E.G. Manetti's Blog, page 45
May 30, 2014
Real Books
Although it continues to surprise me, I'm often in conversations that run something like this...
Friend: Your novel sounds interesting, where can I buy it?
Me: Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo.
Friend: I don't like e-books, I like real books.
Me:
While I worry a bit about the trees, the price of on demand publishing (USA distribution only) has dropped to the point where I can produce 'real' books via amazon. So I have. In the interests of the planet (and sales)the e-books are still cheaper, but now I have 'real' books. So I guess that makes me a 'real' author.
Friend: Your novel sounds interesting, where can I buy it?
Me: Amazon, Apple, Nook, Kobo.
Friend: I don't like e-books, I like real books.
Me:
While I worry a bit about the trees, the price of on demand publishing (USA distribution only) has dropped to the point where I can produce 'real' books via amazon. So I have. In the interests of the planet (and sales)the e-books are still cheaper, but now I have 'real' books. So I guess that makes me a 'real' author.
May 12, 2014
The price of fear
This past Friday, a friend posted something remarkable on facebook: I am not going to say that I met Bill Gates, but I'm also not going to say that I didn't. If I did, he was very down to earth and did offer me a ride.
My friend is brilliant with a degree in international business and a desire to save the world. Many of her friends where surprised, even shocked, that she didn't exploit the opportunity to discuss her ambitions with such an important global player.
Her friend1 : Did you take the ride?
My friend : -- it was raining and I was catching a shuttle. It was spur of the moment, so I said I was all set, thanked him. Looking back I definitely should have.
Her friend2: Did you miss that day in school where they said if the richest man in the world wants to take you somewhere you go lol
My friend :I was absent that day;) Now there's like a billion things I would've wanted to ask him, but it's sort of like when you're carrying a ton of heavy things and someone says, "You need help with that?" and you just say "No, I got it. I'm fine" .....kind of like that.
ME : You are a woman of your time. We're all trained to turn down a ride from a man we don't know even if it means hoofing it in our heels in the rain. The 30-second later 'OMG' that was Bill (so not a danger) Gates' is exactly what I would have done.
My Friend: Thank you. Because while not wanting to be awkward and take him out of his way, I did have a "Wow - how did I manage not to get to ask him about every corner of the globe he's been to, the evolution of the internet and Microsoft, all the people he's met, what inspires him, scares him, etc."
So I'm trying to imagine, how would it be not to be afraid of strangers? Particularly men if you're a woman. Not in a, 'I'm the biggest baddest thing in the valley' kind of way. In a 'it's not even an issue' kind of way.
I've invented an entire alternate universe for my novels and I'm having trouble imagining it. I'm going to keep trying.
My friend is brilliant with a degree in international business and a desire to save the world. Many of her friends where surprised, even shocked, that she didn't exploit the opportunity to discuss her ambitions with such an important global player.
Her friend1 : Did you take the ride?
My friend : -- it was raining and I was catching a shuttle. It was spur of the moment, so I said I was all set, thanked him. Looking back I definitely should have.
Her friend2: Did you miss that day in school where they said if the richest man in the world wants to take you somewhere you go lol
My friend :I was absent that day;) Now there's like a billion things I would've wanted to ask him, but it's sort of like when you're carrying a ton of heavy things and someone says, "You need help with that?" and you just say "No, I got it. I'm fine" .....kind of like that.
ME : You are a woman of your time. We're all trained to turn down a ride from a man we don't know even if it means hoofing it in our heels in the rain. The 30-second later 'OMG' that was Bill (so not a danger) Gates' is exactly what I would have done.
My Friend: Thank you. Because while not wanting to be awkward and take him out of his way, I did have a "Wow - how did I manage not to get to ask him about every corner of the globe he's been to, the evolution of the internet and Microsoft, all the people he's met, what inspires him, scares him, etc."
So I'm trying to imagine, how would it be not to be afraid of strangers? Particularly men if you're a woman. Not in a, 'I'm the biggest baddest thing in the valley' kind of way. In a 'it's not even an issue' kind of way.
I've invented an entire alternate universe for my novels and I'm having trouble imagining it. I'm going to keep trying.
May 9, 2014
The Never Ending Search
As most authors know (and all indie authors), it is a never ending search to find new outlets for displaying our novels. My most recent success is the inclusion of my first novel The Cartel - The Apprentice Volume 1 in the BookBuddies 'bargain book' site. They only promote books under $3.
From a book buyer perspective, I'm impressed by the site's layout. I find it easy to navigate and the books much easier to assess than on the more traditional 'thumbnail' only sites. Of course, I may be slightly biased since they have shown the good judgment to include The Cartel.
http://bookgoodies.com/the-cartel-the...
From a book buyer perspective, I'm impressed by the site's layout. I find it easy to navigate and the books much easier to assess than on the more traditional 'thumbnail' only sites. Of course, I may be slightly biased since they have shown the good judgment to include The Cartel.
http://bookgoodies.com/the-cartel-the...
April 23, 2014
E.G. Manetti is a master world builder.
Like all authors, I bleed a little inside at a bad review and rejoice at a good one. Then there is the 'omg. I don't know if it's really that good, but I'm so glad he said it' review. Yesterday, The Cartel - The Apprentice Volume 1 received just such a review from 4-LAN, one of my favorite bloggers (and yes he was a favorite before the review). This link will take you there: http://thebookmarketingnetwork.com/pr....
The most ego stroking bits: "The writer has created a science fiction story rich in complexity and depth, while crossing into the romance and erotica genre ... reminded me very much of Dune ... Manetti pays tribute to this masterpiece, while making this work original with a storyline that bears little other resemblance to the source of its inspiration."
The most ego stroking bits: "The writer has created a science fiction story rich in complexity and depth, while crossing into the romance and erotica genre ... reminded me very much of Dune ... Manetti pays tribute to this masterpiece, while making this work original with a storyline that bears little other resemblance to the source of its inspiration."
April 15, 2014
The Cartel Featured by eBookSoda
Today, 4/15/14 eBookSoda is featuring The Cartel, Volume 1: The Apprentice in its daily newsletter. eBookSoda is one of the emerging services that 'filter' novels for subscribers based on preferences. I subscribe to several, but I like eBookSoda because it only sends two or three titles a day instead of long lists that are sometimes only loosely related to my preferences. It's also retailer agnostic and will include links to any site where my novels are available.
Wish me and The Cartel luck!
Wish me and The Cartel luck!
March 14, 2014
International Readers
Germany, Japan, Spain, India, I had no idea. I hoped the Free kindle promo for The Cartel would find new readers beyond the US. I was thinking, UK, Canada, Australia. Readers in places where English isn't the primary language? How great is that?
March 12, 2014
The Cartel is in Kindle Top 100 Free in Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Even though it's free, this is wonderful. While 'free' books are fraction of the e-books available, there are still hundreds if not thousands of them. So I'm thrilled that based on a blurb and a 'look inside' that so many readers are willing to spend some time in The Twelve Systems. I hope they all have a good time.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGNFHJA
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGNFHJA
March 11, 2014
Deutschland not Denmark
Ok, so it took me awhile to figure out the Amazon acronyms. Or maybe I'm just that clueless. The good news is my fan in Deutschland is more on the ball than I am. S(he) - most likely 'she - picked up Bright Star, the sequel to Cartel within 12 hours of publishing on amazon.
January 25, 2014
Fans in Denmark
So, this morning Amazon posted my second sale for the The Cartel, The Apprentice Volume 1. The first sale was in December. Normally, I wouldn't get so excited, but given that the national language is Dutch and I'm writing in English, and that I'm not doing any kind of promotion, the second sale almost has to be a referral! Now if only I could get a review...
January 7, 2014
Coming Soon - Bright Star
Although initially planned for December 2013, Bright Star took a little longer than anticipated, so look for it in February 2014.
