Rowena Wiseman's Blog, page 19
March 19, 2014
Small press pop quiz - SFWP (Santa Fe Writers Project)
What makes SFWP different to other publishers?
I have what many feel is a strange approach to publishing. It certainly hasn't gotten me out of my day job ... But I feel that there should be loftier goals in this business. I started publishing because I love books. I publish titles that I would buy, and that I want to see on the shelves, regardless of genre. SFWP’s mission is not about making a fortune, or creating a catalog that the accountants can get behind. The mission is one of recognition and preservation. The books I publish are works of art, as precious as anything you would hang on your wall. I bring them into print, and I stand by them. They don't age out, or go out of print, or get ignored because they sold poorly. SFWP's distribution arm is worldwide, so not only are we preserving these titles, we're giving them the chance to be discovered in every format everywhere on Earth.
What kind of manuscripts are you looking for?
Whatever catches my eye. I refuse to have SFWP conform to the needs of a catalog, genre, or marketing department. If I love your book, I'll publish it. I've published memoir, biography, YA, we have a high fantasy trilogy coming up in 2016, short fiction, translations, long novels, journalism, a touch of romance ... I wouldn't mind venturing into sci-fi, and I have a secret love for post-apocalyptic novels.
If someone was to read two books on your list, what should they be?
Fatal Light, by Richard Currey. It's a reprint that I fought ten years to get back on the shelves. Easily one of the best books to come out of the Vietnam War, and the message and voice spans generations, so you need not be a Vietnam vet to approach it.
Zine, by Pagan Kennedy. Pagan's quirky zine in the 90s is what inspired me to start a publishing company. This book, her autobiography of sorts, first came out in 1995 and drifted out of print fairly quickly. I've been dreaming of giving this book new life for over 15 years, and it's coming out in a few weeks. It also features copies of all of her old zines.
What are you excited about for 2014?
Zine, of course. As noted above. Another title that's been long out of print, The Wars of Heaven, by Richard Currey, also returns to the shelves after much effort. In the fall, we're re-releasing Dissonance, by Lisa Lenard-Cook. Originally released over 10 years ago, and now going out of print with the original publisher, Dissonance ended up in my slush pile one day last year and I simply couldn't put it down. Out in April is our third collection of short stories from Alan Cheuse, An Authentic Captain Marvel Ring. This marks the final (maybe) volume of Alan's short stories, which we began collecting in 2006. (Alan's a prolific author, so I'm sure there'll be a fourth collection at some point.)
2014 will also see continuing growth with our online journal, which we've run since 2002. We went all out in recruiting authors last year, and now we're seeing strong organic growth. Free for all, submissions welcome...
Visit: www.sfwp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Fe-Writers-Project/283052815651
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFWP
I have what many feel is a strange approach to publishing. It certainly hasn't gotten me out of my day job ... But I feel that there should be loftier goals in this business. I started publishing because I love books. I publish titles that I would buy, and that I want to see on the shelves, regardless of genre. SFWP’s mission is not about making a fortune, or creating a catalog that the accountants can get behind. The mission is one of recognition and preservation. The books I publish are works of art, as precious as anything you would hang on your wall. I bring them into print, and I stand by them. They don't age out, or go out of print, or get ignored because they sold poorly. SFWP's distribution arm is worldwide, so not only are we preserving these titles, we're giving them the chance to be discovered in every format everywhere on Earth.
What kind of manuscripts are you looking for?
Whatever catches my eye. I refuse to have SFWP conform to the needs of a catalog, genre, or marketing department. If I love your book, I'll publish it. I've published memoir, biography, YA, we have a high fantasy trilogy coming up in 2016, short fiction, translations, long novels, journalism, a touch of romance ... I wouldn't mind venturing into sci-fi, and I have a secret love for post-apocalyptic novels.
If someone was to read two books on your list, what should they be?
Fatal Light, by Richard Currey. It's a reprint that I fought ten years to get back on the shelves. Easily one of the best books to come out of the Vietnam War, and the message and voice spans generations, so you need not be a Vietnam vet to approach it.
Zine, by Pagan Kennedy. Pagan's quirky zine in the 90s is what inspired me to start a publishing company. This book, her autobiography of sorts, first came out in 1995 and drifted out of print fairly quickly. I've been dreaming of giving this book new life for over 15 years, and it's coming out in a few weeks. It also features copies of all of her old zines.
What are you excited about for 2014?
Zine, of course. As noted above. Another title that's been long out of print, The Wars of Heaven, by Richard Currey, also returns to the shelves after much effort. In the fall, we're re-releasing Dissonance, by Lisa Lenard-Cook. Originally released over 10 years ago, and now going out of print with the original publisher, Dissonance ended up in my slush pile one day last year and I simply couldn't put it down. Out in April is our third collection of short stories from Alan Cheuse, An Authentic Captain Marvel Ring. This marks the final (maybe) volume of Alan's short stories, which we began collecting in 2006. (Alan's a prolific author, so I'm sure there'll be a fourth collection at some point.)
2014 will also see continuing growth with our online journal, which we've run since 2002. We went all out in recruiting authors last year, and now we're seeing strong organic growth. Free for all, submissions welcome...
Visit: www.sfwp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Fe-Writers-Project/283052815651
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SFWP
March 15, 2014
Uncovered Books - updated app
Uncovered Books is a unique ereader experience revolutionising the way readers discover and select books. I'm a big fan of this app - I downloaded a previous version a few months ago and love the easy-to-use interface and attractive design. Readers get asked a series of questions such as:
Based on these answers, Uncovered Books starts to recommend books to read. Readers can see a preview of the book's content and make decisions about whether to read it based on the written word itself.
Uncovered Books has recently updated their app to include unlimited previews of books, featured books and a better discovery experience for readers. Their catalogue is expanding and features works across many genres including: Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Crime, Drama, Action, Vampires, Romance, Mystery, Science Fiction, Erotica, Fantasy, Chick Lit, Short Stories, and many more.
Check out the app at https://appsto.re/i6Ff3pN
Visit their website at http://www.getuncoveredbooks.com/
Or read more about them in our Small Press Pop Quiz http://outofprintwriting.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/small-press-pop-quiz-uncovered-books.html
March 11, 2014
Laugh Riot Press
The Laugh Riot Press website will serve as a platform to connect writers with an audience of readers looking for books that will make them laugh. By embracing the online, independent, paradigm shift of the publishing industry, Laugh Riot Press aims to combine the efforts, talents, and products of a finite number of writers with similar focus to promote its books using collaborative, digital, and social media marketing practices that will allow the authors more time to do what they love – write.
Unlike other online book marketing companies servicing unlimited authors in multiple genres in time-constrained windows, Laugh Riot Press will spotlight a community of funny authors and their books year-round. Laugh Riot Press writers will be able to sell their funny books from the website, will have their own personal profile page and individual book pages, and will benefit from the collective marketing efforts of the Laugh Riot Press team and its writers. Ultimately, the Laugh Riot Press concept and marketing model is expected to expand into other genres including romance, mystery, thrillers, memoir, science fiction, business, and children.
Laugh Riot Press will also feature a comprehensive blog showcasing writing tips, exclusive offers for readers, guest bloggers, funny book reviews, indie author interviews, and more.
Laugh Riot Press is scheduled to launch in mid-2014.
Visit www.laughriotpress.com
March 9, 2014
How writers should use Google+ - Ericka Clay
Ericka Clay is a novelist and founding editor of Tipsy Lit (http://tipsylit.com). Her novel, Unkept, is due to be released later this year by Bannerwing Books. I've recently started using Google+ and noticed that Ericka has a healthy following on this platform (and I've enjoyed some of her friendly and uplifting video posts) ... so I wanted to find out more about how writers should use Google+ from Ericka ...
Why did you decide to start using Google+ to promote your work?
I started to focus more on Google+ when I started Tipsy Lit. I knew Google+ was one of those emerging, necessary platforms, and even thought it scared the crap out of me, I had to just bite the bullet and get started. I use it to update my circles about Tipsy Lit blog posts, share writing sites I love, re-share posts from people in my writing network, etc. It's gotten to the point where we now have a Tipsy Lit community (http://bit.ly/1h0WOLf) and Tipsy Lit page (http://bit.ly/1h0X1Or)!
What type of posts do you find people engage with best on Google+?
Images always do well, and so do the YouTube videos I post (http://www.youtube.com/user/tipsylit). I think it's true in regards to all social media that people often engage more with visual images than text (even though that breaks my writer's heart!).
What are your best tips for writers on how to use Google+ most effectively?
Research and devise a plan. It sounds silly, but a lot of times people bypass the whole 'let's Google it' thing and feel like Goolge+ is trying to swallow them whole. It isn't! There are tons of helpful articles about the site and once you do adequate research, you can better plan out how the platform can work for you as a writer. Maybe post a quick, daily writing prompt on your profile that your circles can partake in and share. Or maybe look into new writing communities to join on Google+ so you can share your work. Learn about Google Hangouts on Air and perhaps record one once a month and answer questions your fans send you beforehand. Really, the possibilities are endless when it comes to how Google+ can become one of your most vital tools in your author's platform.
How has using Google+ benefited your work as a writer?
It's certainly popularised my blog, Tipsy Lit, which in turn, has gotten my name out there as a published author. I'm now trying to publicise my personal Google+ profile (https://plus.google.com/+ErickaClay), and have found a strong correlation between larger circles and more hits on my author's site.
You can keep up-to-date about her book's progress at http://erickaclay.com and be sure to say 'hey' to her on Twitter http://twitter.com/erickamclay.
Why did you decide to start using Google+ to promote your work?
I started to focus more on Google+ when I started Tipsy Lit. I knew Google+ was one of those emerging, necessary platforms, and even thought it scared the crap out of me, I had to just bite the bullet and get started. I use it to update my circles about Tipsy Lit blog posts, share writing sites I love, re-share posts from people in my writing network, etc. It's gotten to the point where we now have a Tipsy Lit community (http://bit.ly/1h0WOLf) and Tipsy Lit page (http://bit.ly/1h0X1Or)!
What type of posts do you find people engage with best on Google+?
Images always do well, and so do the YouTube videos I post (http://www.youtube.com/user/tipsylit). I think it's true in regards to all social media that people often engage more with visual images than text (even though that breaks my writer's heart!).
What are your best tips for writers on how to use Google+ most effectively?
Research and devise a plan. It sounds silly, but a lot of times people bypass the whole 'let's Google it' thing and feel like Goolge+ is trying to swallow them whole. It isn't! There are tons of helpful articles about the site and once you do adequate research, you can better plan out how the platform can work for you as a writer. Maybe post a quick, daily writing prompt on your profile that your circles can partake in and share. Or maybe look into new writing communities to join on Google+ so you can share your work. Learn about Google Hangouts on Air and perhaps record one once a month and answer questions your fans send you beforehand. Really, the possibilities are endless when it comes to how Google+ can become one of your most vital tools in your author's platform.
How has using Google+ benefited your work as a writer?
It's certainly popularised my blog, Tipsy Lit, which in turn, has gotten my name out there as a published author. I'm now trying to publicise my personal Google+ profile (https://plus.google.com/+ErickaClay), and have found a strong correlation between larger circles and more hits on my author's site.
You can keep up-to-date about her book's progress at http://erickaclay.com and be sure to say 'hey' to her on Twitter http://twitter.com/erickamclay.
March 8, 2014
Animoto - book trailer for Silver
Silver is my YA novel, currently evolving on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/story/11440868-silver
Check out Animoto! They've got some great templates to choose from and it's so easy to use! You can create a 30-second book trailer for free to try it out! http://animoto.com/
The Stoneslide Story Contest - $3000 + publication
The Stoneslide are looking for previously unpublished stories (up to 10,000 words in length) that exemplify the power of narrative to make one think and feel. Ideal stories will use character, plot, description, humor, and concept to open new emotional and cognitive territory for readers. The contest is judged by the editors and there is a $10 entry fee.
PRIZES
1st $3,000 + publication
2nd $500 + possible publication*
3rd $250 + possible publication*
Four stories will also be recognized for:
striking use of wit: $100*beguiling character: $100*description that makes us think we were really there: $100*propulsive plot line and/or scene $100*
*All honorees will be considered for publication in the forthcoming Stoneslide Collection, and/or in The Stoneslide Corrective
DATES
Contest opens Thursday 20 March
Entries due by Saturday 21 June
Notification made on Tuesday 23 September
Find out more: http://stoneslidecorrective.com/?p=4511
PRIZES
1st $3,000 + publication
2nd $500 + possible publication*
3rd $250 + possible publication*
Four stories will also be recognized for:
striking use of wit: $100*beguiling character: $100*description that makes us think we were really there: $100*propulsive plot line and/or scene $100*
*All honorees will be considered for publication in the forthcoming Stoneslide Collection, and/or in The Stoneslide Corrective
DATES
Contest opens Thursday 20 March
Entries due by Saturday 21 June
Notification made on Tuesday 23 September
Find out more: http://stoneslidecorrective.com/?p=4511
March 4, 2014
Cracked Eye - short fiction publisher
After securing further investment from angel investors, The Other Publishing Company are rebranding their short story imprint from Lits Bits to Cracked Eye, focusing on new ways their content can be accessed.
2013 was a great year for Lit Bits - they launched the imprint and quickly established themselves as a force within the wonderful world of short stories. They’ve been featured widely online, run the hugely successful Lit Bits Weekend Challenge and continue to commission stories from bestselling established authors and exciting emerging talent.
Their stories are read by keen readers around the world but in 2014 they’re setting the bar higher. This year they’re on a mission to become the leaders in short-form fiction. They’ve successfully secured more funding from angel investors to push on and create something exceptional. To do this they’re investing in commissioning more short stories, producing audio and visual versions of those short stories, novel serialisations, a new website, and finding inventive ways for people to access their content.
Lit Bits has gone through a stage of metamorphosis, and has been reborn into something bigger, bolder, and more beautiful. From now on they’ll be known as Cracked Eye – nothing will ever look the same again. Cracked Eye is an imprint of The Other Publishing Company, a small press publisher based in the UK. They publish both established and new authors who have a fresh perspective and unique voice.
Visit: http://www.otherpublishingcompany.com/Cracked-Eye.html
March 1, 2014
Book blogger - Clare Diston from 50ayear.com
How did you become a book blogger?
I became a blogger just after I started a new job in 2012. Part of my job was connecting with bloggers, so I spent a lot of time researching and reading other people's blogs, and I thought, 'I could do this, it looks like fun!'. At the time I was also attempting to read 50 books in a year (I'd failed miserably for a few years previously), so I thought I could combine the two - hence my blog's name, 50ayear. It just seemed natural that I would write about books - reading is just about the only thing that I do constantly all year round, without too much effort because I enjoy it so much - so I knew I'd always have something to write about. Plus, any excuse to connect with more book-lovers.
How do you decide which books you would like to review?
To start with, I have a HUGE collection of books that I've bought over the past few years: I probably own about 1000 books now (!), of which I've read about four hundred. As soon as I finish one I go and sit in front of my bookcase for a few minutes, fondling covers and reading blurbs until one jumps out at me. I also find books online - occasionally I see a publisher advertising a new book and, if I really like the look of it, I'll ask for a copy (that's one of the best perks of being a book blogger!). I also connect with writers through Goodreads and if I think a book looks really interesting I'll try to organise a collaboration with them.
There are lots of different factors that will push a book to the top of my pile: sometimes I want to read a book before the movie comes out, sometimes it's a glowing recommendation from a friend, and sometimes I want to work with the writer on a blog post (such as an interview) so their book will take priority. But generally I don't know which book I'm going to read next. I like it to be a spur-of-the-moment decision every time!
What are your best tips for authors trying to pitch their book to reviewers/book bloggers?
I would say, know a bit about the blogger. If you've written an amazing sci-fi epic it's no good pitching it to someone who's doing a year of reading only the classics. Just take a few minutes to look through the blog and see if you think your work would be a good fit there. On my blog, I tend to read a mix of genres - fantasy, sci-fi, classics and modern literary fiction - but I steer clear of murder mysteries and romance. Know the blogger and, when you contact them, let them know that you've looked at their blog - that would be my advice.
What advice would you give to others about the art of writing a review?
My reviewing style has changed a lot since I've been blogging, and I still don't have any structure set in stone, but I usually try to find some interesting 'hook' to start with - often it's the story behind where I got the book, or a particularly weird part of the plot. Try not to be too dry (I often find myself slipping back into university essay-style writing; it has its place but it's not for entertaining people on the internet!), and pick out two or three elements of the book which you found really well done or unexpected. I end my reviews with a really good quote from the book that I think sums up the story. Basically, if you feel bored writing it, chances are your readers will be bored reading it - so simply try to keep it interesting!
Links
Blog: http://www.50ayear.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gildius1
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+ClareDiston/posts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9144881-clare-diston
February 22, 2014
Social media ladder - Wattpad and Goodreads for writers
I feel like I’m a fully fledged member of the Wattpad community now. The other day some girl dedicated a chapter to me … which was actually song lyrics from some group I’d never heard of! But nevertheless, it gave me some warm and fuzzies! The whole thing was random, but I liked it! I’ve now had readers asking me to keep going with my abandoned YA novel Silver - they seem to be engaged with the story and it’s enough incentive for me to get back into it.
I listened to a Creative Penn podcast the other day, interviewing Ashleigh Gardner, head of content at Wattpad, and she said that only 10% of people on Wattpad are writers. With 24 million users – that is a huge pool of potential readers! And while many of them are after genres that I certainly ain’t writing, some of them may just stumble across my work (and I’ve got this lofty idea of inspiring some kids to try something new … after I’d graduated from Virginia Andrews as a teen, I was reading Peter Carey, Raymond Carver and Tolstoy before I’d finished high school). The other thing that Ashleigh Gardner said is that the audience has an audience. I hadn’t thought about it that way before - but if someone votes for your story or makes a comment, then their followers see what they’ve said and attention on your work spreads further.
I just found out on Friday that my 10,000-word story Bequest has been selected as a featured story for Wattpad at the end of April. This could mean thousands of reads for that story, which is really exciting. Especially because I’m getting such a buzz out of just having people read my work. I love that my thoughts can enter someone else’s head, have a dance with their memories and experiences, and come out differently formed. Some readers have commented on my stories chapter by chapter as if we are in the same room together. I’m also able to see how many chapters people are reading, when they are dropping off in the story and which chapters they like enough to actually vote for. Wattpad is giving me stats and insights that are incredibly valuable.
The other great thing about finally having my work out there in the public domain (both my Searching for Von Honningsbergs book on Screwpulp and the stories that I’m posting on Wattpad) – is that it’s the ultimate delusion test. For a long time I’ve had huge doubts in my head, am I just crazy to think that anyone is ever going to want to read my work? Should I be spending more time relaxing on the couch watching My Kitchen Rules instead of time alone writing in the study? Should I spend more time searching for the perfect orange cushions to buy for the outdoor couch rather than building a platform on social media? Should I wash the sheets more often? Should I get another two hours sleep each morning? But I’m finally really testing how readers are reacting to my work, and so far it’s been positive.
I’m the first to admit that I become really enthusiastic about a new social media discovery, but can tire it after a while. But at the moment, I really think that Wattpad is the place to be for writers (… and if you are reading this and decide to give it a go please do connect with me at http://www.wattpad.com/user/outaprintwriter). I feel like there are too many people talking on Twitter and no one listening. Besides writing 140-character witty tweets isn’t really my thing. I need forums where I can showcase what I am good at. Twitter is handy for promoting this blog, but not for what I’m trying to achieve with my writing. And I feel as though Facebook is pretty much a waste of effort. I know with my kids party places blog that I can post something and it might only get viewed on 30 people’s walls, even though I have far more followers than that. Unless you are on Facebook all the time, or you’re prepared to pay for boost posts, then what you post isn’t necessarily going to get read very widely.
So Twitter and Facebook are sliding down my social media ladder, Instagram is in the middle as a bit of fun (and because I like visuals so much), and right at the top right now is Wattpad and Goodreads jostling for first prize position. In the last month or so, I’ve also been trying to build up my presence on Goodreads. This is another great place to find readers - all authors need to do is request author status on their personal profile page. Again, Goodreads has excellent virality. For example, I had one person place Searching for Von Honningsbergs on their ‘to read’ shelf - from that one person two of their friends shelved it, one is currently reading it and the other read it and wrote a fabulous review. I’m able to browse through people’s ‘favourites’ shelves - see if we have common interests, and send them friend requests. They might just like the look of Searching for Von Honningsbergs and shelve it. Or, over time, we might just enjoy reading each other’s reviews and that is just as valuable.
Last night I discovered I’d somehow become #190 of the top reviewers in Australia … which is rather surprising, as I don’t feel like I’ve reviewed much at all … but when I clicked on this link I found the most fabulous resource – a list of the top reviewers in the country. These are the people I want to connect with! People who are reading a handful of books a month … and they’re out there – you just have to find them! But there’s no point me connecting with someone who’s into paranormal romance or action adventures. These people aren’t going to be into my books. I need to find people with a similar taste to me. And Goodreads allows us to see this easily. Check out this link https://www.goodreads.com/user/top_reviewers?country=AU&duration=m – and then find the one for your own country. It will also tell you the top users, top readers, most popular reviewers and most followed. This information was so golden, I almost wanted to keep it to myself. But because you’re reading my blog post … I’ll share it with you!
Links:
My stories on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/outaprintwriter
My Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7795312.Rowena_Wiseman
I listened to a Creative Penn podcast the other day, interviewing Ashleigh Gardner, head of content at Wattpad, and she said that only 10% of people on Wattpad are writers. With 24 million users – that is a huge pool of potential readers! And while many of them are after genres that I certainly ain’t writing, some of them may just stumble across my work (and I’ve got this lofty idea of inspiring some kids to try something new … after I’d graduated from Virginia Andrews as a teen, I was reading Peter Carey, Raymond Carver and Tolstoy before I’d finished high school). The other thing that Ashleigh Gardner said is that the audience has an audience. I hadn’t thought about it that way before - but if someone votes for your story or makes a comment, then their followers see what they’ve said and attention on your work spreads further.
I just found out on Friday that my 10,000-word story Bequest has been selected as a featured story for Wattpad at the end of April. This could mean thousands of reads for that story, which is really exciting. Especially because I’m getting such a buzz out of just having people read my work. I love that my thoughts can enter someone else’s head, have a dance with their memories and experiences, and come out differently formed. Some readers have commented on my stories chapter by chapter as if we are in the same room together. I’m also able to see how many chapters people are reading, when they are dropping off in the story and which chapters they like enough to actually vote for. Wattpad is giving me stats and insights that are incredibly valuable.
The other great thing about finally having my work out there in the public domain (both my Searching for Von Honningsbergs book on Screwpulp and the stories that I’m posting on Wattpad) – is that it’s the ultimate delusion test. For a long time I’ve had huge doubts in my head, am I just crazy to think that anyone is ever going to want to read my work? Should I be spending more time relaxing on the couch watching My Kitchen Rules instead of time alone writing in the study? Should I spend more time searching for the perfect orange cushions to buy for the outdoor couch rather than building a platform on social media? Should I wash the sheets more often? Should I get another two hours sleep each morning? But I’m finally really testing how readers are reacting to my work, and so far it’s been positive.
I’m the first to admit that I become really enthusiastic about a new social media discovery, but can tire it after a while. But at the moment, I really think that Wattpad is the place to be for writers (… and if you are reading this and decide to give it a go please do connect with me at http://www.wattpad.com/user/outaprintwriter). I feel like there are too many people talking on Twitter and no one listening. Besides writing 140-character witty tweets isn’t really my thing. I need forums where I can showcase what I am good at. Twitter is handy for promoting this blog, but not for what I’m trying to achieve with my writing. And I feel as though Facebook is pretty much a waste of effort. I know with my kids party places blog that I can post something and it might only get viewed on 30 people’s walls, even though I have far more followers than that. Unless you are on Facebook all the time, or you’re prepared to pay for boost posts, then what you post isn’t necessarily going to get read very widely.
So Twitter and Facebook are sliding down my social media ladder, Instagram is in the middle as a bit of fun (and because I like visuals so much), and right at the top right now is Wattpad and Goodreads jostling for first prize position. In the last month or so, I’ve also been trying to build up my presence on Goodreads. This is another great place to find readers - all authors need to do is request author status on their personal profile page. Again, Goodreads has excellent virality. For example, I had one person place Searching for Von Honningsbergs on their ‘to read’ shelf - from that one person two of their friends shelved it, one is currently reading it and the other read it and wrote a fabulous review. I’m able to browse through people’s ‘favourites’ shelves - see if we have common interests, and send them friend requests. They might just like the look of Searching for Von Honningsbergs and shelve it. Or, over time, we might just enjoy reading each other’s reviews and that is just as valuable.
Last night I discovered I’d somehow become #190 of the top reviewers in Australia … which is rather surprising, as I don’t feel like I’ve reviewed much at all … but when I clicked on this link I found the most fabulous resource – a list of the top reviewers in the country. These are the people I want to connect with! People who are reading a handful of books a month … and they’re out there – you just have to find them! But there’s no point me connecting with someone who’s into paranormal romance or action adventures. These people aren’t going to be into my books. I need to find people with a similar taste to me. And Goodreads allows us to see this easily. Check out this link https://www.goodreads.com/user/top_reviewers?country=AU&duration=m – and then find the one for your own country. It will also tell you the top users, top readers, most popular reviewers and most followed. This information was so golden, I almost wanted to keep it to myself. But because you’re reading my blog post … I’ll share it with you!
Links:
My stories on Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/outaprintwriter
My Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7795312.Rowena_Wiseman
February 21, 2014
Flash fiction - Push
The mother waited outside the classroom with sand in her shoes. She grabbed the boy by the hand as he walked past. ‘If you push Ethan again, I’ll hit you. Do you hear?’ The boy kept on walking. The next day he pushed Ethan again. Ethan didn’t tell his mum because his dad was moving out and she was in tears. The neighbours said they would help however they could, but neighbours always say those things. Then they forget. And his mum has to lift the wall-mounted clothes dryer off the wall all on her own.
