M.C. Questgend's Blog, page 13

#BookReview of Falling for My Bully by Amanda Mann

Turnabout is fair play.  I occasionally receive feedback and reviews on my work and it is always nice to return the favor with some of my favorite authors.  Amanda Mann is one of them.  She writes great stories with a style that allows you to get into the hearts and minds of the characters she writes about. I really enjoyed Falling for My Bully.  The story about two people who began as friends then separated by adolescence and peer pressure, only to be reunited later as adults.  The story sce...

Transsexual Education: The Adventures of Michael, Abby… and Michelle

NEW BOOK Transsexual Education: The Adventures of Michael, Abby… and Michelle [Available in Paperback and KindleUnlimited] This is the story of Michael and Abigail. High school friends who developed a bond that would last a lifetime and would include sexual adventures that were far from boring. Their exploration would include the common role play and progress to restraints and pain, but it was their introduction to transgenderism that would take their open relationship to a place that was bot...

The Neighbor Down the Hall

  New Book The Neighbor Down The Hall Available in Paperback and KindleUnlimited A second chance at a big promotion sends Kyle to London to oversee the companies expansion. While there he meets Nikki who is much more than she appears. The two develop a friendship that turns into even more as Nikki teaches Kyle how the “other half” really lives. As their relationship grows she teaches him how to trust, which is quickly put to the test after an embarrassing incident occurs forcing Kyle to make...

Being Published… Is it just about the numbers?

I have been publishing work for a little over a year now and have found it very gratifying.  The draw to my work by readers could be better, but when you consider I only advertise on twitter and the web site, the interest is really more than I could have hoped.  It did however get me thinking about publishing and why we want to publish.   We publish for different reasons.  For some of us it is all about the money.  For others its about the message the author wants to convey.  Truth be told there are a number of reasons why we write and publish.  So why do you write?  Is your writing validated by publishing?   That is the tougher question.  Validating your work through publishing can increase our confidence and motivate us… but why?  Is it just to see your name on the cover?  I tend to look at this from the standpoint of the reach my work actually gets. Publishing can definitely boost our confidence and drive us to do more sometimes, but when your work doesn’t draw interest in the form of unit sales, that confidence can turn into a depressed attitude and become more...

US… UK? and Beyond – What is the issue with eBooks outside the US

I am growing increasingly frustrated with Amazon right now.  So much so that I putout a feeler on social media to see where readers were getting their ebooks from (Kindle or iBooks).  The unanimous response was Amazon Kindle – which frustrated me even more because of the problems I was having. I recently got wind of something I was ignorant about and maybe I still am.  I friend from Canada reached out to me not too long ago informing me about one of my books not being available in Canada.  As I looked into it I also realized that this was similar to what was happening in the UK and other parts of Europe.  I have a specific author page in the UK with Amazon, but as I look at the postings, it indicates that they are available in the US and not specifically in the UK. Has anyone else seen this issue before?  If so how did you address this or is it even an issue?  I am curious and concerned as I have been having some major difficulties of late with Amazon and specifically Kindle Direct Publishing which has held up the release of other works I have...

Witness Protection

  New eBook: Witness Protection [Available on Amazon] Witness Protection is a unique crime story about Cris Taylor, who watched his best friend Trish brutally raped and murdered after discovering a plot by her employer to take over a competing tech firm. When identified as a material witness, Cris’ life was now in danger, but he quickly loses faith in the law and their ability to keep him safe until the trial. Out of fear and desperation, Cris makes a decision to disappear, in spite of the authorities attempts to keep him safe and secluded in the FBI safe house. Rather than try and survive on the run, looking over his shoulder, Cris takes a different approach and moves directly into the path of those sent to find him.

The Company Policy

  New Short Story The Company Policy [Available on Amazon Kindle] I was very happy with my current job, but always kept my options open when it came to my career.  When the perfect opportunity appeared, I was sold very early on and all set for a change of scenery.  Little did I know that the change in scenery would be much more than a new office and paint on the walls.        

Frat Sister?

  New Short Story: Frat Sister? [Available on Amazon Kindle Unlimited] Devin hadn’t seen his frat brother in five years.  When a reunion was planned, he was excited to see his old friend, but the excitement was turned to shock when his friend Mike was gone and replaced by Michelle.  How would Devin react?  How would Michelle break the news? And How would the two co-exist?    

Self Publishing Can Be Self Aggravating

I started publishing my short stories and books a little over a year ago and while I have been very happy with the interest and feedback I have received, I have to admit the process is a pain in the ass sometimes.  What I should say is the process is fairly simple, but the waiting and the support is what can be frustrating. There are a lot of tools and other writers who have their own tips and tricks to self publishing – ALL HAVE  VALUE and you should consider reading a number of authors’ viewpoints.  Mine are exactly that… mine.  Some of you who have tried this process with Amazon have recently seen a few changes – especially after the merging of CreateSpace. Here are a few things you should prepare before you ever publish. The obvious is make sure you have an idea of what your message really is with your work.  No one has read your work yet, so the cover and byline are going to be the first draw. Then consider eBook or Paperback… or both.  Depending on length and topic of your work you may consider one over the other.  Many people are gravitating more...

sshhh… I Buy Erotica

I recently read an blog post from another author Ann Michelle (see her post here) Where she discussed the concerns readers have about purchasing her erotic tales.  I have seen a similar situation and her options have fantastic merit.  The option of creating a “plain brown wrapper”  for her books could a great thing for the readers who don’t want to look like a freak when the mailman delivers them.  The challenge with this is creating the “fake front” as she described.  That is a lot of work and it is important to remember that we do take pride in our passions.  Sometimes adding useless pages to reach the story you really wanted to read could discourage a reader. The “Separate Amazon Account” is a much better option.  The only people who are aware of your true identity are the folks at Amazon.  I write under a pen name and do this for my authoring of my work and While I am not worried about items I purchase, I am always concerned about maintaining my privacy. Now one that she left out, which is something I have begun doing after a recent request for of all things autographed copies of...