tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post7758939046250309457..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Doom! Destruction! Not...JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-10589163196893917742013-03-29T03:12:16.139-05:002013-03-29T03:12:16.139-05:00I’d love to hear your response to this one from on...I’d love to hear your response to this one from one of my closest friends (he lives in Montreal). Am I wasting my effort going on Kindle as a male thriller writer? I have had to edit his response because of your character restrictions.<br /><br />Okay, I read Konrath, also many similar articles and blogs. I belong to two writers groups, the Writers Union of Canada and the Quebec Writers Federation, so I'm bombarded with this stuff. <br /><br />But I've also worked in advertising and now I work in branding, so here's what I know. Authors today, like actors, musicians, athletes and many in more ordinary careers, consider themselves as personal brands. This is reasonable and it helps them, their agents and friends figure how best to manage their careers . Now, what I know about brands, personal or otherwise, is that there are only two key factors that can help build a brand – money and/or influence. So let's analyse it from that perspective. <br /><br />Konrath may now disparage the mainline publisher he started with but that publisher built his brand – in orther words, they invested in the foundation on which he's now building. Without that foundation, his brand would be nowhere. <br /><br />People simply don't read as many books as they used to. The numbers prove it. There are too many other forms of entertainment, many of them free. And of the people who do read fiction, the vast majority are women. <br /><br />And I have to say that for both you and me going it alone, the odds are stacked against any kind bestseller status. Everybody now knows about tags, about social media, about blogging and tweeting, so unless you're selling vampire books to teenage girls – or sadist pornography to adult women! – I think there's little chance. We don't have major brands and there are far fewer readers anyway. <br /><br />RogerRnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1620821807591961302013-03-23T04:27:33.215-05:002013-03-23T04:27:33.215-05:00i've heard about garnering reviews on amazon.c...i've heard about garnering reviews on amazon.com, so when they removed them did u manage to get those comments back? <br />it'd be such a waste, and pple won't remember what they had written previously.boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13024809004099181837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61520238712800498532013-03-03T13:31:57.567-06:002013-03-03T13:31:57.567-06:00You need to do everything right to have a chance. ...You need to do everything right to have a chance. Professional covers, professional formatting, professional writing and editing.<br /><br />But if you think that doing everything right is going to lead to great (or even decent) sales, then you're in for a lifetime of disappointment in this business. You have to keep trying to have a chance, but it's simply not realistic to think you have any control over how many people buy your books.<br /><br />When people say luck plays a part, they're not hiding behind anything. They're just stating a cold hard fact.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5256829943759509882013-03-03T13:29:54.879-06:002013-03-03T13:29:54.879-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18203895342463897112013-03-02T20:42:24.589-06:002013-03-02T20:42:24.589-06:00Jude, I agree a lot with what you said. However, I...Jude, I agree a lot with what you said. However, I believe that claiming that "forces out of our control" are the reason we do not sell is too easy. It's like saying "God made me do it". There is no real meat to the claim.<br /><br />While it MIGHT be true (about sales), it isn't really worth it to claim. <br /><br />In other words, it is too easy of a statement to hide behind for people who are indie, and those are the ones that should be busting their ass more, not saying luck didn't strike.Jacob Chastainhttp://www.jacobchastain.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-65350198065820414672013-03-01T16:20:11.753-06:002013-03-01T16:20:11.753-06:00If sales are slowing, or stopping on your titles, ...<i>If sales are slowing, or stopping on your titles, it is YOUR fault as the author.</i><br /><br />Not necessarily. <br /><br />There are perfectly good books out there with professional covers and editing and formatting that never end up selling very well. Doing everything right increases your chances of getting lucky. But, no matter what you do, there's no guarantee you'll sell a lot of books.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1097842619445654692013-03-01T09:55:11.930-06:002013-03-01T09:55:11.930-06:00I can vouch for www.ebookbooster.com
I'm runn...I can vouch for www.ebookbooster.com<br /><br />I'm running a promotion from March 1 to March 5 and thanks to their efforts, I've got new readers.<br /><br />Bill Williams<br />writer, YOUNG and FOOLISH<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-90158203592039453032013-03-01T08:16:29.312-06:002013-03-01T08:16:29.312-06:00To the indies that our slightly freaking out all t...To the indies that our slightly freaking out all the time...Let a small author ease some of your worry.<br /><br />In October, I released my first horror novel, The Colour of the Soul. I gave away about 1,500 copies in 5 days, then sold just about 159 copies at $3.99 in less than a month.<br /><br />In November, I released a spiritual comedy under a pen name just because I felt like it. I gave away 700 copies in five days, and sold just over 160 copies in less than a month. The next month I sold exactly the same amount. January, I released the sequel to that book, gave away 1,000, and have barely sold over 20. (None of these numbers includes borrows).<br /><br />All of this totals in just over $1,000 in profits for me. Not a lot, but I can see the light on the other side.<br /><br />Now, if I was irrational, I would cry that the sky is falling and I'm a failure. But, after looking at my reviews, the reason my sales stopped on the titles (horror book), and slowed dramatically (comedies), is because of ME. I was editing all of it on my own, no vetting, no help, and it cost me. Not everything, but when reviews claim such issues, others won't buy no matter what.<br /><br />So what's my point?<br /><br />If sales are slowing, or stopping on your titles, it is YOUR fault as the author. As an indie, your destiny is only what YOU decide to do. Sure, we can freak about issues such as Amazon stopping affiliate programs, or about KDP being wonky at times, but that's an easy way to live. And an irrational one. <br /><br />I made the mistake of not spending more time with my novels to make sure they were squeaky clean. So instead of whining I'm not selling like Joe or Ann, I got an editor who could work at my pace. <br /><br />Ask yourself, what can you do to make your books better? They aren't perfect. I know they aren't from experience, and from the way you whine about sales.<br /><br />Make them better. Fans will come.<br /><br />Hope this helps someone.Jacob Chastainhttp://www.jacobchastain.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43343565317926912882013-02-28T15:45:51.098-06:002013-02-28T15:45:51.098-06:00@STH
> I’ve brought up Scrivener a few times b...@STH<br /><br />> I’ve brought up Scrivener a few times before (here and few other places).<br /><br />I think different approaches suit different people. It sounds like Scrivener is working great for you, so certainly no need to change. <br /><br />I'm sure my approach won't suit everyone, but I love the positive control it provides plus the ability to customize the book's appearance for special needs. It doesn't do everything. It is strictly for eBooks (it won't make the camera-ready (so to speak) PDF for CreateSpace and its EPUB is strictly EPUB 3 (not EPUB 2).<br /><br />> So, what is the issue with formatting? Is it a Mac vs. PC thing?<br /><br />Granted, I have no experience with Scrivener, but I have heard that it didn't work nearly as well anywhere except on a Mac. Maybe that is out of date and they have fixed the bugs?<br /><br />> (note - I’ve seen those cool little images at chapter headings in Joe’s books and others - and Scrivener doesn’t do that as far as I know. But for a regular book? It does everything you need.<br /><br />Sure, the formatting needs for the typical novel are very simple. Mobi Machine and it companion EPUB machine do make it very easy to put little images (or big images) at the start of a chapter, or even to use an image as the entire chapter title. They run the same on Windows, Mac, and Linux.<br /><br />Also, EPUB Machine runs EpubCheck automatically on the resulting EPUB file so you can be sure you have a valid EPUB 3 file before uploading it to Apple, B&N, etc.<br /><br /><br />Frank<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08643429893700999792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-29264134276522453092013-02-28T14:34:04.707-06:002013-02-28T14:34:04.707-06:00Not that straightforward, Joe. I am not an affilia...Not that straightforward, Joe. I am not an affiliate but from my understanding, the affiliate cookie lasts 24 hours. So even if you posted only paid book links, you can't control the behavior of those folks who click and then go on to download some of the tens of thousands of daily free books.<br /><br />From the numbers I see from some of these sites that do paid books, the freebie ratio is still 99 freebies to 1 paid. This is a comprehensive shift with unpredictable results. And of course no one knows how Amazon will actually enforce the gray language in the clauses. I wouldn't have commented except Digital Book World rather lazily linked to you on this subject--the affiliates I talk to have a dramatically different view of things.<br /><br />But personally I don't mind, either. I think it's cool. A good disruption is just a new opportunity.<br /><br />Author Scott Nicholsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09778999586794284457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-16592171140688473622013-02-28T13:10:14.334-06:002013-02-28T13:10:14.334-06:00Joe, I'm sure all of us could solve all sorts ...Joe, I'm sure all of us could solve all sorts of problems if we could just force others to do what we want. But for your theory to work, you'd also have to turn every woman into Chandler.<br /><br />Which would be cool, but perhaps not very realistic. :)Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-54943240541074569192013-02-28T12:33:38.771-06:002013-02-28T12:33:38.771-06:00Re: Formatting.
I’m just confused as to why format...Re: Formatting.<br />I’m just confused as to why formatting is still such an issue. <br /><br />I’ve brought up Scrivener a few times before (here and few other places). The program costs $40. It formats all types of e-books, and everything you need for createspace (etc), with one freaking button. <br /><br />What is it that I’m not understanding? <br /><br />In the interest of full disclosure, I am about as computer savvy as your dog. But my published book looks great, imo, in paperback, kindle and epub. I’ve certainly never had a complaint about the formatting.<br /><br />When I read over my own work in progress at night, I make it into a perfect ebook to read on my iPad. In seconds. W/ clickable ToC, hyperlinks... The works.<br /><br />So, what is the issue with formatting? Is it a Mac vs. PC thing? Scrivener is available for PC too, but maybe it does’t work as well for non-mac products? What’s the deal? <br /><br />(note - I’ve seen those cool little images at chapter headings in Joe’s books and others - and Scrivener doesn’t do that as far as I know. But for a regular book? It does everything you need. <br /><br /><br />Sharper13xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18275818335558623630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32376821372864748062013-02-28T11:31:14.648-06:002013-02-28T11:31:14.648-06:00In fact, Ann, let's you and I round up all the...<i>In fact, Ann, let's you and I round up all the guys and give them some anti-testosterone shots so that they'll stop killing each other.</i><br /><br />I'm all for castrating child molesters. If a shot kept violent criminals docile, sign me up. Ludovico Techniques for all who qualify.<br /><br />But there is a difference offense and defense. We live in a dangerous world. Being aware, and prepared, can go a long way toward being safe. <br /><br />If a woman doesn't want to carry a gun, fine. But if it was the law, and every guy assumed all women were armed, that's a polite society. It would be a very effective deterrent. How many on-duty cops have been raped or mugged? <br /><br />You don't mug someone who you think has a gun. You don't open fire in a public place if any five people around you can be carrying. You don't break and enter if everyone has a gun in the house. <br /><br />It's a simple, elegant solution. <br /><br />As for being forced to do something you don't want to do, welcome to life. JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-32900928364538233492013-02-28T11:21:37.792-06:002013-02-28T11:21:37.792-06:00I have to go buy a book by Ann Voss Peterson, who ...<i>I have to go buy a book by Ann Voss Peterson, who is clearly the smarter person here.</i><br /><br />Why do you think I work with her?JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76264865682938295472013-02-28T11:13:09.908-06:002013-02-28T11:13:09.908-06:00I've not minded giving away tens of thousands ...I've not minded giving away tens of thousands of books to my readers as part of my "advertising campaign." Nor will I mind getting a few pennies if 99 cents becomes the new free. <br /><br />Amazon always has a larger plan at work, and, logically, intends to make money for itself, which also serves its suppliers (in this case, authors). I continue to have faith in the concept that, as Joe occasionally writes, "A rising tide lifts all boats."Blythe Aynehttp://blytheayne.com/blognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43906605643092062712013-02-28T09:54:58.948-06:002013-02-28T09:54:58.948-06:00Sounds like a plan, Patrice! :)Sounds like a plan, Patrice! :)Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4764332788542171602013-02-28T09:41:26.656-06:002013-02-28T09:41:26.656-06:00I have to go buy a book by Ann Voss Peterson, who ...I have to go buy a book by Ann Voss Peterson, who is clearly the smarter person here. In fact, Ann, let's you and I round up all the guys and give them some anti-testosterone shots so that they'll stop killing each other. It's for their own good. You know how they need us to decide what's best for them, poor things. <br /><br /><br />Patrice Fitzgeraldhttp://www.patricefitzgerald.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81901018869564615862013-02-28T09:06:53.447-06:002013-02-28T09:06:53.447-06:00I think we can always count on Amazon to do what i...I think we can always count on Amazon to do what is in its best interest. It is more forward thinking than most modern corporations, but it's still a corporation. It exists solely to make money. <br /><br />Authors need to do what is in our best interest, too. Being self published allows us to be lean and mean and adapt at a moment's notice. That's a strength in an industry that is changing so fast, one that big companies don't share. In that way, we have an advantage.Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48159504208285296312013-02-28T09:04:38.185-06:002013-02-28T09:04:38.185-06:00"I object to having to wear sun screen. It..."I object to having to wear sun screen. It's the sun's fault it causes cancer! I have my rights! Why don't I have a choice in the matter?"<br /><br />What are you talking about? You do have a choice. A lot of people choose not to wear sunscreen. Some purposely lay out in the sun and try to get tan. <br /><br />"And screw looking both ways before crossing the street. Those cars have to look out for me! I'm the pedestrian! They're the danger, not me! What should I have to do anything?"<br /><br />Not walking in front of cars is the same as carrying a gun everywhere you go? That's stupid. Guns cause injury, Joe. Guns are dangerous. And no amount of training makes them safe. Using a gun always brings substantial risk. People should be able to choose whether to take that risk or not.<br /><br />"And don't get me started on being forced to wear seatbelts. My individual liberties are being trampled on! Who cares that they've saved hundreds of thousands of lives? I have my rights, dammit!!!"<br /><br />Not wearing seat belts can endanger others. Whereas having a gun endangers others. Forcing people who don't want them to carry them REALLY endangers others.<br /><br />I also second the points Jude made. This is a stupid idea, Joe. And it's not based in reality.<br /><br />I think we've beaten this argument to death. Let's talk publishing.<br /><br />Ann Voss Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15141783064748972033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-40501899589130920712013-02-28T00:06:46.426-06:002013-02-28T00:06:46.426-06:00> Women ages 18 through 65 should be required t...> Women ages 18 through 65 should be required to take a <br /><br />> handgun safety course, and must carry a handgun in public<br /><br />Wasn't it Heinlein who said an armed society is a polite society?<br /><br />Anyway, I've been following the comments here for many months about formatting eBooks. I appreciate your advice about having it done professionally, but I have a compromise position to suggest. My sweetie is in the process of turning some of her screen plays into novels, so I wrote some software to turn her manuscripts into (1) mobi files for Amazon and (2) EPUB 3 files for B&N and Apple iBookstore, etc.<br /><br />Then I said, what the hell, I'll turn that system into an eBook or two and include the software as part of the price of the book. Well, it turned into a total of 3 books:<br /><br /> - Mobi Machine (Your Kindle Formatting Butler) $2.99<br /><br /> This will be free at Amazon from Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7, 2013.<br /><br /> - EPUB Machine (Your EPUB Formatting Butler) $2.99<br /><br /> - Advanced Mobi and EPUB Machines $0.99<br /><br />I also wrote two fake novels (Stormy Night and Windy Day) to illustrate the process. I want them to be free, but currently they are $0.99 each on Amazon and B&N, but free when downloaded from nepotism.net (either mobi or EPUB files).<br /><br />I think this approach is the sweet spot between struggling with word processor style sheets on the one hand and paying someone to format your book on the other. We are using it here to format our books, even while they are in process, as it takes, literally, only a few seconds to generate the new mobi file. It is great to download the book to our own Kindles and proofread them there.<br /><br />I had heard of the horrors of jumping through Apple's hoops to publish a book, but I am delighted to say that the EPUB file EPUB Machine produced passed Apple's tests the first time. So, Stormy Night is now available (free) on Apple's iBookstore. Eventually I plan to put Windy Day and EPUB Machine on iBookstore also.<br /><br />If anyone feels like trying out my system, I'll be glad to answer questions. Descriptions, book cover pictures, etc. available at nepotism.net.<br /><br />FrankAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08643429893700999792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60094450410010959782013-02-27T23:11:31.104-06:002013-02-27T23:11:31.104-06:00Great info as usual, Joe.
I have a question about...Great info as usual, Joe.<br /><br />I have a question about the freebies that you give away on Amazon. Can you deduct the normal price of the book that you give away for free, on your taxes? Something along the lines of promotional expenses or the like? Just curious.<br />Thanks, keep up the good work!steve r.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-34359619001301449252013-02-27T21:37:21.720-06:002013-02-27T21:37:21.720-06:00I think Joseph Simon nailed it. Amazon runs on raz...I think Joseph Simon nailed it. Amazon runs on razor thin margins. The referral sites made money off Amazon, enough that it got noticed and squashed. <br />I heard a rumor that free downloads will no longet count as a single unit sold. Free downloads will now count as 1/10 or 1/100 of a sale, which will affect sales rankings. If true, then it may be best to just charge .99. At least then an author makes some change and has a full sale to his/her ranking.NWAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08889345003803943962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-45405358230562858932013-02-27T20:44:26.564-06:002013-02-27T20:44:26.564-06:00"elections should be determined by popular vo..."elections should be determined by popular vote"<br /><br />Or by gladiatorial combat between the prospective politicians, on prime-time TV. Or is that a retrograde step?<br /><br />As for these latest changes, I don't know why they're happening either, but Select doesn't seem to be overly popular with indie writers any more, many of whom are complaining of a drop in sales since its introduction. I think the "books for free" promo idea might not be around forever, on reflection. My view is that in terms of new, unknown authors in gives with one hand but it takes away with the other. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14379954838230639803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-68284761030069597362013-02-27T20:12:59.863-06:002013-02-27T20:12:59.863-06:00If I'm making money from Free, so is Amazon.
...<i>If I'm making money from Free, so is Amazon.</i><br /><br />I've never seen an Amazon imprint title offered for free. That should tell you something.<br /><br />Amazon came up with Select to entice exclusivity with self-published authors, but if it starts slicing into profits too heavily, they'll do away with it. Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26846951177976576642013-02-27T20:00:14.061-06:002013-02-27T20:00:14.061-06:00@jude
If I'm making money from Free, so is Am...@jude<br /><br />If I'm making money from Free, so is Amazon. I sell more books, they make more money. Free made me more visible to readers/buyers and I went from selling a few books a day to 50 books a day. <br /><br />I call that a win/win for me and Amazon. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14095356035341598488noreply@blogger.com