Evo Terra's Blog, page 47
August 3, 2013
My Wikipedia page is getting sorely out of date. Lots of changes to websites, businesses, and ventures...
My Wikipedia page is getting sorely out of date. Lots of changes to websites, businesses, and ventures. And that photo is almost a decade old.
Editing it myself is frowned upon (for obvious reasons.) So if any wiki-mavens are out there ... help?
Editing it myself is frowned upon (for obvious reasons.) So if any wiki-mavens are out there ... help?
Which movie should I watch?
I'm leaving it up to you, Google+. Should I watch:
A - High Plains Drifter...
Which movie should I watch?
I'm leaving it up to you, Google+. Should I watch:
A - High Plains Drifter
B - Snatch
Very different, yet both are favorites of mine. You decide.
I'm leaving it up to you, Google+. Should I watch:
A - High Plains Drifter
B - Snatch
Very different, yet both are favorites of mine. You decide.
August 1, 2013
An interesting twist on set-it-and-forget it cooking?
Curse you, Kickstarter. Why must you encourage...
An interesting twist on set-it-and-forget it cooking?
Curse you, Kickstarter. Why must you encourage fantastic product development that winds up costing me money.
(Somehow I borked the sharing of this two days ago. I bought one yesterday, so feel obliged to re-share if you, too, see $90 is money well spent so your tablet can tell your phone when your pork chops have reached the perfect temperature.)
Curse you, Kickstarter. Why must you encourage fantastic product development that winds up costing me money.
(Somehow I borked the sharing of this two days ago. I bought one yesterday, so feel obliged to re-share if you, too, see $90 is money well spent so your tablet can tell your phone when your pork chops have reached the perfect temperature.)
If you can handle watching a bouncy, googly-eyed nerd geek out on Google+ for 26 minutes, you might ...
If you can handle watching a bouncy, googly-eyed nerd geek out on Google+ for 26 minutes, you might like this video:
Google Plus For Authors With Evo Terra From ePublish Unum
Checklist before my next interview:
✔ Ditch the exercise ball
✔ Put a big note that says LOOK HERE next to the camera
✔ Shave
Thanks for the interview, +Joanna Penn! I look forward to coming on the show again some time.
Google Plus For Authors With Evo Terra From ePublish Unum
Checklist before my next interview:
✔ Ditch the exercise ball
✔ Put a big note that says LOOK HERE next to the camera
✔ Shave
Thanks for the interview, +Joanna Penn! I look forward to coming on the show again some time.
I have no idea what this fortune cookie means. Ominous? Or just bad translation?
I have no idea what this fortune cookie means. Ominous? Or just bad translation?
July 31, 2013
Let's Create History Together
This video makes it seem like it's just around the corner. I'm going ...
Let's Create History Together
This video makes it seem like it's just around the corner. I'm going to pack a bag just in case!
This video makes it seem like it's just around the corner. I'm going to pack a bag just in case!
Why are you an author? More to the point, what is your objective as an author?
If that question strikes...
Why are you an author? More to the point, what is your objective as an author?
If that question strikes you as odd, you might want to skip this post. If your answer is "because I'm compelled to put words to paper," then you might want to skip this post. If your answer has more to do with art or creative exploration than tangible business objectives, then you certainly should skip this post.
The antithesis is business ---- making money -- as the primary answer to the question asked. And when you get right down to business, choices become more clear. More simple. And much more ruthless.
Those of you truly in the business of being an indie author, the phases of digital publishing become binary decisions: things you must do and things you must not do.
For the things you must do, you must do them exceedingly well, else you run the risk of being beaten at your own game. Take the first stage: writing. As a business-focused indie author, you must do this on your own, and you must do it exceedingly well. Sadly, many business-focused people assume this stage much more easy than it truly is. Yet it is not. But they can get better. And must if they are to be successful. No one can do this but the author, and sloppy writing -- regardless of what might be seen on bookshelves -- is unacceptable.
Editing and publishing? Those are on the list of things you must not do. I shouldn't have to convince you that you must not ---- can not -- do your own editing. If you don't accept that truism, then you have confused short-term cost-cutting with long-term financial objectives.
Publishing is also on this list, but for a different reason. The business-focused indie author doesn't have time to waste -- yes, waste -- on hand-coding ebooks, futzing with interior layout templates, or struggling with the vagaries of online marketplace listings. Rather, the business-focused indie author uses modern tools, techniques and even service providers to remove or offload the drudgery of this task, freeing time for more productive things that only the author must do.
The last two stages, promoting and interacting, remain in the must do category. Yes, some tools, techniques and service providers exist to assist the business-focused indie author with these tasks. But the indie author plays a central role in their delivery. There is no "over the wall" approach here that will be successful. No publicist or agency worth their salt will tell you otherwise. Yet. This, I'll grant you, may be changing. Maybe.
In this post I covered great swaths and skipped the finer details. Wordsmithing devices, cover design, interior layout, book blurbs, pricing strategies, mailing lists, interview booking ... All of them fall somewhere in the continuum above, and the question of must/must not do lines up nicely -- for most of them.
Depending on the reaction this post receives (I can't be virtually burned at the stake for heresy, can I?) I'll attempt to address each of them in turn with the same mercenary view of the business-focused author in the coming days.
I welcome the spirited debate that is sure to ensue. Please attempt to follow civil discourse in the comments. And remember: this is aimed at those indie authors who place business in front of art or creative pursuits. Not in place of, but merely in front of. There is room in my world for those who do not. This was not written, however, for them.
This appropriate image is made available under Creative Commons license on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carltonbrowne/6436669865/
If that question strikes you as odd, you might want to skip this post. If your answer is "because I'm compelled to put words to paper," then you might want to skip this post. If your answer has more to do with art or creative exploration than tangible business objectives, then you certainly should skip this post.
The antithesis is business ---- making money -- as the primary answer to the question asked. And when you get right down to business, choices become more clear. More simple. And much more ruthless.
Those of you truly in the business of being an indie author, the phases of digital publishing become binary decisions: things you must do and things you must not do.
For the things you must do, you must do them exceedingly well, else you run the risk of being beaten at your own game. Take the first stage: writing. As a business-focused indie author, you must do this on your own, and you must do it exceedingly well. Sadly, many business-focused people assume this stage much more easy than it truly is. Yet it is not. But they can get better. And must if they are to be successful. No one can do this but the author, and sloppy writing -- regardless of what might be seen on bookshelves -- is unacceptable.
Editing and publishing? Those are on the list of things you must not do. I shouldn't have to convince you that you must not ---- can not -- do your own editing. If you don't accept that truism, then you have confused short-term cost-cutting with long-term financial objectives.
Publishing is also on this list, but for a different reason. The business-focused indie author doesn't have time to waste -- yes, waste -- on hand-coding ebooks, futzing with interior layout templates, or struggling with the vagaries of online marketplace listings. Rather, the business-focused indie author uses modern tools, techniques and even service providers to remove or offload the drudgery of this task, freeing time for more productive things that only the author must do.
The last two stages, promoting and interacting, remain in the must do category. Yes, some tools, techniques and service providers exist to assist the business-focused indie author with these tasks. But the indie author plays a central role in their delivery. There is no "over the wall" approach here that will be successful. No publicist or agency worth their salt will tell you otherwise. Yet. This, I'll grant you, may be changing. Maybe.
In this post I covered great swaths and skipped the finer details. Wordsmithing devices, cover design, interior layout, book blurbs, pricing strategies, mailing lists, interview booking ... All of them fall somewhere in the continuum above, and the question of must/must not do lines up nicely -- for most of them.
Depending on the reaction this post receives (I can't be virtually burned at the stake for heresy, can I?) I'll attempt to address each of them in turn with the same mercenary view of the business-focused author in the coming days.
I welcome the spirited debate that is sure to ensue. Please attempt to follow civil discourse in the comments. And remember: this is aimed at those indie authors who place business in front of art or creative pursuits. Not in place of, but merely in front of. There is room in my world for those who do not. This was not written, however, for them.
This appropriate image is made available under Creative Commons license on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/carltonbrowne/6436669865/
July 30, 2013
We saw Pacific Rim last night. Here's everything I liked about it.
1. The popcorn was tasty.
2. The...
We saw Pacific Rim last night. Here's everything I liked about it.
1. The popcorn was tasty.
2. The drive home from the theater was nice.
1. The popcorn was tasty.
2. The drive home from the theater was nice.
Remember: High-value content is the key!
As our little slice of indie publishing goodness grows, it's...
Remember: High-value content is the key!
As our little slice of indie publishing goodness grows, it's important to remember these seven key points before posting to our GPC:
1. No link-litter.
2. No ads or spam.
3. Self-promotion is right out!
4. No introductions needed.
5. Categorize correctly.
6. Play nice.
7. Have fun.
Above all, we value conversation and engagement. There's a strong preference for opinion and original thought. We love answering questions and giving specific advice. In short, we truly want to be a community. Your involvement is encouraged!
As our little slice of indie publishing goodness grows, it's important to remember these seven key points before posting to our GPC:
1. No link-litter.
2. No ads or spam.
3. Self-promotion is right out!
4. No introductions needed.
5. Categorize correctly.
6. Play nice.
7. Have fun.
Above all, we value conversation and engagement. There's a strong preference for opinion and original thought. We love answering questions and giving specific advice. In short, we truly want to be a community. Your involvement is encouraged!
What does the I in the ISS stand for?
Answer: International. Yes, you knew the answer. But apparently...
What does the I in the ISS stand for?
Answer: International. Yes, you knew the answer. But apparently, some U.S. lawmakers are confused. According to Lori Dajose's post on +The Planetary Society's blog (http://goo.gl/3SlfbJ )
Under the section on the International Space Station, “reliance on foreign carriers” is deemed “unacceptable,” making it absolutely imperative that we launch “United States astronauts on United States rockets from United States soil.”
Lori goes on to say that yes, we do need reliable launch-and-return capabilities that aren't subject to the whim of foreign policy. But space is a pretty big place, and it's hard to draw lines on maps. More importantly, if we're ever going to get permanently off this rock, we'll need a little less jingoism.
And maybe a little more business?
Answer: International. Yes, you knew the answer. But apparently, some U.S. lawmakers are confused. According to Lori Dajose's post on +The Planetary Society's blog (http://goo.gl/3SlfbJ )
Under the section on the International Space Station, “reliance on foreign carriers” is deemed “unacceptable,” making it absolutely imperative that we launch “United States astronauts on United States rockets from United States soil.”
Lori goes on to say that yes, we do need reliable launch-and-return capabilities that aren't subject to the whim of foreign policy. But space is a pretty big place, and it's hard to draw lines on maps. More importantly, if we're ever going to get permanently off this rock, we'll need a little less jingoism.
And maybe a little more business?
