid's Journey" Contest! This contest appears at www.oaklight.org or directly through http://contest.oaklight.org ! this contest is for a Free signed copy... Please feel free to buy the books when they come out but also come enter the contest! There are great first and second place prizes as well! Check it out and feel free to pass it on to your friends!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Under an Expanse of Oaks Video

I've been working all day today and am a bit tired but that's cool. Last night I completed a video for promotion for the book and I've been working a bit on the www.oaklight.org site.

I hope anyone who sees this enjoys the video. I am very happy and excited with all the book stuff but I am looking forward to a restful weekend off in the woods to ground and recharge myself.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The work goes on with the Book

Today I am sitting here thinking about how to go forward with my book and getting the news out there to everyone I can. I am hopeful that there will be some people who like my book though if only one person does then it was worth writing. Right now the important thing is to get the word out so that it reaches everyone who might even be the least bit interested in it. I really hope people like it, but its ok if they hate it too.

I've done my best to make it readable and experiential and I really hope that comes across. I really did enjoy writing it and feeling the Awen move through me as I put words to page. Its about 25000 words long so its not overly long or drawn out. I really want to get people to experience it and learn on their own as well... its really meant to be a guide based on the 18 years I've been studying and practicing Druidry.

I guess I am feeling the normal insecurities most writers feel about their creations and am going through the same efforts trying to market and get the book out there to the widest audience possible. Its really not for the money that I want to sell the books (though that would be great too), but for the spread of the spirituality that has come to me and made me happy.

Yours Under the Trees,
Duir /|\

Monday, October 12, 2009

My Introductory Post

Greetings to you who read these words. My name is David P. Smith though I often go by Duir. I am a practicing Druid Priest and member of multiple Druid orders. These orders include The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (www.druidry.org), The Ancient Order of Druids In America, (www.aoda.org), The Order of the Mithril Star (www.mithrilstar.org), The Henge of Keltria (www.keltria.org), and the ADF (www.adf.org).

I am also a teacher at the Grey School of Wizardry (www.greyschool.com) and have fun teaching and mixing and mingling with the pagan community at various events. I also have written a short book of about 25000 words called "Under an Expanse of Oaks, A Druid's Journey" the cover art is my current picture here. It is due to be published within the next couple of weeks through Dreamz Work Productions LLC (www.dreamz-work.com) which is a new smaller press. I am very excited about it coming into being.

This blog will be used to discuss my learning (which is constant) on the topic of Druidry, My Writing and even some day to day life stuff. Occasionally I may throw in a guided meditation I've written or some photos I've taken to go along with posts. I do my best to live and practice druidry every day so there will be much overlap in my posts. Well that about sums it up. I hope anyone who reads this comes to enjoy it and maybe even learns something or helps me learn something along the way.

Yours Under the Trees,
Duir /|\