Luigi Pascal Rondanini's Blog, page 3

Let's exchange reviews! No, thanks!

I wanted to voice my opposition to a trend I've noticed lately - authors offering to trade reviews with one another. I often see new writers in writing groups asking for others to review their books in exchange for reviewing someone else's. While I understand your desire to get more reviews, especially when you're just starting, I believe this practice is unethical and counterproductive.

Sites like Amazon prohibit compensated reviews, so these review swaps violate their terms of service. But more importantly, reviews exchanged this way are not likely to be objective or honest. Authors are sensitive about their creations, so if I give someone's book a less-than-stellar review, I can probably expect retaliation in the review they give my book - even if I were the next Dostoevskij!

The integrity of book reviews suffers if authors feel pressured to offer only positive feedback. Counterfeit, inflated praise does not help writers truly improve their craft. I would encourage authors to have their books reviewed by unbiased readers who feel no obligation to provide anything but their honest opinion. As authors, we should aim to do the same for others.

I understand the desire for more reviews but shortcuts like review swapping undermine the legitimacy and usefulness of the review system. I think authors should refrain from the practice and instead focus on writing the best book they can. Honest, constructive feedback is very valuable - it's very important to manipulate and dilute.

Let me tell you of some examples I have to prove what I am saying, without eliciting a review back, mind you. I just offered to read some books advertised on one of the many groups on Facebook.

Example 1: I wrote a review for an emerging author and this author offered to review one of mine in exchange. They did not like my review, which I sent privately to avoid publishing it. I gave them constructive feedback. The other author never read my Kindle book, let alone give me feedback.

Example 2: I gave a 3-star review of their book. Someone else who had given me a 4-star review, after reading it, deleted it after seeing mine. I removed the review confirming the 4 stars. Their book was good.

Example 3: I gave a 4-star review explaining that the missing star was due to some incongruences in the storyline. The time, names and events were a bit inconsistent, but the story was great and written in impeccable Italian. I informed the author highlighting a specific area for improvement. The other person gave me an unsolicited 4-star review, based on my Amazon blurb, without reading most of the book. I could tell they had not read it because my book was on Kindle Unlimited, which shows me how many pages the reader reads. This person has only read 25 out of 186 pages.

So, honest reviews have to be positive and cannot be negative or you get yourself a negative one in return. What a waste of time!

There are some alternatives to review exchanges worth considering. For instance, one of my best reviews came from a paid review site. They do not automatically give you five stars, so you must be open to critical feedback. I initially received a four-star review with notes about too many spelling mistakes. However, I realized the reviewer had received an outdated draft version of my book. When I sent the final published version, they changed the review to five stars.

Additionally, I have an author friend who provides free, constructive reviews to anyone upon request, including for my books. She has given four-star reviews for most of my books, while I've given her five stars for one book and four stars for another. This was not a simple review exchange - she did not ask me to review her books in return. I requested her feedback given her expertise in copywriting and passion for reading. Also, her books are in a genre I love reading about fairy tales.

The key is finding reviewers who will provide thoughtful, honest feedback to help you improve, not just blindly giving five stars.

There are other ways to gain popularity but they can be expensive. Do not trust these pseudo-marketing managers. they do everything for free and the only advantage is that they do it for you.

Remember, constructive criticism is valuable whether from paid review services or fellow authors in your genre.

Also, please stop asking me to follow you. I know you are the new Dostoevskij, but please let me find it out by myself.

If you want to be noticed, simply follow me and if I like what I see on your feed I will follow you back.

Get the ebook version of Bridging World for free!

Happy Read an Ebook Week! You can find my book, Bridging Worlds, available now at @Smashwords FOR FREE to help you celebrate. Find my book and many more at ,https://www.smashwords.com/ebookweek from March 3 - March 9! #ebookweek24 #Smashwords

Vote for The Ghosts of the Past

My book, The Ghosts of the I Fantasmi del Passato / The Ghosts of the Past is currently listed for the Book of the Year award on the site in the link.

On the same site you can find a great review of this book which received a 5/5 for more than one reason.

https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelves/book.php...

Please support me in this challenge.

LPR

Read The Ghosts of the Past for free

Dear friends,

The Ghosts of the Past is available for free on Netgalley UK and US.

You can borrow it and, hopefully, leave a review. An honest one.

Enjoy it,

Luigi P

Why I wrote Bridging Worlds

In my new short story collection, "Bridging Worlds," I sought to build portals into fantastical spaces that also offer insight into the perplexing human condition. Each piece contains nuggets of drama and philosophy that engage readers while encouraging contemplation of deeper questions.

Initially, I envisioned many of these speculative premises expanding into full-length novels someday when time permits. However, as an impatient and prolific creative spirit, I could not resist developing bitesize glimpses into these bizarre yet intriguing worlds straight away. Think of this book as an assorted chocolate box, allowing you to sample wildly diverse realities, characters, and themes before fully diving in.

Several stories like "The Last Anchorite" and "The Soul Snatcher" explore the courage required to safeguard humanity's future. In the former, a hermit must physically and spiritually sacrifice himself when an apocalypse strikes to seed society's gradual rebirth. The latter follows a fraudulent psychic forced to reckon with a genuine case of spectral soul theft from a grieving widow. Both showcase outcasts struggling to reconstruct meaning amidst life's harshest limiting walls.

Alternatively, more lighthearted fare like "The Narcissistic Romantic" satirises our modern self-absorption through a vainglorious man who falls for his own idealised mirror image. Yet beneath the exaggerated comedy lines, poignant truth around society's Instagram filters distorting reality and genuine relationships.

Ultimately, through varying degrees of realism and escapism, I aimed to reconstruct Reality with a capital "R" by first shattering limiting assumptions, then inviting readers to help gather the pieces into new mosaics alive with awe and possibility! Our shared journey across barely plausible dimensions intends not just to entertain through surreal novelty but also to refresh eyes towards intricate magic embedding the world immediately around us each new day when we return from these speculative sojourns.

Stay tuned as further adventures in bridging disparate perspectives unfold with new short fiction ahead! And do sample the weird worlds awaiting behind the portal covers of this first collection. The diverse speculative tales overflow with surreal transformations, psychedelic visions, whimsical quests, and more awaiting your interpretative insights!

The Tales to Grow by Collection - Thank you note.

I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank all of you who have read my latest children's book, "The Tales to Grow By Collection." Seeing your reviews and ratings on sites like Amazon and Goodreads has been incredibly meaningful.

I'm especially grateful to those of you who took the time to leave thoughtful reviews - your words of praise and constructive criticism alike are so valuable and motivating to me as an author. Even the one-star ratings serve a purpose, as they let me know where my writing could improve. I would welcome the opportunity to understand those perspectives better if the reviewers wish to elaborate.

The rating system is a useful tool for authors to gauge reactions, but the reviews themselves teach me more about crafting stories that resonate. Beyond just ratings, your feedback shapes the way I approach my writing.

Even more so than online commentary, the in-person enthusiasm from primary school teachers and students in years 4, 5, and 6 has been tremendously heartwarming. Their excitement and connection to the tales confirm for me that I'm achieving my goal of educating and empowering young readers.

I understand that my writing style and stories will not appeal to everyone. I genuinely accept that not all reviews will be positive. However, I aim to ignite imagination and instil valuable lessons, especially for developing minds. So, if you have constructive criticism on how I can improve, I welcome that dialogue.

To those who have engaged with my book - whether through praise, critique, or reading recommendations - thank you again from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate all of you who have helped this collection of tales find its audience and continually push me to refine my craft.

Coming Soon: Pre-Order Your Copy of The Ghosts of the Past

I'm thrilled to announce that the English translation of my latest book, "I Fantasmi del Passato" ("The Ghosts of the Past"), will be soon available for pre-order!

This emotionally gripping novel will be released in both print and ebook formats on December 15th, just in time for the holidays. You can guarantee your copy arrives on release day by pre-ordering now.

Pre-orders for "The Ghosts of the Past" in English open on December 8th at all major online retailers.

For readers in the US and UK, you will be able to pre-order on:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Waterstones And more!

The ebook edition will also be available to pre-order directly from my publisher's website.

This poetic yet accessible story explores the ghosts we all carry with us from the past, both real and imagined. I dive deep into the quirks of human relationships, the ties that bind, and the regrets that haunt us.

I can't wait for English readers across the globe to lose themselves in this gripping and emotional tale. Make sure to pre-order your copy on December 8th!

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions about the upcoming release!

Why I wrote Vanished Echoes

Hello everyone,

This timely yet timeless tale explores a fictional but conceivable scenario sparked by the disappearance of a young girl named Lucy in modern-day London.

Through Lucy's story, I aimed to illuminate some of the most pressing issues facing Britain today - escalating societal divides, institutional distrust, immigrant scapegoating and youth mental health neglect. Her tale highlights how collective spirit can unite amidst crisis yet veer towards irrationality when gripped by fear. It examines how sensational media coverage can shape dangerous narratives.

Originally inspired by troubles facing marginalized Roma communities I witnessed when living in Rome in 2005, I reframed the story around fictional characters in London to underline the universal relevance of its messages across groups and eras. My vision was to utilise storytelling to compel reflection on injustice towards vulnerable populations then and now.

While dramatised, Lucy's journey transports readers into an all too believable reality where an innocent child's life hangs in the balance. It reveals how the social fabric can rip when division overrides reason. And it sends a cautionary note on the real-life consequences when compassion fades.

Ultimately, Vanished Echoes echoes my longstanding calling to give voice to the voiceless and bring hidden truths to light. Through Lucy's courage in staring down the darkness, I hope to reignite the belief that no matter how lost we may feel, redemption remains possible if we dare see the light.

I welcome you to experience Lucy's gripping tale for yourself. Never underestimate the power each of us has to spark positive change.

Sincerely,

Luigi Pascal

The Ghosts of the Past. The English version.

I am pleased to share that the English translation of my novel "I Fantasmi Del Passato" is nearly complete. Many of you have been asking about an English version, and I appreciate your enthusiasm.

Translating this work from its original Italian into readable English has been challenging. Some of the regional dialogue does not have a direct translation. However, I have done my best over the past week to capture the essence and spirit of the text for English speakers.

I am putting the finishing touches on the translation and expect to have it published soon. Please stay tuned for an update on where and when you will be able to access the English edition of "I Fantasmi Del Passato."

Your continued interest and support mean so much. More news to come!

Best regards,

Luigi Pascal

Dalla Newsletter - I Fantasmi del Passato: cosa mi ha ispirato a scriverlo?

Da sempre sono attento alle tematiche sociali e, soprattutto, alle relazioni umane che spesso si rivelano difficili nello gestire. Nella mia vita ho sbattuto le porte tante volte, sono sparito senza più guardarmi indietro, ho lasciato situazioni in sospeso perché troppo preso dalla mia "sindrome di Tarzan" a passare da un progetto, una vita, un lavoro, un viaggio, anche un libro, all'altro.

Ho deciso, ad un certo punto di conciliare questi miei pensieri in un libro unico. Un libro che parla di amicizia, di rancore, di successi professionali, ma soprattutto di fallimenti personali.

Le tematiche del libro sono varie, ed immagino che chiunque si sia sradicato dalle proprie origini possa sentirsi rappresentato da questi personaggi che, devo ammettere, amo in modo eguale, proprio per il loro essere umani, finanche prevedibili.

I Fantasmi del Passato, in libreria dall'8 dicembre 2023 ma disponibile per preordini, vuole essere un invito a riflettere sui valori più basilari della vita. Il personaggio che secondo alcuni è quello principale, non secondo me, sembra essere un uomo di successo che ha trovato forza nella sue misavventure e frustrazioni per riscattarsi nella vita. Eppure, nonostante quel successo che gli viene attribuito in due nazioni ed in tanti campi, non riesce a capacitarsi del rifiuto del suo migliore amico a mantenere quella amicizia viva. Si arrovella, dopo oltre trent'anni, e, anche se non lo dice, si rende conto che ha tutto, ma non ha piu quell'amico, l'unico amico, al suo fianco.

La storia, quindi segue un percorso a ritroso verso la ricerca dell'amicizia perduta. I dialoghi vanno dal faceto al super-serio con degli argomenti che tanti, ancora oggi, possono trovare pesanti.

Mi sono divertito a scriverlo, creando colpi di scena continui, ma anche nel creare degli intrecci tra i miei libri, alcuni pubblicati ed altri no, ma anche con il mondo reale. Per Esempio, Pascal de Napoli, è il mio pseudonimo per l'altro genere che amo, quelle delle storie per bambini. Nel libro si fa riferimento al libro stesso in varie occasioni. Insomma, secondo qualcuno dei miei lettori beta, "in alcune parti, sembra un episodio di Black Mirror".

La frase sulla copertina del libro è una adattazione al mio pensiero di un concetto espresso in un libro dal premio Nobel Desmond Tutu. Credo che non ci fosse frase migliore per spiegare lo scopo del mio libro. Un libro, che a differenza degli altri che ho scritto, non ha ne' un prologo, ne' una conclusione perche' questi sono nel libro stesso.

La copertina del libro, come tutte le copertine dei miei libri, l'ho creata io, usando delle foto di Napoli e creando silhouette dei due ragazzi al computer. Noterete che le due figure non rappresentano due uomini di mezza età, ma due giovani che bevono un caffè con una vista su Napoli. Ho voluto usare questa copertina come fosse un atto dovuto verso il "quello che poteva essere" se i due protagonisti non si fossero persi.

Nel libro ci sono forti elementi autobiografici. Chi mi conosce lo intuisce subito. Quello che però non intuisce e che sono rappresentato da tutti i personaggi, non solo da quello che sembra essere quello piu ovvio.

La storia, inizialmente un capitolo unico, era stato creato per il teatro. Quando mi sono reso conto che la drammaturgia non è pari allo scrivere un libro, ho deciso di ammainare la bandiera e aggiungere gli altri due capitoli. Però, per un vezzo, ho voluto lasciare i capitoli sottoforma di Atti, in onore all'intento iniziale.

Spero che il lettore trovi di stimolo gli argomenti trattati e che alla fine del libro possa guardare la copertina, il retro, e capire il significato di quella frase, per poi guardare la parte frontale e non avere mai rimpianti nella vita.

Luigi Pascal