J.L. Langland's Blog, page 3
February 1, 2017
Audio Books V.I, V.II
Hi,
I have signed a contract with Tantor Media to produce and distribute volumes I and II of Demons of Astlan.
If sales go well, they will agree to continue publishing subsequent volumes.
Tantor is an imprint of Recorded Books, the largest independent publisher of audiobooks.
They have a very large stable of authors and narrators and produce 100 titles per month.
Demons of Astlan I, II will be available on Audible/Amazon, iTunes and most other downloadable audiobook stores and sites (broader reach than just Audible/iTunes)
I will keep you posted on new details and dates as they become available.
T-A-G
I have signed a contract with Tantor Media to produce and distribute volumes I and II of Demons of Astlan.
If sales go well, they will agree to continue publishing subsequent volumes.
Tantor is an imprint of Recorded Books, the largest independent publisher of audiobooks.
They have a very large stable of authors and narrators and produce 100 titles per month.
Demons of Astlan I, II will be available on Audible/Amazon, iTunes and most other downloadable audiobook stores and sites (broader reach than just Audible/iTunes)
I will keep you posted on new details and dates as they become available.
T-A-G
January 6, 2017
Almost Latest
OK,
Talking to someone who get an email yesterday right about the time I was publishing the latest version. It sounds like they pushed out the "Almost latest" version which still had ToC issues.
Nargh.
Argh.
Gabarg.
Talking to someone who get an email yesterday right about the time I was publishing the latest version. It sounds like they pushed out the "Almost latest" version which still had ToC issues.
Nargh.
Argh.
Gabarg.
AoD Status 2--KCR fixed
Hi,
Got another confirmation that Amazon is emailing people about the update.
Still not 100% sure they gave out the latest/greatest but one good sign is that I went to the Kindle Cloud Reader and it worked for me!..
So, KCR is fixed. At least for me, and hopefully for everyone.
T-A-G
Got another confirmation that Amazon is emailing people about the update.
Still not 100% sure they gave out the latest/greatest but one good sign is that I went to the Kindle Cloud Reader and it worked for me!..
So, KCR is fixed. At least for me, and hopefully for everyone.
T-A-G
AoD Status
Late yesterday I uploaded a newest copy that I think should fix everything. I have to get Amazon to push the changes to me.
However, fonts are good, Table of Contents are Good, and I'm hoping the stuff with KCR should be fixed, but I still have not heard back from Amazon.
I received word from one reader that they were emailed that a version update was available for them. Not sure which version they were pushed. Hopefully it was late yesterday.
That should mean that they are in the process of upgrading people to the newest.
If you know you are still bad, be sure to contact Amazon and ask for this latest update.
T-A-G
However, fonts are good, Table of Contents are Good, and I'm hoping the stuff with KCR should be fixed, but I still have not heard back from Amazon.
I received word from one reader that they were emailed that a version update was available for them. Not sure which version they were pushed. Hopefully it was late yesterday.
That should mean that they are in the process of upgrading people to the newest.
If you know you are still bad, be sure to contact Amazon and ask for this latest update.
T-A-G
January 5, 2017
Talking to Tizzy
So no real status from Amazon.
I do think I may have found a way to wrap up most of the issues (I hope) that remain unresolved. I will be testing it later today and hope that it produces a final good version that Amazon will push out to everyone who wants it this weekend.
I also want to clear up lines of communication so that people can get things fixed/understood.
You can talk to me at my Author Forums
At the forums on Astlan.World
and on Facebook
And of course at GoodReads, where this blog originates from!
Now being an author in an ivory tower, I don't do email; however, Tizzy does!
If you want to talk to Tizzy you can email him at: Tizzy AT astlan DOT net
I spell it out so that spammers don't scan it on the website.
T-A-G
I do think I may have found a way to wrap up most of the issues (I hope) that remain unresolved. I will be testing it later today and hope that it produces a final good version that Amazon will push out to everyone who wants it this weekend.
I also want to clear up lines of communication so that people can get things fixed/understood.
You can talk to me at my Author Forums
At the forums on Astlan.World
and on Facebook
And of course at GoodReads, where this blog originates from!
Now being an author in an ivory tower, I don't do email; however, Tizzy does!
If you want to talk to Tizzy you can email him at: Tizzy AT astlan DOT net
I spell it out so that spammers don't scan it on the website.
T-A-G
January 4, 2017
Feedback
For every author Feedback is critical.
I love stars, particularly the 4's and 5's.
But real feedback in the form of reviews, particularly if there were things you did not like is absolutely critical.
In particular for 1,2,3's give me some feedback in a review. And no, "it stinks" isn't helpful.
Tell me why "it stinks" what do you think I could do better, what would have made the book better in your mind?
That's what most authors want. Yes, as humans, egomaniacs that we all are, we love accolades, but we cannot improve ourselves without constructive criticism.
What every author, paid or free, craves is feedback. Reviews, criticisms. Have an opinion!
I read every single review and take them to heart. I am pretty sure every author does.
I don't know how many times a reviewer (not on goodreads--but Amazon) will say "I know the author will never read this but..." Now, I can't talk to the big guys like GRRM...
BUT I guarantee you every single Indie Author out there reads every single review.
Your voice matters! Speak up! Let us know what you like and don't like.
I love stars, particularly the 4's and 5's.
But real feedback in the form of reviews, particularly if there were things you did not like is absolutely critical.
In particular for 1,2,3's give me some feedback in a review. And no, "it stinks" isn't helpful.
Tell me why "it stinks" what do you think I could do better, what would have made the book better in your mind?
That's what most authors want. Yes, as humans, egomaniacs that we all are, we love accolades, but we cannot improve ourselves without constructive criticism.
What every author, paid or free, craves is feedback. Reviews, criticisms. Have an opinion!
I read every single review and take them to heart. I am pretty sure every author does.
I don't know how many times a reviewer (not on goodreads--but Amazon) will say "I know the author will never read this but..." Now, I can't talk to the big guys like GRRM...
BUT I guarantee you every single Indie Author out there reads every single review.
Your voice matters! Speak up! Let us know what you like and don't like.
Kindle Issue Status
Amazon finally replied to my 3 or 4 submissions/requests for help at 4:45 this morning.
3 days after I first started reporting the problem and requesting them to fix it for people.
As far as getting everyone the update, they are reviewing it and will decide by Jan 7 whether or not to send it to everyone.
Sheesh.
As for the KCR? He/she said: "I looked at your account settings" and then displays a list of supported devices from my settings, and says: "The KCR is not on the list, so of course it doesn't work."
And I'm like, and reply, "So where are these settings? How do I change them? All my other books work on KCR, why doesn't this one?"
Don't just state the obvious. I'm asking them to fix it or tell me how to, there is NO, Zero, ZILCH documentation on how to do this and so much other stuff on KDP.
I also asked about the ToC issues, which they ignored in their response.
So, that was this morning, I am awaiting a reply. Who knows when they will get back to me.
So, again, I am very sorry for anyone having issues, but this is all in Amazon's hands.
Again, if you have the light fonts, you can ask Amazon to send you the newer versions that fix this problem. There are a couple steps, read my other blog posts to see how to do it.
T-A-G
3 days after I first started reporting the problem and requesting them to fix it for people.
As far as getting everyone the update, they are reviewing it and will decide by Jan 7 whether or not to send it to everyone.
Sheesh.
As for the KCR? He/she said: "I looked at your account settings" and then displays a list of supported devices from my settings, and says: "The KCR is not on the list, so of course it doesn't work."
And I'm like, and reply, "So where are these settings? How do I change them? All my other books work on KCR, why doesn't this one?"
Don't just state the obvious. I'm asking them to fix it or tell me how to, there is NO, Zero, ZILCH documentation on how to do this and so much other stuff on KDP.
I also asked about the ToC issues, which they ignored in their response.
So, that was this morning, I am awaiting a reply. Who knows when they will get back to me.
So, again, I am very sorry for anyone having issues, but this is all in Amazon's hands.
Again, if you have the light fonts, you can ask Amazon to send you the newer versions that fix this problem. There are a couple steps, read my other blog posts to see how to do it.
T-A-G
January 2, 2017
Never release on a Holiday
OK,
I have now learned two valuable lessions
#2 Never release on a holiday
#1 Never EVER release on a weekend holiday with a weekday OBSERVED holiday, because that is like double the holiday.
As I feared/suspected, Kindle Quality Control sat the NY holiday out.
It's been 36+ hours since my first email to them and now over 24 hours since my last one.
When it's quality control/delivered product they are normally very fast. Even with lesser things, they've always had a first response within 24 hours.
Here I am with a couple issues and people with reading/viewing problems and the Kindle author support staff is away.
I am very sorry to those who've been inconvenienced or had issues.
The gray fonts issue on a Paper White can be fixed by going to their Kindle customer support page and doing "contact us" particularly using chat and telling them to release the newest version of The Apostles of Doom.
Are there still some ToC issues and the Kindle Cloud Reader issue? Yes. I have to wait on Amazon to get back to me.
Sorry
I have now learned two valuable lessions
#2 Never release on a holiday
#1 Never EVER release on a weekend holiday with a weekday OBSERVED holiday, because that is like double the holiday.
As I feared/suspected, Kindle Quality Control sat the NY holiday out.
It's been 36+ hours since my first email to them and now over 24 hours since my last one.
When it's quality control/delivered product they are normally very fast. Even with lesser things, they've always had a first response within 24 hours.
Here I am with a couple issues and people with reading/viewing problems and the Kindle author support staff is away.
I am very sorry to those who've been inconvenienced or had issues.
The gray fonts issue on a Paper White can be fixed by going to their Kindle customer support page and doing "contact us" particularly using chat and telling them to release the newest version of The Apostles of Doom.
Are there still some ToC issues and the Kindle Cloud Reader issue? Yes. I have to wait on Amazon to get back to me.
Sorry
Getting Updates
I have multiple requests into Amazon to push out updates to everyone, and to help me get various issues like the Kindle Cloud Reader fixed.
However, authors don't have any mechanism to contact them directly. We email and then wait for up to 24 hours.
As it stands, until I get them to push out to earlier purchasers, only new readers get the newer versions.
People who do not see the Updates Available button need to do "contact us" Give them the ASIN of the book B01N6DL30K
Tell them the author has published versions that fix readability, they will push it to you and your button should work.
Again sorry for the inconvenience.
However, authors don't have any mechanism to contact them directly. We email and then wait for up to 24 hours.
As it stands, until I get them to push out to earlier purchasers, only new readers get the newer versions.
People who do not see the Updates Available button need to do "contact us" Give them the ASIN of the book B01N6DL30K
Tell them the author has published versions that fix readability, they will push it to you and your button should work.
Again sorry for the inconvenience.
January 1, 2017
Kindle Cloud Reader
In addition to light font issues on the Kindle PW, the Kindle Cloud Reader is objecting to being used. It says it's me, but I am not stopping it.
I've done nothing different for this book, but Amazon is causing all sorts of problems and is on vacation for NY, so won't get back to me.
I have uploaded new versions that fix many issues.
Get Newest Kindle Version
is a post explaining how to get the latest versions as I try and correct them without Amazon's help.
T-A-G
I've done nothing different for this book, but Amazon is causing all sorts of problems and is on vacation for NY, so won't get back to me.
I have uploaded new versions that fix many issues.
Get Newest Kindle Version
is a post explaining how to get the latest versions as I try and correct them without Amazon's help.
T-A-G
