Site Update and Recent Reviews of Curveball at the Crossroads

I have been thinking about re-composing my spreadsheets on Rays attendance. I might do that in the offseason. Unfortunately, in late 2019, I lost a giant spreadsheet that had all the games of all the Tampa Bay-area baseball teams - both Major League and Minor League - from 2005 to 2019. Somehow I saved a postseason spreadsheet as the same name as the regular season spreadsheet and lost years of work.

I started cataloging 2022 games earlier this season. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I have been unable to keep up with the daily effort of updating the spreadsheet. So re-creating a spreadsheet from 2005 to 2022 might be the offseason project.

Meanwhile, I am still promoting my debut novel, Curveball at the Crossroads. After being named runner-up, Best Book by a Local Author by Creative Loafing, my novel has garnered several awesome reviews by various writers and websites across the web.

Here are a few of the sites that have written about Curveball at the Crossroads:

The Guy Who Reviews Sports Books: Curveball at the Crossroads

The last characteristic of the book I liked was how Lortz’s story had a lot of elements of good baseball movies and stories woven together.  He clearly didn’t steal anything from them, but if a reader has seen any of these baseball movies, then they will see how JaMark or others are just like some of the people in scenes of these movies: “The Scout” (where I remembered the above mentioned perfect game), “Rookie of the Year”, “Field of Dreams” and “Major League.”  This is not to say that one had to see those movies to enjoy the book, but fans of them will look at parts of this story and remember them.  Not to mention I kept hearing the song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” throughout the story – even though it takes place in Mississippi.

Review of Curveball at the Crossroads in NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture

"Curveball at the Crossroads is a quick read that blends a familiar Faustian story arc with sports fiction. Detailed accounts of JaMark’s games and stats will transport baseball fans to the scene, but all readers will be compelled by first-time author Michael Lortz’s character-driven plot. Lortz uses dramatic stakes for his characters and a dry sense of humor to keep the reader entertained. He pays close attention to developing his characters, with adjectives and other descriptors woven within each moment of dialogue. The brief chapters and simple language keep the story moving toward the final swing. This page-turner adds a supernatural aspect to the idea of flash-in-the-pan athletes and keeps the reader wanting to know more."

The Devil is in the Details: Review of Curveball at the Crossroads by Tampa sports writer Bob D'Angelo

"Some of JaMark’s feats are simply unfathomable, but Lortz pulls it all together in a crisp, believable story. There are several currents flowing in this book, but they inevitably swirl around JaMark. ... The final sentences will really get you thinking. I have a theory, but I will keep it to myself. Even if I am wrong, I am correct in saying that Curveball at the Crossroads was a fine debut."

Talking with Mark Moses on SportsRadio 1560

 

As I mentioned before, I always jump on the opportunity to do media appearances. So many media people follow Tampa Bay Baseball Market on twitter and other platforms, it is an honor when they reach out and want me to chat with them. 

Mark Moses is the host of the Mark Moses Show on SportsRadio 1560 in my hometown of Melbourne, Florida. We have corresponded on twitter for years and with my roots in Melbourne but being on the ground in Tampa Bay, I can help get that "ground level" news. And being on his show also exposes me to my hometown friends and family, which is always cool.

Last week, Mark had me on again. We talked about the Rays, the Rays stadium situation, loving baseball, and my upcoming Curveball at the Crossroads signing in Cocoa, Florida - just north of Melbourne.

Many thanks to Mark for having me on!

You can listen to the show here:

Curveball at the Crossroads Book Release Party

On December 20th, 2021, I will be hosting a book release party for the 2nd edition of his highly acclaimed debut novel, Curveball at the Crossroads, from 6pm to 9pm at James Joyce Irish Pub, 1724 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605.

In a limited 1st edition printing, Curveball at the Crossroads received positive reviews from sportswriters, radio hosts, bloggers, podcasters, and New York Times Best Selling authors. Curveball at the Crossroads was also named runner-up, Best Book by a Local Author in Creative Loafing Tampa’s Best of the Bay 2021 Issue.

The 2nd edition of Curveball at the Crossroads builds on this success with a new cover designed by Grego “Mojohand” Anderson, one of America’s premier blues folk artists. This new cover captures the essence of the story while using the symbology of blues folklore.

Books will be available for purchase at a discounted rate and signed by the author. Drink specials to be announced. 

Curveball at the Crossroads is now available on e-book!

I am super happy to announce that Curveball at the Crossroads is finally available on ebook!

Curveball at the Crossroads is available wherever ebooks are available, to include Barnes and Noble and Amazon. There is currently a slight discount at Barnes and Noble, so you can save 50 cents. But at most, the Curveball at the Crossroads ebook is $10.

Only $10 for a book named runner-up Best Book by a Local Author in Tampa Bay 2021.

Check it out here:

Curveball at the Crossroads ebook - Barnes and Noble

Curveball at the Crossroads ebook - Amazon

Vote Curveball at the Crossroads for Best Book of Tampa Bay

 

I am super excited to announce that my debut novel Curveball at the Crossroads was nominated for Best Book by a Local Author on the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay contest. Creative Loafing holds this contest every year and winning it is a big deal.

There is some stiff competition for Best Book of Tampa Bay but I am sure I can gather the votes to win. After all, how many of the books on the ballot have to do with a pitcher from a St Petersburg baseball team making a deal with the Devil?

One. Mine

So please take a moment and vote Curveball at the Crossroads for Best Book by a Local Author. Thank you and I appreciate your support!

Selling Curveball at the Crossroads at Fergs Sports Bar

Last Saturday, 7/31/2021, I had the opportunity to set up shop and sell some books outside Ferg's Sports Bar in St. Petersburg, FL. I have set up there before, but have never had the success I had last Saturday.

I walked away with over $150 and sold over 10 books. I sold 6 copies of Curveball at the Crossroads and 7 copies of my previous joke book, The Man Makes You Work, written under the alias Jordi Scrubbings (Long story. See my creative blog The Serious Tip for an explanation.)

Saturday was a long day. I started by chatting on the radio with my friend Mike Rickard on the St Pete Sports Connection. I followed former Major League pitcher Anthony Telford on air, which was really cool. Mike and I talked baseball current events and of course Curveball at the Crossroads.

After I get off the air with Mike, I went to visit my friend Nick Major in his inpatient care facility. Shout out to Nick Major. Always good to visit friends who can't make it out to see you, especially for health reasons.

When I returned to Ferg's, it was slammed with people. Only an hour and a half remained before game time and people were flocking to Fergs for fermented hops and barley and fine pre-game cuisine. I slide back in my spot outside the bar and set up my book array.

I decided to bring copies of my first book, The Man Makes You Work, this time. This is the first time I brought The Man Makes You Work, but I figured I had a box of copies and for $5 each, maybe I'll make some extra money. I was right.

Marketing The Man Makes You Work as "the funniest book you've never read", more people bought my first book than bought Curveball at the Crossroads. Albeit Curveball at the Crossroads is $20 and The Man is only $5, but I thought people's interest in the latter over the former was interesting. People don't mind supporting for a few dollars, but if you get into their beer money, then you may sell less books.

Perhaps the most interesting patron I talked to during the game was a man who appeared to be homeless. He wore rough clothes and wasn't carrying himself well. He looked through my books and then dug into his pocket and gave me a dollar. Then he walked away. I can't give books away for a dollar, but he also didn't give me the opportunity to give it back to him. So appreciate the support.

Sales slowed down dramatically once the game started. From first pitch to the final out, I think I might have sold one copy of Curveball at the Crossroads and one copy of The Man Makes You Work. But that is to be expected when most baseball fans are inside the bar or inside the adjacent stadium. But this is when I had lunch, a few beers, and watched the game on an outside TV, all of which is what I would be doing anyway when the Rays game is on.

After the game ended, I knew I had to be ready. Rays fans were in a good mood, there was alcohol in many people's bloodstreams and a generally good mood was in the air.

Soon after the final out, folks started gathering at the long bar where I was stationed. I immediately made a few sales of The Man Makes You Work. Then I sold a few more copies of Curveball at the Crossroads. One group of patrons sat by me and were reading The Man Makes You Work aloud, laughing amongst themselves. Awesome advertising.

All in all, Saturday was a fantastic day for book selling. I walked away with over $150, after buying a few beers, lunch, and parking. It was the best day I have ever had for book sales. That makes me feel like this endeavor is worth it. Creative writing and selling books is so much different from my day job that it is a fun and welcome hobby. When it pays decent, it is even more fun.

Talking with the St Pete Sports Connection Again

Once again I was on the St Pete Sports Connection with my friend Mike Rickard outside of Ferg's Sports Bar in St Pete. I was on last Saturday, 7/31/2021. We talked Rays, baseball, and of course my book, Curveball at the Crossroads.

Check it out!

 

Curveball at the Crossroads on the LockedOnMLB podcast

I had the pleasure of talking with my longtime friend Sully on his podcast on the LockedOn network. Comedian, TV producer and creator of the Sully Baseball Podcast Paul Francis "Sully" Sullivan is the host of LockedOnMLB, a podcast that covers all of Major League Baseball. 

Of course, we talked about Curveball at the Crossroads, then we discussed the Tampa Bay Rays, both on the field and off the field statuses.

I highly recommend Sully's podcast. He has a passion for the game and such a wide array of interests - check out how our conversation veered to Star Wars - and amazing knowledge of baseball. 

Here is the link: Locked On MLB - Daily Podcast On Major League Baseball

Curveball at the Crossroads on the Spike on the Mic Show

Spike on the Mic is a longtime radio show in Tampa and Spike has been around the radio scene for years. A few weeks ago, I ran into Spike at a local sports bar and we talked about me being on his show. After weeks of scheduling, I made my first appearance.

Spike on the Mic is a fun show that covers weird and unusual headlines and has humorous banter between a bevy of hosts. I felt right at home talking with them. In the final minutes, I told them about my book, which most of the hosts were excited to hear about.

Thanks again to Spike for having me on and I hope to be on again soon!

Here is the link to the Spike on the Mic Show featuring Curveball at the Crossroads.

Curveball at the Crossroads is at Mojo Books and Records

Distribution is a huge part of book selling. I am trying to get my book in as many places as possible, of course this includes as many small and independent book stores as possible. So therefore, I am happy to announce:

Signed copies of Curveball at the Crossroads are now available at Tampa's Mojo Books and Music in the local authors section!

Mojo Books and Music is located at 2540 E Fowler Ave, University Center Shopping Plaza, Tampa, FL 33612-6271.

Talking with the St Pete Sports Connection

 As I mentioned in my previous post, I spoke with Mike Rickord of the St Pete Sports Connection while I was signing Curveball at the Crossroads at Ferg's Sports Bar. St Pete Sports Connection is a regular Saturday afternoon show that broadcasts from Fergs. 

Mike and I spoke about Curveball at the Crossroads, it's background and influences, other sports, events, and even some pro wrestling. It was a good time and I hope to be back on again soon.

You can listen to my appearance on the St Pete Sports Connection here:

Thanks again to Mike Rickord and the St Pete Sports Connection for having me on.

Signing Curveball at the Crossroads at Ferg's Sports Bar

I had my first book signing event at Ferg's Sports Bar in St Pete, in shadow of Tropicana Field. I could not think of a better place to kick off my debut novel.

It was definitely fun, even if I gave out more business cards about the book than book sold. But I talked to some great people, including Mike Rickord of the St Pete Sports Connection.

I hope to be at Fergs again, perhaps closer to or during baseball season. Hope to see everyone there.

Curveball at the Crossroads Book Signing at Fergs Dec 12th 1pm to 4pm

I am super excited to announce that my first book signing will be at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill on Dec 12th from 1pm to 4pm.

I will be talking with Mike Rickord of St Pete Sports from 12:30 to 1pm then I will selling and signing books. I hope to meet many of my readers there. It will be a great time.

I appreciate your support!

Talking with Shooter and the Stache

I had the pleasure of talking with the fine gentlemen of the Shooter & the Stache on their video sportscast. We talked Rays, the Rays stadium situation, and of course, my new book Curveball at the Crossroads.

Check out their show here. I am on at the 35 minute mark. By the way, I love their intro.

Book Trailer for Curveball at the Crossroads

Just like movie trailers, book trailers are designed to attract interest. This is my first book trailer and I think it turned out really good. Many thanks to Tampa Bay area radio personalities Steve Carney and Patro Mabili for their voices and Bill McArdle of Xtra Medium Productions for his work putting the video together.

You can buy Curveball at the Crossroads by clicking this link. Find out more about the book at CurveballattheCrossroads.com

As always, thank you for your support!

Curveball at the Crossroads: a new baseball novel with a Tampa Bay influence

Order here:

Curveball at the Crossroads

I am super excited to announce that my first novel is now available for purchase. Entitled Curveball at the Crossroads, it is the story of a baseball player who makes a deal with the Devil after a career-ending injury. As he rises in success, he realizes eventually all deals come with a price. His deal with the Devil could cost him everything he cares about.

As far as I know, baseball novels by Tampa Bay writers are rare. Most baseball books focus on New York or other major markets. While the book focuses on the crossroads of rural Mississippi, the main character spends most of his professional career in Tampa Bay. There are also other mentions of Tampa area locations.

This book is a labor of love. I started it in 2012 and was tinkering with it for nearly eight years before pitching it to a publisher. When I finished, I was very happy with the final product. I hope others find it as enjoyable as I do.

I hope to have book signings throughout Tampa Bay during the holiday seasons and then again during Spring Training and the 2021 baseball season. I look forward to hearing what people think and meeting any and all of my readers.

Order Curveball at the Crossroads through Legacy Book Publishing here:

CURVEBALL AT THE CROSSROADS

Curveball at the Crossroads will be posted on Amazon in a few weeks. I will post that link as soon as I get it, but supporting local publishers is important.

As always, thank you for reading and for your support!