L.R. McLaughlin's Blog
October 18, 2015
October 4, 2015
September 23, 2015
Million Dollar Question: How to Get Book Reviews?
Some good advice from the savvybookwriters blog
Originally posted on Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
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Not just a handful, but lots of reviews!
They are crucial, not only for Amazon’s algorithms, but also when selling through other online retailers, such as Kobo, Barnes&Noble or Waterstones. Polls revealed that 70% of book buyers are paying attention to reviews before they make their purchase. They don’t read the reviews necessarily, but check the numbers of reviews a book has accrued. Book reviewing, in the past a privilege of literary magazines, became mainstream, encouraged by the likes of Amazon and without any editorial controls. There is an ever-shrinking newspaper space for reviews, while the number of books published is increasing tremendously. However, book bloggers and book lovers all over the world become armchair critics at the click of a mouse.
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So, how can a writer find reviewers?
paying for reviews, Kirkus Reviews comes to mind, who charges several hundred dollars
asking followers and friends in their Social…
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September 19, 2015
September 11, 2015
August 31, 2015
Comatose
“Alex?” She spoke softly. Without knowing why, she stroked his hair.
A burning fire seemed to emanate from within the eyes that were lifeless a few moments prior. Alex Kramer was speaking to her; she could feel it. She was so overwhelmed by the force of his spirit that she almost turned away. However, she could not, because she sensed his need. So she leaned in, putting her ear to his lips.
“What is it, Alex? Tell me.”
Emma. A breath of air caressed her ears. Did she hear it, or just sense it?
“I’m here, Alex.”
Help me.
She gazed at him, searching his face, and their eyes met again in mutual recognition of something deep beneath the surface. Somehow, she knew him in this moment. The sadness, the hunger, the longing, and the despair ricocheted through her in waves of anguished revelation. Alex Kramer was speaking to her, but not with words. Emma stroked his hair, his cheek, and then very gently took his hand.
“Alex. I want to make this right. Tell me how to make this right.” Desperation filled her. What a stupid thing to say. This could not be made right.
August 28, 2015
Words
There are so many words. Sometimes too many. Sometimes people speak them in volumes, but say very little to feed the soul. Then there are those who speak rarely, but their words carry great weight, and are like manna from heaven. Some use words like knives, skillfully cutting away the fat of excessive communication. There are words to tempt, to tease, to sell, to persuade and intimidate. There are words to stir up romantic love in the heart of a lover. There are words used to slay an enemy’s confidence, calm a child’s fears, describe the beauty of a Spring morning, or inspire a generation.
Words are mighty. Words can be misspoken. Words can be empty. But make no mistake, words are the essence of life. If a thing is spoken, it may then be so.
As authors, the stories that we write are veritable worlds than we have orchestrated into being. And finding readers to visit those worlds is to populate them. And when these fictional worlds are inhabited collectively, the author and the readers share in creation. It is a beautiful, almost sacred, relationship.
August 23, 2015
Time is everything
So now it begins. My first website, my first blog, my first novel published independently. Without reason or logic I begin this journey, knowing full well it is but a milestone in a journey of a million steps. But begin I must, for to not leaves me in the shadow of a life not fully realized, and a hunger never satiated. For those who find this place, know that I am listening. Every human being is a forest of knowledge and experience. Some of us are forests of young saplings, some of us are old growth forests, with ecosystems that dig deep and spread their branches to share the oxygen of wisdom. But we are all valuable, and we all have purpose.
Some say time is money. But that is not true. Time is everything. It’s all we have. We must reach toward that one thing that makes us beautiful, alive, brilliant and aware. And so it begins. Welcome.
