Saturday links and end of Indie Publishing Week
As of this post scheduling, I still don't have a web page. I'll probably work on it during the weekend.
The book trailer is done, but I found TWO great music tracks by Kevin McLeod (thanks, Joleene! 
), so I'll wait for my map-maker friend who comes on Monday to help me choose which is better. You'll probably see it all on Tuesday.
I added a teaser (unedited) of the beginning of Fire on both the Lulu PDF and Smashwords file – will have to add it on the Kindle file. I've obviously carefully read the Smashwords Marketing Guide, haven't I? 
I've also signed up on Goodreads now – already friended Michelle and Prue, is there anyone else? – but only Goodreads for now (of all the places suggested in Mark Coker's guide). I'm still upset with the WeRead ineffective page (check this post of over a year ago – can't open the page now, it's too slow and just gets stuck so I have no access to my author profile anymore), I'll have to access it and move all my books from those shelves to Goodreads. Give me some time, please…
Now, to this week links – yes, I did manage to check blogs in this whirlwind of work! 
Blood-Red Pencil on pros and cons of first person viewpoints. Personally I don't like "I" stories, but I've very much enjoyed one that I will review next week (and more last year, but I can't come up with titles at the moment). So if it's your thing (but remember it's NOT the easiest POV to handle), check the post.
Colleen Doran on art, which includes writing even if she's mostly an artist and I'm mostly a writer, but I think her take on art as work is a very insightful one – as usual. And she's always the creators' paladin, so read also her post on the Google Book Settlement, which might look great if you're a reader and really bad if you're an author. Thank the Department of Justice for rejecting it!
The big publishing news of the week: a NYT bestseller author refused a 6figure deal with St Martin Press, but Amanda Hocking signed a 7figures deal with them! Read all in Amanda's words here (with my comment) and here. Barry Eisler's words as speaking with Joe Konrath here. And Dean Wesley Smith on Amanda and Barry&Joe.
And for you writers out there who still think legacy publishing gives security… check Dean Wesley Smith and watch him dismantle that myth!
From former agent Nathan Bransford: it's never too early to start using social media. Now I better update that FB author page and get back to work on the web page… but no, I won't be twittering yet, sorry.
About the book tour: I've just discovered an Australian Smashbook author through Mark Coker's aforementioned marketing guide. Here's his interview and (past) blog tour. Doesn't look too hard… which makes me wonder if I could postpone the virtual book tour to later in the year when at least two books will be available… Worth thinking about it!
Have a great weekend!
