If you don't believe writing success is luck
I used to get really annoyed when J.A. Konrath simplified all writing success to luck. Of course, that luck has to be born on the back of hard work, because without the work, your timing doesn't matter a bit. And I've slowly come to believe luck plays a huge role in breaking through. I wish my humble success was due to talent, but it's not. A little work, a lot of timing.
I am not in the business of calling out writers, but this one particular writer once had such a vitriolic, hateful post on Facebook that I typed up a passionate response before wisely just erasing it and simply "unfriending" this author. But I'd noticed him because his series character was apparently named John Locke, after the libertarian philosopher which also turned out to be the name of the first indie author to sell a million Kindle books.
And guess what? This author uses "John Locke" in the subtitles of his books and now they seem to be selling. I haven't read one, but this product description tells me I would never dare crack one open, even at the wonderfully John Locke-ian price of 99 cents. Warning: this dude really likes colons.
HONORABLE REVENGE
When John Locke sees danger screaming down on him like a banshee from hell: He not only grabs on and comes out shooting; he's caught on an adrenaline ride that doesn't stop until he is the last man standing. Locke's world is filled with cruel and ruthless men that will kill and steal just for the rush it brings them: Dark places that normal people never go unless they are dragged in screaming, and never come out. Drug Cartel's, that mutilate, then fast-freeze their competitors; secret Chinese Triads that think crime and business are one in the same, and murder is used to close a deal. Street Mutts caught unaware of the treachery going down around them, only to be cut down in the running gun battle that surrounds them.
This book is ranked 1,200 in the Kindle store. And this tells me two things. A lot of people aren't reading their 99-cent purchases. And luck is clearly more important than writing skill when it comes to ebook sales. You win, Joe. Now I am off to write my Harry Pottermore series under the pen name Steven King.
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I am not in the business of calling out writers, but this one particular writer once had such a vitriolic, hateful post on Facebook that I typed up a passionate response before wisely just erasing it and simply "unfriending" this author. But I'd noticed him because his series character was apparently named John Locke, after the libertarian philosopher which also turned out to be the name of the first indie author to sell a million Kindle books.
And guess what? This author uses "John Locke" in the subtitles of his books and now they seem to be selling. I haven't read one, but this product description tells me I would never dare crack one open, even at the wonderfully John Locke-ian price of 99 cents. Warning: this dude really likes colons.
HONORABLE REVENGE
When John Locke sees danger screaming down on him like a banshee from hell: He not only grabs on and comes out shooting; he's caught on an adrenaline ride that doesn't stop until he is the last man standing. Locke's world is filled with cruel and ruthless men that will kill and steal just for the rush it brings them: Dark places that normal people never go unless they are dragged in screaming, and never come out. Drug Cartel's, that mutilate, then fast-freeze their competitors; secret Chinese Triads that think crime and business are one in the same, and murder is used to close a deal. Street Mutts caught unaware of the treachery going down around them, only to be cut down in the running gun battle that surrounds them.
This book is ranked 1,200 in the Kindle store. And this tells me two things. A lot of people aren't reading their 99-cent purchases. And luck is clearly more important than writing skill when it comes to ebook sales. You win, Joe. Now I am off to write my Harry Pottermore series under the pen name Steven King.
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Published on July 12, 2011 20:11
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