Rod Raglin's Blog, page 41

150 free books = 2 reviews. The BIG PICTURE – Update #4

To date I have sent approximately 150 personal emails with a file of my book, The Big Picture – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic attached. These are to readers who have received free copies of at least one of my other novels through giveaways on BookLikes and StoryCartel. The last of these emails was sent about a month ago. To date I have received two reviews. At least both of them have been good.

In a desperate effort to get something happening for my new novel I enlisted the services of Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews (RFBR).

Originally, I had posted all four of my novels with them for a free review. After three months and no response I figured my books were not among the 65% of free review requests selected. I opted for the $129 – 3 Express Reviews Package that features:

- Three different reviews and critiques of your book.

- 3 guaranteed reviews by 3 different reviewers completed and posted in 2-3 weeks.

- 3 months of advertising in our Featured Book rotator.

- Reviews posted on Barnes & Noble, Google Books, Facebook, Google+, Twitter & Pinterest.

- Reviews displayed on your Readers’ Favorite review page.

You can also post the review on your Amazon author page in your Editorial Reviews section.

The BIG PICTURE received two five star and one four star review. I was not impressed with the quality of the reviews but they were high marks and made for flattering quotes.

A week later my novel SPIRIT BEAR was reviewed for free and it got three stars. You can draw your own conclusions here, but I’m going to have to assume paid reviews don’t get higher ratings. I mean you got to believe some people associated with this industry have integrity – don’t you?

For more information on Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews go to http://www.readersfavorite.com

To read the reviews on The BIG PICTURE go to

https://www.readersfavorite.com/book-review/39014

RFBR said they’d post my reviews on Google Books so I registered there and, yes indeed, here is another opportunity to list your book. Go to http://www.books.google.com

I continue to Tweet even the most inconsequential developments. Twitter analysis shows this is yet another futile endeavor. Take for example the month of November: on an average my tweets earned 64 impressions a day, but so what? The engagement rate was 1.2%; link clicks 3; retweets 0; favourites 0.

Has any of this – the free books, the paid for positive reviews, the social media, made a difference.

So far, no.

After four and a half months The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic still has zero sales as an e-book despite a few flattering editorial and reader reviews.

Still I persevere. The book format is now in final proofing stages and will soon be released with Amazon’s Createspace.

With the interest in the new genre Environmental Fiction (Eco-Fiction or Eco-Fi), my publisher is now moving ahead and my novel Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients, book three in the stand-alone ECO-WARRIOR SERIES, will soon be available in book form as well.

Likely by the end of the year I’ll have two books available in print.

How do I feel at this point? Here’s a quote attributed to best-selling author, Lee Child, that sums it up:

“It’s a kind of zen question: if you write a book and no one reads it, is it really a book?”

I don’t know, is it?

30

 

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://www.readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

Between the idea and the reality���falls the shadow

In his introduction to Story Trumps Structure – How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, Steven James states, ���the greatest storytellers aren���t afraid to break the rules���. Where, one has to ask, does he think these rules came from if not from studying stories by great writers? In other words, great writers, by example of their work, have made the rules that he suggests we break.

James would have you think your story must be liberated from structure or rules if it is to become ���unforgettable fiction���. The way to do it is to adhere to a different set of guidelines, his

But after telling writers to break the rules for writing fiction, assuming you know and adhere to them, the author then writes a very detailed book about the same rules he says you should break.

James takes well-known literary lessons and, more or less, renames them. His ���organic writing��� is no more than going where the story leads you, something most writers have experienced and adhere to.

Or, as Norman Mailer put it, ���Until you see where your ideas lead to, you know nothing.���

Though I doubt a seasoned writer will come across any writing epiphanies, Story Trumps Structure is extremely thorough and is ���how to��� explicit on almost every story situation imaginable. The book is well conceived, designed and readable and would be a good resource book.

Can creativity be taught? If you could apply all the conveyances in this book will you become a better writer?

Maybe, but as T.S. Eliot says,

���Between the idea,

And the reality

Between the motion,

And the act

Falls the Shadow.���

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher���s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More ��� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

Between the idea and the reality…falls the shadow

In his introduction to Story Trumps Structure – How to Write Unforgettable Fiction by Breaking the Rules, Steven James states, “the greatest storytellers aren’t afraid to break the rules”. Where, one has to ask, does he think these rules came from if not from studying stories by great writers? In other words, great writers, by example of their work, have made the rules that he suggests we break.

James would have you think your story must be liberated from structure or rules if it is to become “unforgettable fiction”. The way to do it is to adhere to a different set of guidelines, his

But after telling writers to break the rules for writing fiction, assuming you know and adhere to them, the author then writes a very detailed book about the same rules he says you should break.

James takes well-known literary lessons and, more or less, renames them. His “organic writing” is no more than going where the story leads you, something most writers have experienced and adhere to.

Or, as Norman Mailer put it, “Until you see where your ideas lead to, you know nothing.”

Though I doubt a seasoned writer will come across any writing epiphanies, Story Trumps Structure is extremely thorough and is “how to” explicit on almost every story situation imaginable. The book is well conceived, designed and readable and would be a good resource book.

Can creativity be taught? If you could apply all the conveyances in this book will you become a better writer?

Maybe, but as T.S. Eliot says,

“Between the idea,

And the reality

Between the motion,

And the act

Falls the Shadow.”

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-review:39014

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

Why do I write fiction?

So why do I write fiction?

Is it because, as Betsy Lerner, the author of The Forest for the Trees, An Editor’s Advice to Writers, claims, “the world doesn’t fully make sense until the writer has secured his version of it on the page.” Similarly, Anaïs Nin says “one writes because one has to create a world in which one can live.” Gloria E. Anzaldúa is more specific; “By writing I put order in the world, give it a handle so I can grasp it.” Flannery O’Connor mirrors this sentiment by saying, “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”

Sounds rather high-minded to me. I don’t write for any of those reasons.

I think I have a pretty good “grasp” on reality, it “fully makes sense to me”, and frankly it’s a world I can live in. If I didn’t understand it how could I write about it? That’s not to say I don’t like learning about new things when I write, but I don’t have to create an illusionary world in which to escape.

One of the reasons I write is apparently the same reason George Orwell did, “There is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.”

This is, however, secondary to the satisfaction, the sense of accomplishment and the sheer enjoyment I get from writing. And when the characters and story take control it’s like being the conduit linking me to an unexplored parallel world.

And what about the reader? Where do they factor in on the question “why do I write fiction?”

Yes, that connection is significant since once I’ve finished my novel then, and only then, it becomes more important to “get a hearing”. I want to draw their attention to issues vital to me and maybe even influence a decision or two. I also seek validation from the reader that I have entertained them while at the same time expressed something they relate to and feel is worthwhile.

So there you have it. The reasons I write fiction are for enjoyment, for edification and to influence my readers with my view on issues. Not for money and not for fame, which is a good thing because I’ll likely have neither.

Now that I’ve figured that out I feel a whole lot less frustrated.

I also finally understand why trying to involve readers in my writing doesn’t work for me. This technique is the latest mantra of book marketing gurus selling publishing success. You must establish a “relationship” with your readers, to what end I’m not sure, but now it doesn’t matter anyway.

Why? Because they have no influence over what I write.

Would I really change a plot line because a reader (or many readers – I should be so successful) wanted me to? Would I change the setting, the theme or the characters? Would I change the title? Would I change even a single word?

No.

I am writing for myself not for an audience. Their approval is gratifying, but not essential.

I’ve already moved on.

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Read Reviews 

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/39014

 

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients.

http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=92

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

Free and easy self-publishing – the consequences

Originally posted on Writing - the experience:

Self-publishing has become “free and easy” – the consequence is a plethora of prosaic publications.

Mistakenly, I have agreed to participate in an author review swap on Goodreads.

The mistake came after I agreed, but it was through this participation I realized the nature of the mistake. In that regard, I suppose you might say the review swap wasn’t a mistake, in that it revealed to me one of the misconceptions I’ve had about marketing and promoting my books.

Sound convoluted? I’m not surprised since it has been a circuitous route with many pitfalls fraught with ego and self-delusion.

When I signed on to the genre specific review swap on Goodreads it was with the intention of garnering a few more reviews for my books. Before you start shouting hypocrite, let me say I review all matter of books I read professionally or for enjoyment written by authors I…

View original 787 more words

Free and easy self-publishing – the consequences

Self-publishing has become “free and easy” – the consequence is a plethora of prosaic publications.

Mistakenly, I have agreed to participate in an author review swap on Goodreads.

The mistake came after I agreed, but it was through this participation I realized the nature of the mistake. In that regard, I suppose you might say the review swap wasn’t a mistake, in that it revealed to me one of the misconceptions I’ve had about marketing and promoting my books.

Sound convoluted? I’m not surprised since it has been a circuitous route with many pitfalls fraught with ego and self-delusion.

When I signed on to the genre specific review swap on Goodreads it was with the intention of garnering a few more reviews for my books. Before you start shouting hypocrite, let me say I review all matter of books I read professionally or for enjoyment written by authors I have no acquaintance with whatsoever. If I swap books with another author on the understanding that we’ll post reviews of each other’s work the assumption I make is the reviews will be honest. If you hate my book than say so, and likewise if I find your book a masterpiece that’s the review I’ll write.

For me, this is not only about integrity it’s about becoming a better writer. I learn from bad reviews. No, really, I do. After I’ve picked my ego up from the floor and dusted it off, I try to look objectively at the points made by the reviewer and, if legitimate, and at least some usually are, see where I can improve in the future.

This might not be everyone’s assumption with a review swap so I send my opinion of the book to the author to read and give them the opportunity to let me know if they’d like it posted or not. Evidently, becoming better at the craft is not that high a priority for a lot of writers. What is important apparently, is garnering positive reviews and making another $2.99 sale.

I just finished reading one book I found it so mediocre, the writing so juvenile, the plot so contrived, the characterization so clichéd, and the experience so frustrating that I will never, ever (to infinity) enter into this kind of agreement again.

This book has garnered 15 reviews on Amazon and all have been 5 stars – thus a flawless, 5 star rating. Yet the latest work by Anna Quindlen, Still Life with Breadcrumbs (1656 reviews) ranks only 4 stars, Jean Thompson’s The Year We Left Home, a National Book Award finalist (96 customer reviews) has a 3.5 star ranking, and Vincent Lam’s The Headmaster’s Wager, the winner of The ScotiaBank Giller Prize (92 customer reviews) rates 4.5 stars.

Reviews on Amazon are no indication whatsoever of the literary value of the book. But everybody already knows that, right? So what?

While simultaneously struggling to fulfill my commitment to the Goodreads group, I’ve been investigating opportunities for self-publishing other than KindleDirect. Smashwords and BookBaby both have excellent sites that offer support, promotion and marketing advice, wide distribution and are relatively easy to navigate through and, will publish your e-book free for a percentage of the sale price.

So where’s the downside?

That’s been my mistake. I assumed there would be a downside to self-publishing a really bad book, but there isn’t.

You’ve written a novel, it has a beginning, middle and end, you are mightily pleased with yourself, your wife loves it, your friends are supportive, at least to your face, and it doesn’t cost you a penny to have it electronically published and listed on Amazon – just like a real author.

And this is why we are drowning in dreck.

Unlike any other creative pursuit, or almost any other endeavor for that matter, everyone thinks they can write a novel without any specific training or practice. It’s tantamount to saying, “hey, I can run (at least a little ways), I think I’ll go in a marathon”.

The floodgates have been opened to mediocrity and it has overwhelmed us.

What makes it worse is an entire industry has sprung to support and make money from this epidemic of self-delusion. The free e-book is just the incentive, the lost leader. The money is made on the graphic cover design, the enhanced distribution network, the marketing programs, the promotional platforms – all these “necessities” that in the short run, and that’s as far as it goes, won’t make a difference (except to their bank account) because the book is garbage.

The review system established by Amazon is designed to support this plethora of prosaic publications and is so flawed as to make it worthless. Well-written books are lumped in with garbage and to distinguish between them is almost an impossible task for the reader.

There must be a better way, but until I figure it out I’ll continue to write, always striving to improve, because it’s what I enjoy most in life. I’ll continue (attempt) to publish, traditionally or on my own to give voice to issues important to me and for the validation, however illusionary, that what I write makes a connection with others.

But I will never again make the mistake of wasting my time reading bad writing in the hopes it can some how benefit mine.

I do this in full knowledge that my latest book, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, could sure use a few positive reviews as it has yet to realize it’s first sale and it’s coming up to three months since launch.

Drowning in dreck

Self-publishing has become “free and easy” – the consequence is a plethora of prosaic publications.

Mistakenly, I have agreed to participate in an author review swap on Goodreads.

The mistake came after I agreed, but it was through this participation I realized the nature of the mistake. In that regard, I suppose you might say the review swap wasn’t a mistake, in that it revealed to me one of the misconceptions I’ve had about marketing and promoting my books.

Sound convoluted? I’m not surprised since it has been a circuitous route with many pitfalls fraught with ego and self-delusion.

When I signed on to the genre specific review swap on Goodreads it was with the intention of garnering a few more reviews for my books. Before you start shouting hypocrite, let me say I review all matter of books I read professionally or for enjoyment written by authors I have no acquaintance with whatsoever. If I swap books with another author on the understanding that we’ll post reviews of each other’s work the assumption I make is the reviews will be honest. If you hate my book than say so, and likewise if I find your book a masterpiece that’s the review I’ll write.

For me, this is not only about integrity it’s about becoming a better writer. I learn from bad reviews. No, really, I do. After I’ve picked my ego up from the floor and dusted it off, I try to look objectively at the points made by the reviewer and, if legitimate, and at least some usually are, see where I can improve in the future.

This might not be everyone’s assumption with a review swap so I send my opinion of the book to the author to read and give them the opportunity to let me know if they’d like it posted or not. Evidently, becoming better at the craft is not that high a priority for a lot of writers. What is important apparently, is garnering positive reviews and making another $2.99 sale.

I just finished reading one book I found it so mediocre, the writing so juvenile, the plot so contrived, the characterization so clichéd, and the experience so frustrating that I will never, ever (to infinity) enter into this kind of agreement again.

This book has garnered 15 reviews on Amazon and all have been 5 stars – thus a flawless, 5 star rating. Yet the latest work by Anna Quindlen, Still Life with Breadcrumbs (1656 reviews) ranks only 4 stars, Jean Thompson’s The Year We Left Home, a National Book Award finalist (96 customer reviews) has a 3.5 star ranking, and Vincent Lam’s The Headmaster’s Wager, the winner of The ScotiaBank Giller Prize (92 customer reviews) rates 4.5 stars.

Reviews on Amazon are no indication whatsoever of the literary value of the book. But everybody already knows that, right? So what?

While simultaneously struggling to fulfill my commitment to the Goodreads group, I’ve been investigating opportunities for self-publishing other than KindleDirect. Smashwords and BookBaby both have excellent sites that offer support, promotion and marketing advice, wide distribution and are relatively easy to navigate through and, will publish your e-book free for a percentage of the sale price.

So where’s the downside?

That’s been my mistake. I assumed there would be a downside to self-publishing a really bad book, but there isn’t.

You’ve written a novel, it has a beginning, middle and end, you are mightily pleased with yourself, your wife loves it, your friends are supportive, at least to your face, and it doesn’t cost you a penny to have it electronically published and listed on Amazon – just like a real author.

And this is why we are drowning in dreck.

Unlike any other creative pursuit, or almost any other endeavor for that matter, everyone thinks they can write a novel without any specific training or practice. It’s tantamount to saying, “hey, I can run (at least a little ways), I think I’ll go in a marathon”.

The floodgates have been opened to mediocrity and it has overwhelmed us.

What makes it worse is an entire industry has sprung to support and make money from this epidemic of self-delusion. The free e-book is just the incentive, the lost leader. The money is made on the graphic cover design, the enhanced distribution network, the marketing programs, the promotional platforms – all these “necessities” that in the short run, and that’s as far as it goes, won’t make a difference (except to their bank account) because the book is garbage.

The review system established by Amazon is designed to support this plethora of prosaic publications and is so flawed as to make it worthless. Well-written books are lumped in with garbage and to distinguish between them is almost an impossible task for the reader.

There must be a better way, but until I figure it out I’ll continue to write, always striving to improve, because it’s what I enjoy most in life. I’ll continue (attempt) to publish, traditionally or on my own to give voice to issues important to me and for the validation, however illusionary, that what I write makes a connection with others.

But I will never again make the mistake of wasting my time reading bad writing in the hopes it can some how benefit mine.

I do this in full knowledge that my latest book, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, could sure use a few positive reviews as it has yet to realize it’s first sale and it’s coming up to three months since launch.

Writing and Marketing Advice ��� FREE!

It���s a FOREST out there.

A forest?

I���m using a forest analogy instead of a jungle one because my current WIP is entitled FOREST. Work with me, okay?

Out where?

Out there in the swamps and tangled undergrowth of self-publishing where all manner of predators are stalking the hapless writer and his limited resources. Are there guides to help you navigate through this new frontier? Sure, and for just a few hundred dollars they���ll provide you with a map that will lead you out of this maze of expectation and delusion, or so they claim.

But beware. Many of the guides are unscrupulous, or perhaps just lost themselves. Either way, there���s a good chance you���ll end up deeper in the FOREST where the natives become very hostile if you question their knowledge or run out of money to purchase another one of their maps.

When I began to explore the field of self-publishing I made lots of enquiries ��� from companies that will do everything for you (including almost writing the book) and charge you a lot of money, to those that provide the opportunity to do everything yourself and charge you nothing except a percentage of future sales. Along the way I also discovered everything in-between ��� those that charge for this, but not for that.

Now, not a day goes by that my electronic mailbox is not the recipient of numerous pitches selling a new gimmick, technique, formula or strategy, all apparently tried and proven, that will rejuvenate my moribund writing career. The majority of these communications are in response to my registering on sites or follow-ups to my enquiries.

To show how smart they are, and to hint at what they���re prepared to do for me, these communications often include marketing or writing tips. Of course, they hold back most of the ���good��� stuff so you���ll ante up the fee.

Back to the jungle/FOREST analogy.

If the map each guide provides you with has some valid information, might you not be able to piece them all together and successfully find that elusive route out of trees, back to the road, and return home safely?

Don���t get me wrong, I���m still lost, but here are some sites/organizations/individuals who, over the last year, have (unwittingly) provided me with some important pieces of the map ��� free!

I hope you find some help here. If not, at least you won���t be out of pocket.

Writer���s Digest – http://writersdigest.com/

About once a week WD issues their blog and it usually includes some tips on writing by an author likely flogging their book about, you guessed it, tips on writing. I���ve poached some good articles from this site, learned a few things, and adapted some of the information as lessons for the creative writing circle I facilitate. The latest one I found interesting was ���Five Moral Dilemmas that make Characters (and Stories) Better��� by Steven James

Tim Grahl ��� http://outthinkgroup.com/

I don���t know how I connected with Tim Grahl but he is a source of ���out-of-the-box��� information and ahead of the trend on marketing your book. Mind you, that���s coming from someone that has yet to discover the trend, any trend. If you have no pride, and I���m not saying that is or isn���t a good thing, than this guy is your ticket.

Bublish ��� http://bublish.com/ The team at Bublish post some articles on branding and marketing from time to time and right now you can sign up for a 30-day free trial of their new Authorpreneur Dashboard.

Ellen Green ��� http://authormarketingideas.com PR person for another self-publishing giant Publish On Demand Global. Kind of a Q&A blog, not too many insights, but the website has up-to-date information on the state of the industry.

Goodreads ��� http://goodreads.com and BookLikes ��� http://BookLikes.com These sites are a wealth of information if you���ve got the time to poke around them.

Kindle Direct ��� kdp.amazon.com/ Go through the process but don���t commit. They���ll send you stuff on how to market your book from their perspective. Since they���re Amazon, their perspective is worth considering.

Amazon AuthorCentral ��� https://www.authorcentral.amazon.com Tips on what to put in your bio to make you sound interesting to readers (as if that was possible ��� as if they cared).

BookBaby ��� https://www.bookbaby.com and Smashwords ��� https://www.smashwords.com These two sites are similar to Kindle Direct with good marketing tips. They want your book to sell – so that they get their percentage.

Twitter – https://twittter.com and Google + – https://plusgoogle.com Instructions on how to effectively use their sites.

30

My new novel, The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Visit my publisher���s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More ��� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. Now the three package is only $8.99 http://devinedestinies.com

Read my current work(s) in progress a http://wattpad.com/RodRaglin

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

Writing and Marketing Advice – FREE!

It’s a FOREST out there.

A forest?

I’m using a forest analogy instead of a jungle one because my current WIP is entitled FOREST. Work with me, okay?

Out where?

Out there in the swamps and tangled undergrowth of self-publishing where all manner of predators are stalking the hapless writer and his limited resources. Are there guides to help you navigate through this new frontier? Sure, and for just a few hundred dollars they’ll provide you with a map that will lead you out of this maze of expectation and delusion, or so they claim.

But beware. Many of the guides are unscrupulous, or perhaps just lost themselves. Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll end up deeper in the FOREST where the natives become very hostile if you question their knowledge or run out of money to purchase another one of their maps.

When I began to explore the field of self-publishing I made lots of enquiries – from companies that will do everything for you (including almost writing the book) and charge you a lot of money, to those that provide the opportunity to do everything yourself and charge you nothing except a percentage of future sales. Along the way I also discovered everything in-between – those that charge for this, but not for that.

Now, not a day goes by that my electronic mailbox is not the recipient of numerous pitches selling a new gimmick, technique, formula or strategy, all apparently tried and proven, that will rejuvenate my moribund writing career. The majority of these communications are in response to my registering on sites or follow-ups to my enquiries.

To show how smart they are, and to hint at what they’re prepared to do for me, these communications often include marketing or writing tips. Of course, they hold back most of the “good” stuff so you’ll ante up the fee.

Back to the jungle/FOREST analogy.

If the map each guide provides you with has some valid information, might you not be able to piece them all together and successfully find that elusive route out of trees, back to the road, and return home safely?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still lost, but here are some sites/organizations/individuals who, over the last year, have (unwittingly) provided me with some important pieces of the map – free!

I hope you find some help here. If not, at least you won’t be out of pocket.

Writer’s Digest – http://writersdigest.com/

About once a week WD issues their blog and it usually includes some tips on writing by an author likely flogging their book about, you guessed it, tips on writing. I’ve poached some good articles from this site, learned a few things, and adapted some of the information as lessons for the creative writing circle I facilitate. The latest one I found interesting was “Five Moral Dilemmas that make Characters (and Stories) Better” by Steven James

Tim Grahl – http://outthinkgroup.com/

I don’t know how I connected with Tim Grahl but he is a source of “out-of-the-box” information and ahead of the trend on marketing your book. Mind you, that’s coming from someone that has yet to discover the trend, any trend. If you have no pride, and I’m not saying that is or isn’t a good thing, than this guy is your ticket.

Bublish – http://bublish.com/ The team at Bublish post some articles on branding and marketing from time to time and right now you can sign up for a 30-day free trial of their new Authorpreneur Dashboard.

Ellen Green – http://authormarketingideas.com PR person for another self-publishing giant Publish On Demand Global. Kind of a Q&A blog, not too many insights, but the website has up-to-date information on the state of the industry.

Goodreads – http://goodreads.com and BookLikes – http://BookLikes.com These sites are a wealth of information if you’ve got the time to poke around them.

Kindle Direct – kdp.amazon.com/ Go through the process but don’t commit. They’ll send you stuff on how to market your book from their perspective. Since they’re Amazon, their perspective is worth considering.

Amazon AuthorCentral – https://www.authorcentral.amazon.com Tips on what to put in your bio to make you sound interesting to readers (as if that was possible – as if they cared).

BookBaby – https://www.bookbaby.com and Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com These two sites are similar to Kindle Direct with good marketing tips. They want your book to sell – so that they get their percentage.

Twitter – https://twittter.com and Google + – https://plusgoogle.com Instructions on how to effectively use their sites.

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My new novel, The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. Now the three package is only $8.99 http://devinedestinies.com

Read my current work(s) in progress a http://wattpad.com/RodRaglin

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA

A non-clich��d author interview

An original author interview? It’s almost impossible to answer interview questions without sounding pompous and clich��d, but I tried.

What are your five favorite books, and why?

My favourite book is usually the one I���m reading. My memory is getting so bad I have to look at the books I reviewed on Goodreads, Amazon, and Booklikes to remember what I���ve read. Right now I���m reading Vincent Lam���s The Headmaster���s Wager.

What do you read for pleasure?

���They��� say you should read what you want to write. I���d want to write literary fiction. Unlike genre fiction, I like that they���re not predictable. My novels aren���t predictable either. I always think they���ll be more popular.

What is your e-reading device of choice?

I read on my computer. I���ve been planning to purchase an e-reader for two years but can���t decide what make of model to get. I���m usually more decisive ��� I think.

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

I���ve tried Bublishing, giveaways, blogging, tweeting, posting entire works of Wattpad, and listing my four novels on most the English language sites known to man including Goodreads, LibraryThing, BookLikes and Amazon Author Central. For me, nothing works. I have no idea how I garnered the few reviews (all positive, mind you) that are attributed to my books. The only thing I can assure you is they were written by (wonderful) people, not related nor associated with me in any way, and, even if I could afford it, I���ve never had nor would I ever pay for a review. So there.

Describe your desk.

A desk? What a novel (ouch!) idea. I don���t have a desk. I write on the dining room table which, depending on the time of day has dirty dishes, junk mail, unsharpened pencils, several pairs of Dollar Store reading glasses all the wrong strength, unpaid bills, bank statements indicating unpaid bills, newspapers, library books (better to check if they���re overdue) and a variety of notebooks none properly indexed so I never can find that fascinating bit of dialogue absolutely essential for the scene I am currently writing.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

Depending on who you ask, I have yet to grow up. How did being chronically immature influence my writing? I���m still na��ve enough to think I have talent and that there���s time to prove it.

When did you first start writing?

My first year in high school, I was twelve, I wrote a short essay on how much I hated being there. My English teacher read out loud to the class. He either thought I showed promise or was trying to humiliate me, probably the latter.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

I had a client that owned peeler bar. Actually, he didn���t own the bar, the organization he was a member of, The Hell���s Angels, owned the bar. He used to pay the advertising bill in cash. Should I have cared the payment I receive was likely laundered drug money? Would you have? I started to wonder how much narco-dollars influenced our everyday lives so I did some investigating (I���m a journalist by profession). What I found out shocked me. Overtly and covertly, the billions of dollars derived from the illegal drug trade influences every level of our lives from the wars we fight, the governments we elect, the cost of healthcare, and most importantly and tragically, our personal relationships. Don���t think so? Ask yourself, how many people you know that have been negatively affected, directly or indirectly, by drugs? See what I mean.

The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic, tells the story of a young photographer and how she struggles to live a life that is uncompromised by the influence and corruption of drug money.

What motivated you to become an indie author?

Actually, it���s very complicated. To begin with, nobody else would publish my book. To summarize, nobody else would publish my book.

How has Smashwords contributed to your success?

They haven���t ��� yet. But all the same, they seem like nice virtual people.

What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

My greatest joy came when I was walking by the huge Chapters Book Store on Granville and Broadway and in the front window prominently display was a towering pyramid of my novel, The BIG PICTURE - A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic. I was savoring the moment when an attractive woman came up and asked me, ���Are you Rod Raglin?��� Before I could reply, she called out, ���It���s him, it���s the author, Rod Raglin���. People began flocking around, some came out of Chapters insisting I sign my book they had just bought, the sidewalk became plugged, the crowd spilled out onto the street and stopped traffic. I finally was able to hail a cab that took me to the CBC where I was to be interviewed on national television as that year���s recipient of the Scotiabank Giller Prize and pick up the cheque for $25,000.

Then I woke up.

What are you working on next?

My next novel, Forest, is about a burned out foreign correspondent who returns home to try to solve the disappearance of his father and reconnect with his first love. As the story unfolds he runs afoul of the local drug dealer and his lover���s ex-husband, tries to locate a legendary lost gold mine, and has an encounter with mythical Sasquatch. It���s about love, loss and things that go bump in the forest in the night.

Who are your favorite authors?

I���m a big fan of Anna Quindlen and more recently Jean Thompson. They write my life.

What inspires you to get out of bed each day?

I usually have to go to the bathroom. It���s not really inspiring as it also happens several times throughout the night.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

I���m on a pretty tight budget until The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic becomes a best seller. I really can���t afford to spend anything, even time, but whenever I can afford it, I spend it out of doors doing out of doors stuff.

How do you discover the ebooks you read?

I go to the library, locate the general fiction shelves, close my eyes, walk down the aisle trying not to bump into anyone, stop, keep those eyes closed, reach out and choose a book. I take it home, read it, and, if I like it, research to see if the author has any more titles and if any of them are e-books. Try it. I���m sure you���ll have as much success with this random way of selecting books as any other method. Oh, don’t forget to open your eyes once you’ve selected a book.

What is your writing process?

I write one word, followed by another, than another until I have around 80,000 of them. I am seldom inspired, but damned if I ain���t persistent.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

When I was about ten, I started sneaking Harold Robbins novels from my parent���s bedside table. The first one I read was A Stone for Danny Fisher and then The Carpet Baggers. I re-read the smutty parts so often the books fell open to those pages. Hey, I was ten.

How do you approach cover design?

I make sure the title and my name are not misspelled.

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My new novel, The BIG PICTURE ��� A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic is now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00LTXGD58

��

Visit my publisher���s website for excerpts from, and buy links to, my three novels, Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More ��� Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients. Now the three package is only $8.99 http://devinedestinies.com

Read my current work(s) in progress a http://wattpad.com/RodRaglin

More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodraglin

View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78791029@N04/

Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQVBxJZ7eXkvZmxCm2wRYA