Eldon’s Comments (group member since May 30, 2016)

Eldon’s comments from the Support for Indie Authors group.

Anyone on here tried the new A+ content from Amazon on your book's page? If you have, did you find a software to help you create the images? No links in the answers please, just name them and we all can Google it :)

Paul wrote: "Hi everyone. I wonder if anyone has any experience of publishing through Austin Macauley? I have an offer that looks good, but I wanted to know if anyone has already done this and can offer advice...."

Hi Paul, I would check with Writer Beware first. Not one hundred percent sure, but fairly confident Austin Macauley is a vanity press to be avoided.

Sean wrote: "How do you get a book listed on Booksirens?"

I could be wrong Sean, but I think you just pay them.

Gail wrote: "Well, authors beware. After my appeal responding to all of Amazon's 5 "possible" reasons for blocking my ability to review books since no specific reason was given, they officially banned me from l..."

That's terrible Gail :( I'm sure you did nothing wrong, and this is simply an error on their part. Not that saying that makes it any better. It's difficult to get them to communicate their reasoning or reverse course sometimes, but it can be done. I've heard the stories.

That being said, I've also heard the horror stories where Amazon lowers the hammer on authors removing their accounts - including all kindle books purchased and any Prime access. Their reach is why I personally never review on Amazon anymore. Not the worth the risk of a perceived conflict of interest.

Gail wrote: "B.A. wrote: For some reason they don't like authors leaving reviews of other books. You can do it on good reads and occasionally on Amazon. Just don't do it very often.

So, because we are authors ..."

Gail, nothing says you can't leave reviews for books you read. However, Amazon is clear that you cannot have any connection to the author of the book you're reviewing. It's about upholding the "integrity" of their review system.

Hi Nora. Since links are not allowed on here, I would suggest simply Googling Amazon rules. A bunch of helpful stuff comes up. If you're published on KDP, you can also log in and click Help, and then Kindle Publishing Guidelines :)

Anna wrote: "Others have been in this position and continued to explain and complain and they eventually had the reviews they'd left restored."

A squeaky wheel gets the grease situation ;)

B.A. wrote: "Amazon is like a judgemental parent.
1. The reviewer has to have spent that $50 or they can't leave a review.
2. If the reviews are left in like a clump, they will delete thinking they are from a ..."

That's too bad B.A. :( For sure, their algorithm isn't perfect.

Anna wrote: "I think, also, that Amazon don't post reviews from people who have not spent a certain amount on Amazon - maybe $50 a year. I can see why they do this but it does mean that some of my genuine frien..."

Hi Anna! The rule still stands and is in place to try and stop the deluge of fake reviews that inundate Amazon on a daily basis. Not sure it works, but at least they're doing something about the burgeoning problem.

Justin wrote: "Is it actually useful? Like do readers get use out of it?"

An excellent question Justin. If readers don't use it, then what's the point?

Gail wrote: "I was referring to Goodreads actually posting where such promotions could be posted on the front of the author site..."

I think the issue, if I may, is you are misinterpreting what Goodreads is focused on. They don't cater to authors, in short. This is a site for readers to find and share books on their own. While if you search, I'm sure you could find a few groups that allow promotion, I'd put to you this question. Is it worth the time to find these areas of the site when in all likelihood they are not frequented by readers?

Gail wrote: "It would probably be more helpful to new members if someone actually POSTED the places on Goodreads where links CAN be promoted! Especially as the author promotion stuff is so vague on the site"

Hi Gail. The group rules are posted on the group's main page under SIA Code of Conduct.

As for where to self promote, allow me to give you some friendly advice. Promoting on Goodreads in general will not give you any real return on your investment of time. You need to find where your audience is and reach them there. Author groups sadly, are not your intended audience.

J.M.K. wrote: ""

Sorry J.M.K. but no links please.

J. wrote: "Hello! like in general. Not a self promo but I'm trying to use Goodreads a bit more. Still learning lol"

No problem J.

First off though, the group rules do not allow for any links in the posts. Second, I'm not sure that asking everyone to add your book to their TBR lists isn't self promo. There are places on Goodreads where you can post comments of that like, but this thread isn't it.

Good luck with the new book :)

J. wrote: "Is Goodreads helpful? I finally got my link from my publisher so now everyone can add it to their reading lists."

I find this comment confusing J. What would a publisher have to do with your Goodreads page? More to the point, is this self-promotion in disguise?

Catherine wrote: "HAPPY EASTER TO ALL
..."

Hi Catherine. Sorry, had to delete your post. No links please :)

Bertalan wrote: "Dear Group Members,

My new release,
Believe, Live, Run.
is available at Amazon.

Hi Bertalan. First off, no links. I have deleted your post for this reason. Second, I'd urge you to reconsider your marketing approach. Pitching your book here won't help you in the long run.

Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "Tomas wrote: "As for font, I've seen Garamond recommended a lot...."

I've been using the Georgia font. Is that not allowed? I know some fonts are not allowed and I'm so afraid of selecting one of ..."

Hi Sam! Any True Type Font is perfectly fine to use. You sometimes run into trouble with the Open Type Fonts, but even some of those are good. What you really want to use is a easy reading font for your text to enhance the reader's experience. I would personally suggest a serif font, but not Times New Roman, as that particular font is way overused. :)

Scott wrote: "I can't link to my blog, so I've copied and pasted a post I wrote about self-marketing. I apologize if this violates the self-promotion rule but I don't know how else to share it.

So, you've writt..."

No links Scott.

Ian wrote: "My view is a chapter should make one point. How long it takes to do it defines the chapter length. I disagree with the idea you do not want to end a chapter with a natural break. If it is in the mi..."

Hi Ian, the problem with each chapter ending where the reader can say that was done is where is the impetus to keep reading? This differs by genre, of course, but with thrillers you want the chapter to end where the reader must turn the page to keep reading :)