tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post1645626187344208683..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Guest Post by Guido HenkelJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-31961020461026680272013-05-24T02:55:53.688-05:002013-05-24T02:55:53.688-05:00Hello There,
I just wanted to see if you were curr...Hello There,<br />I just wanted to see if you were currently interested in additional guest bloggers for your blog site.<br />I see that you've accepted some guest posters in the past - are there any specific guidelines you need me to follow while making submissions?<br />If you're open to submissions, whom would I need to send them to?<br />I'm eager to send some contributions to your blog and think that I can cover some interesting topics.<br />Thanks for your time,<br />Tess<br />Tess Youngnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89243764531515321912011-03-10T10:47:43.095-06:002011-03-10T10:47:43.095-06:00If nothing else, this post got this reader to buy ...If nothing else, this post got this reader to buy "Demon's Night", promptly read it, and post a review on my blog "Kindle Taproom", as well as on Amazon. It wasn't a rave, but a solid three-star review that generally encouraged readers to take the plunge.<br /><br />I think thoughtful, qualified recommendations help a book more that slick, impersonal raves, anyway. Though if subsequent installments rate a rave, don't worry, I'll do that, too!<br /><br />Again, enjoyed the book.Joe Mentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07082831708335979746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-23919051288557930312011-02-21T14:44:10.234-06:002011-02-21T14:44:10.234-06:00My advice: Write more books.My advice: Write more books.TheSanPintoTimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11618877484964426456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-72149322083603447402011-02-18T18:27:01.696-06:002011-02-18T18:27:01.696-06:00robin said:
> This will be a true test of
&g...robin said:<br />> This will be a true test of <br />> whether traditional pubishing <br />> can "beat" indie. <br /><br />just exactly what will it prove?<br /><br />that the corporations can<br />skim the cream off the top?<br /><br />who ever said that they couldn't?<br /><br />or does this just "prove" that<br />if you want to get the attention<br />of the big6, you'd better go out<br />and get big numbers yourself?<br /><br /><br />> I suggest everyone <br />> keep their eyes on this one.<br /><br />i'll be watching it. but so what?<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-64804466302675246182011-02-16T05:57:16.335-06:002011-02-16T05:57:16.335-06:00Regarding D.B. Henson...this is interesting news -...Regarding D.B. Henson...this is interesting news - I also thought that someone selling at that level would never take a traditional deal. But being represented by Noah Lukeman...Yeah that would tip the scales substantially. I don't think there is anyone in the publishing business who is better at picking true "break out" people. Also notice...July 2011 release date - this is an accellerated release. My prediction...with this D.B. will probably be the first "indie" to become a "name". Even dispite the fact that Amazda is outselling D.B. by huge numbers. This will be a true test of whether traditional pubishing can "beat" indie. I suggest everyone keep their eyes on this one.<br /><br />Robin | <a href="http://www.write2publish.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Write2Publish</a> | <a href="http://www.ridanpublishing.com/michaelsullivan.html" rel="nofollow">Michael J. Sullivan's Writings </a>Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-25084397948201950522011-02-16T05:56:09.243-06:002011-02-16T05:56:09.243-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Robin Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00613910688999698522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-79043380856509587412011-02-15T01:20:15.647-06:002011-02-15T01:20:15.647-06:00Very interesting news about D.B. Henson. Her book ...Very interesting news about D.B. Henson. Her book is making a ton of money as a Kindle bestseller. That must have been some incredible deal they offered her.<br /><br />I thought indie authors selling at that level would continue to go it alone, but I guess not.<br /><br />I suppose the fact that she's been selling her book for 99 cents means she's not giving up a 70% royalty. A traditional publisher should be able to match or better the 35% she's getting now.<br /><br />DavidDavid Wiseharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01438917127132239969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26233276897223086352011-02-15T01:13:38.932-06:002011-02-15T01:13:38.932-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.David Wiseharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01438917127132239969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-46260727559504286932011-02-14T23:36:27.710-06:002011-02-14T23:36:27.710-06:00from publisher's lunch on new deals:
D.B. Hen...from publisher's lunch on new deals:<br /><br />D.B. Henson's self-published Kindle bestseller (and Kindle "customer favorite") DEED TO DEATH, featuring a successful young Nashville real estate agent who, in the aftermath of having to bury her fiancé on their wedding day, is determined to prove the police's suicide theory wrong and soon uncovers a deadly web of lies, to Lauren Spiegel at Touchstone, for publication in July 2011, by Noah Lukeman at Lukeman Literary Management (World).<br /><br /><br />dr.cpeArchangelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358062143743621676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-89575419321284703892011-02-14T22:12:15.192-06:002011-02-14T22:12:15.192-06:00I've said it before - I think you're missi...I've said it before - I think you're missing a big marketing opportunity in how you classify your books. Fans of gothic horror will find you. I'd try classifying your stuff as "paranormal mystery" (much bigger, hotter genre, and you fit), and calling your guy "Jason Dark, paranormal detective" (right in your amazon title listing). It's good to chase niche audiences for your books - but what "else" is your series, besides gothic horror? How can you help those potential readers find you?ModWitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06026833488444170404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-26736535915136386022011-02-14T17:15:49.031-06:002011-02-14T17:15:49.031-06:00Belly laugh of the day goes to JE's resturant ...Belly laugh of the day goes to JE's resturant analogy. I don't think it's entirely accurate but it should get the point across in a funny way.<br /><br />A better analogy would be making your covers intentionally ugly so people don't get fascinated with them and are forced to read your content. Not to beat a dead horse, but add me to the list of people suggesting as positive an experience as possible to your website visitors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-36049134977167610022011-02-14T13:12:05.441-06:002011-02-14T13:12:05.441-06:00I'd like to mirror others gratitude to Guido f...I'd like to mirror others gratitude to Guido for putting himself out there and being so willing to listen and learn. I've been devouring these comments and it's a terrific education. Thanks Guido for making it possible and thanks to everyone else for their insight thoughts.<br /><br />I've got multiple short stories up on Kindle and Smashwords and not sold, but I know I'm at the beginning and learning. This is a wonderful education. Thanks to all!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30842449849464716232011-02-14T10:29:45.463-06:002011-02-14T10:29:45.463-06:00BTW "see" should be "sell" as ...BTW "see" should be "sell" as in, you can sell a lot of ebooks but it will be on the marketplace's terms, not yours.gnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41080216225410897622011-02-14T10:17:48.361-06:002011-02-14T10:17:48.361-06:00I've just finished reading all of the comments...I've just finished reading all of the comments and have to say, Guido, you appear to be getting very good advice on the whole.<br /><br />So far, though, on most of the points people have made, you seem to have excuses for why these points aren't valid. For instance, the price point issue. You don't like the idea of 99 cents. Well, I hate to say it, but what does it matter whether you like it or not? It's not about what you like.<br /><br />Here's a hint. I would much rather sell my books for more money. So would most writers. I am selling some of my novels--at 85k words and above--at 99 cents. You think I ENJOY that? No, I did it because they weren't selling at 2.99. Now some may disagree with my selling a novel that cheaply. But I'll tell you this, I didn't do it because I liked the idea...<br /><br />And similarly with your website and the ads. People are saying to you that it doesn't work, that it's unpleasant, etc. You seem to say that you are glad it's a horrible experience because you don't want people to enjoy the free material. <br /><br />These kinds of statements make me feel that there is a deeper reason why your work isn't currently selling. You don't appear willing to be flexible and change based on what your customers and the market is telling you.<br /><br />And that will be a very difficult flaw to overcome. That stubbornness and the unwillingness to change course will not stand you in good stead in a fast changing business like epublishing.<br /><br />I hope after the sting of all these comments wears off you're able to take a look and reassess how you've been trying to operate in this new world.<br /><br />You can see a lot of books, but it will be on the marketplace's terms, not yours.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Aaron<br /><br />epublishersmanifesto.blogspot.comgnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-84691105618989059532011-02-14T08:23:58.399-06:002011-02-14T08:23:58.399-06:00Hey, Guido ... I just read over your samples and h...Hey, Guido ... I just read over your samples and had a few editing suggestions. I'm not really used to offering this kind of feedback in "public," but I guess this is the deal for this post. <br /><br />I liked a lot of things about your writing (Demon's Night) and the set-up and mood. It's hard to go wrong with foggy London, right? And scary, murderous mist is always a good thing. I liked that you set it up fairly quickly (although I agree with an earlier commenter about opening with the weather) and there's a sense of the larger narrative to come even within the first sample. So plot-wise, I was in. <br /><br />I did see a few things, however, that would give me pause if I was looking for reading material. First, there were several (albeit minor) grammar errors, but I personally have a low tolerance for grammar errors in the first few pages of a book. A blog post with errors? No big deal. A novel? Uh-oh.<br /><br />Mainly, though, my thoughts focused on the point-of-view issues. The book opens with omniscient narration, bouncing among the various characters and even into the mist's thoughts until it settles on Jason Dark. The narrator also tells us things the characters themselves can't possibly know. I'm not one of those freaky "no head hopping!" types, but in this case, I think it costs you some urgency. There's a certain distance between me (the reader) and the story as a result of the distance imposed by the narration. When the character dies, it's like I'm watching it from a comfy seat in my living room, not living it. So I lost the immediacy of their terror and the strangeness of what's happening. In particular, in the first scene, when the old man doesn't see what's happening behind him, I thought, "Then why do I know it?! Don't give this awesome stuff away so cheaply!"<br /><br />Personally, I'd recommend opening with a more limited POV, even if you jump between different characters. Give me less exposition, more internal atmosphere. Don't give me the narrator's impressions ... because then I'm pulled from the sensory experience of reading ... and give me the real-world experiences of the characters, limited to what they think, see, feel, hear, touch, taste and smell. <br /><br />I don't know if that makes sense, but it was my strong impression as I read, and only speaking for myself, it would give me pause to run across this before I made a purchasing decision.Jon VanZilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14026643422328853037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83193700559669391232011-02-14T05:37:02.681-06:002011-02-14T05:37:02.681-06:00Guido, a lot of your logic seems counter-intuitive...Guido, a lot of your logic seems counter-intuitive to me. If I go to an author's website, have a horrible time with pop-ups, ads, flash, and general annoyances, I'm not going to think, "sod it, I'll just buy his book." I'm going to think, "sod it, I'll go somewhere less painful on my eyes."<br /><br />Am I missing something here? It seems you're driving a lot of potential readers away by using sales techniques that depend on readers being irritated into buying from you ... which probably isn't going to happen.Naomi Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16942943593211465740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61078172585128167952011-02-13T22:40:13.703-06:002011-02-13T22:40:13.703-06:00On the bundling point, I think that is a great ide...On the bundling point, I think that is a great idea. When you have a series, why not bundle books and give them an enticing price point? More and more, it's becoming evident that eBook readers are price sensitive, they love good value, and who doesn't? <br /><br />I asked Amazon if it would be possible to bundle multiple books in a price promotion without including them in the same eBook edition and they said they would forward that suggestion to the right people. May be too problematic for them.Margaret Falkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04018919983732502603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-42502943491760531092011-02-13T21:33:20.155-06:002011-02-13T21:33:20.155-06:00@ Guido Henkel
Myself, I write, too. Joe gave me...@ Guido Henkel<br /><br />Myself, I write, too. Joe gave me the kick to publish on amazon.com. If editing (ebook formatting) and cover art come in on schedule, I shall publish <i>Heart of Stone</i> in April.<br /><br />Three things to say about your situation.<br /><br />1. I recall the lyrics to an old country and western song: "It took twenty long years to become an overnight sensation."<br /><br />2. If eight people tell you that you are a horse, you oughta get a saddle.<br /><br />3. Comparison is the heart of all unhappiness.<br /><br />Keep writing. Keep learning. Keep focusing your goals.antareshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00928062661776005108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-9155795348009059562011-02-13T19:45:53.621-06:002011-02-13T19:45:53.621-06:00I tried blogging about my books and writing, and c...I tried blogging about my books and writing, and couldn't get much traffic. I really don't have anything to say about writing that hasn't been said a lot. So I deleted my blog (twice). Then today I got a new idea for a blog that I had been thinking about for a long time. That might work better, and I'll have more fun with it. If not, I can always delete it again. The great thing about Blogger, is they let you undelete blogs for up to 90 days.<br /><br />http://rexkusler.blogspot.com/Rex Kuslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06629682795065138786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-73843945266364987292011-02-13T18:36:23.524-06:002011-02-13T18:36:23.524-06:00@JT"Btw...the interview states she's sold...@JT<i>"Btw...the interview states she's sold 500k in 10 months, not one."</i><br /><br />We'll all celebrate when she breaks a million.<br /><br />I believe the mis-understanding comes from the wording of this USA today article that implies 450k sales in January but rather should read 450k sales to date through January 2011 (since then late reports have increased the sales numbers).<br /><br />http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2011-02-09-ebooks09_ST_N.htm<br /><br />To think, she only broke 100k total sales in November on her first month of 20k+ sales. <br /><br />She'll increase the number of books out there which will easily bring her sales over 500k/month this year. It is a question of when not if. :) <br /><br />For Amanda:<br />November sales 20k <br />December sales 100k+<br />January sales 200k+<br /><br />We could be in that 500k month or it might not happen until the late year sales surge. <br /><br /><br /><br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-63572608333048393772011-02-13T18:04:42.003-06:002011-02-13T18:04:42.003-06:00"especially if you're a person
who bashes...<i>"especially if you're a person<br />who bashes self-publishing?"</i> <br /><br />I hear ya man, those self-pub haters piss me off too.<br /><br />But anyway, facts are facts, and USA Today got it wrong, and many people ran with it (including many posting here), even though the correct information was out there.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-56979052212555033992011-02-13T17:49:50.427-06:002011-02-13T17:49:50.427-06:00amanda's numbers are huge.
no matter how you s...amanda's numbers are huge.<br />no matter how you slice them.<br />so who cares about specifics?<br /><br />especially if you're a person<br />who bashes self-publishing?<br /><br />but, for the record, the t.v.<br />interview was taped on 1/25.<br />> http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/2011/01/first-internet-then-world.html<br /><br />amanda hit a half-million 1/30:<br />> http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/2011/01/gratitude-and-fact.html<br /><br />so the reporter got it right.<br />(which is a pleasant surprise;<br />usually you can count on them<br />to mess up _something_ big.)<br /><br />of course, they coulda known<br />by the time the piece aired,<br />the total would be outdated.<br />but you do the best you can.<br /><br />on february 3, amanda said she<br />sold 100,000 in the last _week_:<br />> http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php/topic,51337.msg883130.html#msg883130<br /><br />considering the number growth,<br />and the fact amanda now is on <br />the u.s.a. today bestseller list<br />(but not the n.y. times, as they<br />"don't count" the self-published)<br />her trends will get goosed again.<br /><br />so whatever her total is now,<br />we know it'll soon be outdated.<br /><br />-bowerbirdbowerbirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962115094107919533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-76763916104997360702011-02-13T17:32:05.941-06:002011-02-13T17:32:05.941-06:00@Robin:"I think I'm going to accelerate N...@Robin:<i>"I think I'm going to accelerate Nathan's production schedule from 6 months to 4 months. To get the whole series out faster.</i>"<br /><br />Strike while the Iron is hot is old good advice. <br /><br />That's 3 sales/year from me instead of 2 sales/year. ;) <br /><br />I also think Nathan will do far better after he as his 2nd series under his belt. I know, a few years off... <br /><br />Neilwannabuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297458705683991405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44860561897024660432011-02-13T16:48:48.622-06:002011-02-13T16:48:48.622-06:00Joe, thanks for another great post and discussion....Joe, thanks for another great post and discussion.<br />Guido, best of luck.Donald Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09438983785789714227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3836450546815205702011-02-13T16:30:51.006-06:002011-02-13T16:30:51.006-06:00To put a finer point on it, the reporter states Am...To put a finer point on it, the reporter states Amanda has "nearly half a million book sales in the last 10 months". <br /><br />Amanda herself says she sold 169,000 in December alone.<br /><br />She seems like a really nice young woman, very down to earth. No matter how you look at it, her story is pretty damn impressive.jtplayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14231456054855215404noreply@blogger.com