A.D. Duling's Blog, page 2
August 29, 2013
Choosing The Right Distributor: Smashwords vs Draft2Digital- A comparison by Author David Gaughran
Ever wonder which is better? Well, now you can.
Find the pros and cons to each distributor, told by Author David Gaughran on his blog. In his post he tells you in detail what each distributor has to offer you and what they don’t. This is a well informative post and I strongly recommend that you also check out his other posts related to this subject as well as other beneficial matter concerning the self-pub industry . Just click the link below to go to David’s blog.
Thanks so much David!
Originally posted on David Gaughran:
Since I started self-publishing in 2011, Smashwords has been the overwhelming favorite for savvy self-publishers who wanted or needed a distributor to reach non-Amazon e-bookstores. However, a new competitor called Draft2Digital launched a beta version of their service earlier this year and has been gaining popularity. In July, they hit 1,000 users, 10,000 titles, and 1,000,000 books sold.
I’ve been getting lots of questions about Draft2Digital, and experimenting with them myself, so I thought it was a good time for a side-by-side comparison as there are distinct pros and cons to each service. But before we get into that, let’s look at the question of whether you need to use a distributor at all.
The virtues of going direct
In my experience, it’s almost always advantageous to go direct where you can. Benefits include faster payments, up-to-date sales figures (crucial for measuring the effectiveness of any marketing), more direct control of…
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Tagged: comparison, David Gaughran, distributing, Draft2Digital, ebooks, pros and cons to distributors, self-pub, Smashwords
Choosing The Right Distributor: Smashwords vs Draft2Digital
Reblogged from David Gaughran:
Since I started self-publishing in 2011, Smashwords has been the overwhelming favorite for savvy self-publishers who wanted or needed a distributor to reach non-Amazon e-bookstores. However, a new competitor called Draft2Digital launched a beta version of their service earlier this year and has been gaining popularity. In July, they hit 1,000 users, 10,000 titles, and 1,000,000 books sold.
I’ve been getting lots of questions about Draft2Digital, and experimenting with them myself, so I thought it was a good time for a side-by-side comparison as there are distinct pros and cons to each service.
Ever wonder which is better? Well, now you can.
Find the pros and cons to each distributor, told by Author David Gaughran on his blog. In his post he tells you in detail what each distributor has to offer you and what they don't. This is a well informative post and I strongly recommend that you also check out his other posts related to this subject as well as other beneficial matter concerning the self-pub industry . Just click the link below to go to David's blog.
Thanks so much David!
August 28, 2013
Anna Kippling is Getting Revamped! Enter the Contest and Give Your Vote...
You might have noticed I haven't been posting much lately about anything concerning my books. Not on Facebook. Not on twitter. Not even on here. Yep, that's right. No promoting, no linking, no giveaways, no nothing.
So what have you been up to A.D.?
Well, It goes like this...
After finishing the fourth installment to my Anna Kippling Series (that in itself was a huge feat for me, she pats self on the back) I decided I just had to go back and revamp up the previous three books. As an indie author, I have learned quite a bit since I entered the self-pub industry and have learned the hard way on how little I knew when I entered it. And sadly how much more I still need to learn.
The #1 most important thing I have learned, for anyone to learn even, is you want your work to be at it's absolute best or at least pretty darn close before you press the publish button. It isn't just about finishing the story, but of course that is something to feel proud about. It's quite an accomplishment to write and finish a book (now pat yourself on the back), but it doesn't end there. You then need to edit.
Edit, revamping, everything and anything to make that book of yours shine to a luster that would make any mom or pop proud. This after all is your baby.And over the past two years this is just what I have done.
I've also had to build a tougher skin. No one likes negative reviews, but they are necessary (at least the legit ones). This is how our readers give us feedback and our resource to improvement. So with a new layer of skin atop the other, I listened and...
worked harder, worked a little harder, kept going,- I think I threw a tantrum here - keep on still and...Yep, I'm still going.
So...
Back to the point. As I've established, there is always room for improvement.
I am very proud of this series and have a deep love for the characters within it (hey they're like family to me) and so it wouldn't be unfathomable to want their story to be at it's very best. So I've done one final revamp and then I shall lets it alone :0)
I did a while ago post a possible new cover for the series and am still on the fence about it. I'm not sure if I should do a new cover or keep the current one. This is where you come in.As readers are just as important to authors as their characters. YOU, yes you, are very important to me and of course so is your opinion. So give me your opinion. Which cover do you think I should go with when I am put out my second edition (revamped) Anna Kippling Series?
Cover 1 or Cover 2?
Cover 1
Cover 2Which Cover do you like?How about a contest about it? Oooh, ooh, Yes! Of course yes! "We's just loves a contest!" So give your vote, cause it matters, and then enter the rafflecopter below for a chance to win all four books of this series.a Rafflecopter giveaway
How awesome is that! If you haven't read my series, then this is great, now you get to without having to wait for the next book to come out! You get to keep going! If you have already read the series (thank you by the way), that's OK too. Now you get to read the revamped version without having to spend anymore money! How great is that! Yay! Who doesn't like saving money?
So the best of luck and please share this awesome giveaway with your friends, acquaintances, everybody!
Thanks for the drop by,
July 21, 2013
Reading the Alphabet- A review of my book- The Key #1 of the Anna Kippling Series
Maria, blogger, reader and review had posted a four star review of my book! I am so glad she enjoyed it and click the link below to hop on over to read what she had to say about it. Thanks so much Maria!
P.S. Don’t forget to follow Maria’s blog!
Tagged: A.D. Duling, Anna Kippling Series, book recomend, Book review, Reading the Alphabet, The Key
July 16, 2013
I’m a Writer? I AM A WRITER! A Realization.
Photo courtesy of : carolynhayesuber.wordpress.com
Welcome, I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.”
Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere ~Anne Lamott
I’m not entirely sure anyone ever just wakes up, has this epic epiphany or even comes to a revelation of cataclysmic proportion informing them that they are a writer. As I said, I’m not entirely so sure it works that way. If I am wrong, please educate me. She smiles.
“I’m a writer?” Question, question mark.
“I am a writer!” Declaration, exclamation mark.
Is that how it works?
Does it go this way- Realize, yell at the top of our lungs this exciting bit of realization while at the same time puffing out our chest, forming a grin on our mouth, and giving the heart beneath our ribcage some serious exercise as we nervously wait for the ears around us to consume such a declaration.
Vile now slowly works up to the throat and then…
Swallow. For goodness sakes man (woman), swallow, before you hurt yourself! Ok now, let’s begin again, shall we? A much simpler, gentler and easier manner, yes?
Reality- yes we writers can live in such a place- check.
My realization did not come at such… well…at such a level. Mine came in a slow, subtle, drip of exposure sort of manner. Imagine a VHS (no, I am not that old!) now press rewind on your VCR (again, I am not that old!), wait a bit, now press stop. Ah, yes! Right there. This is where it happened. Press play. Scene- Sitting on the couch- no more like residing there- large round belly, full with baby, ankles swollen to match the thick calves and bored, very, very bored. Sounds beautiful, huh? Yes, this golden magical moment was how I discovered I was a writer. So magical huh? Big grin.
Nope? Not really?
That’s ok, it’s not always; but it was my moment. The moment of propulsion.
I was bored and I was a dreamer. Well, still am. My imagination wandered in those very bored…very, very bored moments and then conception- A girl, a key and a magical portal to another world popped into my mind.
So original, right? Yeah? No, no not really. Ok, so not the most original, but I had a conception and I rolled with it. Literally, I probably could have. Ok, that was a bad pregnancy joke, a very, very bad one.
Waddle, waddle, quack, quack- ok not the quack, but yes the waddle- I went over to my computer, sat down, propped my poor pitiful swollen feet up and began typing. Slow at first, then a bit faster and pretty soon, the story was pouring and my fingers were flying. A month later, my first book was completed. Well, the first draft anyway…
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit. ~Richard Bach
Hello, my name is Alishia or A.D. Duling and I am a writer. I AM A WRITER! Declaration, exclamation mark. Are you a writer? Yes?! Fabulous! Let’s yell it together then, shall we?
Thanks for the drop by!
Tagged: being a writer, I am a writer, inspiring story, Postive writer, write, writing, writing contest, you are a writer
I’m a Writer? I AM A WRITER! A Realization.
Photo courtesy of : carolynhayesuber.wordpress.com
Welcome, I am participating in the ‘Writing Contest: You Are A Writer’ held by Positive Writer.”
Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere ~Anne Lamott
I’m not entirely sure anyone ever just wakes up, has this epic epiphany or even comes to a revelation of cataclysmic proportion informing them that they are a writer. As I said, I’m not entirely so sure it works that way. If I am wrong, please educate me. She smiles.
“I’m a writer?” Question, question mark.
“I am a writer!” Declaration, exclamation mark.
Is that how it works?
Does it go this way- Realize, yell at the top of our lungs this exciting bit of realization while at the same time puffing out our chest, forming a grin on our mouth, and giving the heart beneath our ribcage some serious exercise as we nervously wait for the ears around us to consume such a declaration.
Vile now slowly works up to the throat and then…
Swallow. For goodness sakes man (woman), swallow, before you hurt yourself! Ok now, let’s begin again, shall we? A much simpler, gentler and easier manner, yes?
Reality- yes we writers can live in such a place- check.
My realization did not come at such… well…at such a level. Mine came in a slow, subtle, drip of exposure sort of manner. Imagine a VHS (no, I am not that old!) now press rewind on your VCR (again, I am not that old!), wait a bit, now press stop. Ah, yes! Right there. This is where it happened. Press play. Scene- Sitting on the couch- no more like residing there- large round belly, full with baby, ankles swollen to match the thick calves and bored, very, very bored. Sounds beautiful, huh? Yes, this golden magical moment was how I discovered I was a writer. So magical huh? Big grin.
Nope? Not really?
That’s ok, it’s not always; but it was my moment. The moment of propulsion.
I was bored and I was a dreamer. Well, still am. My imagination wandered in those very bored…very, very bored moments and then conception- A girl, a key and a magical portal to another world popped into my mind.
So original, right? Yeah? No, no not really. Ok, so not the most original, but I had a conception and I rolled with it. Literally, I probably could have. Ok, that was a bad pregnancy joke, a very, very bad one.
Waddle, waddle, quack, quack- ok not the quack, but yes the waddle- I went over to my computer, sat down, propped my poor pitiful swollen feet up and began typing. Slow at first, then a bit faster and pretty soon, the story was pouring and my fingers were flying. A month later, my first book was completed. Well, the first draft anyway…
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit. ~Richard Bach
Hello, my name is Alishia or A.D. Duling and I am a writer. I AM A WRITER! Declaration, exclamation mark. Are you a writer? Yes?! Fabulous! Let’s yell it together then, shall we?
Thanks for the drop by!
Tagged: being a writer, I am a writer, inspiring story, Postive writer, write, writing, writing contest, you are a writer
May 31, 2013
Jen Hatmaker - Worst End of School Year Mom Ever
This picture was borrowed from Jen's blog, this is her wonderful picture, not mine, although I have a kid's homework folder very much similar, well did, we lost it....Jen Hatmaker - Worst End of School Year Mom Ever
Thanks for the drop by!
March 26, 2013
A Letter to Victoria’s Secret From a Father
We all know of Victoria’s Secret; we’ve been to the bright pink stores and can recognize the bright pink striped bags other gals and guys carry around within the mall. I know all of us can say we have shopped there at least once and are very familiar with the lovely and racy undergarments that are sold there. It’s supposed to make wives, mothers, girlfriends feel sexy as well as fitted.
Now ask yourself these questions: How would you react seeing a twelve year old girl carrying one of those bags? Find her walking around inside the brightly painted pink store amongst you older gals shopping for bras and underwear with bling on them and words such as ”Feeling lucky?” written on them?
Men, probably fathers that are there shopping for something “va-va-voom” for your wives, could you still do it with a twelve year old grabbing something similar in her own size? Mothers, your thoughts? The link below is a letter from a father to Victoria’s Secret just about this. As there is nothing wrong with this store or those who shop in it, there is however something to be considered about “Bright Young Things” line they plan to put out. Is this a good move? What do you think?
Do you agree with this father or not?
Thanks for the drop by!
A Letter to Victoria’s Secret From a Father.
Photos via- mom-101.com
nymag.com
Tagged: Bright Young Things, girls underwear, preteen underwear?, Victoria's Secret
March 16, 2013
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: D J Lowbridge, author of Ghost Haunts- A Collection of Short Stories
Author D.J. Lowbridge I love meeting new authors and welcome D.J. to my blog. I also love, I mean love Ghost stories. Who doesn't right? Well, D.J. has the perfect book for you. He has a collection of them inside of the bind titled Ghost Haunts. Oh I love it! I love the cover too!
Click the book to go to Amazon's US page for it.Book description:
From the trenches of World War One to the vastness of space we meet: relentless pursuers that feed on fear; omens of impending doom and true love that goes beyond the grave.
When realms collide there is no certainty of what is to come...Show more Show less
The interview:
1. Where do you call home?
I live in Essex in the United Kingdom. I live in a small village that is not far from the sea for inspiration and quick trips down with the kids, but far enough back that during the summer that I can have some peace if I want it.
2. What is the title of your most recent book?“Ghost Haunts” – it’s an 11 short story collection about ghosts. But instead of it being a horror fest I decided to sneak in a couple of family dramas in there.
3. What's your Genre?Well obviously by my first book people would assume horror, but that is more of a sideline for me. Something that Ghost Haunts fell into. I think of myself more of a paranormal / supernatural author with a tinge of horror who sometimes crosses over into science fiction.
4. Plans for a next book? Is this part of a Series?The next book will be the first book in the Paranormal Investigation Series, or PIT for short. The series follows a military led team who investigate paranormal activity and try to protect the world from the demons. The first story came to me while I was putting my rabbits to bed one night and eventually one story has turned into six or seven ideas.
5. Are you a self published author (Indie)?I wouldn’t have it any other way. To have total control over your work and being paid a decent rate for your work, there is really no option.
6. Who's your favorite author?
Well that is a tough question. Elizabeth Moon got me writing, but I love India Drummond (another indie author) and her Faerie series that is based in Scotland. Her characters and storylines are amazing.
7. Your favorite book?I think my favourite book is Elizabeth Moon’s Command Decision which is her 4thbook in the Vatta’s War series. It is brilliant for military science fiction lovers.
8. What book are you currently reading?I am currently reading an indie book called Eden M51 by G. R. Paskoff
9. A book you would recommend? Not at the moment, I haven’t finished it.
10. How do you pick your books? Well I run a review site. So mostly I am sent books. I use to select books by the blurb and front cover but due to the sheer number of requests I know insist on looking at the first chapter. If it is good, then I will select it.
11. Advice for other authors? Write, write, write.- So agree!
12. Do you write under a pen name? I write under D J Lowbridge.
13. Where do you write? Normally at the dinner table; facing away from the window. It can get very cold in there so sometimes I set myself a target and when I’ve reached it and can get back into the warmer rooms.
14. What do you wear when you write? Whatever I am wearing at the time.
15. Do you have a pet (s)? Oh yeah. I have two tanks of fish, a leopard Gecko named Steph, two Guinea Pigs and two rabbits. -I myself am a momma of Guinea pigs and rabbits. Of all my pets my Gecko is my baby, I’ve had since before I was married. A year ago her sister died which was very sad and she has not responded well to the loss either. But I have become fond of our latest edition, Elmo. Elmo is the male rabbit from a rescue centre. He was found in a field living wild yet is a domesticated albino cross breed – he was definitely abandoned. There is no telling how old he really is or how long he was left to fend for himself without any skills to do so, but according to the centre he was brought in a bad state and was probably out there months if not over a year. I feel sad because someone must have done that to him without thinking of his welfare. Now he is very wary of most people, yet he still comes to me and even likes to jump on my back for comfort.
16. Favorite food? Chinese. Not even going to debate that one.
17. If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you?The current President of the United States because the US would spend millions trying to find and rescue him; Paul Merton because he is a funny guy and Miranda Hart, because she is funny too.
18. Of your characters, which one would you say is most like you and why? I would say in Ghost Haunts I am most like Tony in some aspects (loves his wife to pieces, very protective), but he is someone who likes to spend his cash to show off, which is not like me at all. In my next project I am very much like Major Trevor Reed. He is a character who is in command of the unit, yet despite the fact that he is supposed to be strong and unwavering he turns out to be someone who is forgiving and a little soft to his colleagues.
19. What made you want to be a writer? I was on holiday one day in Norfolk when I was reading a book and I put it down and in my head suddenly an idea just flowed in. That’s the day I decided to be a writer. But in truth I’ve always enjoyed writing and I would probably have gotten here sooner or later.
20. Any weird talent? No...
21. A favorite quote? “A life is made up of its darkest moments and destroyed when it takes nothing from them” – can never remember where that came from, but it always reminds me to learn from my mistakes. -learning from mistakes is always good advice :0)
22. What is the one thing you never go without? My family; support is key to success and they are my support.
23. Your biggest influence? I don’t think anything has particularly influenced me in my life.
24. Favorite TV show? Stargate SG-1 – there is no finer show. It was on the air for 10 seasons and had two direct to DVD movies plus two spin off shows. Anything that has that legacy has to be great.
25. A great blog you would like to recommend for others to discover? http://twomidlistindies.com/ - its a great blog written by two stars of the indie author world – Valerie Douglas and Kai Wilson. If you want to succeed as an indie author listening to these two is a great help. D.J. was so wonderful to make connecting with him so easy! Click the links below to connect with him and any or all the sites below. Website: http://djlowbridge.wix.com/djlowbridgeauthorTwitter: https://twitter.com/DLowbridgeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-J-Lowbridge/196076050528509Blog: http://indieebookreview.blogspot.co.uk/ Book Links: US: www.amazon.com/Ghost-Haunts-ebook/dp/B00BDTUIU4/UK: www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Haunts-ebook/dp/B00BDTUIU4/
Thanks so much D.J. for letting little ol' me spotlight ya! Loved getting to know you and about your Ghostly offering- Ghost Haunts. Visitors, my lovely readers, hop on over to Amazon and pick up your copy, only $2.99.
Thanks for dropping by!
February 2, 2013
A.D. Duling:We all know Facebook…How can your Friends hel...
We all know Facebook…How can your Friends help promote your Book?
Originally posted on Savvy Writers & e-Books online:
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How friends and family can help to improve your Amazon Ranking will be a reminder today, short before the holiday season starts. They indeed can help you so much – they even don’t need to buy the book (again). Amazon can give a great book a big boost to “be discovered”. These little features take only a few seconds, but can make a big difference in your Amazon ranking – and subsequently in the success of your book.
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Ask all your acquaintances, friends, family to:.
Write a REVIEW of your book.
Even if the book already has lots of reviews already. As more reviews as better for the author and as more potential buyers can see the popularity of the work. Amazon rules are against family members’ reviews. So ask only the ones with a different name/address for a review. They need an Amazon account and at least…
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