2025 in review:
I have a website jjlairauthor.net where I post news and copies of blogs from https://mixtapeshistory.blogspot.com. I usually post every week unless I’m taking a pause to change topics or themes.
I got 1052 visits on my website. The most were at the end of the year. It was a 177% jump from the prior year. My website doesn’t tell me the most popular posts but the website got traffic.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by.
The most popular blogs were about Classics Bookstore from February 22, 2025. The posts about the state of the comics pages and my look into the comic strip Blondie from March 22, 2025 to August 9, 2025 got a lot of you interested. The most popular post was about the Arts and Craft Show that I was involved in December 2025.
Thank you to everyone that stopped by to read the posts and comment.
I will keep the posts coming to interest you in 2026.
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June 13, 2025
Last summer and into autumn, I read books about superspy James Bond for the summer. There were too many books and it took too much time. I re-read some old Fleming titles and then I got into the John Gardner penned books.
I read the Fleming books years ago and enjoyed the re-read last year. This year, I have an Anthony Horowitz and Sebastian Faulk book and some more Gardner books to read.
I discovered another author picked up after Gardner and I look forward to reading those. Steve Cole picked up young Bond after Charlie Higson.
There are no more movies on the horizon. I don’t know if I would care who takes the role next. Amazon owns the property now and who knows what will happen.
I’ll share my reviews and podcasts and YouTube videos about Bond I discover this summer.
May 9
The manuscript has been professionally edited. It was beta read. Several writing critique groups have helped work out paragraphs. Family members read it. I sent it for publishing and got an author proof. After all that, I found a typo. I fixed the typos and sent it for publishing. I got the author proof. I reviewed it for formatting and spacing. I found a sentence that I just didn’t like. After that, there was a paragraph that would work better in Chapter 5.
I made fixes, sent for publication and got a proof back. That last scene could be stronger.
Wash Rinse Repeat
I waited to review the proof. A little time away will clear my head and I will see this better. That scene in chapter 10 could be clearer. What if I describe the room better and build more tension? While I’m at it, what else is there?
Wash Rinse Repeat.
Ok is this formatted correctly? It has to be done after all these edits. Except except except that person left the room and is still talking.
Wash Rinse Repeat
I have another proof copy. I hope it’s good. After all these edits, it has to be publish ready. I really don’t want to read it. Please don’t let me find a sentence I don’t like.
That proof is sitting on the table. Will I ever think it’s perfect? Do authors do this all the time?
That proof copy is on the table taunting me.
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Why do I write so much about getting Diamond Dallas Page in the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
The New Jersey Hall of Fame has scientists, politicians, entertainers and sports players. There are no professional wrestlers among the sports or entertainment figures. The first pro wrestler to enter should be Dallas Page.
Page graduated Pt. Pleasant High School and still has connections to the shore. When his self-published autobiography came out, the first signing was at the Brick Barnes and Noble.
Why him in the Hall of Fame?
Page was a champion in the World Championship Wrestling Federation. He won multiple titles in his career as he worked his way up. He headlined several pay-per-view events. He is already a Hall of Famer in the WWE Hall of Fame.
He could’ve retired and counted his money. Instead he realized that he could retire comfortably because of several people in his life. He took their advice on workouts and healthy living. He created DDP Yoga. This program is a mix of coaching, workouts and diets to help people. These programs have been for people with health issues, medical issues and the need for motivation. He didn’t create a program for those already into working out. It was for the average person.
The Asbury Park Press has done several articles about the success stories through the program. There have been documentaries about the program.
Page had a successful career and used that fame to help others. That is what a Hall of Fame person should be.
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Recently I was interviewed on a video podcast by Cal Schwartz. His series “Conversations with Cal” has thousands of viewers. We talked about self-publishing through the years, the current state of self-publishing, favorite authors, movies and New Jersey life.
Here is the video:
onversations with Calvin; WE the SpecIES https://www.youtube.com/@conversationswithcalvinwethesp
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I really wanted to write blogs how I had new a book ready to publish. The latest work has been professionally edited, edited by co-writers, beta read and been reviewed by voice apps. I read this so many times. There were times, the story bored me. Does that mean it will bore a reader? I had to edit it again. This last time, I thought it was ready. I got one more author proof to review for formatting and page counts.
It sat on the table because I got scared. Please don’t let me find another typo. Please be perfect. I opened the first pages and read. I could re-word this. I could describe this differently. It’s not perfect! I passed it to someone else. I can’t edit it. I will never be satisfied. True, the next person didn’t want to change things. I found it on the table and skimmed the book. Nope, I really want to change this.
I’ve missed my self imposed deadlines multiple times. I’ve missed my quarterly deadlines.
I’ve let Alessandra Torres down. She gave a talk on deadlines and guide posts. I didn’t stick to her words. I missed the opening promotional time.
I’m going to do these edits again. I need this right.
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The main bookstore in Trenton. There is a section of book from local authors. I have been to group author signings all year round. I participated in several over the years. There are books behind books on shelves. Hidden treasures everywhere.
Copies of Dream Dancing are also available at Classics Bookstore in Trenton NJ. You can visit their website here: www.classicsusedbooks.com
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