Ryan Field's Blog, page 553
June 8, 2011
Book Pirates Leaving Reviews on Amazon? Huh?
I read something interesting about book pirates allegedly leaving reviews and ratings on web sites like amazon. I guess the key word is alleged. I'd like to think that all amazon reviews are at least left by someone who has purchased the book. It's one thing for book pirates to leave reviews on book pirate web sites. That's up to them. But there's something a little creepy...in an Anthony Weiner Internet way...about knowing someone had the balls to download a file for free, and then leave a nasty review about it. That's kind of like going to dinner at a friend's house and dissing the food afterward.
There is one author I won't mention who has been tracking reviews of one person/amazon reviewer in particular. And she's been finding a pattern of sorts. And it's a little disturbing. I think if I were a book pirate and if I were leaving reviews on web sites like amazon, I'd think twice about what happened to Anthony Weiner this past month. Nothing on the Internet is private. You may think it is, but there is always someone watching. And sooner or later you'll slip up.
Unfortunately, this doesn't make things better for readers like me who pay for their e-books. Now we're not sure which reviews we can trust and which we can't.
There is one author I won't mention who has been tracking reviews of one person/amazon reviewer in particular. And she's been finding a pattern of sorts. And it's a little disturbing. I think if I were a book pirate and if I were leaving reviews on web sites like amazon, I'd think twice about what happened to Anthony Weiner this past month. Nothing on the Internet is private. You may think it is, but there is always someone watching. And sooner or later you'll slip up.
Unfortunately, this doesn't make things better for readers like me who pay for their e-books. Now we're not sure which reviews we can trust and which we can't.
Testing the Waters: THE BUCKHAMPTON COUNTRY CLUB AND THE ROGUE PRINCE
I'm winding up a new novel, for a new series, and the first book is tentatively titled, THE BUCKHAMPTON COUNTRY CLUB AND THE ROGUE PRINCE. Right now I'm working on back cover copy and I'm posting the unedited version here so I can see how it looks in a more professional, published form. This is all subject to change.
The Buckhampton Country Club and the Rogue Prince
Parrish Bundy has just lost his father and he's been left in charge of the largest traveling circus and most profitable chocolate factory in the entire world. And now that he's in charge of one of the most prestigious country clubs in the east, The Buckhampton Club on eastern Long Island, he's finally able to let his hair down, both literally and figuratively.
Unfortunately, he's also inherited a long line of secrets shared by the most important Bundy men since his great-grandfather started the powerful empire over a hundred years ago. And Parrish isn't sure how to deal with being a closeted gay man, or if he even wants to remain a closeted gay man like his predecessors. It wouldn't be difficult on the surface. He could marry for appearance just like his father. He has a strapping young semi-pro hockey player at his disposal to take care of his needs. And he has enough money and power to keep anyone in the town of Buckhampton from questioning these needs.
But in a small European country there's handsome young prince named Richard who is even more dissatisfied with his controlled life than Parrish. Though Richard has always been aware of his royal obligations and he's always put his people and his country before his own needs, he longs to find out what it's like to be a normal gay man who has the ability to choose his own destiny. And he'd do anything to see Shania Twain in concert.
And then one night after the pressure of being a royal prince finally pushes him over the line, he sneaks out of his hotel in New York and accidentally winds up at The Buckhampton Country Club through no fault of his own. When he applies for a job as a waiter, using the pseudonym Silas King, the manager of the restaurant hires him on the spot. And when he accidentally spills something on Parrish Bundy during a funeral luncheon for Parrish's father, the two young men are immediately attracted to each other.
After a few awkward moments, they wind up spending the next few days together, from attending a country western concert in Nashville to doing a make-shift male strip show at a circus in upstate New York for a large group of very excited women. Though Parrish finds out that Silas King the waiter is really a rogue prince named Richard early on, he doesn't say a word because he doesn't want to spoil Richard's most excellent adventure. And Prince Richard meets Parrish's older brother with Down syndrome, he eats cotton candy and prune pie for the first time in his life, and he finds out what it's like to be totally and completely in love with the man of his dreams.
But will social responsibilities, long-standing family rules, and deeply ingrained royal obligations ruin their chances to spend the rest of their lives together? And will they be able to overcome the harsh realities of being openly gay in the public eye in order to live their lives they way they want to live them?
The Buckhampton Country Club and the Rogue Prince
Parrish Bundy has just lost his father and he's been left in charge of the largest traveling circus and most profitable chocolate factory in the entire world. And now that he's in charge of one of the most prestigious country clubs in the east, The Buckhampton Club on eastern Long Island, he's finally able to let his hair down, both literally and figuratively.
Unfortunately, he's also inherited a long line of secrets shared by the most important Bundy men since his great-grandfather started the powerful empire over a hundred years ago. And Parrish isn't sure how to deal with being a closeted gay man, or if he even wants to remain a closeted gay man like his predecessors. It wouldn't be difficult on the surface. He could marry for appearance just like his father. He has a strapping young semi-pro hockey player at his disposal to take care of his needs. And he has enough money and power to keep anyone in the town of Buckhampton from questioning these needs.
But in a small European country there's handsome young prince named Richard who is even more dissatisfied with his controlled life than Parrish. Though Richard has always been aware of his royal obligations and he's always put his people and his country before his own needs, he longs to find out what it's like to be a normal gay man who has the ability to choose his own destiny. And he'd do anything to see Shania Twain in concert.
And then one night after the pressure of being a royal prince finally pushes him over the line, he sneaks out of his hotel in New York and accidentally winds up at The Buckhampton Country Club through no fault of his own. When he applies for a job as a waiter, using the pseudonym Silas King, the manager of the restaurant hires him on the spot. And when he accidentally spills something on Parrish Bundy during a funeral luncheon for Parrish's father, the two young men are immediately attracted to each other.
After a few awkward moments, they wind up spending the next few days together, from attending a country western concert in Nashville to doing a make-shift male strip show at a circus in upstate New York for a large group of very excited women. Though Parrish finds out that Silas King the waiter is really a rogue prince named Richard early on, he doesn't say a word because he doesn't want to spoil Richard's most excellent adventure. And Prince Richard meets Parrish's older brother with Down syndrome, he eats cotton candy and prune pie for the first time in his life, and he finds out what it's like to be totally and completely in love with the man of his dreams.
But will social responsibilities, long-standing family rules, and deeply ingrained royal obligations ruin their chances to spend the rest of their lives together? And will they be able to overcome the harsh realities of being openly gay in the public eye in order to live their lives they way they want to live them?
Ryan Field Music Promo "The New Beginning"
About a year ago I found a great new singer on facebook who just happens to share my name. At first I thought, okay, can't hurt to listen. And it turns out he's really good. Seriously.
I have a feeling we'll be hearing more about him.
I have a feeling we'll be hearing more about him.
June 7, 2011
Call For Submission...Build Some Publishing Credits
For those authors looking to get into fiction, submitting a short story for an anthology is a great place to start. I started writing short stories for lgbt publishers almost twenty years ago and it's always been a good experience for me.
There's an interesting call for submission here. If I had the time, I'd be submitting something myself.
It's also a way to build publishing credits that may lead to a full length novel. I know so many authors who want to be the next Amanda Hocking...but Amanda Hocking put in her time, too. And the query system with agents works okay at best these days. So don't pass up a good opportunity to write and take charge of your own career. And if this isn't your genre, look for another that suits your talents and needs better.
There's an interesting call for submission here. If I had the time, I'd be submitting something myself.
It's also a way to build publishing credits that may lead to a full length novel. I know so many authors who want to be the next Amanda Hocking...but Amanda Hocking put in her time, too. And the query system with agents works okay at best these days. So don't pass up a good opportunity to write and take charge of your own career. And if this isn't your genre, look for another that suits your talents and needs better.
Watch That Back Story...(This Is a Trick Post)
The photo above is one of my back gardens. I live on Two acres in New Hope, Bucks County, PA, and one of my ways to unwind is to spend the entire weekend working outside. I've planted almost an acre of pachysandra in the nine years I've lived here (not all in one place), mixed with Boston Ivy, and other green perennials. I keep the palate simple, monochromatic, and provide texture with garden statues and urns filled with annuals or deer friendly shrubs.
I planted the flowers in the photo above about four years ago, and since then they've taken off very well. They front a long row of bamboo, which provides a nice border. I can't see any of my neighbors because everyone around me has two or more acres, but I like privacy.
But the interesting thing about the flowers above is that I don't know what the hell they are. And I don't care. Which is why I'm including them in a post about back story in fiction. In other words, these flowers don't even need a name. The main function is for them to add a little color, fill in a blank space, and keep things interesting.
And that's how I look at back story. Too much back story in any book or short story can kill the pace...not to mention the entire reading experience. If it's overdone, back story can slow down the real story and make the reader want to stop reading altogether. It might be important to add a few things about the main character's best friend in high school, but if it's a throw away character we don't need to know this character's life story. There is such a thing as too much information and too much detail. Think about that friend you have who takes a half hour to tell a three minute joke. Not fun.
There are ways to add back story into books that don't require long, detailed descriptions. All authors have different ways to do this. It's not easy and you have to be clever about it. It's like weaving into the plot. But it can be done, especially with dialogue. And I think one secret is keeping it short and the to point.
Why is this a trick post? Because I wrote far too much about the flowers and my gardening habits in the first two paragraphs. I did it on purpose, to show how too much back story...or too much explanation...can ruin something and sway someone's attention. I should have just mentioned the flowers and plunged right into a post about back story. I could have done it in a sentence or two and this post would have been much shorter and to the point. Actually, I could cut the entire first two paragraphs and this post would read much better.
June 6, 2011
Product Information: The Virgin Billionaire Series...
Since I'm now posting more product information for all my books and short stories, I figured I'd better post this information about The Virgin Billionaire sereis, too. Sometimes it's difficult to get all the facts out, and authors and publishers get busy and tend to take things for granted.
I've had a few e-mails from readers asking whether or not the books in the Virgin Billionaire series could be read as stand alones. In other words, would someone have to begin with the first book in the series and then read the others consecutively.
And the answer is no. Though each book follows a pattern in the series, each book can also be read on its own. You don't need to read the first book in order to "get" the fifth. It helps, but I try to make quick explanations in all the books with back story, without getting too long and stopping the story. Also, there are no cliffhangers at the end of the books; no teases to get readers to buy the next book.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to continue to e-mail me. All e-mails I receive are treated with privacy and absolute discretion. You won't wind up getting spammed.
June 5, 2011
So This Is How It's Done...
For those who don't know, I have two miniature poodles, one red, one white. I get them groomed once a month...or I do it myself when I can't get an appointment...and they never come out looking like this.
How That "DNF" Review "Thingy" Keeps Haunting Me...
I posted recently that I'd just heard of this "DNF" review grade/rating/internet-thingy...which, for those who still don't know, means, "Did Not Finish." As an author, I don't think it's ever happened to me, so no one can say I'm complaining about any of my own book reviews. It's just that I honestly don't get why anyone would bother taking a "DNF" review seriously.
And since I discovered "DNF" reviews, I coincidentally started reading the worst book I've read in years. What makes this particular book even more pitiful is that it was written by a New York Times bestselling author with a long list of published novels. I'm not going to mention names or titles. I won't do that because I don't want this to become a review blog. And this post isn't a review of the book I read.
But I will mention that the book revolves around three women: a college age daughter, a middle aged mother, and an ex-mother-in-law/grandmother who is in her sixties. They all embark on a cross country road trip and the "fun" ensues (I'm twirling my finger right now). And you'd think that with three generations, and a road trip, there would be at least one likable character to hold on to. But not so.
But this isn't a book review and I realize that this just wasn't the right book for me, which happens. But it is an example of my point in an earlier blog post about "DNF." I could have stopped reading. I could have deleted the entire book from my e-reader and it wouldn't have made a difference in the quality of my life one way or the other. I could have left a bitter, scathing review on goodreads or amazon and felt a brief moment of blind vindication.
But I didn't stop reading. I plowed through until the end, literally groaning out loud at some points (there was a scene at the Grand Canyon where I wanted to shove them all over.). And even though I didn't like the book, I understand (objectivity) how other's might like it...or love it for that matter. It's pure escapism, from cover to cover. But it's trying too hard to be realism instead of escapism for my taste.
After this reading experience, I still don't get this "DNF" thing at all. It's one thing to stop reading a book and move on...no problem there. It's just that when I read comments and ratings and reviews for books that were never finished I have to wonder the about the motivation...or lack of motivation in some cases.
I suffered through this particular book and I knew I wasn't even going to review or rate it in public anywhere. Finishing everything is a personal objective with me. When I begin something I see it through until the end. And, because I had the tenacity to get through this nightmare of a book, I will admit that the ending wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was, in fact, worth my time in the end, and all the complaining I did while I was reading.
But more than that, I'd recommend the book to people who I think would enjoy it (my mother would probably love it). I do know plenty who would, in spite of the fact that I hated it so much. And what a terrible shame it would have been if I'd stopped reading mid-way and written a scathing public review before I'd had a chance to see how it ended.
And since I discovered "DNF" reviews, I coincidentally started reading the worst book I've read in years. What makes this particular book even more pitiful is that it was written by a New York Times bestselling author with a long list of published novels. I'm not going to mention names or titles. I won't do that because I don't want this to become a review blog. And this post isn't a review of the book I read.
But I will mention that the book revolves around three women: a college age daughter, a middle aged mother, and an ex-mother-in-law/grandmother who is in her sixties. They all embark on a cross country road trip and the "fun" ensues (I'm twirling my finger right now). And you'd think that with three generations, and a road trip, there would be at least one likable character to hold on to. But not so.
But this isn't a book review and I realize that this just wasn't the right book for me, which happens. But it is an example of my point in an earlier blog post about "DNF." I could have stopped reading. I could have deleted the entire book from my e-reader and it wouldn't have made a difference in the quality of my life one way or the other. I could have left a bitter, scathing review on goodreads or amazon and felt a brief moment of blind vindication.
But I didn't stop reading. I plowed through until the end, literally groaning out loud at some points (there was a scene at the Grand Canyon where I wanted to shove them all over.). And even though I didn't like the book, I understand (objectivity) how other's might like it...or love it for that matter. It's pure escapism, from cover to cover. But it's trying too hard to be realism instead of escapism for my taste.
After this reading experience, I still don't get this "DNF" thing at all. It's one thing to stop reading a book and move on...no problem there. It's just that when I read comments and ratings and reviews for books that were never finished I have to wonder the about the motivation...or lack of motivation in some cases.
I suffered through this particular book and I knew I wasn't even going to review or rate it in public anywhere. Finishing everything is a personal objective with me. When I begin something I see it through until the end. And, because I had the tenacity to get through this nightmare of a book, I will admit that the ending wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was, in fact, worth my time in the end, and all the complaining I did while I was reading.
But more than that, I'd recommend the book to people who I think would enjoy it (my mother would probably love it). I do know plenty who would, in spite of the fact that I hated it so much. And what a terrible shame it would have been if I'd stopped reading mid-way and written a scathing public review before I'd had a chance to see how it ended.
June 4, 2011
"Self's Blossom" by David Russell
Those who read this blog know I rarely do book reviews. But I will, on occasion, write a blurb about a book I love. And I recently finished reading Self's Blossom , by David Russell, and wanted to share my thoughts.
Self's Blossom, by David Russell, is one of those romantic, erotic tales of discovery that's filled with detailed imagery, well-defined characters, and scenes that are loaded with emotion. Selene is portrayed well as a vibrant main character, and I fell in love with her from the start. The organized mix of realism combined with escapism had me respecting her throughout the entire book, which is extremely important in any erotic romance. This is a very well-written book, with a distinct literary flair, where careful attention is paid to intelligent (and again, very well-written) dialogue that is constantly moving the story forward. The settings are described so well, in fact, I thought I was on holiday myself. The characters are crafted with such detail I felt as if I knew them. And when I was finished reading, I knew they would remain with me for a long time.
