Author Responsibility

Most authors struggle for promotion, publicity, and those "oh-so-important" reviews. Many times hosting bloggers list giveaways for authors' books here on Goodreads. Usually the bloggers are doing this FREE OF CHARGE, giving their time and effort because of their love of books and reading.

It's lately come to my attention that many times when people sign-up for giveaways, some authors fail to thank them and wish them luck in the "comments" block beneath each entrant's name. It could be simple oversight, but if you think about it, it comes across as RUDE behavior on the author's part. And how must it make the host blogger feel if, despite all her efforts (blog listing, book review, FREE exposure and publicity), the benefiting author does NOTHING to help!

The least we authors can do is offer our support any way we can by working WITH our host blogger. It's simply good manners, and the right thing to do. Think about it!
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message 1: by M.J. (new)

M.J. Payne This sounds quite sensible and civil. I think good manners help everyone feel better and improve the atmosphere. Being in good faith in our behavior has energy that radiates.
I confess I tried to get some information about giveaways and when I was on the page that described what to do Amazon jumped on and bumped me off with a page of books. I was busy. How is a giveaway done?
MJ Payne


message 2: by E.Michael (new)

E.Michael Helms Hi, MJ: Click "Explore" at the top of you Goodreads page, then click "List Giveaway" (upper right corner). They you simply follow the instructions. Giveaways can only be for print books. The number of books, what countries are eligible (I'd stick with the US and possibly Canada due to postage; the dates to begin and end the giveaway, etc. Fairly easy to do. Hope this helps.
Reading your book again. It's a difficult read (not the writing, but the subject matter). It must have been very difficult to write. Hope it was cathartic for you. Take care!


message 3: by M.J. (new)

M.J. Payne Thanks for the instructions Michael I appreciate it. I just saw your reply.
If a Marine combat vet who won the Purple Heart says it is a difficult read it must be. While I was writing it my mind was in a writing compartment dealing with the prose and trying to write beautifully about a shunned subject. It was only after I finished the endless edits of errors put in by the publisher (mistakes, the bane of Indie publishing) that the long scream started in my spirit when I began the research that had news examples of everything in the book described in detail. The last shred of denial was removed. In a horrible vindication I started having nightmares and panic attacks again like when in therapy and had to use medication to help me with the night terrors. My websites have been a trial by fire in collecting the news that shows I am not a liar. I have peace in knowing that. If my only reader is a Marine Veteran I say I am in the best company there is. The woman who breeds the Dobermans I own read it straight thrugh and said she could not put it down. The place of courage is in marketing it. In knowing these things are going on now. "The Remembered Self: A Journey Into the Heart of the Beast" by MJ Payne www.buytherememberedself.com


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E.Michael Helms
The giveaway for my Vietnam memoir, THE PROUD BASTARDS, ends on Halloween! If you'd like to add a signed copy to your Trick or Treat bag, then click on the book's thumbnail which will take you to the ...more
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