Yesterday's Field Trip

I learned a few things on my field trip with my nephew's 5th grade class. The original plan was to go to the Golden Spike National Historic Site, but we had a change in plans since the little train wreck last week at Golden Spike. Here are the top ten things I learned.

1. There weren't a lot of birds at the bird refuge on the nature walk.
2. There was a lot of bird droppings on the nature walk.
3. School buses are much smaller than I remember.
4. And bouncier.
5. And much, much louder.
6. 5th graders loved my so-so impressions of Homer and various other Simpson's characters.
7. 5th graders watch South Park. (They brought that show up on their own.)
8. 5th graders were more impressed with my Homer Simpson impression than the fact that I work at X96.
9. 5th graders are bright, excited, and were, overall, completely delightful.
10. 5th grade teachers are dedicated, patient, and probably should make about twice as much as they are currently paid.



My nephew (top right) and his buddies at the bird refuge. These kids are awesome!

Todd Vs. The 5th Graders of Roy Municipal Elementary

Tomorrow I'll be the trusted adult chaperone of a bunch of 5th graders from Roy Municipal Elementary School. My nephew Connor goes to that school, and I'm going on their field trip to Promontory Point to the Golden Spike National Historic Site. Connor and I are both train freaks, so you see the connection.

I haven't ridden on a school bus in years.

"How many of you kids have heard Tool's new CD?"

It will be fun. Watch for an update.

todd's iPod

10:20 am "Mirror in the Bathroom" English Beat (For Nuke 'em's New Wavers Anonymous.)
1:20 pm "Tell Me Baby" Red Hot Chili Peppers

Book Expo America

Last year at this time, my novel was pretty much nothing. This weekend, my book will be featured by iUniverse Star at Book Expo America. Isn't that crazy?

www.bookexpoamerica.com

This link also makes me wiggle with excitement: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/158348020X/qid=1147891255/sr=1-10/ref=sr_1_10/002-7540889-8904855?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Thanks for your recent input on bands for the 2006 X96 Big Ass Show. I'm working on your suggestions.

todd's iPod
Brought to you by Macsomething at 775 East University Parkway in Orem. www.macsomething.com
10:20 am "Baby Pain" Intaferon
1:20 pm "Inside Of You" Hoobastank (This is the old-sounding Hoobastank that we all know and love.

I Feel Sort Of Crappy.

Pardon my lack of enthusiasm, but I feel like crap. Something nasty has taken up residence in my lungs, and no amount of Mucinex will clear it.

I'm going to the doctor's office when I get off the air today.

But ... check out the documentary on X96 that X96 Stepchild Zack Shutt and his buddies made. Yes, Artie Fufkin eats from the trash! http://youtube.com/watch?v=i_PH-1sAq90&search=X96%20documentary




Todd's iPod

10:20 am "Too Many Puppies" Primus
1:20 pm "Jambi" Tool (Wasn't this the title of an old movie with Robin Williams and a bunch of wild animals?)

My book

Rated F Announcement
After almost a year, I am allowed to share some of the many developments regarding Rated F. As many of you know, I’ve been hinting about exciting events regarding the book. It’s been a wild year, so let me give you the whole story.

iUniverse released the first version of Rated F in spring of 2004 on the Editor’s Choice imprint, which meant that it received an editorial review and, with a few changes by the editor, attained this prestigious attribute.

After a few months of exciting sales, my little novel received honor as an iUniverse Reader’s Choice selection. This was based on its performance at bookstores and online retailers.

In May of 2005, I was awarded the Top Performer award from iUniverse and was informed that Rated F was now going to be reviewed by the editorial board and company CEO Susan Driscoll. If they felt it had potential for mass success, then it would be re-released on the esteemed iUniverse Star imprint. This would essentially be a contract that any traditional publisher might offer.

In late summer of 2005, iUniverse Star offered me a book contract. As with any subsidiary rights contract, the new publisher wanted to have a team of skilled copyeditors and content editors review the novel and make the appropriate changes. They also wanted to re-package the book in a new cover and with better copy on the back cover. I worked with their editors and marketing team to make Rated F into what we hope will be a best seller.

The highly influential Poddy Mouth website reviewed Rated F and entered it into the first official Needle Awards that recognizes outstanding talent from self-published books. It was named as a finalist in this competition in February 2006. As a result, I was approached by several literary agents.

As many careful rewrites continued at the direction of the editorial staff, I was informed that iUniverse Star wanted to feature Rated F at the 2006 Book Expo America (May 19-21). iUniverse Star hired an advertising agency and flew me to New York in April of 2006 for a photo shoot. These photographs are part of the publicity materials used at Book Expo America and will also be used in a forthcoming print advertisement campaign.

The new version of Rated F will go into distribution in May of 2006. Watch your favorite online retailer for the iUniverse Star version. The original first edition copies, with the black cover featuring the picture of the gun, are now out of print. Only a few remain in the distribution channels. With any luck, these will be collector’s items.

Some have asked about the differences between the first edition and the new second edition. Other than a shift in tense, most of it is completely unnoticeable. I am much happier with the new second edition. The story and the attitude are very much the same.

So that’s where things are. I thank everyone who helped make the book into a minor success. More details are on the way.

Check out the brand new www.junkfiction.com Many thanks to my friend Zack Shutt for building and maintaining junkfiction. I couldn't do it without him.

todd's iPod

Todd's iPod sponsored by Macsomething at 775 East University Parkway in Orem, in the parking lot of the University Mall. They have the largest selection of iPod accessories in Utah Valley. It's well worth the drive from anywhere along the Wasatch Front. www.macsomething.com


10:20 am "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" Panic! At The Disco (All of my too-cool-for-school music snob friends who instantly hate anything that becomes slightly commercially successful--like Corey O'Brien--are all closet fans of this band.)

1:20 pm "Killing Loneliness" HIM