David Burrows's Blog
July 20, 2022
Are Paid Book Reviews Worth it? Self published authors, beware.
Sadly, I have a poor opinion on paid reviews.
I sent off to one reviewer and I am certain from their response that they skim read a few pages only. Their comments showed that they hadn't read the story and had little understanding of the tale. They also made several glaring mistakes that showed they weren't familiar with the genre, fantasy. This is one of my biggest bugbears, that a paid reviewer may not like your genre, so how can they give a fair review?
One mistake the reviewer made was in quoting other fantasy authors and getting their names wrong. They mentioned Anne McCaffrey and her books, but misspelled her name and some of the books the reviewer mentioned weren't even hers.
The reviewer also commented on some of my fantasy creatures. For example krell, and said that is what whales eat. That, of course, would be krill. Now, having a name similar to a commonly used name...is that a big issue? If you look at English words and their spelling, there are many examples of how one letter can change the meaning of a word. For example, look at hell, hill, hull or pill, poll, pull, pall. All of these are completely unique words with unique meanings despite one vowel change.
Not all paid reviews will be problematic, of course and perhaps I just had a bad experience. However, I perceive the problem with paid reviews could be as follows:
1. The reviewer is being paid, so reviewing several books a day is worth their while. Say they charge a nominal £100 per book and they review say five books a day. That would be £500. By comparison, if they did the job they said they would, and spend 3 days reading one book, they would earn £100 only. So it is in a paid reviewers interest to review as many books as possible, as quickly as possible.
2. Is the reviewer interested in your genre? They may claim that they are, but how do you know?
3. It is far easier and probably safer to be negative about a book, especially for an unknown author. After all, how many publishers rejected J K Rowling? I bet they are kicking themselves, but the majority of unpublished books are likely to fail, so from a statistical point of view, giving a negative review is likely to be the best option.
All my reviews have been from customers. The vast majority are people I do not know. I have some exceeding good reviews from fantasy book review sites and these I treasure. I also have some bad reviews and these you have to accept. I have never asked friends or family for reviews. I trust the heartfelt reviews I have on blogs, Amazon and other sources far more than the one paid review (not Kirkus by the way) and sadly that experience really put me off.
I suggest self published authors think very hard about paying for reviews and that you question the person doing the review, to see if they are fair minded, and likely to read the book in its entirety.
If you want to look at my reviews to see what folk are saying, then check out http://davidburrows.org.uk/reviews.html
Best of luck in a complicated field: David
July 19, 2022
Fantasy versus Historical Fiction
I like both fantasy and Historical Fiction, but are the two mutually exclusive?
Strangely, there are huge similarities, especially in tales set in early periods. Many feature gods, epic battles and even some sorcery (usually people's superstitions, but who knows?)
When I am stuck for a good fantasy read, I invariably look to historical fiction and my favourite periods are Roman, Egyptian, Saxon and Viking. The author has to make you feel that you are in the period and this is not always achieved.
My favourite authors are Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow and Wilbur Smith's Egypt series. Stephen Saylor really writes superbly about Rome but his tales are a tad slow so may not be to everyone's taste. I highly recommend him though.
If it's the battles that you like in Fantasy books then tales about Wars of the Roses (e.g. Con Iggulden) are worth reading. The range of medieval weapons (spears, bill, bill hook, longbow, flail, morning star, war hammer, axes and a multitude of swords and daggers etc) are truly terrifying.
Anyway, back to fantasy. Prophecy of the Kings has all the above, sorcery, wizards, huge battles, dragons, krell, grakyn and much more. Drachar's Demons is FREE in e book format (many e readers) and is the prequel to Prophecy of the Kings, so give it a try. Check out my website for further details on how to download this free e book http://davidburrows.org.uk/
February 14, 2022
Discounted - The Prophecy of the Kings fantasy trilogy 20% off
Get 20% off the Prophecy of the Kings books at Smashwords.
Use the code QW79C which is valid until 1st April 2022.
Free Fantasy ebook. Drachar's Demons
Drachar is cast out by his own people, the Eldric, and his magic ripped from him. But their spell was flawed and Drachar forges an alliance with the demons, promising them 100,000 souls in exchange for the return of his powers. How can he deliver so many souls? To make matters worse, the demons haunt his sleep, promising a terrible retribution if he fails to deliver.
Only all out war will deliver so many souls. The race is on. He must persuade Trosgarth to fight and ally with the united krell tribes, whist his people, the Eldric, must learn how to defeat the demons. No mean feat, for demons are not easily defeated and they will tear your soul from your body and drag it screaming to Hell.
There are some great reviews:
"Fans of high fantasy that features an eclectic array of races, strong plot and lots of well-realised battles should look no further as Drachar’s Demons will satisfy in all areas. I greatly look forward to watching this author’s catalogue grow in the future. 7.8 out of 10" Fantasybookreview.co.uk
February 12, 2022
My Top 20 fantasy Authors
If you are stuck as to what to read I have listed my favourite fantasy authors at David's Top 20 Fantasy Authors
In addition, how about reading historical fiction? It is very close to fantasy with battles, superstition, gods and sorcery. Well, at east in the early historical fiction novels.
I have listed my favourites at David's Top Historical Fiction Authors
There are some truly awesome books here. I love tales about Rome and Egypt.
There are also my books, The Prophecy of the Kings. The comprise a host of familiar fantasy creatures such as dragons, imps, dwarves and demons and some new ones such as krell, death knights, grakyn and others.
The image on my website http://www.davidburrows.org.uk/ is taken from towards the end of Book 1 - Legacy of the Eldric. That is set deep in the heart of a mountain, where Kaplyn and the others find the Tree of Life and on its branches small, glowing fruit. There is a dark secret behind the fruit that could plunge the land into a terrible war.
The image below is that of Shastlan, in Book 3, leading dragons in the annihilation of his enemies. Woe, betide befriending dragons though, as Shastlan finds out to his cost.
Good reading and let me know who is your favourite author. Visit my website for more information about my books http://www.davidburrows.org.uk/
December 15, 2020
My Watercolour Artwork. My best to date, I think. Reindeer in the snow :)
Been struggling with watercolours recently. Not an easy medium. However, this one came out OK I think. Writing is so much easier but painting has its rewards. Would love to improve though.
Great Christmas Savings Especially For You
For a limited time, my books are:
1. Legacy of the Eldric FREE
2. Dragon Rider and Shadow of the Demon 50% off
The offer is good from the 18th December 2020 through to the 1st January 2021. The three books make up the Prophecy of the Kings trilogy which is getting great reviews.
To find my books, click this link: David's Book Savings
November 2, 2020
Many Thanks to my Goodreads Winners
Many thanks to you all for entering the give-away and winning the Prophecy of the Kings. It is Fantasy so I hope it is to your taste. I am getting varied reviews with many good ones.
If you are interested in my website check out http://davidburrows.org.uk/ There is some additional information, a hidden map to find, and links to my blog and fantasy jokes page.
Best wishes.
David
Save money - Also available as the Omnibus edition.
October 28, 2020
Goodreads Book Giveaway Ends Soon. You Must Enter by End October to Win.
Goodreads Book Giveaway. Ends Soon.
Prophecy of the Kingsby David BurrowsGiveaway ends November 01, 2020.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter GiveawayClick the above link to win an e-book copy of the Prophecy of the Kings. This offer is for the full trilogy comprising; Legacy of the Edric, Dragon Rider and Shadow of the Demon. Vastra, a self-professed sorcerer, a braggart, and a liar, seeks an Eldric talisman. His motives are his own, but his knowledge of the Eldric, an ancient race which mysteriously vanished from the land eons ago, hooks Kaplyn and persuades him to accompany the sour sorcerer. They are joined by Lars, shipwrecked and friendless, an outcast on the Allund shore. Their journey takes them to a mysterious tower, set with traps and reveals tantalising clues to the Eldric’s disappearance. As they travel, ever present, is the threat of a demon attack. People are very superstitious and garlands and trinkets ward against a possible threat, but the people are largely ignorant of their own history. Kaplyn learns from a reluctant Vastra that the demon threat is far more real than envisaged. Their quest to find the Eldric becomes both sinister and urgent.Extreme Book Reviews - How Polar are These?
I pride myself on honest reviews and have never asked family or friends to post reviews. The extreme nature of these two reviews is amazing and reflects diversity of opinion. How far diverse these are is an eye-opener.
Both are about Drachar's Demons, the prequel to The Prophecy of the Kings. It is a free ebook and is available in many formats https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/491179
The first review was:
"First of all i was really looking forward to reading Drachar's Demons as i have read many fantasy books and i just love how they allow you to enter a whole new world and leave your own problems right outside for awhile.
This book has to quite honestly be one of the best Fantasy books that i have read in a long time!.It really kept me turning the pages (i had the just one more page syndrome) long after i should have gone to sleep and to me that is a sign of an excellent book right there.
The book truly has some epic battles and has so much of what makes a classic Fantasy and it really hits all the top notes.The whole visual world and in depth characters really do have u envisioning the action taking places and the people involved.
There is so much going on,love,betrayal,epic battles,adventure,revenge,survival,and some heartbreaking losses.So there is something for everyone.
The way the Authors write about how the characters feel about what is happening gives u a really good personal insight into their worlds,thoughts and feelings and really brings the characters to life.It's a very in depth and goes in to great detail about how it all happened.
it's easy to see how much David Andrew Burrows enjoyed writing this book and i think the passion that he puts in to his writing makes the reader enjoy it as much as he enjoyed writing it.
I'd definitely recommend :)"
The second was a bit more succinct:
"Do not I repeat, do not get this book. A retarded 5 year old could write better. This is terrible."
Both reviews can be found here Amazon reviews Drachar's Demons
I do hope more people fall in to category 1 than 2 but if in doubt - check my website for sample chapters and more reviews. Good reading. :) http://davidburrows.org.uk/
