Leon Stevens's Blog, page 85
February 25, 2023
Weekend Wrap-up Feb 25: Great Expectations
The book? No. Just my hopes.
I knew being a self-publish author was going to be difficult. There is so much competition out there, and readers can only read so many books.
There was always the hope that the right person reads your book and gives an endorsement, what Canadian author, David Chilton, coined “The Mention.”
One that comes to mind is Oprah’s book club which started back in the 90s. Having Oprah hold up your book was the way to become a best seller. Although looking back at the lists, Toni Morrison and Cormac McCarthy were the only names that jumped out as having a lasting career.
My first book was a poetry collection, well, it still is, and although people say poetry doesn’t sell, some of it does. But with social media and so many avenues to self publish, there has been a flood of poets hoping to make a lasting affect on readers.
How do you stand out as a poet? Be relevant, topical (if you have a lot of pineapple based poems, tropical), and edgy. My poetry casts a wide net, encompassing a myriad of themes, but in the end, my main goal was to entertain.
Even though there are many poems with more poignant topics, loss, addiction, human nature, and environmental issues, I choose to focus on the whimsical:
My second book of poems, A Wonder of Words, keeps the same thematic mélange.
Reviews of my first book are very positive:
Click to go to the review pageI couldn’t be more pleased about what readers have enjoyed in my writing. Do I wish more people would read it? Of course, but it is difficult to get name recognition, and it is also expensive.
I also don’t like having to wave my books in front of readers, saying, “Hey, look over here at this book! It’s great! You really should read it!”*
But that’s the life of an indie author. Looking for the mention, throwing advertising money into it, posting about it on social media without looking like you are pushing the hard sell.
One of my favorite reviews stated: “I have loved reading this book. It has given me what I needed the most. It is a very charming book! 
”
-Leon
*It is great AND you really should read it.
This week on my blog:
Free Book Friday Feb 24: What Bugs you and a no spoiler book review (spoiler: I didn’t like it) – Little Fires Fizzle Everywhere
Weird Wednesday Feb 22: Cartoons and Monkeys
Open Book Blog Hop: Movies I wish I could see for the first time.
Music Monday Feb 20: Spooning. Not just a sleeping position.
days
hours minutes seconds
until
The Final View Release
Start at the beginning: The View from Here
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
February 24, 2023
Friday Funny
Time to weigh in on this issue:
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
Free Book Friday Feb 24: What Bugs you and a no spoiler book review (spoiler: I didn’t like it)
I’ll tell you what bugs me. Books that have stuff that doesn’t make sense.
As a writer, I try my hardest to eliminate plot holes, inconsistencies, and continuity issues in my books. My beta readers have pointed out things that I wasn’t aware of, like having a character walk on sharp rocks in bare feet because I forgot to have her put on her boots.
Every book can get nitpicked to death, but sometimes I’ll read something, then read it again because something wasn’t right, and when I am convinced that the author got it wrong, it sticks with me and ruins the rest of the book.
Not that Little Fires Everywhere was a great book to start with. I picked it up from the library because when I saw it I recognized the name (that’s advertising for you), and since it was a New York Times bestseller (although, doesn’t every mainstream published book have this printed on the cover? It seems so.), I decided to give it a go.
This is not the typical book for me to read, but barring the issue which I will be getting to, I did finish it. This must say something since I am very quick to DNF a book that just doesn’t grab me from the start.
OK. Here’s what bothered me. The story takes place in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights. If you think that a suburb with the word ‘heights’ in it is snobby, give yourself a point. Any way, in one of the mother’s backstory, she says her grandparents “…arrived there in 1927, back when it [Shaker Heights] was still technically a village.” Then, on the next page she writes, “By the time Mrs. Richardson’s mother was born in 1931 … Shaker Heights was officially a city; there were nine elementary schools and a new high school.”
Did I read that right? 1927-1931? Four years. They built 10 schools in four years? Well they might need them since apparently the population went from >2000 people to < 50000. But that’s a lot of construction, not to mention all the houses and businesses needed. Maybe it’s different where you live, but I know of potholes that hasn’t been fixed in four years.
Am I nitpicking? Yeah.
OK. One more. “Nobody biked in Shaker Heights … it was a town built for cars and people who had cars.” But, in a previous chapter, it says, “When the city was planned in 1912, schools had been situated so that children could walk …”
And 16 years later, it was still a village, until the growth spurt.
So, should you read this book? Why not. It’s OK. I might not have liked it but you might.
Just a reminder:
The story behind Free Book Friday: I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Here are this week’s promos to check out:
Featured Authors:Dale E. Lehman is an award-winning writer, veteran software developer, amateur astronomer, and bonsai artist in training. He principally writes mysteries, science fiction, and humor. In addition to his novels, his writing has appeared in Sky & Telescope and on Medium.com. He owns and operates the imprint Red Tales. He and his late wife Kathleen have five children, six grandchildren, and two feisty cats. At any given time, Dale is at work on several novels and short stories.
Many of Dale’s titles are discounted at the momentKate Rauner is a science fiction writer, poet, firefighter, and engineer. Kate writes science fiction novels and science poetry, and serves as a volunteer firefighter. She’s an engineer and Cold War Warrior (honestly, that’s per the US Congress) because she worked in America’s nuclear weapons complex. Now living on the edge of the southwest’s Gila National Forest with her husband, cats, and dog, Kate says she’s well on her way to achieving her life-goal of becoming an eccentric old woman.
Feb 22Free Books
Feb 15 – Mar 15
Last chancePrevious promos: Discover New Authors and Free Books.
Read and Review with Kindle UnlimitedRead and Review on StoryOrigin
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
February 22, 2023
Weird Wednesday Feb 22: Cartoons and Monkeys
Breaking up is hard to do unless the who is Mailchimp and the why is that they will be charging for what was free.
Most authors have a mailing list and most of those most use the free version of any one of a number of emailing hosts, MailChimp and MailerLite being two of the more popular ones.
MailChimp’s free tier allowed for 1000 subscribers and capped the emails sent at … well, I’m not quite sure, but I never exceeded it. Now, they have lowered the number to 500 as well as the sends, so I will have to pay … or do I?
Enter MailerLite, which offers what I had, still at no charge, so I’m jumping ship, not because I’m cheap, but because …
No, it’s because I’m cheap.
Read the very last Lines by Leon Newsletter (MailChimp edition)
-Leon
Just a reminder:
Start at the beginning: The View from Here
Just another reminder:
1681743600days
hours minutes seconds
until
The Final View Release
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
February 20, 2023
Open Book Blog Hop: Movies I wish I could see for the first time.
Is there a movie from childhood that still holds a special place with you (one you saw as a child, but isn’t necessarily a child’s film)?
I was watching “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” last night and even though I’d seen it oh so many times before, it was still suspenseful when he was running from the giant boulder—of course he’s going to make it. Not like the guy with the spike through his head. Didn’t see that coming, well, I did.
It got me thinking what movies mesmerized me when I was younger. One aspect of watching movies then was the fact that I didn’t know the actors. To me they weren’t actors, the were the characters. Luke, Leia, Han, Obi-Wan were Luke, Leia, Han, Obi-Wan, and it wasn’t until later that I began to see these actors in different roles. But Indiana Jones will always be Han Solo because I saw him first.
Here are some movies I’d like to see for the first time:
Star Wars: Episodes IV, V, and VIThe above mentioned Indiana Jones movieThe Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I wasn’t young when I saw it, but it was exciting to see a childhood story come to life.Field of Dreams. I admit, this one still makes me cry at parts. I’d like to experience the full on bawl that happened the first time.Psst, I did get a few ideas from one of my previous posts: Read the Movie or Watch the Book
-Leon
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
Music Monday Feb 20: Spooning. Not just a sleeping position.
There is a radio show on CBC here in Canada that occasionally does a feature called SYNTH: Songs You Need To Hear.
CBC MUSIC, Central · Mornings with CBC Music
Now, I can’t say to someone, “You’ll like this song” (or book for that matter) because I can’t presume that others will share my taste in music (or books), so it is safer to say, “You might like this” and if they don’t like it, so be it. Maybe you will find a new favorite.
Before you ask, I was wondering the same thing: “When are you going to do a vague culinary themed post?”
How ’bout now?
Two things. There is a real talent to include whistling in pop/rock song, and by looking at the guitarist, I think I know where the Ramones got their look from.
Need more? We have all heard this one, right?
You might not of heard of this Canadian band (and yes, there are other Canadian bands other than Rush):
But wait. There’s more!
Whaaa?! More soup utensil named bands?
From Austin, Texas:
Now, I know what some of you are thinking. “What about the Icelandic band, Spoon?”
and the rest of you are thinking, “I thought Bjork and Of Monsters and Men were the only Icelandic bands?”
Now you know. And that’s why the 2-5 people who visit my Monday blog do so.
-Leon
Reminder: Book three is out on April 17, so …
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me! (only available here and on KOBO)
C’mon, space stuff!
February 18, 2023
Weekend Wrap-up Feb 18: Thresholds
There were thresholds that we never thought could be broken. The 4 minute-mile, the sound barrier, the world’s population going beyond 8 billion, and now …
I went to the grocery store yesterday to buy—wait for it—groceries. I picked up a litre (liter) of milk (1 quart) and the price was—wait for it— $2.01
If I could eat my cereal with water I would, but that’s just gross.
-Leon
1681743600days
hours minutes seconds
until
The Final View Release
Start at the beginning: The View from Here
-Leon
From my blog:
Free Book Friday Feb 17: Ahhrrgg!
Thursday Thoughts: Music
Weird Wednesday Feb 15: Cartoons, Aliens and Spellcheck. Oh, my.
Tuesday Tirade: Valentine’s Day
Monday Open Book Blog Hop: Grammar
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me! (only available here and on KOBO)
C’mon, space stuff!
February 17, 2023
Free Book Friday Feb 17: Ahhrrgg!
Have you ever finished putting your blog post together only to hit the wrong button which makes it disappear? This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve done it, but this post is the second iteration of Free Book Friday.
While I’m on it, it bothers me that some platform’s comment sections don’t allow for the commenter to use the Enter key to get a new paragraph. What you do get is an incomplete thought that makes you look like you don’t know what you are doing.
Just sayin’. That send button at the bottom? That should be the point of no return.
The story behind Free Book Friday:I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Here are this week’s promos to check out:
Free Books
Kindle Unlimited
Ends Feb 28New to You Authors
Previous promos: Discover New Authors and Free Books.
Read and Review with Kindle UnlimitedRead and Review on StoryOrigin
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me! (only available here and on KOBO)
C’mon, space stuff!
February 16, 2023
Thursday Thoughts: Music
No need to say any more.
-Leon
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me! (only available here and on KOBO)
C’mon, space stuff!Submit a form.
February 15, 2023
Weird Wednesday Feb 15: Cartoons, Aliens and Spellcheck. Oh, my.
They are not called UFOs anymore. Now they are called UAPs.
Great. Now I have to spell aerial and phenomenon without getting the red squiggly line broadcasting that I can’t spell worth s#!@.
I suppose the reasoning behind the change is that all objects are phenomenon (phenomenea?) but not all phenomenon are objects. Either way, there’s something strange going on.
But is it really? I like a good alien scoop, but I’m not convinced that an advanced race would need to resort to party balloons … or am I?
My newsletter goes out on Wednesdays:
Lines by Leon Newsletter: Feb 15
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
Not ready to purchase? Sign up for my newsletter and receive a free book of your choice:
Oh, pick me! (only available here and on KOBO)
C’mon, space stuff!
