P. Pherson’s Comments (group member since Nov 27, 2024)

P. Pherson’s comments from the Fantasy group.

Okay...Reading through this thread, I see it has drifted quite far from its original purpose, and it should be allowed to go back to that.

Much as I want to answer some of the comments above, I think this is not really the place for it.

I know its like trying to keep water from overflowing the dike, but I'm gonna ask that we move this to a different thread.

^ True dat.

When I posted my author page and book out into the world, I got a lot of messages from people I dont know saying they could help me in some way or another...Um, no thanks.

I am not sure why my published a book means I want to give other people all my money.

You know...the object is to make some money with it. I've already spent more than I can recover of covers and editors and all that. Some squirrely email from a sketchy 'follower' has zero chance of getting through the defenses. If I want it, I will go looking for you.

Right now, I am happy being my own marketer. In the end, I will be the one doing all the marketing anyway.

I am not sure we are big enough to need a moderator section. I cant imagine having much to do as a moderator at present.

I agree...there is an extra section. I like it on top, cause thats what people see first, and we are still small. I would post in both. I guess, maybe I am leaving myself something to clean up in the future, but...We'll cross that bridge when we get there. If more structure is needed, posts can be moved.

I do think the Intro thread maybe should not be the same as the welcome thread. Welcome is just....happy you are here, and here's what you might want to know.

Maybe a little more organizing will follow.

I have a few books to read before my plate is clean again, but I am gonna pick my next book from this list...if its here, I might read yours :)

What do you most like to see in the books you read?

And what fantasy elements draw you in?

Hope the other Mods wont mind, but I cleaned up the group folders a little bit.

If you love a gritty tale about the battle between light and dark, and featuring two women caught up in a dangerous land...please look at my book... The Eye of Ebon

Blurb:

A young Samiare lies dying in the snow, in her hand, a sword of legend, and now the whole world is changed. For Ruegette, hero of Tierinor, the girl marks the earliest stages of a new war against the Shadow, and a new struggle to keep safe what has been hidden for more than an age--The Eye of Ebon.

Pulled into a conflict greater than nations and Gods, both Ruegette, and the girl she rescues, try to survive in a land full of threats against brutal foes that will show them no mercy. Can Samiare find the strength to overcome her torments, and can the White Sword be enough to push back the dark? --Or will a sinister creature reclaim its prize...

The Shadow is rising...
...It seeks back its eye...
...It won't be stopped.


What people are saying:

If you are a fantasy lover you have found the right book. Well written and full of excitement in new worlds with characters of valor, the fight between good and evil continues. ~ Shoshana Yarin

The Eye of Ebon is a gritty, emotionally charged fantasy with a rich world and a haunting tone. Samiare is a compelling lead, and the story kept me hooked with its dark mystery and lyrical writing. ~ Tessa Ray

"The Eye of Ebon" delivers a compelling dark fantasy narrative that draws readers into a richly crafted world of ancient powers and looming threats. ~ Karla Nebeker

Compelling from start to finish, The Eye of Ebon is a gritty and heartbreaking epic. Great storytelling and mythos, which feels like a mood marriage of Warcraft and Salvatore’s first Drizzt novel, but with female leads. ~ Scott Appleton

Made a thread right on top of the forum page. Use as needed.

Have a book to promote, crow about, give away?

Post it here.

I wont complain. Heck...whats the group for if not to do what we can to help you get noticed?

The rules say:

Can I start a new topic? ✅ Yes!
Can I invite friends here? ✅ Of course!
Can I start a challenge? ✅ Absolutely!
Can I create spoiler topics? ✅ Yep, but make sure to label it as spoiler! 📖

So...the welcome thread is probably not the best place to post it, but any appropriate thread, or make a new one :)

I'll also add, that if anyone thinks they are interested in my story, and would like to give it a go, I will even send you a nice paper copy for free (course you have to leave an address), or, I can make it available on Kindle for free with some notice.

^ I cant argue with that :)

I've heard that number (less than 10 books sold), I've also heard others, but its always a small number.

My book has sold approx 100 copies since I started. I cannot assure that 100 sold is the same as 100 read, but so few come and leave comments that its a little disheartening (I want to hear from you readers :~( )

I've also heard that a book with less than 25 comments does not have enough 'reader validation' to be convincing that the book might be worth picking up. So, my goal currently is to get up to 25 comments. I am about half way there, and mostly its just been me trying to make friends.

I think I will get there in a few months, but I am expecting it to take effort.

After the 25 comments, I am going to advertise again and see what comes.

If I find the magic, I will happily share.

Godreads needs better formatting....

Yes, posting up...I have a book, please read..., is like tossing it into a black hole.

My current plan is to get to 25 reviews and then look at marketing again. I was getting nothing when I had no reviews. I have had some success in making connections here on Goodreads, but not much. So far, my reviews are pretty good, so I am pleased, but its not broken out yet.

My book 2 comes out in a few months, so I should get some energy then too.

This group has as a stated purpose that its for letting some of us unknowns talk up our stories a little. So...I appreciate that, but...I dont think anyone here has looked at my book, or shown any interest.

Amazon does not allow review swaps which makes it hard to get traction in groups like this. Currently, I have four books I am obligated to read for various reasons, but...I am sympathetic to those who are struggling.

I don't mind helping out fellow members of the groups I am in.

So far, I have gotten some attention in a review group here, and on outside sites like GetAuthenticBookReviewes.com

If you have the energy to read some, and reading books is the currency on Goodreads, you can get some who will look at yours.

Hopefully, they will like it.

I suppose that is fair. I was under the impression that ACOTAR and Fourth Wing were the first books of each, but I dont really follow either author. I will say, I am sure it is a little of both.

My observation of being in many groups here on Good Reads, is that many are trying to speak in the same language as others in their groups, and that means reading the same books.

The publishing companies do have guidelines which in many ways say, if you are X, or you dont have X, dont bother applying. Like I said, I am not really interested in what they do or dont say. I just intend to go on without them.

And I hope Kristina gets around them too :)

My sister Theresa has been called Tess and Tessa (and some other variations) over the years. Now she is often called just Tee.

--Do indi authors really feel a certain pain? I'm not a writer of any kind, so I'm unlikely to understand their pain (or even the reason for it).

Pain is probably too strong a word. I really does not matter, the woes of writers to find their audience, cause regardless of the difficulty, we still have to overcome the hurdle. Its more like, they want to go their way, and I want to go mine.

I could complain about stuff, but...I'd rather just say...I hope you like my story and will give it a chance :)

I dont even know if the books I read are indie or not. Most books I read are beta reads for people who have not published yet.

While I was aware that there were some who simply avoid Indi, I did not think it a very large group. So many books are available, and so many hidden gems, I just dont care where they come from.

Indi is not what it was 20 years ago. It is the new frontier that is/has pounded down the gates of the old system and said 'Damn you, Gate Keepers, I write good stuff too!. That old guard is falling away, and will become less and less relevant as time goes on.

The same types that built a house of lies and sat as gate keepers over what we would consume and what we would not, are losing their voice to the mass of alternative avenues for others to be heard and get themselves out into the world.

Indi is where the energy is at, and where the daring is taking place.

And, as it happens, its the only place I want to be.

I write in Indi cause I like the freedom on knowing I control my content, I take the risks, I get the rewards. I think I write pretty darn well, and I am betting that I can succeed in spite of what the publishing houses might think.

I also think I write in a space where they would likely stand as a gatekeeper before me. I write things that are spiritual, religious, philosophical, harsh, gritty, and set to resonate with the markets they wont serve. I bet a lot on it, I hope it works out.

But I avoided the gatekeepers on purpose, I wish to be in the uprising frontier.

I think most people do not choose to read books on whether they are Indi or Trad, but instead are choosing to read the books that keep them connected in their social groups. Books like ACOTAR and Fourth Wing are getting a lot of attention, and I am sure they are good books that resonate with their readers, but most people are choosing them not for the story, but because all their friends have read it, and they dont want to be left out. Most books I read are because of relationships I have, and not because of the book itself.

I read mostly new writers. And I am sympathetic to those who are trying to break out.

The notion that Indi is dreck, and Trad has the real stories is antiquated today. Those avoiding Indi are just missing out.

It is true though, as Sturgeon would say, 90% of everything is dreck. And that is true in Indi and Trad. Indi has a lot more books, so there is a larger physical pool of bad books there (or books that needed a lot more attention before publishing...) But there are still the 10% that are real treasures, and there is a larger pool of them in Indi than Trad as well. So where is the better mine?

All I really hope for is that my Indi book makes to those lists where friends are talking about it to friends, and it somehow makes it into the club.

But...It is Indi for me.

I always feel so lost. People talk about books like I have read them, or that I should know about it, but...there are too many books, and so many I've not read. I just never know.

Funny that one will stick with a book just to see how the dude eats, and then...well, guess I read enough. Must have been a lot not going right in that one.

How did he breathe and eat?

Interesting way to say it. Do all books end when they run out of mystery?

Hey All,

Ivy and the others were kind enough to put me into an admin role, and as a moderator. So...thought I would say here that it happened, and thank the other admins for their graciousness and recognition.

I am an active sort and pop up a lot of messages, only I do it across many groups here on Goodreads (and on other websites...). I love Fantasy, I have a lot of things to say about it, and I love good questions.

I promise you, if you are talking, I am reading, and will likely sound off as well. I don't see much need here to be all Modly, so I'll just try to be a friend and sounding board for those who want to contribute. :)

Anyway, welcome me, and thanks very much to the other group Mods and Admins. Its truly an honor to gain the mighty tools of moderatorship.... (Which I think must be laying around here somewhere...Hmmmm...)

I'd like to say, the purpose of this group was to give fantasy writers a place to post their books up and crow about themselves a little. If you have not...the water is warm. What do you got?