T.R. Robinson's Blog, page 14

The Man on the Corner by Suzy Stewart Dubot

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The first, primary, tale that bears the title of this book, is an observance of how everyday encounters may be overlooked or even ignored until someone builds courage to initiate a change. It is a delightful, easy read, short story about two people who decide to take a chance.

The writing in this tale is excellent. The characters and primary setting are well defined as are the emotions and thoughts pervading each of the participants

This story is fully meritorious of a five star (5*) rating.

The second story ‘Coming to Terms’ is a bonus, almost ditty length, tale of how something misunderstood as a child may have a long term fearful impact upon a person’s life until it is eventually identified for what it is.

Bearing in mind these are very short stories, it would be unfair to prospective readers to say more about either.

These make suitable and enjoyable reading for those occasions when a full length novel may not be suitable e.g. waiting for an appointment; a break from routine with a cup or glass of something pleasant; a brief commute; etc.

The book is available in digital (e-book) formats.

Amazon.com                         Amazon.co.uk

Smashwords  (In formats to suit all devices and software.)

Antitrust Investigations and Authors

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The term ‘antitrust’ is primarily used within the United States of America but has worldwide implications.

 

 

‘In the United States, antitrust laws are intended to stop large firms taking over their competitors, fixing prices with their competitors, or interfering with free competition in any way.’ (Collins Dictionary)

‘Preventing or controlling trusts or other monopolies and so promoting fair competition and business.’ (Unknown)

Currently, in Washington, Brussels and elsewhere, regulators and lawmakers are investigating whether Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google have used their size and wealth to defeat competition and increase their market power. Though the business model and perceived antitrust issues are different for each company the overall concern is whether there is too much power within the hands of too few companies.

A brief overview of the issues for each company follows together with thoughts upon how these and/or potential resolutions may impact authors, especially independent (indie) ones.

Amazon

A primary consideration is whether the company is giving preference to its own brands over those of third party sellers. Apparently, as at the time of writing, it has one hundred and forty private labels. There is an accusation of it using sales statistics to target purchasers. An accusation it denies stating it only collects overall, not individual, sales information. It should be noted approximately fifty-eight percent of sales are for third party products, which it permits to be sold through its sites.

Another concern relates to its advertising business which was worth ten billion dollars last year. Though not directly stated there is an underlying intimation it is arm-twisting users to utilise its advertising facilities.

A solution some regulators have previously considered, and may still be looking at, is to break up the company including spinning off and rolling back some of its business and acquisitions.

Such a break up could have implications for authors because the book side of things, which is primarily where the company started, is in effect a separate company. Createspace, which many indie authors utilised for print editions of their books was closed down recently. Though never stated there is a likelihood this was due to them finding it unprofitable. Existing accounts and products were amalgamated into the Kindle environment. Now, with the volume of self-published, non-selling, books the company may consider draconian action should it be required to break up its business. Of course, at present this is all an unknown nevertheless, it is wise to be prepared just in case. Thankfully there are alternatives which it may be sensible for authors to start investigating.

Apple

The principle criticism relates to the company’s control of its App Store because of its strict management over which companies and products may appear in the store. (An app is a software application that may be downloaded onto a user’s electronic device.) An obvious response, and one Apple has made, is such control is necessary to ensure and maintain quality and to prevent fraud. An argument most will surely understand. However, the company has apparently set its future upon getting users to utilise and purchase its own apps rather than a rivals. Regulators are viewing this as detrimental to free, unbiased, trade.

Authors utilise various apps to create publicity and marketing material for their books. Consequently, any change that undermines quality or allows less scrupulous people to promote products as if they equate to Apple’s own quality ones, may result in users becoming vulnerable to poor quality or even fraudulent products. (Some cyber criminals use such downloadable software to install viruses etc.) There are also authors who utilise Apple’s book creation software. Again, allowing non-verified app options could lead to serious problems and/or poor quality end products.

Facebook

Anyone who keeps an eye on technical news will be aware the company has faced many ‘challenges’ over recent times. One , relating to unacceptable privacy practices, resulted in fines amounting to five billion dollars. At this level no one seems to speak of millions anymore.

A current, though it has actually been longterm, concern relates to the company’s ongoing acquisition of other social media sites: more than seventy over the last fifteen years. The most recent have been Instagram and WhatsApp. This practice is viewed by regulators as an inappropriate means by which the company retains and increases its dominance within social networking.

As yet, there is no clear indication of what, if any, action regulators may consider appropriate. Nevertheless, many, if not the majority, of authors utilise Facebook to interact with their fans and readers as well as to publicise and market their books and consequently need to keep an eye on the issue. Already, to comply with both user and regulatory wishes, many changes have been made which, though intended to improve user experience have occasionally been detrimental, or at least limiting, to author usage.

Google

In the past, now the distant past in most minds, in response to a search inquiry the site would direct the searcher to a few websites it considered may be able to answer the question posed. Now the company seeks to answer the majority of inquires itself and crowds search results with its own products and services. It has got so good that some surveys suggest over fifty percent of searchers find answers within the company’s own environment, without having to ever go elsewhere.

All, even competitors, acknowledge the speed with which the system provides responses however, many argue the company is abusing its dominance (Google deals with ninety percent of the world’s searches). The primary areas of concern are digital advertising and android reliant technology.

Apparently, the company gains most of its income from digital adverts and is the largest seller of digital advertising services. There is an argument that the company is forcing advertisers to use their advertising facilities if they wish to also utilise other Google owned services. Naturally, regulators see this as an area for concern.

It is also reckoned three out of every four smartphones rely upon Google’s android software and, as a result, the company requires its search engine to be placed front and centre. It is also understood the company requires many of its other apps be preinstalled. Again it may be seen why regulators are looking at the issue.

Again, there is no indication yet of how regulators will seek to deal with the matter, assuming they will. Whatever is finally decided authors, along with everyone else, will find themselves impacted in one way or another. Advertising is a primary issue for indie authors therefore, for those who have the resources to invest in Google advertising, the potential for the service to be reduced or even broken up may present some issues. In addition, for those who use publishing services that also connect with Google Play and/or Google Play Books the potential for not having all its apps widely available could limit a book’s visibility.

Conclusion

The above is not intended to be scaremongering. It has simply been shared to keep authors aware of potential changes and consequent issues.

These investigations usually take a long time to be processed and therefore changes may not occur for a while. However, there are occasions when matters reach a resolution quicker than expected. Authors should keep an open eye.

If considered relevant to the authoring world, and if it is noticed, further, appropriate, information will be published here.

Writing Opportunity – Missouri Review Competition Deadline Approaching

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This is a reminder that the deadline for entry to the Missouri Review Jefferey E. Smith Editors’ Prize is:

 

Tuesday 1 October 2019

 

 

Complete submission details and conditions and how to enter may be found in the previous notification:

Writing Opportunity – Missouri Review – 1 October 2019

All those who choose to enter are wished success.

Caveat: Writing contest information is provided ‘As Is’. No endorsement or guarantee of validity is implied.

Disclaimer: Neither T. R. Robinson Publications nor T. R. Robinson have any affiliation to the company or organisation referred to. Nor do either receive any remuneration for publishing the information or for referring to the company or organisation. These notifications are simply designed to offer assistance to authors.

Has Book Marketing become a Lottery?

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Back in 2011-2012, when self-publishing was in its infancy, there was considerable interest in the new medium. Consequently, it was not difficult for new authors to gain attention for themselves and their books. Of course, the fact of it being a new product also meant there were fewer self-published books. Readers therefore had little difficulty in discovering new books at reasonable prices. Without oversimplifying the issue, it is fair to say posting details of new releases in social media such as Facebook, Twitter, etc., did obtain far more immediate, and interested, attention. However, circumstances have changed drastically since then. Not only are there considerably more self-published books but the way social media operate has altered. Many will say detrimentally but this is not the place to get into such a discussion. In addition some author habits have changed. The overall result is:

The market has become inundated.
It is far more difficult for readers to find their next read.
Genres have become oversubscribed.
The quality of self-published books continues to be questioned. (Understandably with the freedom for anyone to publish without limitation or control.)
Increasing number of authors simply adding ‘buy my book’ posts.
Many social media groups, etc., primarily consist of lists of books without little, if any, discussion.

It may be controversial to say but it is very apparent many authors have become rather selfish. Not all of course, but more than is healthy. During the early days many willingly, and freely, helped each other understand and navigate the new forum and were disposed to enter into discussions about individual topics. These days it is hard to get a conversation going even though the topics raised should be of interest to most. There are still one or two groups where this happens but they are definitely now in the minority. This is not intended to be a critique of todays social media behaviour and modern attitudes but the points raised do impinge upon book publicity.

Back to the original question: Has Book Marketing become a Lottery?

What are the odds of winning the lottery?

Caveat: The following statistics relate to the United Kingdom and European lotteries and were gained from internet searches. Consequently, accuracy cannot be guaranteed by the writer of this article.

United Kingdom Lotto: 1 in 45,057,474

European Lottery: 1 in 139,838,160

Are the odds any better for self-published authors? Hard to tell but they are probably worse for some. The genre an author writes in does have an impact with some reporting Romance and, regrettably, Erotica appearing to sell better than more traditional genre. Naturally, as with anything, there have been occasional exceptions with some hitting the best-seller lists but even these have not always resulted in endless sells.

Before authors reading this start feeling sorry for themselves, it has to be acknowledged even established authors are finding it more difficult to sell books (the market is flooded). Some well-known authors, noting the changes and the detrimental controls imposed by new style traditional publisher contracts have opted for hybrid publishing i.e. continuing with some traditional publishing but also self-publishing. Naturally, for them, due to their established name, marketing is a little easier and more productive however, even some of them have commented about it not being as it used to be.

Many, if not the majority, independent (indie) authors have limited resources and for them social media (hopefully combined with a website and/or blog) are the only marketing option. Of course, there are those who have the resources for full blown publicity and advertising campaigns but even with them there is no guarantee of success. In truth, many have recently commented how the constantly changing policies, algorithms and pricing formats for social media advertising are diminishing the impact of their campaigns.

It seems all is negative for the indie author but should they lose heart? Admitted it may sometimes be hard to keep going but there is always hope, an attribute most could not live without. Just like the pot-chance involved with the lottery so, to some extent, it is with book marketing. With the lottery it is simply a matter of selecting the right numbers. With book marketing it is hoping the correct audience has been targeted and the right readers see the post, etc. Authors should not abandon their publicity and marketing efforts because of negativity. If someone does not participate in the lottery they stand no chance of winning. The same principle applies to authors, if they do not tell people about their book how will they know it even exists let alone whether they will be interested in purchasing a copy.

Conclusion

Authors should NOT lose heart. If others can succeed SO CAN THEY! At least, with all the free self-publishing sites and systems available, they are not incurring any financial commitments for publishing their books. There will always be someone interested in a book, it is just a matter of getting it in front of them. Is this being over optimistic or living in cuckoo land? Not really. It may take time and it may not happen in the author’s lifetime but there is a likelihood of some reader discovering it at some time. For example: a grandmother’s book gained no interest or attention during her or her children’s lives but then, for no apparent reason, it suddenly became popular during her grandson’s life. Not perhaps what an author is hoping for but at least they are contributing to posterity’s rich library from which future generations may benefit.

Yes, it can be like the lottery for authors, nevertheless, they should not give up. There are readers somewhere for every book and it is simply a matter if finding where they are and getting the information in front of them.

Author Spotlight – Pamela King

[image error]Caveat: The following has been gleaned from information in the public domain without the prior knowledge of the author. Consequently, the writer bears no responsibility with regard to accuracy. All information has been interpreted or reproduced ‘as found’.

Pamela King (sometimes also known as Pam and Pamela Ferrari (her married surname)) is principally, to date, a biographical author. In addition to authoring Pamela is also an avid reader, across multiple genre, who regularly publishes reviews of the books on her review blog. She also enjoys blogging upon a variety of topics. Details of her books, website and blogs are provided at the end of this discourse.

Her working career commenced in the tourism industry where she obtained a Diploma of Tourism (Operations Management). Subsequently, Pamela became ‘a tourism and events consultant and taught tourism and customer service in vocational colleges’. She continued with the industry for many years and has re-visited it since official retirement. It is evident, from various social media posts and conversations, etc. she enjoys the work and maintains an interest even if not having the time to be actively engaged.

Since commencing her author career Pamela has been appointed ‘president of the Woolondilly Branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc and a committee member of the state body’. Authoring has become a major part of her retirement though the advent of a granddaughter has cut into her time availability. By her own admission she has become a ‘besotted grandmother’.

During her life Pamela became good friends with Berenice Walters, a lady who dedicated thirty years to advocating the dingo as Australia’s native dog in the face of considerable opposition and misunderstanding. Sadly Berenice has departed this life. Pamela ‘spent many years as a volunteer dingo handler, sponsor, promotions officer and board member with the Australian native Dog Conservation Society (Merigal Dingo Sanctuary)’.

Pamela has become ‘passionate about dingoes’ and is tasked with writing Berenice Walters’ biography. Indeed, as is obvious from her regular posts and sharing this project along with the dingo cause have, beside her granddaughter, become the main focuses of her life.

With the current focus on dingoes and the writing of Berenice’s biography, it is easy for people to forget Pamela’s first book ‘Angel with Drumsticks’. It should not be forgotten. This is an interesting and informative memoir of Angelo Ferrari’s (Pamela’s husband) experience with the Vatican.

Further information about Pamela herself as well as her books may be found at the following:

Website   Note: All of the authors varied blogs may be accessed from the website.

Book Review Blog

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Disclaimer: Other than being a reader of her books and ‘friends’ through social media, Neither T. R. Robinson Publications nor T. R. Robinson have any commercial or financial affiliation with Pamela King (or with any other identity she may use) or to any subsidiaries she may have any connection with. Nor do either receive any remuneration for mentioning or sharing information relative to the author.

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Pamela King has previously participated in an author interview which may be enjoyed here.

 

The following books by Pamela have been reviewed in this website blog. Click on the appropriate cover image to read review.

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Brexit And Authors

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Understandably, the title of this article will initially and principally attract authors based within the United Kingdom (UK), nevertheless, it may help those based in other territories to also take note.

 

Obviously Brexit impacts upon all aspects of UK life and business including the book industry. Even if the decision to bow out as a member of the European Union was reversed matters will never be the same again. Besides a loss of trust there are likely to be long term financial implications. Already the sterling pound has been suffering against other currencies.

There are three primary areas affecting authors: Royalties; Services; Pricing.

Royalties

Though bricks and mortar book shops, those that remain, continue to be visited by avid readers and those seeking something in niche markets, it must be accepted the majority of book sells are made over the internet. This is even more so for independent (indie) authors who are rarely able to get book shops to stock their publications. Many, a majority really, of these sells are made in countries other than the UK consequently, any royalty payable is initially assessed in that nation’s currency. Thereafter, to enable payment into a British bank account, the assessed royalty is converted into its sterling equivalent. There is no doubt Brexit will impinge upon the value of the British pound and, due to all the uncertainty surrounding the topic, already has. As a result authors will receive less in real financial terms. There is one way an author may counterbalance this though they may consider the option undesirable. It will be discussed in a moment.

Services

The majority of indie authors utilise overseas companies for formatting and publishing their books e.g. Amazon’s Kindle Create; Smashwords; iBooks; Draft2Digital; IngramSpark; etc. Admittedly most of these services are available free of charge however, some do require a minimal payment. There is also the fact of any additional services requested having to be paid for. And it would be wrong to forget the vanity presses some choose to use, most of which are established in countries other than the UK. The falling pound consequently impacts upon real term author costs. The same applies to any other services obtained from non-British territories.

In addition, nearly all social media platforms, which authors utilise for publicity and marketing, are based within the United States of America (USA). Fees for advertising, promotional packages, increased visibility, etc. are sometimes assessed in US dollars though some sites, where the user is utilising the UK based alternative, do provide for fees to be paid in sterling. Where the fee has to be converted from another currency the weakened pound will affect the real cost to the author.

Pricing

There are two aspects to this: Buying and Selling.

Buying

Not all books are available from .co.uk sites. Consequently, when a UK based reader purchases such a book the weakened pound will result in them having to pay more than if they had been able to obtain it from a UK retailer. This is an incentive to all authors to ensure their book is purchasable from all international sites available to them.

Selling

A way for authors to counterbalance the impact of a devalued pound was referred to above. This is where that may be achieved, if desired. Book Pricing.

Authors will undoubtedly be tempted to minimise their potential loss of income by increasing the price of their books. However, is this a worthwhile option? In reality, bearing in mind an author’s income is based upon royalty payments, it is only a matter of pence that are realistically under consideration. Also, importantly, the impact this may have on a purchaser’s perspective needs weighing. The truth is, whether due to value for money deliberation, stinginess or downright meanness, an increased price is likely to put some readers off. Consequently, the counterbalance aimed for will be negated and may even result in the author’s income being further decreased. Of course, if an author already has an established reader base it may be they will not object to paying a little more.

Conclusion

It is accepted most will already be aware of the above but it does no harm to remind especially because the impact, whatever the outcome of political discussions, will be ongoing.

The sterling pound’s value will undoubtedly continue to be effected by Brexit but for how long is an unknown. Annalists may attempt to guess but no one really knows. There will be an extended period of adjustment no matter whether there is a deal or not.

Best suggestion is for authors to hang back and let the dust settle upon whichever scenario is implemented. Even then it will probably be sensible to wait a few months. There is no doubt if there is a no-deal exit the UK will face many challenges. Nevertheless, it has previously proven a robust and industrious nation and there is no need to think it will not again and that its economy will become as strong as ever.

This article has intentionally been restricted to the potential impact upon the individual author. The publishing industry as a whole is another matter. It faces multiple complex issues that will need to be addressed by experienced professionals.

Disclaimer: Other than utilising some of the services offered, neither T. R. Robinson Publications nor T. R. Robinson have any affiliation to any of the companies or organisations referred to. Nor do either receive any remuneration for mentioning them.

Survey – Preferred Reading Method(s)

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How Do You Prefer to Read?

In these innovative days when there are multiple technological devises available it has been inevitable many reader’s habits will change. Though the everlasting popularity of physical books does not appear to have diminished excessively, there is no denying the advent of smartphones, tablets and e-readers have had an impact. To what extent is however not entirely clear though some professional organisations have attempted to find a consensus.

Naturally, the format a reader prefers has relevance for authors. This survey has therefor been designed for both readers and authors (who should also be readers). The information provided will help authors ensure they prepare books in formats that meet reader preferences and benefit readers by enabling authors to produce editions in the format they prefer.

The primary part of the survey should take no more than twenty (20) seconds.

Click anywhere in this line to access the survey.

Your participation will be appreciated by your fellow readers, and by the authors who write for you.

The results will be published once there have been sufficient responses to make the information viable.

Why Authors Should Consider Short Stories

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Of course, it may be authors reading this will already have thought about writing short stories, nevertheless, there remain many who do not or have never considered the idea. This article will consider some of the benefits of the short story form.

To prevent this becoming too unwieldy we will launch straight in. The following is not intended to be an exhaustive exposition on the subject but has simply been designed to provide authors with a few ideas for their consideration. The order in which the topics appear implies no preference or importance of one over the other: this is merely a rummage through possible benefits.

Catalogue

Advice from both professional and lay personnel often suggests authors should have as large a catalogue of books as possible. They consider the variety and presence of so many will help gain the attention of readers. If they see the author’s name crop up time and again they will probably be more inclined to take a chance on a book by them.

Price Range

Undoubtedly authors themselves will feel hesitant about spending say £/$ 6.99 on a book by an unknown author whereas £/$ 0.99 is, for most, neither here nor there. How much more is this true for a reader. Short stories, by nature, are exactly that, ‘short’ and therefore attract a lower price tag. Many readers will consequently be prepared to take the risk if the blurb/description engages them.

Scanning

It is an acknowledged fact, since the advent of the internet and portable devices, many people now simply scan through material. It is also accepted, probably for the same reasons, attention spans are much shorter than they used to be. Most short stories may be read in one sitting and, if desired, nay be scanned more easily.

Mobile Devices

Over recent years surveys have made clear an increasing number of people prefer to use a smartphone; tablet; or e-reader for reading. In truth, as may be witnessed on a daily basis, many appear to be permanently attached to the device, conducting all their activities through them. Whatever a person’s opinion of this, it is a fact and one authors should take into account. Short stories are particularly suited to these means of reading. Of course, there are also those who will read full length books on these devices.

Discoverability

Authors are constantly seeking ways to get their name into the public eye. As mentioned under Price Range above, readers may not be willing to pay out for a full length book. Beside the price a short story also has the advantage of introducing a reader to the author’s style and content. And, naturally, as already stated an expanding catalogue will help.

Casual Reading

While stuck in unattractive waiting rooms or undertaking a short commute, people enjoy a distraction or something to occupy their mind. Unless already into it they, more than likely, will not feel up to a full length read. On the other hand a short story will meet their need. Where an author has a selection of short stories available they should ensure they promote them by one means or another, without spamming, so they are constantly to the forefront of readers’ minds: they are more likely to consider them when they find themselves in need of a short read.

Backstories

Every tale, whatever its length, will have some sort of backstory(s) within it. Some may be drawn out in the book while others remain in the background. These form a great basis for subsequent short stories as also do character developments. The author’s existing fans will undoubtedly be intrigued and interested to read more of what they have already enjoyed but these also have the potential to introduce the author to new readers. Naturally, the author needs to ensure the short story is readable as a standalone without the requirement for a reader to have read the book from which it is taken first.

Serialisation

Whether by the medium of television, video, online, magazine or book, serialisation has become very popular at least that is what those who conduct audience surveys are suggesting. Many authors acknowledge this fact and consistently write in serialisation format (full length books included). Short stories certainly lend themselves to this format.

New Concept

Short Stories are also an excellent means for authors to try out new concepts, ideas and characters and to receive a consensus from readers. Naturally, existing followers and readers will be interested but it would also be good to hear from those who have not encountered the author previously.

Conclusion

Naturally, the above is not conclusive. There are other advantages an author may consider. For example: magazine editors frequently seek new material for their publication, including short stories. If chosen and published, the author will gain considerably increased exposure. There are also various writing competitions for short works. No doubt those reading this will be able to suggest other ideas and examples.

Short stories, in the modern digital world, are definitely a format authors should consider. The potential for attracting/obtaining new readers is wide open.

One word of warning: Short stories are not an easy cop-out. By very virtue of their shortness, they are difficult to write. In a full length book the author has unlimited space to build the story, world, scenarios and to develop the characters. In a short story this has to be done concisely while maintaining crispness and relevance.

How To Rate a Book

[image error]Naturally, anyone who delights in the written word; a good tale; or instructive dissertation will read many books throughout a year and perhaps more while on holiday. Whether the book has proven a pleasure or not, it is hoped (at least by authors and perhaps also other potential readers) the reader will leave a review.

It is accepted some, for a variety of reasons, find the idea of writing and publishing a review daunting. The reasons may frequently be personal. Differing aspects of this subject have been considered previously consequently, rather than repeating all the information here, the decision has been made to simply include links to each article.

This resume has been published now in hope of it acting as a timely reminder considering many will, perhaps, be reading more than usual over the holiday months.

Assessing Book Review Ratings – Considers the standard stars rating system; what they mean; and how to interpret them.

Reviews – What Wanted? – Outlining what people are looking for in a review.

Writing Reviews – Aims to help those who find the idea of writing a review frightening or who are unsure about what to include.

Conclusion

Many see it as simply good manners to write and publish a review. This is especially true for those who find others reviews helpful and influential in the purchasing decisions they make.

It is also nice to reward someone for something that has been enjoyed or, if faults were noticed, to help the creator (author in this instance) improve their work and products.

Writing/Review Opportunity – BookLife Fiction Contest – Deadline Approaching

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This is a reminder that the deadline for entry to the BookLife Fiction Contest is:

 

Saturday 31 August 2019

 

Complete submission details and conditions and how to enter may be found in the previous notification:

Writing/Review Opportunity – BookLife Fiction Contest – 31 August 2019

All those who choose to enter are wished success.

Caveat: Writing contest information is provided ‘As Is’. No endorsement or guarantee of validity is implied.

Disclaimer: Neither T. R. Robinson Publications nor T. R. Robinson have any affiliation to the company or organisation referred to. Nor do either receive any remuneration for publishing the information or for referring to the company or organisation. These notifications are simply designed to offer assistance to authors.