Talli Roland's Blog, page 41
December 2, 2010
Thank You - and Results!
What an amazing day yesterday was for me -- and all down to the help and support of people on Twitter, blogs and Facebook. An enormous thanks to all who spread the word about my debut novel and what I was trying to accomplish. As a fellow blogger, I know posting something like yesterday's post often receives low comments -- and as a reader, I realise it can get quite tiresome seeing the same thing again and again. So... thank you!
I'm thrilled to tell you that I made the Amazon Kindle Bestseller Top 100! More than that, actually -- I made it into the top 25! My best rank was number 24. Amazon.com (which I reckon has many more books and therefore more competition) came in at number 460 on the Kindle list, a number I'm ecstatic about, too.
One of the craziest moments of the day was when my publisher sent me an email with a link to the Amazon Movers and Shakers -- I was at number 1, ahead of Dickens (!) and Sophie Kinsella!
I'm not ashamed to admit at several points, I actually welled up at how many people were supporting me. If you followed the hashtag #TheHatingGame, you could see friends and complete strangers buying, retweeting, tweeting --- even one amazing tweeter @PamReader live tweeting as she read my novel!
And then when I hit the blogs! I was so chuffed to read all the wonderful comments and posts about my novel. I tried to make it around to everyone (and I'm still trying; please bear with me!), but by the end of the day, I felt like I'd run a marathon trying to keep up with everything and around midnight I collapsed, stuffed full of celebratory cake (courtesy of my husband) and pizza (courtesy of the local takeaway). Big thanks also to my parents who organised a wonderful bouquet of flowers to be delivered!
A few people have asked me if my Web Splash met my expectations. The answer? No. It didn't. It was so much better than I'd anticipated. Without a doubt, it was one of the most exciting days ever, and quite honestly I couldn't think of a better way -- or better people -- to spend my novel's birthday with.
Thank You.
I'm thrilled to tell you that I made the Amazon Kindle Bestseller Top 100! More than that, actually -- I made it into the top 25! My best rank was number 24. Amazon.com (which I reckon has many more books and therefore more competition) came in at number 460 on the Kindle list, a number I'm ecstatic about, too.One of the craziest moments of the day was when my publisher sent me an email with a link to the Amazon Movers and Shakers -- I was at number 1, ahead of Dickens (!) and Sophie Kinsella!I'm not ashamed to admit at several points, I actually welled up at how many people were supporting me. If you followed the hashtag #TheHatingGame, you could see friends and complete strangers buying, retweeting, tweeting --- even one amazing tweeter @PamReader live tweeting as she read my novel!
And then when I hit the blogs! I was so chuffed to read all the wonderful comments and posts about my novel. I tried to make it around to everyone (and I'm still trying; please bear with me!), but by the end of the day, I felt like I'd run a marathon trying to keep up with everything and around midnight I collapsed, stuffed full of celebratory cake (courtesy of my husband) and pizza (courtesy of the local takeaway). Big thanks also to my parents who organised a wonderful bouquet of flowers to be delivered!
A few people have asked me if my Web Splash met my expectations. The answer? No. It didn't. It was so much better than I'd anticipated. Without a doubt, it was one of the most exciting days ever, and quite honestly I couldn't think of a better way -- or better people -- to spend my novel's birthday with.
Thank You.
December 1, 2010
The Hating Game Web Splash!
Hard to believe the day has finally come! I am so excited -- and so grateful for everyone's support. Please drop by Twitter (hash tag #TheHatingGame) to keep an eye on the Amazon stats and to get your virtual champers and assorted munchies!Thank you a trillion and one times for helping me with this! It sounds cheesy but I really feel like you're all behind me, and it's a fantastic feeling.
So without further ado, I bring you THE SPLASH!
Help my debut novel THE HATING GAME hit the Kindle bestseller list at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk by spreading the word today. Even a few sales in a short period of time on Amazon helps push the book up the rankings, making it more visible to other readers.
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/hNBkJk
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/hX2ieD
No Kindle? Download a free app at Amazon for Mac, iPhone, PC, Android and more. Coming soon in paperback. Keep up with the latest at http://www.talliroland.com/.
About THE HATING GAME: When man-eater Mattie Johns agrees to star on a dating game show to save her ailing recruitment business, she's confident she'll sail through to the end without letting down the perma-guard she's perfected from years of her love 'em and leave 'em dating strategy. After all, what can go wrong with dating a few losers and hanging out long enough to pick up a juicy £200,000 prize? Plenty, Mattie discovers, when it's revealed that the contestants are four of her very unhappy exes. Can Mattie confront her past to get the prize money she so desperately needs, or will her exes finally wreak their long-awaited revenge? And what about the ambitious TV producer whose career depends on stopping her from making it to the end?
November 30, 2010
The Weather Outside
This post is a bit of a mish-mash; quite representative of my head at the moment. Bear with me!
The Take On Amazon Web Splash is tomorrow! I can't quite believe the day is finally here. A massive thank you to everyone taking part and to those who've taken the time to read and review The Hating Game. Fingers crossed!
I'll be on Twitter all day, keeping people up to date on Amazon rankings with the hash tag #TheHatingGame. Along with posting updates, I'll also be serving virtual champagne, chocolate, cupcakes and assorted fizzy drinks for everyone. Pop by on Twitter and say hi! Make sure to use the tag #TheHatingGame so your tweet won't be missed. I'll also be guest posting on Strictly Writing, talking about the importance of social networking (big thanks to Debs Riccio for organising that!).
I want to give Sangu Mandanna a big shout-out today: her novel Woven is going to be published! Head over and say congrats if you get a chance!
And finally, since the UK is covered in a blanket of snow and ice (rare for November), I leave you with this photo taken a few years ago during London's snowstorm. Only in Britain!
The Take On Amazon Web Splash is tomorrow! I can't quite believe the day is finally here. A massive thank you to everyone taking part and to those who've taken the time to read and review The Hating Game. Fingers crossed!
I'll be on Twitter all day, keeping people up to date on Amazon rankings with the hash tag #TheHatingGame. Along with posting updates, I'll also be serving virtual champagne, chocolate, cupcakes and assorted fizzy drinks for everyone. Pop by on Twitter and say hi! Make sure to use the tag #TheHatingGame so your tweet won't be missed. I'll also be guest posting on Strictly Writing, talking about the importance of social networking (big thanks to Debs Riccio for organising that!).
I want to give Sangu Mandanna a big shout-out today: her novel Woven is going to be published! Head over and say congrats if you get a chance!
And finally, since the UK is covered in a blanket of snow and ice (rare for November), I leave you with this photo taken a few years ago during London's snowstorm. Only in Britain!
Roll on December 1!
November 29, 2010
Bundt in the Oven
(Two more days until the Web Splash!
All the text to post is here
.)
The object you see is not a lifesaver nor a flying saucer... nor a donut. What you see is a Devil's Food Bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting, baked by yours truly last weekend.
I'm a very experimental cook and loathe to actually follow a recipe. So when something turns out right, I'm ecstatic. In times of excitement, I turn to Twitter. After posting a photo of the my masterpiece, I sat back and waited for the compliments to roll in.
Instead, I got: 'Why is there a hole in the middle?' and 'Why have you baked a giant donut?' When I responded that 'it's a Bundt cake', I was met with tweets of confusion. Being Europeans, these people had obviously never experienced the great Bundt revolution like North America had. Bundts were an enigma.
Although they originated in Germany, the distinctive pan was first trademarked in the States and Bundts rose in popularity in the 1950s after a Bundt cake won second place in a Pillsbury baking content (Wikipedia). Thus began North America's love affair with the Bundt!
Bet you were dying to know that!
Have you ever baked a Bundt?
(Writing-related posts will return soon!)
The object you see is not a lifesaver nor a flying saucer... nor a donut. What you see is a Devil's Food Bundt cake topped with cream cheese frosting, baked by yours truly last weekend.I'm a very experimental cook and loathe to actually follow a recipe. So when something turns out right, I'm ecstatic. In times of excitement, I turn to Twitter. After posting a photo of the my masterpiece, I sat back and waited for the compliments to roll in.
Instead, I got: 'Why is there a hole in the middle?' and 'Why have you baked a giant donut?' When I responded that 'it's a Bundt cake', I was met with tweets of confusion. Being Europeans, these people had obviously never experienced the great Bundt revolution like North America had. Bundts were an enigma.
Although they originated in Germany, the distinctive pan was first trademarked in the States and Bundts rose in popularity in the 1950s after a Bundt cake won second place in a Pillsbury baking content (Wikipedia). Thus began North America's love affair with the Bundt!
Bet you were dying to know that!
Have you ever baked a Bundt?
(Writing-related posts will return soon!)
November 26, 2010
Around the Block
(Web Splashers: The email with all the details went out today! Click here to see the html version.)
So it being Friday and all, I thought I'd give you a little tour around my part of London. If I seem to be focused on London lately, it's because I haven't been writing much this week but I have been venturing out of the flat! I hope you enjoy the little tour around the area as much as I love living here.
Happy Friday!
So it being Friday and all, I thought I'd give you a little tour around my part of London. If I seem to be focused on London lately, it's because I haven't been writing much this week but I have been venturing out of the flat! I hope you enjoy the little tour around the area as much as I love living here.
Kensington Church Walk - a quiet little walkway lined with shops.
The Churchill Arms, my local pub. Delicious Thai food!
One of the many antique shops on my street.
Happy Friday!
November 25, 2010
No Joke!
Happy Turkey Day to everyone in the States!
On this side of the ocean, something called 'The Twitter Joke Trial' has been unfolding. Way back in January, a guy from Nottingham was about to fly to Belfast. Bad weather shut down his airport and in frustration, he tweeted the following:
Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!
In retrospect, maybe not the brightest thing to do. But worthy of prosecution and being convicted of 'menace'? He's now appealing and taking his case to the High Court. To help raise funds, publisher Scott Pack is auctioning off his MS critiquing services. As you can see by his blog, he tells it like it is!
You have until 10 pm GMT to get in your bids.
On this side of the ocean, something called 'The Twitter Joke Trial' has been unfolding. Way back in January, a guy from Nottingham was about to fly to Belfast. Bad weather shut down his airport and in frustration, he tweeted the following:
Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!
In retrospect, maybe not the brightest thing to do. But worthy of prosecution and being convicted of 'menace'? He's now appealing and taking his case to the High Court. To help raise funds, publisher Scott Pack is auctioning off his MS critiquing services. As you can see by his blog, he tells it like it is!
You have until 10 pm GMT to get in your bids.
November 24, 2010
Feel the Love?
Web Splash Announcement! A small reminder that the Splash will take place one week from today. Due to some technical issues with Amazon that are making my head explode -- oh, there goes my ear -- the email with all the Splash information will hopefully be going out sometime on Friday.
Since yesterday's post, of course I've thought of a million more reasons why I love living in London. If you want to know about other cities, check out Ellen's post on Dublin and Helen's on Edinburgh.
So. On to today, and a somewhat controversial topic: using your blog to get feedback on your writing.
Of course there's nothing wrong with posting your writing for others to read -- pieces of work you're proud of, et cetera. But I'd argue if you're looking for genuine, critical feedback, your blog is probably not the best place to go.
Why? Well, first of all, it's a public forum -- people are always reticent to say what they really think in public, and unsure of the reception if they do. No one wants to looks like a crotchety miser who can't feel the love. We all want people to like our writing, but... do we really want our egos stoked with a false sense of security? When it comes to improving a passage, it's not really helpful.
Secondly, time. Most of us visit and comment on a lot of blogs, and thoughtful critiquing takes time. It's much easier to say something nice and move on than it is to give detailed feedback, especially if it's a long passage.
There are great blogs and bloggers out there who do offer valuable feedback: Clarissa Draper's chapter critique, for one. And there are always beta readers, writers' groups and plenty of forums to turn to for help.
What do you think? Are blogs a good place to get useful feedback on writing?
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!
Since yesterday's post, of course I've thought of a million more reasons why I love living in London. If you want to know about other cities, check out Ellen's post on Dublin and Helen's on Edinburgh.
So. On to today, and a somewhat controversial topic: using your blog to get feedback on your writing.
Of course there's nothing wrong with posting your writing for others to read -- pieces of work you're proud of, et cetera. But I'd argue if you're looking for genuine, critical feedback, your blog is probably not the best place to go.
Why? Well, first of all, it's a public forum -- people are always reticent to say what they really think in public, and unsure of the reception if they do. No one wants to looks like a crotchety miser who can't feel the love. We all want people to like our writing, but... do we really want our egos stoked with a false sense of security? When it comes to improving a passage, it's not really helpful.
Secondly, time. Most of us visit and comment on a lot of blogs, and thoughtful critiquing takes time. It's much easier to say something nice and move on than it is to give detailed feedback, especially if it's a long passage.
There are great blogs and bloggers out there who do offer valuable feedback: Clarissa Draper's chapter critique, for one. And there are always beta readers, writers' groups and plenty of forums to turn to for help.
What do you think? Are blogs a good place to get useful feedback on writing?
Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!
November 23, 2010
Ten for Tuesday: Why I Love London
Happy Tuesday!Although I have been known to complain from time to time about the tube (and if you live in London, I know you feel my pain), I do love living here.
1. The architecture! If you come from North America where many of the buildings are sixties and seventies-style or steel and glass, London's ornate architecture is awe-inspiring.
2. The variation from one part of the city to the other. It's impossible to get bored in London; moving from east London to west London is akin to visiting a different country. Every borough has a different feel to it, since London is really a collection of smaller communities that were gradually gobbled up by the metropolis.
3. The museums -- which are free! I have a crush on The Tate Modern. I love drifting through the galleries, then up to the cafe where you can have a glass of wine and gaze out over the Thames and St Paul's.
4. The markets. These days Portobello is swamped with tourists, but it's still worth a stroll down between the stalls. Columbia Road flower market and Borough market are also among my favourites.
5. Hyde Park. I love wandering around the park, particularly in the winter when it's empty and the sky is grey. My husband and I have our own spot, right in front of The Serpentine.
6. The South Bank. Yes, it's where I got engaged, got married, yada yada yada, but it's also the cultural centre of London with the British Film Institute, The National Theatre, and The Royal Festival Hall.
7. Daunt Books. Located in an old Edwardian bookshop in Marylebone, I feel calmer as soon as I walk into this shop.
There are plenty of other reasons I love living here, but I must now go placate my stomach with chocolate.
Do you love where you live? Or would you escape faster than Houdini on speed?
November 22, 2010
Christmas Treats: Love or Hate?
Before I delve into the goodies, I just wanted to say a big thanks for all the very helpful comments on my last post!Now then, onto the treats! Venturing into Marks & Spencer last night, I was accosted by shelves heaped with Christmas offerings: mince pies, fruit cake and more. I cannot stand mince pies or fruit cake, but my other half fell upon them with all the glee of an bulimic elf.
So: when it comes to the goodies below, do you love 'em or hate 'em?
Mince pies. A British festive sweet pastry, traditionally consumed during the Christmas and New Year period and also for Thanksgiving in America ... Mince pies are filled with mincemeat – a preserve typically containing apple, dried fruits such as raisins and sultanas, spices, and either suet or vegetable shortening. Source: Wikipedia.
Fruit cake. A cake made with chopped candied fruit and/or dried fruit, nuts, and spices, and (optionally) soaked in spirits. In the United Kingdom, certain rich versions may be iced and decorated. Fruitcakes are often served in celebration of weddings and Christmas. Source: Wikipedia.
Terry's Chocolate Orange. A popular British chocolate product, made by Kraft Foods, originally sold only in the United Kingdom, but now sold all across the world. It is a ball of chocolate mixed with orange oil, divided into 20 "segments", similar to a real orange. Source: Wikipedia.
Mulled wine. Wine, usually red, combined with spices and typically served warm. Nowadays, it is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. Source: Wikipedia.
Chicken Bones (Canadians, is this is a Canadian thing? I haven't seen it in the UK). A unique pink cinnamon outer shell surrounding Ganong semi-sweet chocolate in the centre. Source: Ganong.
What's your favourite or most hated Christmas treat?
November 19, 2010
How Much Is Too Much?
Two very nice things happened to me recently: I got lovely blurbs from Irish bestselling author Colette Caddle as well as one of the biggest chick lit websites, Chick Lit Reviews. As I've bored you all to tears with, it is extremely barfable asking -- and then waiting -- for authors and reviewers to read your work. So when I heard back from both, my immediate response was to post the blurbs everywhere I could think of!Then I wondered: if I post these kind words, will people think I'm bragging? Yes, I'm proud, excited and relieved, but I'd need a good ten courses of arrogance drugs to even come near the bragging factor -- that's how insecure I've been. I really just want to share the words with people I know will understand.
So I ask you: how much is too much? When do you feel an author crosses the line from acceptable promotion to just plain annoying?
(And if you're interested in what the blurbs said, go here)
