Ryan Field's Blog, page 556
May 23, 2011
Google Blogger Eating Posts and Comments
Just a quick post. Google blogger has been screwy lately. It's been up and down, I've lost posts, and comments are going to spam that should not be going to spam.
I've also lost comments that I can't seem to retrieve. So if anyone does leave a comment and it doesn't show up, blame it on goggle blogger. I always post all comments, whether I agree with them or not, especially anonymous comments. I encourage anons and I respect their right to privacy, especially when it comes to learning more about book priates.
But sometimes google eats comments and blog posts and there's nothing I can do about it (frown).
I've also lost comments that I can't seem to retrieve. So if anyone does leave a comment and it doesn't show up, blame it on goggle blogger. I always post all comments, whether I agree with them or not, especially anonymous comments. I encourage anons and I respect their right to privacy, especially when it comes to learning more about book priates.
But sometimes google eats comments and blog posts and there's nothing I can do about it (frown).
Young, Hung, and Hitched...Or Gone With A Wink
Getting a book out isn't an easy process. After you've done it enough times the mechanical process isn't that hard, but the emotional process...and the creative decisions you make as an author...is always difficult.
It was that way with my new release, YOUNG, HUNG, AND HITCHED. The original title was GONE WITH A WINK. I wrote the book with this title, GONE WITH A WINK, in mind and it wasn't easy when I decided to change it at the last minute.
In short, this is a book about a young gay couple who are getting married in spite of the fact they aren't legally allowed to marry, taking a trip halfway across country to begin new lives in New Orleans with a huge silver trailer, and fighting demons from the past because one of the characters was a refugee during the Katrina floods. The last place this character wants to be is New Orleans. He's knows what it's like when his entire life is "Gone With A Wink." The reason they are hauling the huge trailer is because he wants that security in case he has to leave New Orleans again. But he's moving there anyway because his partner is offered a wonderful job. It's a sacrifice he's willing to make for the love of his life, which to me is what it's all about.
The title YOUNG, HUNG AND HITCHED, is campy, sexy, and it suggests erotica. It's as fun as it is trite. And this book isn't pg rated and there is plenty of erotica. But the erotica in this particular book is far less important than the emotion these two characters share. And I think if I could do it again, the title would have been as planned: GONE WITH A WINK.[image error]
Check Out ALL Amazon Reviewers' Reviews Just to Be Sure
I'm always buying books, and my purchases have doubled since I started reading digital books. I hear about the books I buy all over the place, from social networks to literary agent blogs. But I'm also a shopper and I've learned to check out all product details, prices, and reviews so I know what I'm buying and there are no surprises.
When it comes to books, I think most authors and publishers get it right with regard to product details. The book descriptions are usually helpful, and for me, besides the cover, that's the most important part of the shopping experience.
After I check out the publisher/author information, I usually go right to the amazon reviews. In most cases I think readers leave honest, informative reviews on amazon. However, there are times when I'm not sure what to think. I'll see a negative review that's only one line, which is a huge red flag for me. I know how people react when they don't love a book. These reactions are usually far more emotional than when they do love a book and readers are not shy about letting other people know they didn't enjoy the experience.
But a one line, one star review makes me wonder. Something like this happened to me this weekend. I saw a book being promoted on a social network and decided to check it out to see if I wanted to purchase it. There were two great reviews for the book, and one lone negative review. The negative review consisted of one sentence and the reviewer's name was one of those way out fake names you come across every now and then on Amazon.
So I decided to check out the reviewer's other amazon reviews. And sure enough, there were plenty of other reviews. And each of those reviews was a negative one star review, only one or two sentences long, and they were all for erotic romances. This didn't make sense either. Most people who read erotic romances are usually extremely discreet and don't leave any reviews at all. Or they are extremely passionate and leave reviews all over the place. For some, it's a passionate hobby. They love romance and erotic romance so much they can't wait to talk about it in a review. And their reviews are usually balanced. And there are always far more positive reviews than negative reviews. This makes sense; no one loves every book and no one ever will.
But what about those who only leave negative reviews? Of course it's possible that there are readers who only leave negative reviews on amazon for personal reasons. I guess anything is possible. However, as a shopper, when I'm looking for information about a book, I find it hard to take someone like this seriously.
After I checked out the amazon reviews for this particular book I was thinking about buying, I went to goodreads.com and checked out their reviews for the book. There were over 100 wonderful reviews and a few so-so reviews. But nothing that would have turned me away from buying the book.
This has happened to me before while I've been shopping for books. I've come across amazon reviewers...always with way out contrived names...who leave negative reviews for erotic romances and never leave one single positive review. Again, this makes no sense, and if it doesn't make sense I find it hard to take the reviewer seriously. Common sense dictates that if someone only reads erotic romance, there will be more books they love than hate. And the more critical reviews will usually be far longer than the negative reviews.
But if a reviewer only leaves negative reviews all the time, without taking the time to ever leave a positive review, I'm still going to have trouble taking them seriously. I start to wonder if there isn't a hidden agenda; maybe the reviewer isn't very stable. I like to keep it positive all the time. Life's much nicer that way, and I think most people would agree with me.
So never take one amazon review to heart when you're shopping for a book. Always check out the reviewer's other reviews and compare them. And then check out the goodreads reviews. As a shopper, I find there's more consistency over at goodreads, which I depend on when I'm spending my hard earned money making a purchase.[image error]
When it comes to books, I think most authors and publishers get it right with regard to product details. The book descriptions are usually helpful, and for me, besides the cover, that's the most important part of the shopping experience.
After I check out the publisher/author information, I usually go right to the amazon reviews. In most cases I think readers leave honest, informative reviews on amazon. However, there are times when I'm not sure what to think. I'll see a negative review that's only one line, which is a huge red flag for me. I know how people react when they don't love a book. These reactions are usually far more emotional than when they do love a book and readers are not shy about letting other people know they didn't enjoy the experience.
But a one line, one star review makes me wonder. Something like this happened to me this weekend. I saw a book being promoted on a social network and decided to check it out to see if I wanted to purchase it. There were two great reviews for the book, and one lone negative review. The negative review consisted of one sentence and the reviewer's name was one of those way out fake names you come across every now and then on Amazon.
So I decided to check out the reviewer's other amazon reviews. And sure enough, there were plenty of other reviews. And each of those reviews was a negative one star review, only one or two sentences long, and they were all for erotic romances. This didn't make sense either. Most people who read erotic romances are usually extremely discreet and don't leave any reviews at all. Or they are extremely passionate and leave reviews all over the place. For some, it's a passionate hobby. They love romance and erotic romance so much they can't wait to talk about it in a review. And their reviews are usually balanced. And there are always far more positive reviews than negative reviews. This makes sense; no one loves every book and no one ever will.
But what about those who only leave negative reviews? Of course it's possible that there are readers who only leave negative reviews on amazon for personal reasons. I guess anything is possible. However, as a shopper, when I'm looking for information about a book, I find it hard to take someone like this seriously.
After I checked out the amazon reviews for this particular book I was thinking about buying, I went to goodreads.com and checked out their reviews for the book. There were over 100 wonderful reviews and a few so-so reviews. But nothing that would have turned me away from buying the book.
This has happened to me before while I've been shopping for books. I've come across amazon reviewers...always with way out contrived names...who leave negative reviews for erotic romances and never leave one single positive review. Again, this makes no sense, and if it doesn't make sense I find it hard to take the reviewer seriously. Common sense dictates that if someone only reads erotic romance, there will be more books they love than hate. And the more critical reviews will usually be far longer than the negative reviews.
But if a reviewer only leaves negative reviews all the time, without taking the time to ever leave a positive review, I'm still going to have trouble taking them seriously. I start to wonder if there isn't a hidden agenda; maybe the reviewer isn't very stable. I like to keep it positive all the time. Life's much nicer that way, and I think most people would agree with me.
So never take one amazon review to heart when you're shopping for a book. Always check out the reviewer's other reviews and compare them. And then check out the goodreads reviews. As a shopper, I find there's more consistency over at goodreads, which I depend on when I'm spending my hard earned money making a purchase.[image error]
May 21, 2011
If You're a Writer and Haven't Heard of Gerard Jones or Everyonewhosanyone.com...
If you're a writer and you haven't heard of Gerard Jones and his web site, everyonewhosanyone.com, please take the time to check it out. I've been following the things Mr. Jones has been doing for a while now. He's listed the most comprehensive guide to agents and publishers in the universe. He does what he wants to do and doesn't give a damn what anyone says or thinks.
EVERYONE WHO'S ANYONE
IN ADULT TRADE PUBLISHING,
NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, BROADCASTING
AND TINSELTOWN, TOO:
A Writer's Guide to The All-Pervasive Propaganda Network
I started following him by accident, after I found his web site through a google search maybe five or six years ago. At first I didn't get it. But when I figured out what Mr. Jones was doing, I've started going back more often. What I like most is there's no bullshit. What I like next is he's created a vauable list of resources for writers. And whether you like him or not, Mr. Jones doesn't screw around.
It's an interesting web site for all writers. Although literary agents and big publishers would rather no one knew about Mr. Jones, it's worth checking out. Here's a quote from the home page:
"...they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt
have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am
whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any
kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be
thee, nuncle..."
And here's another:
Nobody's gonna listen to it, of course. People only pay attention to the trivial drivel that keeps them stupid but so what? I did what I wanted to do. Here's the real book of Ginny Good (ISBN: 0972635750) in its entirety. You can buy it new for $16.95 (plus shipping) or you can read it online for free—yet another thing nobody's gonna do due to being brainwashed beyond belief by the uber-fascist media and entertainment monopoly. It includes the index to The Audio Book of GINNY GOOD, which is free, too—everything I do is free. Listen to a little and if you want the whole fifteen hour extravaganza on .mp3 CDs (including shipping), give me a mailing address and I'll send you a copy.[image error]
EVERYONE WHO'S ANYONE
IN ADULT TRADE PUBLISHING,
NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, BROADCASTING
AND TINSELTOWN, TOO:
A Writer's Guide to The All-Pervasive Propaganda Network
I started following him by accident, after I found his web site through a google search maybe five or six years ago. At first I didn't get it. But when I figured out what Mr. Jones was doing, I've started going back more often. What I like most is there's no bullshit. What I like next is he's created a vauable list of resources for writers. And whether you like him or not, Mr. Jones doesn't screw around.
It's an interesting web site for all writers. Although literary agents and big publishers would rather no one knew about Mr. Jones, it's worth checking out. Here's a quote from the home page:
"...they'll have me whipped for speaking true, thou'lt
have me whipped for lying; and sometimes I am
whipped for holding my peace. I had rather be any
kind o' thing than a fool: and yet I would not be
thee, nuncle..."
And here's another:
Nobody's gonna listen to it, of course. People only pay attention to the trivial drivel that keeps them stupid but so what? I did what I wanted to do. Here's the real book of Ginny Good (ISBN: 0972635750) in its entirety. You can buy it new for $16.95 (plus shipping) or you can read it online for free—yet another thing nobody's gonna do due to being brainwashed beyond belief by the uber-fascist media and entertainment monopoly. It includes the index to The Audio Book of GINNY GOOD, which is free, too—everything I do is free. Listen to a little and if you want the whole fifteen hour extravaganza on .mp3 CDs (including shipping), give me a mailing address and I'll send you a copy.[image error]
Patricia Heaton's Politics in Left Wing Hollywood...
This bothers me. It's not publishing related, but I'm posting about it anyway. Mainly because I'm starting to wonder what's happened to objectivity in America when decent people like Patricia Heaton are being discriminated against. I have liberal democrat friends, and believe it or not, many gay conservative friends who are republicans. I'm openly gay and don't judge anyone because of his/her politics, and I don't like it when anyone else does. It's just another form of discrimination and lack of tolerance.
If you read the article about Patricia Heaton carefully, you'll notice that Patricia is in favor of gay marriage, and yet she's still a conservative. Most of my conservative friends are for gay marriage, so I'm not shocked. And this is more than I've heard from the liberal democrats who are running the country right now. As a matter of fact, all I ever hear from Washington is, "Ahem, ah, ah, ah, I'm thinking it (gay marriage) over." In Hollywood, George Clooney goes on a public rant and then goes back to his Villa in Italy and we don't hear from him again until his next film needs to be promoted.
Here's the article, and here's the link...
Known around left-leaning Hollywood for her conservative stances on weighty issues like abortion and stem cells, 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton is happy to explain how important her Christian faith is to her and how it shapes her views and career choices.
"My feeling is all these things come from God and as long as I know I'm staying in line with Him, I don't have to worry if there is backlash," she told me during a visit to AOL's New York offices. "God will open any doors he wants to open and if he closes doors that's fine to."
Telling me that she has many gay friends and doesn't oppose gay marriage, Patricia gets frustrated being automatically lumped together with other conservatives, a characterization she says has cost her possible work.
"We know for a fact there are some people who have said they wouldn't want to work with us because of our politics," she said, with her husband David Hunt adding, "We get lumped in with lunatics."
So instead, Patricia has teamed up with her director-husband to produce and distribute their own show, 'Versailles,' a new 8-part comedy web series airing on My Damn Channel. Patricia plays a deceased B-movie actress whose presence looms large over her two children (one played by David) as they produce a public access talk show. Watch the first episode below.
"Around the house if he ties to tell me how to do something I say don't tell me, don't control me. But when we did this he was terrific as a director. I was nervous about having him direct me," Patricia tells me.
"I don't think I could have afforded her if we weren't married," David jokes. "I was a bigger star then she was when I met her. She owes me. I took a decade off my career to raise the kids. Plus, a big bonus is she gets to sleep with the director."
It wasn't until she hit 35 that Patricia's career really took and she spent years struggling and sleeping on friends' futons before 'Raymond' made her rich and famous.
She also isn't at all surprised that the Britneys and Lindsays of the world crash and burn being so success so young.
"Too much money and too many 'yes' people around you at early age. Fame didn't come to me until I got married and had kids. When we got married neither of us had anything," Patricia tells me. "I've let go of needing to be an to an actor so if that pipeline shuts down I wouldn't be upset. I'm perfectly happy."
[image error]
If you read the article about Patricia Heaton carefully, you'll notice that Patricia is in favor of gay marriage, and yet she's still a conservative. Most of my conservative friends are for gay marriage, so I'm not shocked. And this is more than I've heard from the liberal democrats who are running the country right now. As a matter of fact, all I ever hear from Washington is, "Ahem, ah, ah, ah, I'm thinking it (gay marriage) over." In Hollywood, George Clooney goes on a public rant and then goes back to his Villa in Italy and we don't hear from him again until his next film needs to be promoted.
Here's the article, and here's the link...
Known around left-leaning Hollywood for her conservative stances on weighty issues like abortion and stem cells, 'Everybody Loves Raymond' star Patricia Heaton is happy to explain how important her Christian faith is to her and how it shapes her views and career choices.
"My feeling is all these things come from God and as long as I know I'm staying in line with Him, I don't have to worry if there is backlash," she told me during a visit to AOL's New York offices. "God will open any doors he wants to open and if he closes doors that's fine to."
Telling me that she has many gay friends and doesn't oppose gay marriage, Patricia gets frustrated being automatically lumped together with other conservatives, a characterization she says has cost her possible work.
"We know for a fact there are some people who have said they wouldn't want to work with us because of our politics," she said, with her husband David Hunt adding, "We get lumped in with lunatics."
So instead, Patricia has teamed up with her director-husband to produce and distribute their own show, 'Versailles,' a new 8-part comedy web series airing on My Damn Channel. Patricia plays a deceased B-movie actress whose presence looms large over her two children (one played by David) as they produce a public access talk show. Watch the first episode below.
"Around the house if he ties to tell me how to do something I say don't tell me, don't control me. But when we did this he was terrific as a director. I was nervous about having him direct me," Patricia tells me.
"I don't think I could have afforded her if we weren't married," David jokes. "I was a bigger star then she was when I met her. She owes me. I took a decade off my career to raise the kids. Plus, a big bonus is she gets to sleep with the director."
It wasn't until she hit 35 that Patricia's career really took and she spent years struggling and sleeping on friends' futons before 'Raymond' made her rich and famous.
She also isn't at all surprised that the Britneys and Lindsays of the world crash and burn being so success so young.
"Too much money and too many 'yes' people around you at early age. Fame didn't come to me until I got married and had kids. When we got married neither of us had anything," Patricia tells me. "I've let go of needing to be an to an actor so if that pipeline shuts down I wouldn't be upset. I'm perfectly happy."
[image error]
May 20, 2011
DNF? ...WTF?
I had another Epiphany this week, one of those ah-ha moments Oprah and Gayle are always talking about. And it didn't involve a good looking guy in his twenties. This time it involved a negative book review I read...and...this thing called DNF.
First, I must have missed this one completely. I had no idea there were people reviewing books with a DNF rating. I saw DNF; I said WTF? Then I googled DNF and found out it means Did Not Finish.
So I said WTF again, and then finished reading the DNF book review (I DF-ed it :). I'm not mentioning names or links. One, because I don't want to offer the guilty any free publicity. Two, because I don't want to embarrass the author.
What I read wasn't a book review at all. It was either a book roast garnered to attract attention on a blog, or it was just some big mouth with an aggressive, annoying voice, bloviating. ( Bloviating = a long winded pompous discourse from someone trying to make a point...in my own defense, I knew this one; just not DNF)
After I finished reading the review, I did what I did the last time I read a review like this. I clicked over to amazon and bought the book. It never fails. Every single thing that made this particular reviewer knock the book, turned out to be the same thing that made me want to buy the book. This time the reviewer didn't shudder and cross her legs. But the gist of the review was the same.
This DNF thing passes me by completely. I'm thinking it's some sort of cutsie internet thing...like WTF and BFF...that catches on big time with those who don't lead very interesting lives. Maybe it's a way to validate underachievers? When I start a book, I persevere until I'm finished with the book, like I do with everything else in my life. I'm not a quitter. And if I don't finish a book I don't comment in public and review the book, nor would I be dumb enough to admit it in public. Besides, Authors are known to do interesting things as novels progress. I hated the beginning of "Freedom" by Joanthan Franzen. I felt like DNF-ing it in the third chapter, and kicking myself in the ASS for buying the book. But I continued and I'm glad I did. I wound up loving "Freedom." I don't believe it's possible to get the entire book until it's been fully read. I felt the same way about John Irving's, "Last Night in Twisted River." But I did finish, and wound up loving it.
I could go deeper with this post. The DNF review I read seemed to revolve around the reviewer's transparent problems with sexuality (or lack of knowledge when it comes to sex). I've seen that one before when it comes to erotic romance and erotica, and it's never pretty. The people who normally buy and read erotic romance and erotica, and love erotic romance and erotica, are a discreet crowd and they don't leave public book reviews anywhere. They don't even show their book covers. But they keep reading and enjoying. So there's very little to go by when it comes to book reviews for erotic romance and erotica, and unfortunately authors wind up with one or two DNF reviews...written by sexual invalids...that last on the Internet forever.
So those who do love erotica, trust me on this. The main point here is that I found a great book thanks to a DNF book review, and all's well that ends well. Check it out sometime if you don't believe me, especially if you like reading erotica and erotic romance. Nine times out of ten you'll find one of the best books you've ever read thanks to the sexual hang-ups and inadequacies of a book reviewer.
And, best of all, I learned what DNF meant. Cute.
First, I must have missed this one completely. I had no idea there were people reviewing books with a DNF rating. I saw DNF; I said WTF? Then I googled DNF and found out it means Did Not Finish.
So I said WTF again, and then finished reading the DNF book review (I DF-ed it :). I'm not mentioning names or links. One, because I don't want to offer the guilty any free publicity. Two, because I don't want to embarrass the author.
What I read wasn't a book review at all. It was either a book roast garnered to attract attention on a blog, or it was just some big mouth with an aggressive, annoying voice, bloviating. ( Bloviating = a long winded pompous discourse from someone trying to make a point...in my own defense, I knew this one; just not DNF)
After I finished reading the review, I did what I did the last time I read a review like this. I clicked over to amazon and bought the book. It never fails. Every single thing that made this particular reviewer knock the book, turned out to be the same thing that made me want to buy the book. This time the reviewer didn't shudder and cross her legs. But the gist of the review was the same.
This DNF thing passes me by completely. I'm thinking it's some sort of cutsie internet thing...like WTF and BFF...that catches on big time with those who don't lead very interesting lives. Maybe it's a way to validate underachievers? When I start a book, I persevere until I'm finished with the book, like I do with everything else in my life. I'm not a quitter. And if I don't finish a book I don't comment in public and review the book, nor would I be dumb enough to admit it in public. Besides, Authors are known to do interesting things as novels progress. I hated the beginning of "Freedom" by Joanthan Franzen. I felt like DNF-ing it in the third chapter, and kicking myself in the ASS for buying the book. But I continued and I'm glad I did. I wound up loving "Freedom." I don't believe it's possible to get the entire book until it's been fully read. I felt the same way about John Irving's, "Last Night in Twisted River." But I did finish, and wound up loving it.
I could go deeper with this post. The DNF review I read seemed to revolve around the reviewer's transparent problems with sexuality (or lack of knowledge when it comes to sex). I've seen that one before when it comes to erotic romance and erotica, and it's never pretty. The people who normally buy and read erotic romance and erotica, and love erotic romance and erotica, are a discreet crowd and they don't leave public book reviews anywhere. They don't even show their book covers. But they keep reading and enjoying. So there's very little to go by when it comes to book reviews for erotic romance and erotica, and unfortunately authors wind up with one or two DNF reviews...written by sexual invalids...that last on the Internet forever.
So those who do love erotica, trust me on this. The main point here is that I found a great book thanks to a DNF book review, and all's well that ends well. Check it out sometime if you don't believe me, especially if you like reading erotica and erotic romance. Nine times out of ten you'll find one of the best books you've ever read thanks to the sexual hang-ups and inadequacies of a book reviewer.
And, best of all, I learned what DNF meant. Cute.
Online Relationships, KT Grant's Wonderful Post, and Dealing with Online Rejection
This was only supposed to be a one post day, but I just finished reading a blog post by author KT Grant and wanted to share.
First, I'm a fan of KT's work, especially the book titled, SLEEPING WITH THE FRENEMY. If you're into well-written, steamy erotic romance, with a lot of description and detail, I think you'll like this. As I've stated many times before on this blog, I have eclectic taste and I don't only read (or write) m/m fiction. I didn't see any reviews on Amazon yet for KT's book...I could be wrong and they could be up now...and the only review I did see was written by someone I'd never take seriously. But I liked the book enough to recommend it. And as far as I'm concerned, that's all that really matters.
But back to KT's post today. Here's the link. Check it out if you've ever been involved in an online relationship that's gone sour for no apparent reason.
I've personally experienced both good and bad with online relationships. I began a wonderful online relationship with book reviewer Elisa Rolle about five or six years ago when I sent her a quick e-mail of thanks for a nice review she'd written about a story I had in an anthology published by either Cleis Press or Alyson Books (can't remember now). She replied to me, and since then we've both developed a nice friendship. And our friendship expanded from online to in-person one day when she was traveling through the states summer before last. We met, had lunch, and I have to admit it was nice meeting an online friend in person for a change. I hope to be meeting her for dinner again when she's in New York in a few months.
But I've also had online relationships go sour, too. I friended someone on facebook once and we developed a nice exchange. But then something happened...I won't go into details for obvious reasons...and this person starting stalking me with threats and hate letters. Creepy.
I even had a great online relationship once with someone that eventually went sour because we mutually disagreed over something. I felt bad about that one because I really liked and respected this person. But I put it aside and moved on. And then, about six months later, one thing led to another and we made up. Now we're best buddies again. So you never know.
But if you've experienced any serious rejection from online friends, especially for no apparent reason, check out KT's post. I think you'll gain a great deal of insight.
First, I'm a fan of KT's work, especially the book titled, SLEEPING WITH THE FRENEMY. If you're into well-written, steamy erotic romance, with a lot of description and detail, I think you'll like this. As I've stated many times before on this blog, I have eclectic taste and I don't only read (or write) m/m fiction. I didn't see any reviews on Amazon yet for KT's book...I could be wrong and they could be up now...and the only review I did see was written by someone I'd never take seriously. But I liked the book enough to recommend it. And as far as I'm concerned, that's all that really matters.
But back to KT's post today. Here's the link. Check it out if you've ever been involved in an online relationship that's gone sour for no apparent reason.
I've personally experienced both good and bad with online relationships. I began a wonderful online relationship with book reviewer Elisa Rolle about five or six years ago when I sent her a quick e-mail of thanks for a nice review she'd written about a story I had in an anthology published by either Cleis Press or Alyson Books (can't remember now). She replied to me, and since then we've both developed a nice friendship. And our friendship expanded from online to in-person one day when she was traveling through the states summer before last. We met, had lunch, and I have to admit it was nice meeting an online friend in person for a change. I hope to be meeting her for dinner again when she's in New York in a few months.
But I've also had online relationships go sour, too. I friended someone on facebook once and we developed a nice exchange. But then something happened...I won't go into details for obvious reasons...and this person starting stalking me with threats and hate letters. Creepy.
I even had a great online relationship once with someone that eventually went sour because we mutually disagreed over something. I felt bad about that one because I really liked and respected this person. But I put it aside and moved on. And then, about six months later, one thing led to another and we made up. Now we're best buddies again. So you never know.
But if you've experienced any serious rejection from online friends, especially for no apparent reason, check out KT's post. I think you'll gain a great deal of insight.
CDC Issues Warning
With all this talk about the end of the world coming on May 21st, I figured I'd better post this just in case. You never know.
Centers for Disease Control issue official guidelines to prepare for the world being taken over by... zombiesLast updated at 5:42 AM, 20 May 2011
The next time a decaying corpse approaches you in the street, you'll know what to do.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has posted guidance telling people what to do in a 'zombie apocalypse' - and they don't advise shooting the walking dead.
A light-hearted blog post by the organisation said U.S. citizens should prepare an emergency kit and then look for a zombie-free refugee camp.
But the Zombie Apocalypse campaign has a serious side as it intends to familiarise Americans with disaster preparedness techniques for the hurricane season.
'There are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for,' wrote infectious disease specialist Dr Ali Khan. 'Take a zombie apocalypse for example.
'You may laugh now, but when it happens you'll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you'll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency.'
^topThe blog post drove so much traffic that it crashed the website on Thursday, and it came just days before an evangelist's prediction of the May 21 'Judgment Day'.
'If you prepare for the zombie apocalypse, you'll be prepared for all hazards,' a CDC spokesman said.
The CDC said disaster preparedness involves putting together an emergency kit, coming up with an emergency plan and having two meet-up spots.
It recommends an emergency kit should include water, food, medication, battery-powered radio, a utility knife and vital documents.
'Numerous studies have shown that uptake of preparedness messages has been minimal,' Columbia University disaster preparedness expert Dr Irwin Redlener said.
'We haven't gotten much above 10 of 15 per cent of the public being aware of the need for preparedness,' he told ABC.
The word 'zombie' comes from the voodoo practice of spirit possession where zombies are stripped of consciousness.
Zombies became popular culture references after the 1968 horror film 'Night of the Living Dead', where flesh-eating zombies roam after radioactive contamination.
Rainbow Awards Update
The Rainbow Awards are in full gear now. And here's some info below I just received in a FB message. Follow the links for more info.
Subject: Rainbow Awards: Cover Contest - Round 1 - Slot 4
The Most Voted covers of Round 1 - Slot 3 were: Cast the Cards cover by Nathie
and
Choosing cover by Anonymous
The winner of the ebook giveaway is:
stormcloude Ebook Giveaway: Tabitha Dulla - Like Heaven and Hell, kindly offered by Circlet Press
- you will vote only 1 time for each slot of 50 covers; in round 1 there will be 20 slots for a total of 1000 covers; 400 covers will pass to round 2, 200 to round 3, 100 to round 4 and 50 to the fifth and last round.
- in parallel with the poll, a special jury will vote the covers; the jury is composed by: Debra, Dylan Rosser, Jack Mackenroth, Jesse Archer, Julie, Max Rhyser, Mitzie, Tammy.
- you can vote as many covers as you want but no more than 25.
All the 50 covers are saved here:
http://www.facebook.com/l/dca50IxANGm...
and here is the poll:
http://www.facebook.com/l/dca50WnEwRg...
I suggest you to open the covers page in a different window and check the covers you like in the poll.
Enjoy and please, fair play!
May 19, 2011
E-Book Pirates, NellaBlue, and Something Called Demonoid
I've written a few posts about pirating e-books in the past. And I've personally come to the conclusion that the people who do it have their reasons, they believe in those reasons, and some are willing to justify those reasons. I've tried to remain objective with each post, hoping to understand the mindset behind pirating e-books...or pirating anything else for that matter.
And I'm going to remain objective in this post, too. I'm not going to make any personal comments or draw any personal conclusions. But I do know for a fact that many authors do have strong opinions about this, especially new authors. These are authors who are working full time jobs, juggling families, and writing books and stories in their spare time. They work long into the night. Editors work long into the night as well. It's not uncommon for me to get a revise for a new book at midnight. And these hard working people don't like to think they are working for nothing.
There are also a lot of readers who get annoyed at e-book pirates, too. I receive letters from them once in a while as well. These readers feel that if they can pay for the books they read, so should everyone else. And in many cases, the e-mails I receive about e-book pirating from readers who do pay for all their books are far more aggressive than the letters I get from authors. Readers are consumers, not just book fans, which is why I'm constantly mentioning product details about my own books here.
I often receive e-mails and private massages from other authors and readers informing me that my work is being downloaded for free at places like Demonoid. Here's one I recently received I thought I'd share:
Subject: Pirated e-books
Hi Ryan, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I don't know if you saw my recent post but someone named NellaBlue on Demonoid is offering four of your works for free download. I ranted about it on my wall but since the majority of the works listed are yours, I wanted to let you know ASAP.
I don't even know what "Demonoid" is. I stopped doing google alerts a long time ago because they crammed up my in-box. There's not much I can say in a reply to the person who sent me this message, other than thank you for letting me know. Evidently, the people who are reading my books on pirate sites are fans. If they aren't, I'd hate to think they are downloading my books illegally for any other reason.
To be perfectly honest, I can't say that I'm not flattered that some people are taking this chance to pirate my books. It's an interesting position for any author to be placed. But the fact remains...aside from my ego or anyone's opinion...that pirating anything in the Internet is illegal. At least it is as far as I know. I'm not talking about whether or not e-book pirating is right or wrong, or whether or not e-book pirating can be justified or not. That's an argument that will continue until the end of time. I'm just talking about the objective legal aspects here, not the emotional aspects.
And I'm going to remain objective in this post, too. I'm not going to make any personal comments or draw any personal conclusions. But I do know for a fact that many authors do have strong opinions about this, especially new authors. These are authors who are working full time jobs, juggling families, and writing books and stories in their spare time. They work long into the night. Editors work long into the night as well. It's not uncommon for me to get a revise for a new book at midnight. And these hard working people don't like to think they are working for nothing.
There are also a lot of readers who get annoyed at e-book pirates, too. I receive letters from them once in a while as well. These readers feel that if they can pay for the books they read, so should everyone else. And in many cases, the e-mails I receive about e-book pirating from readers who do pay for all their books are far more aggressive than the letters I get from authors. Readers are consumers, not just book fans, which is why I'm constantly mentioning product details about my own books here.
I often receive e-mails and private massages from other authors and readers informing me that my work is being downloaded for free at places like Demonoid. Here's one I recently received I thought I'd share:
Subject: Pirated e-books
Hi Ryan, I just wanted to give you a heads up. I don't know if you saw my recent post but someone named NellaBlue on Demonoid is offering four of your works for free download. I ranted about it on my wall but since the majority of the works listed are yours, I wanted to let you know ASAP.
I don't even know what "Demonoid" is. I stopped doing google alerts a long time ago because they crammed up my in-box. There's not much I can say in a reply to the person who sent me this message, other than thank you for letting me know. Evidently, the people who are reading my books on pirate sites are fans. If they aren't, I'd hate to think they are downloading my books illegally for any other reason.
To be perfectly honest, I can't say that I'm not flattered that some people are taking this chance to pirate my books. It's an interesting position for any author to be placed. But the fact remains...aside from my ego or anyone's opinion...that pirating anything in the Internet is illegal. At least it is as far as I know. I'm not talking about whether or not e-book pirating is right or wrong, or whether or not e-book pirating can be justified or not. That's an argument that will continue until the end of time. I'm just talking about the objective legal aspects here, not the emotional aspects.
