Jennifer E. Glynn's Blog, page 3

A little update…

July and August are going to be the biggest months of the year in our household, but I’ll reveal exactly why later.

As such, writing has been very slow—almost non-existent. Finding the time to pen another novel has felt almost impossible, let alone the continued work needed for my other stories.

Nevertheless, for those patiently waiting for new material, allow me to give you a snap-shot of current projects:

Call Me Rumpel: I’ve received incredibly detailed and helpful editing notes and will be working through them slowly but surely. The original aim was to release in October, but it may take far longer. I also have to buckle down and design a cover that captures the essence of the novel. The Beaumont Egalitarian Society sequel: Currently in progress, with the aim to finish the draft manuscript in the next few months before the editing process can begin. Episode Interactive: I’m working on two commissioned stories simultaneously—and quickly falling behind. The pressure is on to finish the pilot for at least one of them by the end of the month, so most of my focus will be going towards that. The Kitsune’s Lullaby: I hope to begin my new fantasy novel in the next few weeks. White Wave: Similarly, I’ll resume work on the fantasy series that first gained popularity on Episode.

My aim is to publish at least one new novel around October. Ambitious? Yes. Impossible?

That word does not exist in my vocabulary.

Thank you for your continued support and patience! Xx

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Shout Out to the Threads Book Community

This week I was feeling rather down about my novel. With zero sales on Amazon in the last few months, I thought I had done everything in my power (granted, with a limited budget) to reach an audience I thought for sure would love my novel, The Beaumont Egalitarian Society.

It turns out I was perhaps expecting too much of people I knew and going about everything the wrong way. This entire journey has been a learning curve, particularly when it comes to marketing—after all, writing the novel is only just a fraction of what it takes to be a successful author.

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So when I finally caved in (after my little pity party—much more fun than wallowing in self pity) and set up an account on Threads, I was pleasantly shocked by the amount of kindness and generosity shown to me. Why I didn’t join sooner I don’t know, but I finally found my people. Readers and writers like myself who know the struggles of being an indie author and the bitterness of trying to break into the traditional publishing industry and who are so willing to support each other. Readers and writers who love mystery stories (complete with secret societies, Japanese legends, a little bit of history, and a touch of romance), and who in the space of less than a day, became my writing family.

Now don’t get me wrong, please: I have found a lot of support in family and friends prior to this, and that support means the absolute world to me (including my FanFiction sisters, who have been there through thick and thin). I will never, ever forget the love and kindness, ever. I simply didn’t realise that such love and support was possible elsewhere as well, nor how just how many people there are in the world who believe in and cherish indie authors.

Already, I have had multiple copies of my novel sold or downloaded on Kindle (did you know that if you have a Kindle Unlimited account, you can read The Beaumont Egalitarian Society for free?). Thank you will never be enough to express my deepest gratitude for those readers (including many fellow authors); they have made my entire year so much better. They’ve restored the faith in myself that was waning with each passing day and made me believe I can do it.

So much so that I will be working harder on the sequel as well as my other novels.

It wouldn’t be right, though, to forget the many people who also reached out to me on LinkedIn this week, nor to my ever-supportive Instagram friends. From downloading my novel, offering helpful advice, to continuously encouraging me, their acts of kindness has had a humongous impact on me. Thank you!

If you are an indie author and haven’t joined Meta’s Threads yet, I highly encourage you to do so; the community there is EXACTLY what you need. If you have, please feel free to connect with me on either of my accounts (@jenniferglynn_author) and (@whitewave91.episode).

As much as I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner, I am so glad to gave taken this leap of faith.

I encourage potential readers to seek out the best price for them if looking to purchase my novel. I sell signed copies myself (now with a little surprise, which I hope to send to previous buyers when possible), but I’d rather you find the best value that suits your needs. Amazon, Dymocks, Barnes & Noble, The Hobart Bookshop, and many other online and in-store places currently hold it!

Xx

Interview with a Star

A few months ago, I was lucky enough to get to know Ewaoluwa (who also goes by the name Kristina), who runs Pendacious. Talented in just about every aspect of writing and publishing that you can think of, I was drawn to the empathy she shows authors.

Thank you, Ewaoluwa, for your time, your continuous generosity, and for being my guinea pig as I delve into interviews

Here is what she has to say:

Pendacious has to be one of my favourite website names. What is the meaning behind it?

It means audacious with the pen. At the time I chose this name, I’d just rediscovered my passion for writing; how much I loved it and my intense desire to be crazy good at it with intentionality. So, that was my goal. To be audacious with my writing, do my best, and try my hardest.

You are a woman of many talents, including your incredible ghostwriting, betaing, editing, and coaching skills. What would you say is your favourite line of work?

Gosh! It’s writing. Followed closely by editing. I found them early in life and I have intense passion for both of them, but at this time, writing consumes me more. Like I said, I rediscovered my passion for it.

When I read your profile, I absolutely loved your message that you are there to support authors. Your ability to connect and empathise with readers’ needs on a personal level is quite rare in the publishing world. How did this come about?

I was unable to read or write for 6 months after a traumatic incident. It hurt. It hurt like crazy. That period forced me to think deeply about everything I was doing. I considered my standing in this industry and the callousness with which I took ghostwriting jobs. What I did had lost its meaning, and for me, money could never be enough. I was going to quit ghostwriting entirely but I talked a writing coach and we dived into what I really desired to do — dive into people’s stories with them.

And that’s how the job position of writing partnership was birthed.

I love the idea of a ‘writing partnership.’ Why do you think it is important authors have someone in their corner?

The authors and writers I desire to work with want to write but are facing obstacles like loneliness, stress, confusion, or lack of motivation. It’s easy to give up when we face these things and writing is no easy task. What I want to do is be involved in every part of the process alongside them, even writing. 

What do you think makes a good writing coach? What should authors look for when looking to hire someone?

My position goes beyond writing coaching but I think that a good writing coach is someone who’s willing and able to tailor their approach to meet you where you are. They’re not so caught up in the ‘rules’ and ‘must-dos’ of writing that they lose sight of who they’re helping. I think you can evaluate this through the feedback they give when you have that first conversation with them. 

What are some of the misconceptions you’ve come across about ghostwriting? What would you like readers to know about it?

We aren’t machines. As a fiction ghostwriter, most clients I’ve come across aren’t writers themselves. They have these inhuman expectations of us. The deadlines are short and the pay isn’t worth the burnout. I’d like readers to be realistic about their expectations of ghostwriters and not treat them like slave workers.

What do you think writers should look for when looking to hire a ghostwriter?

A listener. A ghostwriter is someone who writes for you as you, but can they be in tune with your expectations enough to do that? A good ghostwriter is interested in you and they want to hear you.

We can pretend we don’t have favourite children, but between you and me (and the many readers seeing this), what is your favourite piece of work you’ve written?

It’s my first book. It’s my favorite because it’s immortalized. I hand wrote it at eleven in a book, and it was burned soon after when the house was being cleared, so I can’t look back at it and evaluate the difference between my skill now and my skill then. I can only remember how proud I was that I wrote it and that my classmates, whom I shared it with, loved it. 

A close favorite is an article I just wrote titled, “THE MOST ICONIC SCENE IN GAME OF THRONES AND ITS LIFE CHANGING INSIGHT”. 

You wrote your first book at just eleven years old. I’m so sorry to hear about its loss. Tell me more about it.

It was about a 15-year-old girl whose parents had gotten divorced because they were always arguing. She had to move with her mum to a new home and join a new school. She was really sad about how swiftly her world had changed. There, she met a boy who liked her and they started dating despite opposition from a well-liked bully who liked him as well. They started dating, went to college together and got married. They started to have problems in their marriage when she got pregnant, similar to her parents, and she grieved that her life would end up like her mother’s, but eventually they communicated and fixed things. It was based in the US, as most of the books I read at that age were written by foreign authors.

Last year when I wrote about it for my website, I realized that this story was a mirror of my (admittedly more complex) family situation at the time and my desire for a happy ending, but more than that it was a really fun project I got to share with my classmates. Most of the girls in my class were book worms (most still are), so I was glad they liked mine. 

Many young girls and boys are eager to write stories but are often discouraged (perhaps it’s fear, parental or peer doubt, lack of motivation or knowledge). What helped you push through any doubts when writing at such a young age?

To be honest, it wasn’t something I thought too deeply about. I was just bored during an holiday because I had no friends nearby to visit so I just wrote it. 

I would say to them, ‘just write what you want.’ At the time, this story didn’t have the significance it does to me now, but it did turn out to be incredibly meaningful. So, just write whatever. Have fun!

What was your favourite book (picture or novel) at that age? Did you have a favourite character?

The Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. George was my favorite character. She rejected being stereotyped as a person who liked ‘girly’ things just because she had a female sexual organ. She was a tomboy, but looking back, she represented for me a girl who chose who she wanted to be, rather than let anyone around her dictate eit.

I love that series! (Although the dog, Timmy, was my favourite haha). As a teenager, you delved into poetry. Did you find it hard to switch from story writing or did the words flow naturally? Were there any particular conventions or styles you felt you had to conform to?

For me at thirteen, it was all about the rhymes. I still have the notebook I wrote them all in. I didn’t realize there was more to poetry until I was sixteen; I hated myself and I joined a poetry club, so I started to express myself without rhyming.

Will we get to see any samples published? This poem won a prize at a competition. My country was dealing with a police brutality crisis at the time and competitions like this was one of the ways we spoke out against it.

“NON-BULLETPROOF”

Men in black

Come with death tools

To plant their bullet seeds in our soil

And they use

Our tears like rain mixed with the blood they shed

To wet the mounds they dug

And harvest skulls.

Men in trust

Have now betrayed us.

The labour of our heroes past in vain;

The lives of our future heroes hanging in a balance.

Should our fates be decided by the hands that hold guns?

God forbid! That we will not labour in valour and speak up.

Olórunmáje! That our vegetative soil should become littered with skulls

Tufiakwa! That our non-Nile rivers should flow with our blood

Allah Ya Kiyaye! That the heroes of our future should fall

Fingers firmly folded into fists

And hands raised above our non-bulletproof heads,

We cry, “END SARS!”

“END POLICE BRUTALITY!”

That is heartbreakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it!

You’ve had over nine years’ worth of writing experience. Do you ever tire of writing?

Never! When I cannot write, it feels horribly wrong.

You’re a master of many genres. What is your favourite to work on? Is it the same as your favourite genre to read?

Non-fiction articles. Mostly because of my blog. I incredibly enjoy writing my blog posts.

What would you say influences your writing the most? (for example, family, current trends in literature, culture, dreams, etc).

Myself. My writing is a reflection of my experiences, insights, and thoughts. I write them in ways that make them relevant to the reader, but ultimately, it’s just me.

Are there any current projects you’re working on?

I’m writing a beginners editing course and I’m loving it! 

I cannot wait to enrol! Many authors (particularly those new to the industry), aren’t too sure about the difference between editing, proofreading, and beta reading. What should they know?

Beta reading is basically finding a member of your ideal audience and paying them to evaluate your book to determine if your work will appeal to the people you’re writing for. It is similar to editing because part of a professional editor’s job is to bridge the gap between your goals for your book and the needs of your audience. So, in that way, your editor dives into your ideal reader’s mind to provide adequate support.

Proofreading is a kind of editing. It’s the final phase before the book gets formatted to check for punctuation errors, spelling errors, tense inconsistencies, numbering… mostly errors relating to grammar and language, and sometimes, fact-checking.

Editing can either be developmental, line, or copy. My advice to authors is to consult with professional editors to determine their specific needs rather than deciding for themselves.

Briefly walk me through the services you provide. What can authors expect?

I provide writing partnership and editing services. 

Writing partnership enables me to walk hand-in-hand with authors and writers as a writing partner. Writing can be lonely, confusing, and stressful, but when you have a partner, the burden is shared. So, I define a writing partner as your all-in-one collaborator, expertly working with you through brainstorming, outlining, researching, and writing for an enriched, stress-free, and goal-crushing literary journey. For this job position, I draw from my experience as a ghostwriter who has worked in various genres and an editor who knows how to be the middleman between writer and reader.

If an author only had the budget for one key service (such as editing, betaing, cover art, marketing, etc), what would you recommend they prioritise?

Marketing (if their main aim is money) because even bad books sell. 

Editing (if their aim is quality).

Beta reading is likely unnecessary if you’re working with a professional editor.

What is the number one mistake you’ve seen new authors commit? (You may be calling me out here :’))

Be uninformed. We don’t have to be naive to be hopeful. Most authors think they’re just gonna jump into the industry and be pop stars, but being an indie author is a full-time job. It takes a lot, so have a plan.

The age-old question: Have you read any good books lately?

I haven’t. I have read a really good short story by Alex Tizon. My Family’s Slave.

Who is the most influential author (or story) you’ve read? What was their impact on you?

Francine Rivers was my idol when I was young. My dad used to buy me her books. Her writing was so carefully raw. Exposing human thoughts and emotions in a very natural and impactful way. Her messages always burned in my memory months after I read her books. Her writing doesn’t captivate me anymore, but what it did to me as a child is immortalized in my memory and my writing.

If you could attend a dinner party with six characters from any book, movie, or television series, who would they be and why?

Any 5 main characters + Alex Modern Family because it’s my favorite sitcom.

The Original Family (Klaus and siblings) so I could tell them they’re super dumb for recycling the same trauma over a thousand years.

The Blessed One by Ted Dekker (Caleb + 5 adults who were in charge of him) so I could tell the adults off for exploiting a child.

Instead of a dinner party, you’re stranded on a deserted island with the antagonist of the last book you read. Who is going to survive?

The last book I read (I didn’t finish it) was Lolita. I’m surviving because he’s not interested in women

When you’re not helping writers or putting words on a page, what do you like to do?

Write for myself (it’s my favorite thing). Netflix and lie on my bed. Watch anime. Spend quality time with my friends (some of whom are family).

What is one fact about yourself that would shock readers?

I’m a Nigerian. It’s my first time being interviewed.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell me?

You’re really sweet.

I write relevant and life-changing articles. Check them out here: pendacious.com/blog

Also, thank you so much for this opportunity. 

Thank you, Ewaoluwa! It was a pleasure getting to know you better.

Legal Deposits

This information may not be new to most authors, but if you’re a starting author in Australia, you may find this useful (and a huge thank you to Jesse from Libraries Tasmania for helping me with this!).

Under the Libraries Act 1984, all published authors in Australia (whether that’s publishing a book (including independently published books), piece of music, or other written text to be sold or distributed to the public) are required to make a deposit of their work to both the National Library of Australia and their state library (each state has their own requirements). This is called a legal deposit and is very easy to complete.

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If your work is available electronically, all you have to do is upload it to the National Australia Library edeposit site. You have the option of how it is accessed by the public (such as if and when a reader can download the material) . If you do not have an electronic version, you need to send in the best copy of your published work (that is, if both hardcover and paper back versions are available, you need to send in the hardcover version). Most state libraries are more than happy to pass on one of the two copies you provide (one for state, one for national) or in most cases, you can drop off the books in your local library with the relevant form.

These copies are kept forever by the library, preserving your work for generations to come. Your edeposit will be made available to a wider audience, including being visible on discovery services such as Google, Trove, and library catalogues, and on a wider range of devices. The library will also order additional copies for public lending, allowing more readers (or in the case of music, listeners) to enjoy your work.

For more information or to deposit your work, please visit: https://ned.gov.au/ned/

For international authors, there may be similar laws in your state or country, so if you weren’t already aware, it may be an idea to look into this.

I am grateful to know that The Beaumont Egalitarian Society will be available for generations of Australians, as will my future publications. It is an honour to be a part of Australia’s memory and certainly worth the two minutes or less it took to sign up and submit my work.

A huge thank you to my local community and Libraries Tasmania for already carrying my novel. I hope readers in Tasmania enjoy the story! If you’re in Hobart or Glenorchy, why not pop into the library to borrow a copy or head to The Hobart Bookshop to grab your own?

And they’re here!

My sincerest apologies for the delay, but I am please to say that new paperback copies of The Beaumont Egalitarian Society have finally arrived!

Whilst an order was received at the beginning of the month, I wasn’t too happy with the quality of some of the books and had to source new copies.

Copies in all formats are also available for purchase elsewhere, including on Amazon, Booktopia, and other leading retailers. For Tasmanians, I highly encourage you to pop into The Hobart Bookshop where you can grab a signed copy. Not only will you be supporting me, but you will be supporting an amazing local store who supports Australian talent and, by extension, will be supporting other aspiring Australian authors.

New goodies have also arrived, which will be added to both our shop and included in some orders. I’ve been sourcing various ideas to make orders direct from us just that extra bit special beyond my signature (which, let’s face it, I won’t be winning any awards for my penmanship anytime soon), including branded pens, bookmarks, and other little trinkets.

Unfortunately, there have been some issues with obtaining hardcover copies, but if you are in Australia and holding out for one, please don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange a future copy. We are working hard on resolving this issue, so please bear with us!

Work on my latest novel is still currently underway, with an expected release date of October/ November this year. Aside from my work with Episode Interactive, I’m also working on another little publishing project that I never expected to undertake. Am I a poet and didn’t even know it? We’ll find out soon enough.

I will also be posting an interview with a very talented editor and author mentor soon, so please stay tuned for that.

Thank you to everyone who has shown interest in getting their hands on a signed paperback copy of The Beaumont Egalitarian Society. Orders are now open (both for Australian residents and international post—please email us for postage details if you reside overseas prior to checking out), so be sure to get in quick!

~Jennifer xx

They’re on their way!

We’re pleased to announce that new copies of The Beaumont Egalitarian Society are currently on the way to us!

We have an estimated arrival date of June 5. A limited amount of stock has been ordered, so if you would like to be the first to know when new signed paperback copies are available, please fill out the form below to be placed on the waiting list.

We now offer international shipping for customers around the world who would prefer an author-signed copy. Prior to ordering, please email us for a postage quote and estimated time frame (no obligations to purchase).

Similarly, if you would like to purchase a signed hardcover copy, please email us to arrange a copy.

Exciting new things are happening… We can’t wait to share them with you.

We hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

Submit a form.

Sharing is Caring

This week I’ve gotten back into the swing of marketing my novel, The Beaumont Egalitarian Society. I know, I know; I should’ve been onto this every day since it’s release in September last year.

I must confess, I have been feeling a little down about my novel in the last few months. Those niggling doubts about whether or not it is good enough for reader consumption has had me push it to the side, hoping that by not widely advertising, I wouldn’t be humiliating myself should that be the case.

After some positive feedback from a few editors (they know the business) and some fantastic reviews from readers (thank you!), however, my confidence has been restored. I was reminded that I published it in the first place because I knew in my heart it was good enough. Yes, the process was more rushed than it normally should’ve been due to personal circumstances (I wanted someone seriously ill to be able to see the published copy), and yes, there is always room for improvement. There are certainly things I would’ve done differently in hindsight.

Nevertheless, I can finally say: I WROTE A BOOK!

I wrote, edited, and published a full-length novel.

Sure, millions of other people have done the same, thousands this year alone. Sure, there are better books out there, novels worthy of prestigious prizes.

BUT I WROTE A BOOK!

I’m not going to let anyone make me feel as though I’m not good enough. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I know many of those who have already read the novel have enjoyed it. As the novel is written for entertainment purposes, it’s done its job.

As such, the marketing campaign is back in full force, at least until my busy little mind decides to tackle another (unnecessary) project. Already, I’ve become entranced by the prospect of card-making and learning how to emboss cards… even though my first attempts looked worse than a preschooler learning how to use scissors.

Part of this process has involved searching for low-priced custom merchandise (including pens, bookmarks, key rings, etc) to use as small tokens of my appreciation for readers. I’m still looking for the best providers of these items, but hopefully they’ll be in stock by the end of the year. I’ve also looked into ways to better promote my book on social media, which I’m sure my friends and followers are already sick of.

Sharing is the most important way for an author to get their work out into the world, so if it’s possible, could you please consider helping me? Sharing links, posts and reels on social media (including through feed posts, comments, and stories on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok) will help more readers discover The Beaumont Egalitarian Society. The more interaction with posts, the better the chance the novel has. If you’re part of a bookclub, please consider giving it a read and discussion; if you have or know adolescents, or perhaps a school or library searching for new material, a recommendation would be amazing.

Leaving honest reviews on Amazon (and Goodreads) will also go a long way to supporting my dreams.

I invite you to connect with me on my social media channels.

I’d like to say a humungous thank you once again to everyone who has already purchased, shared, or reviewed my novel — your kindness will not be forgotten!

~Jennifer x

Aurora Australis

Tonight I was fortunate enough to witness a spectacular sight, one I probably will not get to see again. The Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) danced across the night sky in blooms of pink, purple, yellow, green, and blue, visible to the naked eye. It looked like something out of a movie, entrancing Tasmanians and other Australians (apparently it could even be seen in parts of Queensland) for hours.

I’ve taken a few pictures in the past of a murky bit of colour, the closest I thought I would ever get (at least without a decent camera). Tonight, however, the beams shone beyond my wildest dreams, shimmering like the reflections of coloured glass on water. Better yet, I got to experience the view with my parents, something I’ll always treasure.

Aurora Australis, Tasmania, May 11th 2024. Copyright Jennifer E. Glynn.

Getting to witness such vibrant colours is, quite frankly, a small miracle. It was only by chance that we went outside at the time we did; if we hadn’t, we would’ve missed the best display of the evening. I won’t get too philosophical right now, but standing there beneath the stars and bands of vivd colour, I was reminded once again that the world is so much bigger than any of us. A scary thought, perhaps, and quite sobering, but important nevertheless.

The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is supposed to be in full view tonight (and yesterday evening) across England and other parts of the northern hemisphere. It seems the sun’s solar flare activity is the largest it has been in nearly two decades. If you are able to take a few moments to go outside, I highly encourage you to do so. You won’t need a special camera either; even if the beams don’t appear as visible to the naked eye as predicted, your phone camera (I used an old iPhone 12) should be able to pick up the colours.

Aurora Australis as it appeared to the naked eye (poor quality footage). Colours are enhanced ten-fold through a camera lens.
Copyright Jennifer E. Glynn

One day, I will venture north to witness the Borealis for myself. But if I don’t, I’m quite content with this evening’s gorgeous display.

These are just some of the many images taken tonight.

Images Copyright Jennifer E. Glynn 2024. Please contact if you would like to share/ use them.

Slightly ominous in appearance, the source of the beams. Aurora Australis, May 11th 2024.
Copyright Jennifer E. Glynn 2024

I hope you all enjoy your weekend,

~Jennifer x

The Importance of Reviews

A few weeks ago, I discovered that Amazon will only feature/ recommend a novel if it has received at least eighty reviews. This is particular for indie authors who have used their KDP system.

So far, The Beaumont Egalitarian Society is sitting at just two reviews (one of which is from my dearest brother who, to be fair, had already read the novel before posting).

I am not usually one to ask anything of my readers, but with advice recently given on LinkedIn, I feel it can’t hurt to try. If anyone has read the book and wouldn’t mind leaving a review on Amazon (or Goodreads), I would greatly appreciate it. I ask for honest reviews, so even if you hated the entire thing, I’d like to know in order to improve my work; the last thing I want is for someone to purchase my novel and think it’s a waste of their money.

Do I have faith in my novel? Absolutely (and a little more thanks to a new friend who recently read and enjoyed it, encouraging me to continue writing!). It is why the novel is now published, rather than remaining hidden in the many computer files I still need to organise into folders—the modern author no longer has a desk covered in stacks of papers (okay, we do), but a desktop riddled with overlapping files often left unnamed. I truly believe that readers (not just the teens it was aimed at) will enjoy the premise and the characters.

One thing I absolutely refuse to do is pay for a review, good or bad. I understand that there are people who have formed businesses based on professionally reviewing books. I have no intention of diminishing their work (there are some who actually take the time to read and give honest feedback worthy of attention). If it is something you are interested in, I will not mock your decision.

However, for me personally, it just doesn’t sit right. I want honest reviews that come from readers who have picked up my book for a little entertainment. Readers who have no subconscious motivations to analyse each word, becoming lost in technicalities rather than the storyline. Readers for whom the book was intended, including the many adult readers who have given the book a chance.

I am under no illusion that my work is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. I will not be the next Rowling, Tolkien, or Austen. My main aim is to provide an escape for my readers, to offer a few hours/ days break from the real world and the problems it brings. If that is only for one or two readers, than that is enough for me. On that note, my aim is also to never give up, to keep improving my writing skills each and every day. I aim to secure an agent I trust, to break into the traditional publishing world and get my work out there on a grander scale. I want to reach more readers and bring more smiles.

But to do that, paying for reviews is not the pathway I intend to use; I will seek out editors and proofreaders, and the opinions of true readers.

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If you have read my novel and can spare a few minutes to please leave a review (whether you loved it or hated it), you will be assisting me in not only improving my work, but allowing the novel to get the exposure it deserves. Absolutely no pressure, though! Your endless support already has been enough to keep me going.

On that note, if you are a lover of indie (self-published) novels, I highly encourage you to leave reviews on those books as well. Many of us are in the same boat, so just a few little words can go a long way to not only helping me achieve my dream, but helping them as well! There are some truly incredible novels out there that are worth the read.

I hope your Thursday is going well!

~Jennifer x

Preying on Authors

If you are reading this, you may likely be an author interested in tips and tricks about writing, or learning what to do (or better yet, what not to do) from my experiences so far. Even if you are not, there is an important issue in the publishing community that needs to be addressed:

Scam marketing.

Perhaps there’s a better term for it, but it is no less prevalent in popular social media platforms used by authors, including LinkedIn and Instagram.

Ever since I announced the publication of my novel, The Beaumont Egalitarian Society, on my LinkedIn account, I have received hundreds of unsolicited messages from ‘connections’ advertising their services. You may be wondering what the big deal is; after all, with the economy the way it is, shouldn’t we be supportive of small businesses and at least hear them out? Most of us are in the same boat, hoping to make a connection with another person in the industry who will boost our work.

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I’d like to make it clear that I am more than happy to support small businesses. I may not always be in the position of hiring a new expert, but I don’t mind sharing websites or informing fellow authors of someone’s work IF I believe they are genuine and knowledgeable. I don’t mind when people tell me what they do or offer a service in passing; pushing it and trying to make me believe I will fail without it is not okay.

The messages I’ve received—and from the multiple posts popping up lately, the messages received by other authors—are different.

How to spot a money-grabber

The first red flag that appears is when the message comes as soon as you accept a connection request; from the text, it is clear that the person has only added you because you have written ‘author’ in your page bio or occupation title. They may take an extra few seconds to look up the name of your book, but more often than not, the only effort made is writing your name in the greeting of the message.

The second red flag, which goes hand-in-hand with this, is the message containing a poorly re-worded version of offers made by other people offering the same services. Usually, it is written as follows:

‘Hello [insert author name],
I saw that you are an author. May I have a link to your book?’

Or

‘Hello author!
Thank you for connecting. Congratulations on your new book!
I am a marketer. Do you have any new books out?’

Maybe they’ll add in a few compliments, suggest that they’ve read your work or followed your writing. I’m sorry to say, dear writer, but that is not the case. As much as it may seem they’re interested in your work, they are hoping flattery will lure you to spending money on something you can easily do yourself, or better yet, that a true professional can help you with (and get actual results!)

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I’d like to think both messages are quite obvious in their intent, particularly when each author’s LinkedIn profile clearly contains information about their books (including links!), yet the amount of so-called ‘marketers’ and ‘reviewers’ (no, I will NOT pay for a book review; I want honest opinions from actual readers, thank you) continuing to use the same format astounds me.

I’d love to know who encourages marketers to use this in their business addresses; not only is it a waste of your clients’ time, but it is insulting to authors. I am sick of receiving these messages, insisting that we give our hard-earned money away to someone who fakes a billboard post (yeah, we’ve all seen that poorly-edited picture you claim is you advertising a novel) or requires your life savings to do a few simple Instagram posts.

For the people behind the messages who are trying to run a legitimate business, I have to wonder in what world you think being so disrespectful will help you build your clientele? What gives you the right to barge into somebody’s private inbox demanding they give their attention and projects to you?

The third red flag is, of course, when you inevitably deny their services and find yourself deleted from their connections list. It may be obvious to most, but if you haven’t given them what they wanted (money!), you are no longer needed.

It makes the true service providers stand out; the ones who not only have proven experience, but who continue to foster your dreams and stick around even when you decline their services. These are the people who will inevitably get my business.

Protecting yourself

Questioning a potential scammer about the content of your book is one way to go. Ask them who their favourite character is, what they thought about something that didn’t actually happen in the book. You’ll soon sift through who is eager for your business and who is guided by their bank account. But time is precious and who has enough of it to waste on something like that?

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If you do anything at all, do your research before handing over bank or other personal details. Check the person’s qualifications (if via LinkedIn, qualifications are usually listed in their profile and can easily be cross-checked), their past clients, their client history, their website (if applicable), their connections list, and any potential reviews that may have already made their way to the web. Those first starting out may not have had the opportunity to have networked and built up an exhaustive list; however, you can get a fair idea about their legitimacy from how they interact with others.

An excellent site shared with me by the fabulous ghost-writer, publisher, and editor extraordinaire Nicole Jobe is: Writer Beware. This site lists known scammers in the industry, provides helpful tips on how to avoid being scammed (including by so-called ‘producers’ who promise the adaptation of your novel into a movie or television series), and regularly-updated articles on everything you need to know about the industry.

Other things you can do to protect yourself:

Set up a separate bank account specifically to be used for novel-based transactions. Only ever have the amount of money you intend to pay for the service in that account and always be on the lookout for unexplained transactions. Contact your bank immediately if you suspect any transfer you have not made (even the tiny amounts; scammers will assume you won’t notice a few dollars missing here and there to begin with).Insist on safe third party sites such as PayPal. Whilst the onus is still on you to be sure you’re handing over money to someone legitimate, PayPal provides safety nets for both you and your client to ensure the transaction is completed.Report suspicious activity to the relevant authority. Now, accusing someone of wrongdoing if they are in fact innocent is never recommended (let’s all avoid defamation cases and ruining reputations). However, if you do have a legitimate belief that someone is a scammer, however, you can report their account.Ask them about what they intend to provide. Request as much information as you can about their services/ products. If they’re hesitant to answer, you have a right to assume something fishy may be going on.Remember: No one is entitled to your money. You do not HAVE to accept their service if you do not want it. If something doesn’t feel right, or even is just out of your budget for now, do not feel guilty for saying ‘no.’ Block, report, disconnect if you must. You may even fear retribution via perhaps negative reviews or comments, but trust your gut; your work will speak for itself.Calling out scammers

It infuriates me that these sort of scammers are willing to prey on vulnerable authors, particularly indie authors who are new to the industry. It is harming the trust built between authors and other members of the publishing world who are genuine with their skills and services; authors are now questioning the motives behind everyone they speak to, often losing out on golden opportunities because they’ve been hit with these sort of advertisements before. For those running genuine businesses, they are losing out on clientele they deserve to have.

It has got to stop. Enough is enough.

I will no longer entertain the idea of politely replying to anyone who fits this bill. In the past, I would gently remind them I am not the author for them, in the knowledge that perhaps they’ve been taught the wrong way to go about things and don’t know any better. Now, however, my patience is wavering.

I want to make genuine connections with fellow authors, proofreaders, editors, artists, and marketers. I want to navigate LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook without my inbox being flooded with poorly-edited advertisements. I want to ensure other authors don’t get dragged into paying for something they neither need nor want.

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To help prevent this, I’m aiming to build up a comprehensive resource list of trusted editors and artists, etc. These people have proven track records (some even tested by myself, others with a claim to fame). They have not paid or or provided any other compensation for being included on the list and have been carefully selected based on merit. However, as this will take time to complete, you can always ask me directly if you are unsure if someone is legitimate or not.

Advice with grain of salt

As always, it is up to you as an author to implement common sense and your own judgement when deciding whether or not to trust someone. A little research will go a long way to ensuring you and your novel is given the fair chance that you deserve.

My advice is just that: advice.

As someone who knows the struggles of running a small business let alone breaking into the publishing world, the last thing I want for anyone trying to do the same is being taken advantage of.

If you have advice or your own or would like to share your experiences with people preying on authors, please don’t hesitate to let us know below! The writing community needs to stick together.

~Jennifer x

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