Fay Risner's Blog, page 7

Writers Beware Of Ego Traps

I am Fay Risner, an independent author. Over the years, I’ve built up a fan base for my books. The positive comments from readers please me and bolster my ego. I have email contact with many of the people who buy my books. Sometimes, we chat about what is going on in our lives. We have become cyberspace friends. Some of them send me Christmas cards. It makes me smile when the card says Merry Christmas followed by when will your next book be ready to buy. Don’t forget to put me on your mailing list. The feedback from people after they read my books let me know they enjoy my writing. That spurs me on to self-publish another book.

Years ago, I came across a list of one hundred and fifty agents that I could email three chapters of a manuscript. I did it. I had many replies from agencies that didn’t handle Amish romance fiction. Five agents replied they liked my story but had as many authors as they could handle at the moment. They had to turn me down. That was my first and last try to find an agent. I have remained independent with my bookstore online and my books for sale in the usual places. I became a legit publisher and published two books for relatives. In each of my books is written Booksbyfay Publisher with my email address. Not too hard to do a little searching, and anyone who is interested can find my phone number.

In May of last year, I found a message on my answering machine from a man who said he was a marketing agent for a publishing company. The company’s name was muffled, but the man’s name and his phone number weren’t. He said his book scout pointed out one of my books in a foreign language had potential. The agent stumbled over pronouncing the title of the book and apologized for that.

For one second, I thought the man wanted to talk to me about being my agent. Before I called him back, I decided to google the man’s name and research him. His name would be connected to the publisher he worked for so I would have that information, too. You would think the head marketing agent for a publisher would be easy to find. He wasn’t so I ignored the call.

Now fast forward to August of last year. Another marketing agent called and left a message. I clearly heard the publishing company, his name and phone number. This agent wanted to discuss the same book the previous agent was interested in. His book scout told him the book had potential. Much of what the man said sounded as if he used the same script the other agent used. More google searches and I came up empty handed so I ignored the call. That is until I answered the phone one day and found I was talking to the agent. He said foreign books were in demand. He wanted me to fly to Miami, Florida to a book fair and talk to people about my book. I listened politely, and my answer was no. He didn’t estimate what this promotional trip was going to cost me or what I would owe his company and him. As we talked, he brought up my books on Amazon. Maybe if I wasn’t interested in the trip, I might hire his company to publish my books and make my book covers. I declined. So far, I am out very little upfront by publishing at Create Space and designing my own covers. The agent wasn’t ready to give up on me yet. He said he might call back. I said I’d be glad to talk to him, but my answer would still be no. He hasn’t called.

Recently, a woman agent from California called. Her book scout pointed out one of my western books had potential. She asked if I knew Amazon was giving my book a favorable ranking. I said no, but I didn’t bother to point out to her that book hasn’t sold a copy in years. The rank on Amazon would match my book’s no sales. She wanted me to go to a book fair in New York. I could meet someone who wanted to turn the book into a movie? I shouldn’t pass up the chance to promote the book. I’d only be paying a share of the expenses. She didn’t say what the dollar amount might be. I told her I wasn’t interested several times. Finally, she asked if she could send me her proposal by email so I could look at it since she went through the information fairly fast. I said sure. I’d like a chance to look at what she emailed me. That proposal didn’t come. This was a friendly, persuasive young woman I was talking with, but I politely said no thank you. Did I believe her sales pitch about my western with the great ranking getting published or made into a western? My thought was she needed her book scout to have suggested one of my other books if the agent wanted to sound creditable. Anyone can look up the ranks for their books on Amazon and find out she wasn’t telling the truth. Besides, western movies are rare these days. A script writer would have to work hard to turn my G-rated western book into a manuscript a movie producer would approve for today’s western movies. So my final words were thank you for calling, but I’m not interested. Right away I googled the agent and her publisher. This time I found the company has a site, and the agents are noted for their scams so stay away from them.

If you, the writer, didn’t contact an agent about a manuscript, beware of agents that calls you and seems eager to help you sell your book. You will hear repeated phrases like great rating on Amazon, book scout, book fair, no limit to the book’s potential even a movie. If you are interested, ask the agent questions. Hang up and research the agent and publisher. You can always call them back if you decide they are legit.

My last words to the agent from California was though I had to turn her down, I’d be sure to tell others that an agent called me. That’s what I’m doing. Although, I’m afraid I mislead the agent to think my conversations about her call were only going to be with family and friends.

All Fay Risner’s books Half Price On Smashwords.com for one week

via All Fay Risner’s books Half Price On Smashwords.com for one week

Innocent Until Proven Guilty-Wedgewood, Minnesota’s Police Detective Renee Brown Mystery Series – book 4

via Innocent Until Proven Guilty-Wedgewood, Minnesota’s Police Detective Renee Brown Mystery Series – book 4

Uninvited Visitors – A Dust Bowl Story

via Uninvited Visitors – A Dust Bowl Story

Uninvited Visitors – A Dust Bowl Story

This book started out as a short story written for a contest. Now this novella is sold on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble, Nook, and Smashwords.com

[image error]

During the Great Depression, Rachel felt lucky to be teaching school in Oklahoma. She was eager to start her second year as soon as summer ended. She tried to think positive. She was one of the lucky few to have a job even though she was sadden by the circumstances everyone in the United States faced. Travelers were on the road going from place to place, looking for work. Migrants were hopping on and off trains and camping in a grove of trees near Rachel’s house. She felt nervous when they knocked on her door asking for a handout. The bright moment that summer was when her friend, Mary, came to visit for two weeks. The confusing times were when the good-looking sheriff showed up, using the excuse he wanted to keep Rachel safe or ask her out on a date. The sad times were how life ended violently for discouraged people that were Rachel’s neighbors. What worried Rachel most was how to cope with the appearance of UNINVITED VISITORS.

[image error]

Who Killed The Schoolmarm -Book 10-Mystery Series

via Who Killed The Schoolmarm -Book 10-Mystery Series

NaNoWriMo Over and New Book Out Soon

via NaNoWriMo Over and New Book Out Soon

Redcatcher MP by Mickey M. Bright

via Redcatcher MP by Mickey M. Bright

Redcatcher MP by Mickey M. Bright

Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. I was reminded of a book that a cousin of mine wrote about his three tours of duty in the Vietnam war. I am proud to say he did a great job of writing his book and for those interested in what that war was like, they can see first hand through the eyes of Mickey Bright how it was for the military fighting in the dangerous, heat filled swamps and jungles. The service men that fought and lived through the Vietnam war this book might be of interest since you can relate.

Five Star Review From a reader on Amazon

With more independent book publishers we are getting more books from soldiers wishing to tell their stories of what they did, the people they worked with and meet and the places they been to. This book was a joy to read. The late SPEC 5 Mickey Bright really did tell a good from the heart story. He really showed what it was like being a Combat Support MP. What kind of fun and trouble MPs can get them selves into. As a former MP myself I can some what relate to how they worked. Mr Bright stayed out of the politics, most of the time and degrading the ones he really could not really relate to.

[image error]
Biography

Mickey Bright put his heart and soul into his book about his three tours in the Vietnam War. He brings to life the men he served with and treasured as friends as well as the Vietnamese people he grew to know and respect. He describes everything he saw and felt about the war in vivid detail. That includes the horrors of war as well as the men’s feverish efforts to block their worries and fears with drugs and booze in their off duty hours. In the Missouri Ozarks, Mickey was a happy go lucky, daring boy who didn’t know fear. He grew into a man in Vietnam that kept his cool under fire. His family and extended family are proud of him for his service to his country and knew the man we called Mike for the soft hearted soul he was. He will be missed.

Thanks for your service, cousin Mike.

Christmas Books by Fay Risner

The holiday season is near and searching for gifts is on everyone’s mind. Books make a good gift for those that like to snuggle up on cold winter days and read. I happen to have three books that I wrote that have are Christmas stories. Here are the front covers and a synopsis of each book. You can find them in paperback and ebook at Amazon in the United States and other countries, Kindle, Barnes and Noble and nook and smashwords.com.

Amish fiction

Christmas Traditions – An Amish Love story

[image error]

Fay Risner brings readers the story of an Amish man and a once Amish woman. Follow the twists and turns in their lives while they make each other miserable. At the same time they try to carry out their Christmas Traditions for, Levi’s son, the little boy they both love. Levi Yoder threatens to make this Margaret’s last visit. A visit which proves to be very different from all the others. A terrifying fire sets a girl’s dress on fire during the Amish Christmas school program, and Margaret struggles to save a girl that falls into an icy creek only to find out she is Margaret’s niece. If that isn’t enough, a Yoder cow nearly kills Margaret. While forced to nurse Margaret back to health, Levi rethinks his buried feelings for this woman he once loved. Will Levi change his mind about their Christmas Traditions?

Fiction

Christmas With Hover Hill

[image error]

Elizabeth Winston grew up not caring about Christmas. This Christmas is going to be much worse than the holidays she and her brother, Scott, shared with her divorced parents. Her former boyfriend, Steven Mitchell, showed up to pester her about renewing their relationship now that his marriage has ended and Elizabeth vows that is not going to happen. Elizabeth always looks forward to sharing Christmas with her brother, Scott, but he says he won’t be able to spend Christmas with her this year. He has a business trip. His present for her is an expensive and obnoxious robot house man by the name of Hover Hill that he says will make life easier for his sister. Just her luck to be stuck with a mechanical man to share the holidays with. To make matters worse, Elizabeth is fit to be tied when she figures out the robot was planted by ex-boyfriend Steven Mitchell to brainwash her into taking him back. Her brother, Scott, betrayed her when he helped Steven by saying the robot was his gift. She’s so mad at both men she slips out of town, taking Steven’s expensive robot with her and leaving her old life behind only to walk into a new set of problems. She just wanted to hide out for six months, but that isn’t easy in small Wickenburg, Iowa. Gossip about her flies faster than the rumors that come out of the Silver Dollar Tavern. Susie, at the Maidrite Diner, bragged to her customers she got a good look at the handsome man that Elizabeth is shacking up with. The minster’s wife complained local farmer, Bud Carter, hasn’t been to church for a month of Sundays. She wondered what his problem was. Holly, from the Antique Store, said the reason why is Bud’s spending more time at the pretty newcomer’s house than he is his place. The grocery store checker said Elizabeth acts nervous like she’s hiding out from someone. If Steven Mitchell or her brother comes to town looking for her, with all the attention Elizabeth is getting now, she fears all they have to do is ask, and they can get directions from anyone in town to the old Carter house before she makes it through Christmas With Hover Hill.

Fiction

Leona’s Christmas Bucket List

[image error]

When Leona Krebsbach found out just before Thanksgiving she didn’t have long to live, she took charge of her life like she had always done since the doctor thought she might die in a month. She bought a small spiral notepad and titled it Christmas Bucket List. On each page of the notepad, Leona listed something she needed to get done while she still had time. Details like her funeral headed the list. She didn’t want to leave anything for her daughters to have to worry about after she was gone. She kept her illness a secret until after Thanksgiving when she had all but one thing completed on her bucket list. Finally, she was as ready to die as she was ever going to get. She called her daughters and invited them to a tea party. Now was the time to tell them. At her age with a long life behind her, Leona Krebsbach wished she felt better prepared mentally for the end. She should have been ready to go, because she would be with her beloved Clarence. If only she had managed to atone for that one regretful time that happened so many years ago. If that didn’t weigh on her, she knew her mind set would be different, but she couldn’t change the past. Even if she wanted to, she didn’t have enough time. She reasoned her bucket list wasn’t designed to take care of that one regret unless a miracle happened to change Leona’s Christmas Bucket List.