Keith Ward's Blog - Posts Tagged "internet-kill-switch"
First Review!
It's always scary for a new book (and a new author to go with it) to get that first review on Amazon.com. Will they like it? Hate it? Did I spend all that time writing, editing, re-writing, re-editing, etc., for nothing?
Well, of course, it's not nothing. Not at all. But still, when you put your work out there for public consumption, there's always nervousness. So now that the first one is online, I can breathe a little easier. Find the review here. If the review wants to make you read more, by all means, grab a copy for yourself!
Well, of course, it's not nothing. Not at all. But still, when you put your work out there for public consumption, there's always nervousness. So now that the first one is online, I can breathe a little easier. Find the review here. If the review wants to make you read more, by all means, grab a copy for yourself!
Another Amazon Review
Another review of my book has gone up on Amazon. It's a slow, but hopefully steady, process. I can't say I'd mind if it keeps going in this direction... :)
Free Short Story Coming
I'm working on a new short story, featuring two of the main characters from "Internet Kill Switch." Best of all, it'll be free on Amazon.com! I'm calling it a "Micro-Novel," because it's related to the book but is much shorter. I'd love to have you take a look when I'm finished.
Free Short Story, 'First Day of School', Now Available
Hi folks. I've published a free short story based on characters from my book. It's called "First Day of School," and it's about how the two main guys, Rick and Tony, met as 10-year-olds in school. Hope you like it. I'd love some reviews if you get a chance, and for you to spread the word, if you think it's worthwhile.
It's here on the site; just click the link to download.
Many thanks!
It's here on the site; just click the link to download.
Many thanks!
Free Short Story
I'm not sure how easy it is to find the story, so I'm including a link. Find the story here.
iPads, Netflix and Diets
After years of frustration, I’ve found the perfect use for Neflix: education while dieting. About five months ago, my doctor said one of my sugar readings during a physical was too high, and near diabetic levels. She suggested losing 10-15 pounds, then re-testing. Diabetes is a scary disease, so I took her advice and started a serious diet. I also picked my exercise back up. I used to be a cycler, and still consider that my first love, but it just takes too long for me to get a good workout. So for years, I’ve run with my wife; running is a much more efficient way for me to lose weight.
But I also have some sort of pinched nerve in my neck, which is causing some arm/shoulder problems (ah, the joys of nearing 50). Running seems to exacerbate that issue. But I still need to lose the weight, so I’ve re-discovered our elliptical machine. It burns lots of calories quickly, like running; but like my bike, it’s completely non-impact. Best of both worlds, right? The problem is that it’s incredibly boring to use.
Enter Netflix and iPad. My particular elliptical has a little space at the top that perfectly — and I do mean perfectly — fits my iPad (generation 4 — I must have Retina Display). So now I set my iPad on the space, put on headphones, and fire up Netflix. No more boring.
But what to watch? Well, I’ve found a good solution to that, too. I’ve tried lots of TV shows my kids recommend, and haven’t liked any of them (more on that in a future post). After much consideration, I’m starting on an education kick. I’ll begin with the Ken Burns documentaries. I’m going through the “Civil War” now, and will move on to “Jazz”, then “The West,” then his others. After that’s done, I’ll start watching other documentaries on Netflix. I’ve always loved documentaries — to me, they’re just journalism with a camera. And I don’t think anyone captures America like Burns.
Now my body’s happy (I’ve lost 21 pounds since the fall), and I’m learning more about the world around me. My $8/month is being well spent.
But I also have some sort of pinched nerve in my neck, which is causing some arm/shoulder problems (ah, the joys of nearing 50). Running seems to exacerbate that issue. But I still need to lose the weight, so I’ve re-discovered our elliptical machine. It burns lots of calories quickly, like running; but like my bike, it’s completely non-impact. Best of both worlds, right? The problem is that it’s incredibly boring to use.
Enter Netflix and iPad. My particular elliptical has a little space at the top that perfectly — and I do mean perfectly — fits my iPad (generation 4 — I must have Retina Display). So now I set my iPad on the space, put on headphones, and fire up Netflix. No more boring.
But what to watch? Well, I’ve found a good solution to that, too. I’ve tried lots of TV shows my kids recommend, and haven’t liked any of them (more on that in a future post). After much consideration, I’m starting on an education kick. I’ll begin with the Ken Burns documentaries. I’m going through the “Civil War” now, and will move on to “Jazz”, then “The West,” then his others. After that’s done, I’ll start watching other documentaries on Netflix. I’ve always loved documentaries — to me, they’re just journalism with a camera. And I don’t think anyone captures America like Burns.
Now my body’s happy (I’ve lost 21 pounds since the fall), and I’m learning more about the world around me. My $8/month is being well spent.
Best-Selling Your Soul
As I dig deeper into the world of ebook self-publishing, I'm amazed at some of the stuff I find. Like tonight, I ran across a story about an ebook author named John Locke. He's the first guy to sell 1 million ebooks through Amazon. And it turns out that, to quote Buddy the Elf, he's sitting on a Throne of Lies. What he's done, however, is no joke. It goes to ethics, and what we’re willing to do to be successful.
As this New York Times article points out, an industry has sprouted that offers positive reviews of Amazon ebooks, for a price. It's hard to imagine people would do that, but I guess I really shouldn't be surprised. If I'm John Locke, though, I’d have trouble sleeping at night (although I'm pretty sure he doesn't). Wouldn't you feel pretty slimy if you'd duped customers by pretending your book was well-reviewed (and, therefore, actually *good*), when you'd simply paid folks to say good things about it? It's hard to imagine an author doing something that shows more contempt for his potential audience than that.
I'm a new author, working hard to promote my first book. But I've actually asked people who know me personally to not review my book on Amazon. Why? Well, for one thing, it's unethical. I'd rather die poor, with my morality, than rich, with none. Locke and I will both be dead, you know? He can't spend his loot anymore. And an honest life is one worth living.
Second: I want completely honest reviews of my work so that someone who's thinking about buying it doesn't make a bad choice and waste their money. They may not like Young Adult books, or books in which technology plays a central role, or maybe my writing stinks. If we're truly concerned about our Fellow Man, as most of us say we want to be, then we don't want them wasting their money, any more than we want our money wasted on a book that's not for us. It's commonly known as the Golden Rule.
So, I'd recommend avoiding John Locke's books (more information on the issue can be found from this publisher and this HuffPoster, among others. Google "John Locke paying for reviews" for more on this issue.
So, if you don't know me and have read "Internet Kill Switch," I'd love a review — one so honest that folks think it was written by George Washington or Abe Lincoln. Let others know what you loved and hated, and why. Help other folks out; it's more important than helping me out. None of us have enough time to read all the books we want, after all.
And if you're a new (or old) writer, please promote your stuff the right way. To paraphrase someone a lot smarter than me: It's not worth gaining the whole world — or even selling 1 million books on Amazon — and losing your soul.
As this New York Times article points out, an industry has sprouted that offers positive reviews of Amazon ebooks, for a price. It's hard to imagine people would do that, but I guess I really shouldn't be surprised. If I'm John Locke, though, I’d have trouble sleeping at night (although I'm pretty sure he doesn't). Wouldn't you feel pretty slimy if you'd duped customers by pretending your book was well-reviewed (and, therefore, actually *good*), when you'd simply paid folks to say good things about it? It's hard to imagine an author doing something that shows more contempt for his potential audience than that.
I'm a new author, working hard to promote my first book. But I've actually asked people who know me personally to not review my book on Amazon. Why? Well, for one thing, it's unethical. I'd rather die poor, with my morality, than rich, with none. Locke and I will both be dead, you know? He can't spend his loot anymore. And an honest life is one worth living.
Second: I want completely honest reviews of my work so that someone who's thinking about buying it doesn't make a bad choice and waste their money. They may not like Young Adult books, or books in which technology plays a central role, or maybe my writing stinks. If we're truly concerned about our Fellow Man, as most of us say we want to be, then we don't want them wasting their money, any more than we want our money wasted on a book that's not for us. It's commonly known as the Golden Rule.
So, I'd recommend avoiding John Locke's books (more information on the issue can be found from this publisher and this HuffPoster, among others. Google "John Locke paying for reviews" for more on this issue.
So, if you don't know me and have read "Internet Kill Switch," I'd love a review — one so honest that folks think it was written by George Washington or Abe Lincoln. Let others know what you loved and hated, and why. Help other folks out; it's more important than helping me out. None of us have enough time to read all the books we want, after all.
And if you're a new (or old) writer, please promote your stuff the right way. To paraphrase someone a lot smarter than me: It's not worth gaining the whole world — or even selling 1 million books on Amazon — and losing your soul.
Free Book Giveaway
"Internet Kill Switch" is free today and tomorrow on Amazon.com. It's available in all digital reader formats; if you don't have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app for iPhones and iPads, or for Android phones and tablets. Spread the word!
Amazon Writing Contest
If you're a writer and have a novel you've self-published, or haven't published at all yet, you might want to take a look at the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. It's a good way to get some exposure and publicity for your book, and it's free! There aren't many of those types of writing contests out there.
I entered "Interent Kill Switch" last night. One important aspect is that you have to write a 300-word "pitch", to describe your book. This is the first cutoff point. If it's good, you move to the next stage -- an excerpt of your book. If you pass that test, the full manuscript is judged. The first thing judges see is your pitch, though, so write it (there are examples of pitches from previous years' winners) and re-write it until it glistens.
I worked on my pitch a lot. It might seem that 300 words should be easy to crank out, but it's not. If anything, it's harder to know what to say in such a limited number of words. The point here is to not skimp on this, no matter what. If you enter, I'd be delighted to hear from you. Let me know what category you entered, and your pitch. Here's my pitch:
"Tony Carver, a hero? Just stop it, already! Tony may be a lot of things, but as he’d be quick to tell you, “hero” ain’t one of them.
Ordinary guy with great friends and a phone more awesome than any phone ever was? That’s more like it.
But life for this “ordinary guy” turns decidedly extraordinary when he stumbles across a phone unlike anything he -- or the world -- has ever seen. Its rude, insulting personality makes it almost human. His best friend Rick is shocked when he holds the phone, and it reads back his vital signs. It even helps Tony grab the affections of the gorgeous Scarlett by feeding him lines at the right time, Cyrano-like.
What sets the phone apart, though, is its ability to instantly hack any network, no matter how secure. When it infiltrates the U.S. Air Force network and orders an attack on Cuba, just to show off, Tony’s terrified at the implications for the world. With good reason, too -- after all, a phone that can do these things will surely be a target for others.
One of those “others” is a crazed prophet of doom who kidnaps Tony, and uses his phone as the trigger for his plan to turn the country into a wasteland devoid of any technology more advanced than the wheel. After Tony escapes with the help of Rick, Scarlett and the phone, the trio is forced to travel through an increasingly dangerous country -- one without power, the Internet or any modern conveniences -- in an attempt to reboot the United States before it sinks permanently into chaos and war. Before it’s over, Tony will face terrifying evil and make choices that could cost him everything.
Just don’t call him a hero."
So that's my pitch. Any and all feedback is welcome.
I entered "Interent Kill Switch" last night. One important aspect is that you have to write a 300-word "pitch", to describe your book. This is the first cutoff point. If it's good, you move to the next stage -- an excerpt of your book. If you pass that test, the full manuscript is judged. The first thing judges see is your pitch, though, so write it (there are examples of pitches from previous years' winners) and re-write it until it glistens.
I worked on my pitch a lot. It might seem that 300 words should be easy to crank out, but it's not. If anything, it's harder to know what to say in such a limited number of words. The point here is to not skimp on this, no matter what. If you enter, I'd be delighted to hear from you. Let me know what category you entered, and your pitch. Here's my pitch:
"Tony Carver, a hero? Just stop it, already! Tony may be a lot of things, but as he’d be quick to tell you, “hero” ain’t one of them.
Ordinary guy with great friends and a phone more awesome than any phone ever was? That’s more like it.
But life for this “ordinary guy” turns decidedly extraordinary when he stumbles across a phone unlike anything he -- or the world -- has ever seen. Its rude, insulting personality makes it almost human. His best friend Rick is shocked when he holds the phone, and it reads back his vital signs. It even helps Tony grab the affections of the gorgeous Scarlett by feeding him lines at the right time, Cyrano-like.
What sets the phone apart, though, is its ability to instantly hack any network, no matter how secure. When it infiltrates the U.S. Air Force network and orders an attack on Cuba, just to show off, Tony’s terrified at the implications for the world. With good reason, too -- after all, a phone that can do these things will surely be a target for others.
One of those “others” is a crazed prophet of doom who kidnaps Tony, and uses his phone as the trigger for his plan to turn the country into a wasteland devoid of any technology more advanced than the wheel. After Tony escapes with the help of Rick, Scarlett and the phone, the trio is forced to travel through an increasingly dangerous country -- one without power, the Internet or any modern conveniences -- in an attempt to reboot the United States before it sinks permanently into chaos and war. Before it’s over, Tony will face terrifying evil and make choices that could cost him everything.
Just don’t call him a hero."
So that's my pitch. Any and all feedback is welcome.
