Nenia Campbell's Blog, page 56
May 20, 2013
Just A Thought
I really wanted to thank you all for the (frankly amazing) reception my newest book has been getting. Most of you like it (some of you like it a lot!) and that makes me really happy. Some of you don't like it, and that's cool too. My books aren't for everyone and I'm not going to give you any crap for that. Yay for everyone having their own opinions!
I'd also like to take the time to restate my (somewhat new) policy: I will not be responding to one-star reviews unless specifically asked to do so by the reviewer. Less chance of a misunderstanding that way, I think. So if I didn't like yours, it's not that I don't like you or hate you or any of that drama-llama business. I'm just trying to respect your space. (Even though I don't always act like it - cue fangirling - I do know that reviews aren't for me.) (:
Thank you all for your opinions and feedback, both good and bad. I love seeing all of you get excited, and think it's incredible that you took the time out of your day to give my books a chance.
Happy reading!
xNenia
I'd also like to take the time to restate my (somewhat new) policy: I will not be responding to one-star reviews unless specifically asked to do so by the reviewer. Less chance of a misunderstanding that way, I think. So if I didn't like yours, it's not that I don't like you or hate you or any of that drama-llama business. I'm just trying to respect your space. (Even though I don't always act like it - cue fangirling - I do know that reviews aren't for me.) (:
Thank you all for your opinions and feedback, both good and bad. I love seeing all of you get excited, and think it's incredible that you took the time out of your day to give my books a chance.
Happy reading!
xNenia
A Poem
by Nenia Campbell
You say you really like to write,
but all I see you do is fight
and criticism makes you stew--but why?
your books, not YOU, are in review.
I'd really like to understand,
the state of your thoughts' no-man's-land
'cause what I really do not get,
are all your twisted arguments--
You think two wrongs will make a right,
and that your critics aren't bright--
not only that, they're also mean
they wouldn't talk if they weren't green
with envy--right, that's what you meant
that warrants all your harassment.
You stalk, you mock,
you sneer and lie,
you do all this--but really, why?
Will this cause us to pay you heed?
Is it attention that you need?
(I thought you wanted more to read
your books--
wasn't that your reason when
you used all those ad hominems?)
You say it's all because you write,
it seems that you prefer to fight.
But words weren't meant to use in rage,
so pray, please keep them on the page.
You say you really like to write,
but all I see you do is fight
and criticism makes you stew--but why?
your books, not YOU, are in review.
I'd really like to understand,
the state of your thoughts' no-man's-land
'cause what I really do not get,
are all your twisted arguments--
You think two wrongs will make a right,
and that your critics aren't bright--
not only that, they're also mean
they wouldn't talk if they weren't green
with envy--right, that's what you meant
that warrants all your harassment.
You stalk, you mock,
you sneer and lie,
you do all this--but really, why?
Will this cause us to pay you heed?
Is it attention that you need?
(I thought you wanted more to read
your books--
wasn't that your reason when
you used all those ad hominems?)
You say it's all because you write,
it seems that you prefer to fight.
But words weren't meant to use in rage,
so pray, please keep them on the page.
May 18, 2013
Armed and Dangerous Now Published!
I'm done, guys! I'm finally done! And it feels GOOD.
You can snag a copy of your own HERE. If you have Amazon Prime, you can even read it for free!
Don't have a Kindle? You can download a free reader HERE for your PC.
As always, I thank you for your support and patience. You're amazing, all of you. If I mentioned all of you by name, I'd have a book in and of itself called "Acknowledgements." <3
You can snag a copy of your own HERE. If you have Amazon Prime, you can even read it for free!
Don't have a Kindle? You can download a free reader HERE for your PC.
As always, I thank you for your support and patience. You're amazing, all of you. If I mentioned all of you by name, I'd have a book in and of itself called "Acknowledgements." <3
Creature Feature #6
Story time!!!
So, I am the most ridiculously easy person to shop for ever (don't worry - this rambling anecdote IS going somewhere), and since I was about eight or nine years old, my little school-chums have been giving me gift certificates to Barnes and Noble or the now defunct Borders, or Amazon gift cards.
Some people give me bags or boxes of their old books. THIS IS AWESOME TOO. Books are books. They don't have to be new - as long as they're new to me. You know what I mean? (One of the best birthday presents I ever got from a friend was a bone china teacup, a bag of said friend's old books, and a box of organic tea!) (Okay, that tangent had nothing to do with the creature feature. BUT IT WAS STILL FUN, HUH?) (Back to business.)
Usually my family drops me off at the local used bookstore on Christmas and my birthday and lets me go nuts (the books are so cheap, it's ridiculous). However, I have weird tastes in books, and a lot of the ones I REALLY want are obscure, esoteric, or out of print (worse case scenario, all three. Boo). This means they aren't sold there. It also means they aren't at the library due to the lack of interest, the lack of knowledge that they even exist, or the fact that they were banned because the conservative book-banners in my town suck and I don't like them telling me what I can and can't read so POOP.
ANYWAY.
This creature feature special features my wishlist-in-progress. It is called, appropriately enough, YES I NEED IT DAMMIT.
It features vampire books written between 1970-1999, vintage gothics, contemporary gothics, vintage sci-fi with cyberpunk bents, chess-themed stories (are you surprised? Nah, of course not), fairytale and classic literature retellings between 1940-1999, creepy love stories, family epics, and really gritty romantic suspense.
If you, like me, are a fan of these things, you should definitely check out this list and give them some love. Most of them have under 1,000 ratings on Goodreads, and a few of them have under 100. I think one or two of them might have under 10! When you consider the popularity of books like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Poop, that is seriously unfair.
Happy reading!
xNenia
So, I am the most ridiculously easy person to shop for ever (don't worry - this rambling anecdote IS going somewhere), and since I was about eight or nine years old, my little school-chums have been giving me gift certificates to Barnes and Noble or the now defunct Borders, or Amazon gift cards.
Some people give me bags or boxes of their old books. THIS IS AWESOME TOO. Books are books. They don't have to be new - as long as they're new to me. You know what I mean? (One of the best birthday presents I ever got from a friend was a bone china teacup, a bag of said friend's old books, and a box of organic tea!) (Okay, that tangent had nothing to do with the creature feature. BUT IT WAS STILL FUN, HUH?) (Back to business.)
Usually my family drops me off at the local used bookstore on Christmas and my birthday and lets me go nuts (the books are so cheap, it's ridiculous). However, I have weird tastes in books, and a lot of the ones I REALLY want are obscure, esoteric, or out of print (worse case scenario, all three. Boo). This means they aren't sold there. It also means they aren't at the library due to the lack of interest, the lack of knowledge that they even exist, or the fact that they were banned because the conservative book-banners in my town suck and I don't like them telling me what I can and can't read so POOP.
ANYWAY.
This creature feature special features my wishlist-in-progress. It is called, appropriately enough, YES I NEED IT DAMMIT.
It features vampire books written between 1970-1999, vintage gothics, contemporary gothics, vintage sci-fi with cyberpunk bents, chess-themed stories (are you surprised? Nah, of course not), fairytale and classic literature retellings between 1940-1999, creepy love stories, family epics, and really gritty romantic suspense.
If you, like me, are a fan of these things, you should definitely check out this list and give them some love. Most of them have under 1,000 ratings on Goodreads, and a few of them have under 100. I think one or two of them might have under 10! When you consider the popularity of books like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Poop, that is seriously unfair.
Happy reading!
xNenia
May 17, 2013
Well, That Was Fun!!!
Thanks to everyone who participated in my spur-of-the-moment sale. I noticed that some of you who missed out before on previous sales got to participate this time, and I'm very happy about that!
I accidentally let it go on for longer than I intended because I took a nap and then totally forgot I had to change the prices manually. So, you got extra lucky this time! Hooray!
Hope you enjoy your new books. :)
xNenia
I accidentally let it go on for longer than I intended because I took a nap and then totally forgot I had to change the prices manually. So, you got extra lucky this time! Hooray!
Hope you enjoy your new books. :)
xNenia
May 15, 2013
99-Cent Book Sale Links and Info
This is only for my ebooks
through the Kindle store.
(Don't have a Kindle? Don't feel excluded - download a free reader for your laptop here!)
I was asked for some download links, so here you go!
Cloak and Dagger.
Endgame
Fearscape
Horrorscape
Wishing Stars
This sale is because my books were added 200 times in one day. Not that I'm counting.
You guys are so sweet and awesome and amazing. Thank you so much for your readership and support. I hope you enjoy your cheap books! (And if you don't, that's okay, too.)
Happy reading!
xNenia
(Don't have a Kindle? Don't feel excluded - download a free reader for your laptop here!)
I was asked for some download links, so here you go!
Cloak and Dagger.
Endgame
Fearscape
Horrorscape
Wishing Stars
This sale is because my books were added 200 times in one day. Not that I'm counting.
You guys are so sweet and awesome and amazing. Thank you so much for your readership and support. I hope you enjoy your cheap books! (And if you don't, that's okay, too.)
Happy reading!
xNenia
May 14, 2013
And the Awesome Readers Award Goes to...
you guys!!!!
my books were added 200 times today. i literally could not believe what i was seeing when i checked my author dashboard.
200 times in one day!
back when i started on this site, it would take a month to get added 200 times!
so, since you guys are so awesome, i'm having an awesome book sale. 99-cents. everything. for today and tomorrow. the price change should kick in soon.
also, those waiting patiently for armed and dangerous - i haven't forgotten about the book! there were some plot holes my beta didn't like, so i had to give the middle section a minor overhaul. i don't have an editor, so i'm trying to make it as good as i can before publishing! thank you so much for your patience and support, as always.
love you guys!!
happy reading,
xnenia
my books were added 200 times today. i literally could not believe what i was seeing when i checked my author dashboard.
200 times in one day!
back when i started on this site, it would take a month to get added 200 times!
so, since you guys are so awesome, i'm having an awesome book sale. 99-cents. everything. for today and tomorrow. the price change should kick in soon.
also, those waiting patiently for armed and dangerous - i haven't forgotten about the book! there were some plot holes my beta didn't like, so i had to give the middle section a minor overhaul. i don't have an editor, so i'm trying to make it as good as i can before publishing! thank you so much for your patience and support, as always.
love you guys!!
happy reading,
xnenia
Creature Feature #5
so today i was really bored and looked through the romances i have shelved. despite my claims to the contrary, i read some pretty trashy stuff sometimes. i don't always LIKE it, but i can't seem to help myself, either.
first, you have your TRASHY books.
these are books that people make fun of you for reading sometimes, or that get you some side-eyes at bookstores, but they have a lot of redeemable factors and really are quite good for the most part.
then you have your TRASHIER books.
these are books that may be badly written in parts but they are basically crack for the brain. again, some redeemable stuff, but you'll get a lot of side-eye action and people will make comments like, "ooh, that one's pretty steamy," or "my mother loves those bodice-rippers too."
finally, you've got your TRASHIEST.
why on earth did you read this book? was it a dare? the sequel to a book that wasn't QUITE this trashy? or maybe you're into those bodice-rippers, too. these books definitely put the 'guilt' into guilty pleasures.
annnnnd, that's your creature feature for the day!
happy reading!
xnenia
first, you have your TRASHY books.
these are books that people make fun of you for reading sometimes, or that get you some side-eyes at bookstores, but they have a lot of redeemable factors and really are quite good for the most part.
then you have your TRASHIER books.
these are books that may be badly written in parts but they are basically crack for the brain. again, some redeemable stuff, but you'll get a lot of side-eye action and people will make comments like, "ooh, that one's pretty steamy," or "my mother loves those bodice-rippers too."
finally, you've got your TRASHIEST.
why on earth did you read this book? was it a dare? the sequel to a book that wasn't QUITE this trashy? or maybe you're into those bodice-rippers, too. these books definitely put the 'guilt' into guilty pleasures.
annnnnd, that's your creature feature for the day!
happy reading!
xnenia
May 11, 2013
Sense and Civility: An Announcement and an Open Letter
i will no longer be commenting or 'liking' one star reviews and/or ratings because the reviewers seem to really not like it and i want to respect that choice. why? because no matter how good my intentions are, going against someone's preferences is not a very nice thing to do. best case scenario, it's awkward. worse case scenario, it comes off as aggressive. so, won't be doing that anymore!
if you would like me to respond to your one-star review, please feel free to pm me or make a note of that in your review. i try to read all my reviews, both good and bad, so i will definitely see it. i am also quite amenable to criticism. i won't think any less of you if you have things to say about the content or the plot. in fact, i will probably apologize to YOU. don't be afraid of me!
the rest of you are still fair game. ;)
...of course, if you find me a truly loathsome excuse for a human being, please feel more than welcome to block me. really. nothing says gtfo quite as effectively as old mr. block button. plus, i won't be able to comment.
if blocking is too extreme, you could also say, "NENIA. I SEE YOU THERE A-CREEPING. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CLICKING THAT 'LIKE' BUTTON." (*resists temptation to click it*)
if there's one thing signing up as an author on goodreads has taught me, it is that you can't please everyone. at first, this made me really depressed and frustrated because i would really like to be everyone's friend. seriously.
(pusheen says it best.)
but this doesn't work in the real world, so why on earth would it be that way in the virtual one? not everyone can be your friend.
(literally AND figuratively - goodreads has a 4k friends cap.)
friendliness doesn't always work, anyway, in spite of what the "be nice" advocates might have you believe. if it isn't welcome, it can come across as false or aggressive. neither of which are good.
civility, empathy, and pragmatism are better - and more professional and useful, as well. this doesn't mean you should be a jerk. by all means, be friendly! be as friendly as you like. but also know when to back off or tone it down or switch gears if necessary.
you also can't let it embitter you, or make you lose faith in other people because that just isn't fair.
to anyone.
including yourself.
authors, be grateful for the friends and readers you have - and will undoubtedly encounter in the future. don't ever take them for granted, or assume their continued readership.
also, understand that it's far more difficult to deal with people you don't like than people whom you do like. liking people who like you is easy, and so is being civil. being civil to people who don't like you is a test of character.
if you absolutely disagree with someone, then it is good to be as civil as you can. and also to concede the argument if you are wrong. (and you will be wrong; you are, if nothing else, only human.)
if you cause offense, apologize, but don't expect forgiveness - if you receive it, be grateful. if you don't, take solace in the fact that you have done all you can and avoid similar trespasses in the future.
but if you can't, well, the block button is there for a reason.
do NOT go to "that site." (i feel like we should call it you-know-what, as if it were an internet voldemort.)
ever.
that is like bombing for peace. it just doesn't work, and will contaminate your work and your reputation for years to come.
don't do it.
also, remember that there is a person on the other side of that screen. think carefully before responding. would you say such a thing in a personal email, or in a conversation? if not, perhaps you should consider your words carefully before hitting the 'comment' button. or add a winky-face to show that you're being sarcastic and not out-and-out mean.
just because something is said on the virtual world doesn't mean it's exempt from being hurtful, bullying, or hostile.
i am still pretty young and foolish, so i am grateful to have friends on this site who are older and wiser, who give me good advice when i feel stupid or upset.
i have redacted some things i have said in the past, and i have apologized for missteps, but on the whole, i think i have left a more positive mark on this site than a negative one.
as always, i thank you, goodreadians, for helping me remember to keep the 'good' in goodreads.
happy reading!
xox nenia
<3
if you would like me to respond to your one-star review, please feel free to pm me or make a note of that in your review. i try to read all my reviews, both good and bad, so i will definitely see it. i am also quite amenable to criticism. i won't think any less of you if you have things to say about the content or the plot. in fact, i will probably apologize to YOU. don't be afraid of me!
the rest of you are still fair game. ;)
...of course, if you find me a truly loathsome excuse for a human being, please feel more than welcome to block me. really. nothing says gtfo quite as effectively as old mr. block button. plus, i won't be able to comment.
if blocking is too extreme, you could also say, "NENIA. I SEE YOU THERE A-CREEPING. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT CLICKING THAT 'LIKE' BUTTON." (*resists temptation to click it*)
if there's one thing signing up as an author on goodreads has taught me, it is that you can't please everyone. at first, this made me really depressed and frustrated because i would really like to be everyone's friend. seriously.
(pusheen says it best.)
but this doesn't work in the real world, so why on earth would it be that way in the virtual one? not everyone can be your friend.
(literally AND figuratively - goodreads has a 4k friends cap.)
friendliness doesn't always work, anyway, in spite of what the "be nice" advocates might have you believe. if it isn't welcome, it can come across as false or aggressive. neither of which are good.
civility, empathy, and pragmatism are better - and more professional and useful, as well. this doesn't mean you should be a jerk. by all means, be friendly! be as friendly as you like. but also know when to back off or tone it down or switch gears if necessary.
you also can't let it embitter you, or make you lose faith in other people because that just isn't fair.
to anyone.
including yourself.
authors, be grateful for the friends and readers you have - and will undoubtedly encounter in the future. don't ever take them for granted, or assume their continued readership.
also, understand that it's far more difficult to deal with people you don't like than people whom you do like. liking people who like you is easy, and so is being civil. being civil to people who don't like you is a test of character.
if you absolutely disagree with someone, then it is good to be as civil as you can. and also to concede the argument if you are wrong. (and you will be wrong; you are, if nothing else, only human.)
if you cause offense, apologize, but don't expect forgiveness - if you receive it, be grateful. if you don't, take solace in the fact that you have done all you can and avoid similar trespasses in the future.
but if you can't, well, the block button is there for a reason.
do NOT go to "that site." (i feel like we should call it you-know-what, as if it were an internet voldemort.)
ever.
that is like bombing for peace. it just doesn't work, and will contaminate your work and your reputation for years to come.
don't do it.
also, remember that there is a person on the other side of that screen. think carefully before responding. would you say such a thing in a personal email, or in a conversation? if not, perhaps you should consider your words carefully before hitting the 'comment' button. or add a winky-face to show that you're being sarcastic and not out-and-out mean.
just because something is said on the virtual world doesn't mean it's exempt from being hurtful, bullying, or hostile.
i am still pretty young and foolish, so i am grateful to have friends on this site who are older and wiser, who give me good advice when i feel stupid or upset.
i have redacted some things i have said in the past, and i have apologized for missteps, but on the whole, i think i have left a more positive mark on this site than a negative one.
as always, i thank you, goodreadians, for helping me remember to keep the 'good' in goodreads.
happy reading!
xox nenia
<3
May 8, 2013
The Difference Between Fame and Infamy
you know what? i'm grateful for these authors setting out signposts publicly declaring their douchery. life's too short to read all the books in the world, so they're doing me a favor on par with beetles sending out stink clouds that say "DON'T EAT ME" or poisonous frogs that say "THESE COLORS MEAN BUSINESS: TOUCH ME - AND DIE."
these authors are saying, "I CAN'T HANDLE CRITICISM. I AM MEAN. GIVE MY BOOK A BAD RATING AND I WILL STALK YOU AND SHOUT AT YOU AND KICK A BIG FUSS OVER NOTHING."
culling my tbr list has never been easier.
the only drawback is that so many innocent reviewers are caught in the crossfire. maybe cautionary warning stickers should be affixed to their books and book blurbs.
these authors are saying, "I CAN'T HANDLE CRITICISM. I AM MEAN. GIVE MY BOOK A BAD RATING AND I WILL STALK YOU AND SHOUT AT YOU AND KICK A BIG FUSS OVER NOTHING."
culling my tbr list has never been easier.
the only drawback is that so many innocent reviewers are caught in the crossfire. maybe cautionary warning stickers should be affixed to their books and book blurbs.
