K.J. Chapman's Blog, page 33
October 14, 2018
Book Review: Virus the Unknown by Larry Finhouse
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Virus the Unknown by Larry Finhouse 3/5
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Brody had always wanted to live like the rich kids did, with their hot meals and shiny cell phones. Unfortunately, life had other plans for him and his sister Pippa. Struggling to pick up the pieces after their father’s mysterious death and coping with their mother’s drug use and her abominable new boyfriend, the children felt even more removed from hope. In this thrilling debut novella, Brody and Pippa are about to learn to rely on a completely different set of survival mechanisms — a set that would keep them alive while horror, a virus that slowly poisons the human brain, tears apart their small town. Amid the outbreak, tales of fright breed and people begin using the word zombie — something Brody, even though young, thinks is foolish.
Review:
The author plays on the fact that the readers are aware that this is a zombie book. On many occasions he builds the scene for us to believe that the zombie virus will present itself to the kids, but no. In fact, we don’t know hear much about any infection until much later in the book. The main chunk of story is backstory. Brody and Pippa’s sibling relationship is the driving force.
The narrative doesn’t hold back in brutality and abuse, and it’s shown to us through the eyes of a child and his sister which makes it that much more awful to witness.
I’m not a fan of free books that leave you on a massive cliffhanger to encourage you to then buy the 2nd. This book did just that. At least conclude the narrative to an extent, and trust that your writing ability will spur me on to book 2, not a lack of conclusion.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
October 9, 2018
Writerly Wisdom
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Writerly Wisdom
“I learned never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.”
– Ernest Hemingway
October 6, 2018
Book review: How to Write a Bestselling Nonfiction Ebook in 30 Days or Less by Joshua Montoya and Marty Cooney
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How to Write a Bestselling Nonfiction Ebook in 30 Days or Less by Joshua Montoya and Marty Cooney 2/5
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If you can write an e-mail then you can succeed as a non-fiction author with this step-by-step blueprint to create best-selling non-fiction books.
Review:
This is one of the more structured nonfiction ebooks I have read. However, there’s a lot of telling the reader that they need to do something, without actually showing them how.
I would have given a higher star rating if not for a noticeable number of inconsistencies, errors, and unfounded advice.
Firstly, I found some of the sentences structured in a jarring way. This isn’t consistent with the advice of getting an external editor for your work.
Secondly, some of the content is repeated in other chapters. It’s just fluff to bump out the book.
Finally, this comment! For context, the authors are discussing the idea of paying a ghost writer to write your book.
‘(You need to find writers that are native English speaking only! We don’t recommend anything outside of the United States and we never will because you are aiming for quality here.)’
Just eurgh. This sentence is misinformed and offensive in countless ways. I’m English, does that mean that I can’t produce a quality book despite being a native English speaker because I’m not American? Huh? Need I say more?
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
October 4, 2018
Book Review: Kindle Income by Alex Foster
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Kindle Income by Alex Foster 2.5/5
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This book covers the
fundamentals
to making a living writing books for Kindle. How to
set up your book from cover to description
to maximize sales.
How to get motivated and
pick which books to write
. A beginner’s guide to starting with Kindle with the intent to profit. How to
gather a following
and
write quickly
to publish books faster.
Review:
I have to review this book from two view points. Firstly, the book didn’t offer me anything I didn’t already know, but would probably help out a new writer with zero knowledge of self publishing.
Secondly, I have read a good few of the books this author has released, and the information is recycled somewhat from book to book. All that seems different is the titles.
These books are not helpful for writers with a general knowledge of self publishing, and the content isn’t much varied, but on the other hand, newbies might benefit from them.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
October 3, 2018
Writerly Wisdom
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Writerly Wisdom
“ When I think about characters, I like to think of them in their relationships to each other. In the same way, I think that’s how humans are ultimately defined. We are our relationships to one another. And a lot of what’s interesting about us happens in the context of other people.”
– John Green
September 27, 2018
Update 28/09/18
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Writing Side of Things
I had hoped to find some more writing time now that my daughter is back at school, but adulting, mummy duties to my four month old, and catching up with old friends has meant only one writing session successfully took place. However, my new marketing schedule has gone well. I’ve seen an increase in Instagram followers, and a big increase in interaction on my blog.
Reading
It has been a non fiction month of reads for me. I’ve read a fair amount of writing based and book marketing ebooks, but no fiction. I plan to change that in October.
Here are the links to my reviews:
How to Make Money Blogging by Bob Lotich
Write What Sells by Alex Foster
Writing a Book a Week by Alex Foster
Coming Up
I have a couple of guest posts to finish and send. It has been a long while since I’ve been hosted on another blog, so I’m looking forward to it.
I’m open to more guest posts if any of the bloggers among you are interested.
Seeing as Halloween is fast approaching, I have scheduled a free promotion for Zombie Playlist from Oct 1st- 5th.
Content belongs to K.J.Chapman
Writerly Wisdom
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Writerly Wisdom
“
Write till your ink be dry, and with your tears
.
Moist it again, and frame some feeling line
That may discover such integrity.
“
– William Shakepeare
September 23, 2018
Book Review: Kindle Reviews by Alex Foster
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Kindle Reviews by Alex Foster 4/5
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Book Reviews teaches you how to get more reviews following proven methods used by publishers and successful independent authors. These methods are approved by Amazon (and other book vendors) and don’t violate terms of service.
Learn to avoid methods that get your account banned, and how to get some types of negative reviews removed.
Review:
Reviews are like gold dust to authors. I’m always looking for ways to boost reviews, and downloaded this book for that reason.
I found the information on studies carried out on the major book distributors interesting, and the advice about how to deal with Amazon and unfair/policy breaking reviews beneficial for future reference.
September 18, 2018
Writerly Wisdom
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Writerly Wisdom
“ It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.”
– J.K. Rowling
September 15, 2018
Book Review: Writing a Book a Week by Alex Foster
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Writing a Book A Week by Alex Foster 3/5
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My writing method is a focus on writing short, high quality books that bring value to readers. Most of my methods are for nonfiction, but many examples and ideas work well for fiction books, too.
Learn how to be profitable writing a book a week for Kindle and other book sites. The process is a true test of discipline and character. I share ideas that work for writing under this model and the motivation and mindset it takes to succeed.
Review:
This book doesn’t pretend that writing a non fiction book a week is easy. The author recommends 5 hours a day to complete this task. That’s dedication for even some full time writers.
Although the book focusses on quantity with quality, I do wonder how good research and well written content can truly be produced in one week.
I would be interested to hear from readers who have tried this system.
The opinions expressed here are those of K.J. Chapman and no other parties
All books reviewed on this blog have been read by K.J.Chapman
K.J.Chapman has not been paid for this review
