Nenia Campbell's Blog, page 25
January 31, 2015
Why All of You Are Awesome
I'm not very good at feelings. Generally, the mere hint of a conversation that's gearing up towards discussions about "feelings" is enough to send me running for the hills.
However, I've been thinking a lot about why I like Goodreads so much, and yes, while the shelves and the giveaways and the author features are nice, Goodreads isn't as responsible for their awesomeness as they'd like to think.
No, the main reason Goodreads is awesome is because of the people who use the site.
One of the hazards of being an author is that you become a little (or a lot) egocentric. Because however much you may love reading, it's your own books that pay the bills. So you spend a lot of time making teasers, writing blog posts, and creating giveaways in order to sell more books.
Part of the reason I continue to review is because I don't want to forget the reasons why I became a writer in the first place. One of those reasons is because I loved reading. Love it with a passion.
The other reason, and one I probably don't talk about enough, is because of my friends and fans.
I don't like my writing.
I think I've said this before. And nobody ever seems to believe me -- but it's true. I hate my writing. And I go through cycles where I can't write anything at all because the despair that I'll never be good enough is so great.
But my friends and readers encouraged me when nobody else would. Back on Fictionpress, it was my readers who suggested that I was good enough to publish for real. It's my readers who do all these amazing blog posts and interviews, who create teasers and write reviews that are so wonderful and positive that I almost want to cry. It's my readers who lend my books to their friends and donate my books to their local libraries.
It's my readers who make me an author.
I also love the reviewers on this site. It's such a tightly knit network of people who love books and love talking about books. I love that no matter which hour of the day it is, I can log on, and someone, somewhere in the world is down for a chat about books, or language, or geeky things, or hot K-drama actors.
I love Goodreads because it is full of the people who remind me why I love reading and why I love writing. I love Goodreads because everyone on here is just so strong and opinionated and intellectual and wonderful and, well, awesome.
Mostly, though, I think I just love you guys.
I don't think I say that enough, but I do. And I feel so so lucky to count you all as friends, readers, followers, and what have you. So thank you!
However, I've been thinking a lot about why I like Goodreads so much, and yes, while the shelves and the giveaways and the author features are nice, Goodreads isn't as responsible for their awesomeness as they'd like to think.
No, the main reason Goodreads is awesome is because of the people who use the site.
One of the hazards of being an author is that you become a little (or a lot) egocentric. Because however much you may love reading, it's your own books that pay the bills. So you spend a lot of time making teasers, writing blog posts, and creating giveaways in order to sell more books.
Part of the reason I continue to review is because I don't want to forget the reasons why I became a writer in the first place. One of those reasons is because I loved reading. Love it with a passion.
The other reason, and one I probably don't talk about enough, is because of my friends and fans.
I don't like my writing.
I think I've said this before. And nobody ever seems to believe me -- but it's true. I hate my writing. And I go through cycles where I can't write anything at all because the despair that I'll never be good enough is so great.
But my friends and readers encouraged me when nobody else would. Back on Fictionpress, it was my readers who suggested that I was good enough to publish for real. It's my readers who do all these amazing blog posts and interviews, who create teasers and write reviews that are so wonderful and positive that I almost want to cry. It's my readers who lend my books to their friends and donate my books to their local libraries.
It's my readers who make me an author.
I also love the reviewers on this site. It's such a tightly knit network of people who love books and love talking about books. I love that no matter which hour of the day it is, I can log on, and someone, somewhere in the world is down for a chat about books, or language, or geeky things, or hot K-drama actors.
I love Goodreads because it is full of the people who remind me why I love reading and why I love writing. I love Goodreads because everyone on here is just so strong and opinionated and intellectual and wonderful and, well, awesome.
Mostly, though, I think I just love you guys.
I don't think I say that enough, but I do. And I feel so so lucky to count you all as friends, readers, followers, and what have you. So thank you!
January 19, 2015
How to Write and Publish a Book: A True-to-Life Guide
Step 1. Get an idea.
Step 2. Proceed to angst about the quality and validity of said idea. (This can take from several weeks to several months.)
Step 3. Attempt to write the book.
Step 4. I said, 'attempt to write the book.' Not fuck off on the internet.
Step 5. Fuck off on the internet. (See, you got the order wrong.)
Step 6. Continue to fuck off on the internet.
Step 7. Remember you have a book you were supposed to be working on.
Step 8. Attempt to write the book -- again.
Step 9. OH GOD. IT'S WORSE THAN YOU REMEMBERED.
Step 10. Break out the gin and tonic.
Step 11. Wonder if it's too late to go back to college and enroll in a career path that's slightly less masochistic.
Step 12. Despair, because it is. (You're a writer -- have you seen how much writers make? Have you seen how much tuition is? You're fucked, man.)
Step 13. Write one sentence. Delete it five minutes later.
Step 14. Read other books for inspiration, and then feel like shit because they're so much better than you are.
Step 15. Despair.
Step 16. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and stay up all night writing, because fuck the day people. Fuck the world.
Step 17. Crash into a caffeine-induced coma.
Step 18. Read what you've written. It's not entire crap. Maybe it's salvageable after --
Step 19. NOPE. DELETE. DELETE ALL.
Step 20. Realize that you spend more time unwriting than you do writing.
Step 21. Eventually write the book and publish it as quickly as possible because OH GOD YOU JUST REMEMBERED IT SUCKS. UNPUBLISH! UNPUBLISH!
Step 22. Too late. It's published. Fuck.
Step 2. Proceed to angst about the quality and validity of said idea. (This can take from several weeks to several months.)
Step 3. Attempt to write the book.
Step 4. I said, 'attempt to write the book.' Not fuck off on the internet.
Step 5. Fuck off on the internet. (See, you got the order wrong.)
Step 6. Continue to fuck off on the internet.
Step 7. Remember you have a book you were supposed to be working on.
Step 8. Attempt to write the book -- again.
Step 9. OH GOD. IT'S WORSE THAN YOU REMEMBERED.
Step 10. Break out the gin and tonic.
Step 11. Wonder if it's too late to go back to college and enroll in a career path that's slightly less masochistic.
Step 12. Despair, because it is. (You're a writer -- have you seen how much writers make? Have you seen how much tuition is? You're fucked, man.)
Step 13. Write one sentence. Delete it five minutes later.
Step 14. Read other books for inspiration, and then feel like shit because they're so much better than you are.
Step 15. Despair.
Step 16. Pour yourself a cup of coffee and stay up all night writing, because fuck the day people. Fuck the world.
Step 17. Crash into a caffeine-induced coma.
Step 18. Read what you've written. It's not entire crap. Maybe it's salvageable after --
Step 19. NOPE. DELETE. DELETE ALL.
Step 20. Realize that you spend more time unwriting than you do writing.
Step 21. Eventually write the book and publish it as quickly as possible because OH GOD YOU JUST REMEMBERED IT SUCKS. UNPUBLISH! UNPUBLISH!
Step 22. Too late. It's published. Fuck.
January 18, 2015
Horrorscape Broke 700 Ratings!
Today I'm pleased to announce that Horrorscape got its 700th rating on Goodreads. I know it's silly to keep track like this, but I find it so humbling that so many people read my books & support me on a day to day basis.
There are a lot of things going on in my life right now, some good and some bad, but all stressful, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate having you all in my life, encouraging me to do what I love most.
You are my rocks. ♥
There are a lot of things going on in my life right now, some good and some bad, but all stressful, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate having you all in my life, encouraging me to do what I love most.
You are my rocks. ♥
January 3, 2015
I Just Posted the Summary for Cease and Desist
The summary for the fourth book in the IMA series, CEASE AND DESIST, is now up.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
You may hate me for it.
Winkyface.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
You may hate me for it.
Winkyface.
December 31, 2014
Armed and Dangerous Broke 600 Ratings!
Thank you so much, guys! I'm so happy!
December 28, 2014
Fearscape Broke 1,100 Ratings!
I still can't believe one of my books has so many ratings! That's like, what a REAL book has in terms of ratings. (I mean, I wrote a real book, but I'm not backed by a bona fide publisher and with the huuuuuge exception of what my fans do for me, I do all my own stunts and PR. So it's hard, lemee tell ya.)
Speaking of publicity, I'm giving away a signed (yes, that's right -- signed) copy of Cloak and Dagger. If you haven't already applied for yours, you might want to. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
Speaking of publicity, I'm giving away a signed (yes, that's right -- signed) copy of Cloak and Dagger. If you haven't already applied for yours, you might want to. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
The Armchair Librarian Gets Its 100,000th page view!
When I started my blog two years ago, it was mainly because I wanted to create an account on Netgalley in order to read and review advance reader copies of works that hadn't yet been published, because I often can't afford the glossy hardcovers when they're first published (I'm poor, yo--gotta scrimp and save).
I'm delighted to announce that my blog, The Armchair Librarian>, just got its 100,000th page view. Which is, of course, nowhere near the amount of traffic that Dear Author or Cuddlebuggery gets, but it's still way more than I ever would have expected in the span of a mere two years.
So I would just like to take the time to say thank you. A lot of my Goodreads friends are readers of my books, but there's an equal amount of people on my friends list who are friends with me because they like my reviews only (and because we have some great discussions about books, as well).
I feel very privileged to have such a diverse and intellectual group of friends on this website. Growing up, reading books made me a bit of a loner because I didn't have good social skills and because reading is such a solitary activity. I consider many people on this site very good friends, and I really hope to meet many of you in person one day. Meeting a fellow book lover is a lot like coming home, and it truly is a blessing to feel like you fit in for once in your life. So thank you for giving me that precious gift--and, also, for being my friend.
I'm delighted to announce that my blog, The Armchair Librarian>, just got its 100,000th page view. Which is, of course, nowhere near the amount of traffic that Dear Author or Cuddlebuggery gets, but it's still way more than I ever would have expected in the span of a mere two years.
So I would just like to take the time to say thank you. A lot of my Goodreads friends are readers of my books, but there's an equal amount of people on my friends list who are friends with me because they like my reviews only (and because we have some great discussions about books, as well).
I feel very privileged to have such a diverse and intellectual group of friends on this website. Growing up, reading books made me a bit of a loner because I didn't have good social skills and because reading is such a solitary activity. I consider many people on this site very good friends, and I really hope to meet many of you in person one day. Meeting a fellow book lover is a lot like coming home, and it truly is a blessing to feel like you fit in for once in your life. So thank you for giving me that precious gift--and, also, for being my friend.
December 21, 2014
Enter to Win a Signed Copy of Cloak and Dagger
Cloak and Dagger is just 86 ratings away from breaking the big 1k -- and what better way to celebrate than an autographed paperback copy?
The giveaway is now active and you can enter here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
This is my first giveaway and a bit of a trial run. I wanted to see how it worked, and if there was any interest.
So far, I've been rushed by an onslaught of support and excitement and enthusiasm and encouragement, and it's really been so amazing. I'm really happy and grateful for that. I can't even tell you how thrilling it was to pick up an actual, physical copy of my works for the first time and actually flip through it. I got chills.
If you can, spread the word -- on Facebook, on your blog, or even on Goodreads. I know some of you were disappointed that this is a domestic giveaway (I live in the U.S.), but if this giveaway goes well, I will be able to do others -- including international giveaways.
So keep doing that awesome thing that you do, and remember that there is a very happy and excited author who is working hard and appreciating all of you.
♥
The giveaway is now active and you can enter here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
This is my first giveaway and a bit of a trial run. I wanted to see how it worked, and if there was any interest.
So far, I've been rushed by an onslaught of support and excitement and enthusiasm and encouragement, and it's really been so amazing. I'm really happy and grateful for that. I can't even tell you how thrilling it was to pick up an actual, physical copy of my works for the first time and actually flip through it. I got chills.
If you can, spread the word -- on Facebook, on your blog, or even on Goodreads. I know some of you were disappointed that this is a domestic giveaway (I live in the U.S.), but if this giveaway goes well, I will be able to do others -- including international giveaways.
So keep doing that awesome thing that you do, and remember that there is a very happy and excited author who is working hard and appreciating all of you.
♥
December 15, 2014
For the First Time Ever, YOU--Yes, YOU!--Could Win an Autographed Nenia Book!
Remember how I said my mom was buying some hard copies of my books for me for xmas so I could do a giveaway? :D
GUESS WHAT WE JUST BOUGHT!!!
1 paperback copy of Cloak and Dagger
1 paperback copy of Armed and Dangerous
2 paperback copies of Fearscape
1 paperback copy of Horrorscape
AND
2 paperback copies of Wishing Stars
GUESS WHAT WE JUST BOUGHT!!!
1 paperback copy of Cloak and Dagger
1 paperback copy of Armed and Dangerous
2 paperback copies of Fearscape
1 paperback copy of Horrorscape
AND
2 paperback copies of Wishing Stars
December 13, 2014
Cloak and Dagger Broke 900 Ratings!!!
Wow, Cloak and Dagger broke 900 ratings! I feel so honored. Thank you so much for buying and reading my books. I've felt really discouraged lately, so it's nice to have a reminder that some people, somewhere, really enjoy what I do.
Thank you.
Thank you.
