Free Book Friday Sept 22: In conversation with mediocre selling author Leon Stevens
It’s what you have been waiting for, right? Another self interview? In my 5th installment Leon Stevens talks about science fiction, poetry, and other stuff.
I’m here with mediocre selling author, Leon Stevens. How are you doing today?
Fine, thank you.
So, what makes you consider your writing mediocre?
Oh, I think you have it wrong. My sales are mediocre, not my writing.
I apologize. But you have to admit there might be some correlation between book sales and the quality of writing.
Of course, that will factor in, but as an indie author, part of the challenge is becoming known to readers. There are popular books that I consider poorly written, but because there’s a publicity machine behind it, the sales are higher.
So, how do you describe your writing?
Well, I like it.
Obviously.
Most of the reviews and feedback have been positive, but there have been a few negative ones. I must be doing something right if my books average 4 ½ stars.
But they don’t sell?
Oh, they sell, but I can’t quit my day job.
Would you?
Of course.
What is your main goal as an author?
Would I like make scads of money? Sure. But every sale means some reader was interested enough to give one of my books a try, and every positive review means I have succeeded in entertaining them. I guess my primary goal is to entertain.
How many books have you published?
I have two poetry books, a short story science fiction collection, and my sci-ft trilogy.
[silence]
Six. I have six.
Which book sells the most?
Book one of my trilogy, The View from Here. There hasn’t been as many read-throughs as I hoped of the next two, but everyone who buys book two, buys book three.
Why do you think that is?
Book one was originally written as a stand alone, so when I decided to continue it, I probably lost readers when the next one was released 8 months after. That book ended on a cliffhanger, and the final book was released 8 months after that.
Was that an oversight on your part?
Not oversight, since I wasn’t planning a trilogy, but maybe a rookie mistake. It would have been hard to sit on book one for a year and a half for the entire trilogy to be complete, so even if I planned it, I think would have released them separately. I would have also indicated that The View from Here was book one, though.
It is now.
Yes. I did change the subtitle on Amazon.
So, is that series done?
I think so. I don’t know if there is anything left for the characters to do.
Any feedback for the bonus content?
Only from my beta-readers. I had hoped more would have checked out the video and character interview, but I had fun making it.
Are you working on anything else?
Yes.
Care to elaborate?
No.
OK … Want to talk about your poetry?
Sure. I haven’t written much, but I try to write a couple each week.
Most of what I read lately is leaning toward the humorous. Is this a conscience choice?
Sometimes. I think many readers don’t think they like poetry because it has a reputation of being deep and difficult to understand, so since I’m not deep or difficult to understand, so goes my poetry. I try to approach it as entertainment.
Not all of your poetry is like this, thought, your first book delves into more personal topics and observations.
True. Poetry serves its purpose at the time it is written and then it is out there for others to discover when it is needed in their lives.
How would you describe your poetry?
Erratic?
Explain.
I don’t concern myself with traditional forms or worry about rhyme. Sometimes I feel that a rhyme is necessary to give focus to a certain Idea, and it doesn’t always have to be at the end of the line.
What’s your oddest rhyme scheme?
Probably A, B, C, A, A, C, D, B, E, E, C, F, C, G, G, G, B—
[sarcastically] Really?
[rudely] Pfft. I don’t know.
Well then. This looks like a good place to wrap it up.
Sounds about right.
Check out Leon’s books here: Leon’s Amazon page
Wait! Don’t forget that The View from Here is 99 cents until the end of the month and if you want The Knot at the End of the Rope or a poetry book for free: books.linesbyleon.com/Newslettersignup
Read Leon’s other self interviews: linesbyleon.com/the-interviews/
The story behind Free Book Friday: I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?
Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.
Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.
Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnelStoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!
Since my newsletter goes out bi-weekly, I offer book promos on those dates, so here are last week’s:
Free Books
Sept 15 – Oct 16Last day!
Purchase Links
There are two platforms with different poets for this one: Story Origin / BookFunnel
Sept 1-30
Sept 6-20Current promos: Discover New Authors
Review Copies (These are free!)Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book (poetry or science fiction or both): Leon’s Newsletter
Buy all three for less than $7: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZFMXQYY
Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.
My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/
Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!
Oh, pick me!
C’mon, space stuff!
