Complain, complain, complain...
I try not to do it, I really do, but today I feel like complaining about the lonely and mostly ignored existence of an aspiring author. I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm really not, as I realize it was my own selfish choice to follow my dream - but this morning I just want to grouse. The fact that nobody will read this - or almost nobody anyway - helps tons as to be perfectly honest I hate whiners. That said, here goes...
When I walked away from great job, sold my house and moved onto a float home to pursue my passion for writing, I didn't expect miracles, I knew it would be a tough slog, but I truly believed if I worked hard I'd find some success in five or six years. At the time, I didn't even know if I could actually write a novel, but after a year, one emerged! Eight years on, six more books have appeared from the tips of my fingers like magic!
I love writing. I dislike editing. I hate promoting.
'Goodreads' giveaway program seemed ideal. I'd paid for reviews in the past but it was pricey and a bit lame as far as I was concerned. Surely, though, if I sent out a number of books through Goodreads I would get some feedback/reviews/ratings that would be helpful (assuming they were positive!).
I sent out 36 books - 12 each for the first three books in my Urizen series. The last of my contests closed in early May. I wasn't expecting everybody who won a book to provide a review. At the optimistic end of the scale, I was hoping half the winners would write something. That would make 18 reviews. Thinking pessimistically, I expected a quarter would take the time to comment but that would still leave me with 9 reviews which, while disappointing, would still be helpful.
To date, June 15, 2016, I have received one terse review. Thank goodness it was positive!
2.8% - just over one tenth of my worse case estimate - that's my 'success' rate so far. Winners, I hope you read my books. I hope you like them, but even if you don't it would be nice to hear about it.
That's it, complaining done. Strangely, I feel better. I feel so good I think I'll go do some editing...
When I walked away from great job, sold my house and moved onto a float home to pursue my passion for writing, I didn't expect miracles, I knew it would be a tough slog, but I truly believed if I worked hard I'd find some success in five or six years. At the time, I didn't even know if I could actually write a novel, but after a year, one emerged! Eight years on, six more books have appeared from the tips of my fingers like magic!
I love writing. I dislike editing. I hate promoting.
'Goodreads' giveaway program seemed ideal. I'd paid for reviews in the past but it was pricey and a bit lame as far as I was concerned. Surely, though, if I sent out a number of books through Goodreads I would get some feedback/reviews/ratings that would be helpful (assuming they were positive!).
I sent out 36 books - 12 each for the first three books in my Urizen series. The last of my contests closed in early May. I wasn't expecting everybody who won a book to provide a review. At the optimistic end of the scale, I was hoping half the winners would write something. That would make 18 reviews. Thinking pessimistically, I expected a quarter would take the time to comment but that would still leave me with 9 reviews which, while disappointing, would still be helpful.
To date, June 15, 2016, I have received one terse review. Thank goodness it was positive!
2.8% - just over one tenth of my worse case estimate - that's my 'success' rate so far. Winners, I hope you read my books. I hope you like them, but even if you don't it would be nice to hear about it.
That's it, complaining done. Strangely, I feel better. I feel so good I think I'll go do some editing...
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