Dave Conifer first introduced his novels, Throwback, and FireHouse, online, for individuals to read for free.
Then the author, a former high school wrestler and junior program coach who is now a computer programmer, pushed the technology envelope a bit further ... to bring his wrestling novels to an even wider audience.
Amazon.com as publisher
"I learned I could publish on Amazon Kindle," said Dave Conifer, who has authored five novels for the wireless, handheld reading device with a screen that approximates a book page. Readers can download books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a Kindle.
Dave ConiferHere's how the New Jersey-based author described the process: "You take your Word file of the manuscript, and turn it into PDF files to Amazon's specifications, using the CreateSpace tools. You even design your own book cover."
"If you have a manuscript ready, you can go from manuscript to finished book in about two weeks. That includes the time they mail you a proof for your review."
The books are then printed on demand -- Amazon.com receives an order, and publishes exactly the number of copies purchased by that customer, and ships them direct to the customer. It's a variation of just-in-time delivery that has become a hallmark of modern manufacturing and retailing. Print-on-demand eliminates the need for Amazon -- or a retailer -- to maintain a stock already printed copies of the book in a warehouse or storeroom.
What's more, unlike most self-publishing situations, with print-on-demand, the author doesn't have to guess how many copies will be sold. Nor is the writer responsible for storing printed books, or having to mail them to customers.
One of the most attractive features of Amazon's CreateSpace publishing option: "It doesn't cost the author any money, other than to request a proof," according to Conifer.
Another benefit to writers: They can set the price. As the author of Throwback and FireHouse explained, "My novels are $12 each. I chose not to make any profit. I just wanted to get a book published."
"There's been a stigma about self-publishing," said Conifer. "I think that's falling away, thanks to new technology like CreateSpace print-on-demand, and the Amazon Kindle."
Throwback: Answering an unmet need
Dave Conifer has deep roots in wrestling. He wrestled in high school in Maryland, and was a coach of a junior wrestling program in New Jersey.
With that mat background, he saw an unmet need.
"Six or seven years ago, I looked around to see how many wrestling books were out there. I discovered that there just weren't that many novels with wrestling in them."
"I always wondered, 'What if I had another chance?' That led to the idea for Throwback."
In Conifer's first wrestling novel, a high school wrestler from North Carolina has problems back home, so he heads north to New Jersey. Still eligible to wrestle, Ben Pietrak creates a new identity for himself ... not just with a new name (Ben Petrovic), but also "do-over" in terms of his life on -- and off -- the mat. In Throwback, Ben gets to see where he stands in the wrestling world in the Garden State, as well as experience all that comes from having a girlfriend. Here's a portion of the book's description posted at Amazon.com:
Ben's legal and romantic difficulties converge with his struggle for wrestling vindication at the state wrestling championships in Atlantic City. How can he end up with everything he wants: integrity, redemption and the girl?
Conifer set the action in New Jersey for reasons beyond the fact it is now his home. "One reason Ben picked New Jersey is that it is a wrestling hotbed. It would be more of a challenge for him to be successful as a wrestler."
Keeping it real
As a former wrestler and coach, Dave Conifer worked to make his wrestling novels believable.
"Sometimes you see wrestling portrayed on TV or in a book, and it feels like a cartoon," according to Conifer. "I try to remember what my matches were like -- the sights, sounds, feelings, even the smell of the mat -- without glamorizing it."
"As I write, I put myself out on the mat, trying to explain the match, in a way that is appealing to readers who weren't wrestlers."
"A good portion of my books' narrative is what someone is thinking during the match," said Conifer. "How he counters what his opponent is doing, processing what his coach is yelling."
"I try to incorporate all this, all while trying to keep the story believable."
Here's an example from Throwback that illustrates Conifer's ability to combine thoughts and action:
"What just happened?" I'm thinking with horror. I can hear my coaches shouting, the sound of their voices overpowered by the sound of my labored breathing. "Did I just blow it?" I can't remember anything that happened since my last peek at the scoreboard, which indicated that I was ahead 4-2 with 39 seconds left in the match. Now I'm on my back looking at the ceiling lights, and the referee is counting back points. I realize with dread that my plan of stalling out the last half-minute has failed. I fight with all the strength I can muster, and somehow manage to flip onto my stomach. I look at the scoreboard again and see that the score is tied. There are now 11 seconds left in regulation time. A lot has happened in 28 seconds.
Unless something changes, this match is heading to overtime. I'm gripped with an intense fear because I am completely spent. My panic is compounded by a feeling that my opponent getting stronger and more confident even as I wither. I know he is relishing the thought of wrestling into overtime just as I am cowering from it.
The follow-up: FireHouse
Dave Conifer's second novel set in the world of high school wrestling is FireHouse.
To make things even more interesting, the main character, Zach Bowie, is the lead singer in a local rock band. Wrestling was just "something to do" -- until the 171-pound starter on his team is injured, and Zach suddenly finds himself in the lineup. As Amazon.com's promotional copy for FireHouse says, "He's surprised that the exhilaration of walking onto the mat feels as good as the rush he gets on stage. Maybe even better. How far could he go if he wasn't smoking three packs of Marlboros a day?"
The novel sets the stage for a struggle for Zach Bowie's soul. His band resents the time he's spending away from them, working out for wrestling. His wrestling coach and teammates question his level of commitment.
"The protagonist (in FireHouse) isn't a great wrestler," said Conifer. "He's like so many guys who may not be state champs, but gain a lot from the sport."
Written for a wide age range
In addition to making the characters and the mat action real, another challenge for the author of a wrestling novel: how to make the content appropriate for the intended audience.
"I have kids and I wouldn't have trouble with them reading my books," said Dave Conifer.
"For example, Zach in FireHouse is bitter and defiant, but the worst thing he does is rip pages out of a phone book ... There's no bad language, no sex."
"I would like to think this book would be good for an eighth-grader to read."
"Values are the thing I took away from the sport, so I try to incorporate them into my (wrestling) novels."
"I do address issues like making weight and mat burns," said Conifer. "However, my books are not about deprivation."
"I hope readers take up the challenge of wrestling not because it's easy, but because it's NOT easy."
To order Dave Conifer's wrestling novels Throwback and FireHouse, visit Amazon.com and type in the book titles into the search feature.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now