Carole’s
Comments
(group member since Oct 19, 2016)
Carole’s
comments
from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.
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I find people will boost a troll's review- especially if they are snarky, even if they liked the books. I watched one gushing reviewer switch her review to get on the troll popularity train. When I complained to Goodreads- they took down my pleas for peace between feuding reviewers- It got ugly. They allowed the trolls to attack my children's book by putting an s and m pirate on a kids books review- she never read the book- it seems it's okay for her to steer people away from me. It's all about money and trolls bring them reactions from reviewers which must translate to money.
Best advice- you won't win- the cards are stacked against us- so never interact and follow the advice of liking the reviews you agree with.
If you don't feed a shark they leave the area.
Nope, not a wink. It's those damn squirrels. I've named them Amazon, KDP, and Kindle. They kept me up all night. It's not as if this is sudden. I have built a huge list (now useless) of reviewers. I sat up (again sleepless nights) and wrote top reviewers on Amazon to ask for them to review our books. I always disclosed that they should say they got the book gratis and when the rules morphed-- so did my letters to them- No review is expected- our relationship does not influence the review.
I did build relationships with these people- they shared births and illness, I sent flowers when they lost a spouse. They are a wonderful group of people. I became one of them, the only difference was I bought whatever I reviewed ( I don't want to be tedious- you know why- I never wanted my integrity questioned). Most of us reviewed as a sport- It's a community much like ours. Many of them are disabled, homebound, have a crippling illness and this was their only outlet and Amazon cut them off. Thousands of reviews have been simply erased.
Most of you know I started writing when I lost my mom- what you don't know is that my husband and mother got lung cancer at the same time and my entire life was thrown into a tailspin. Writing and reviewing became a lifeline- hearing what people thought about my thoughts made me feel connected to the world. When I reviewed for you - it was for selfish reasons- It made me feel alive and with people.
Sometimes big corporations are heartless. Now, that I've given you the backstory- here's what I am going to say to you all as a friend.
There are no effective ways to promote out books anymore- We are going to have to do this on our own.
Julie has heard from indies that if they use those book advertising sites, and their books jump in rank- Amazon has stripped them of their ranks.
This is why it is imperative we make both the magazine and blog radio work. We have to support ANYBODY with a voice and make sure we keep those voices loud.
So, I will not ask anybody to write articles for the magazine- You have to decide if you are supporting free agents that want indies to be heard.
You have to get your books on as many blogs as you can and then you have to promote them. Everybody should be doing things like Erica does, and Kay with her Advent calendar. Then we all have to make sure we blast those things on Facebook.
I never saw doing this as a singular experience. I came on these sites to help other people with what I know and have learned. I want to save people from making the same mistakes I've made.
Anyone who wants to be on the podcast either mine or the Navigating one- Let us know. Get on Medium- Let your voices be heard.
Let's share our followers so that if any book gets a review or is purchased it is a victory for all of us.
I don't remember where I put this but the host of the Christmas Book Fair will stop taking on new books Dec 19th.- Tues
Congrats, Ted!!
I love medium and I love we are finding our voices.
Amen to that!
Alex wrote: "Sorry to bring everyone down with a grumble so close to Christmas but I'm feeling a bit frustrated and annoyed right now.Mum seems to be getting worse, slowly but surely. She is finding it more d..."
Sorry to hear that, Alex. You and Mum are in my prayers.
Just bought it. I can't wait to read it.
Please share folks- I am giving away five kindles books that anyone chooses from our advent calendar.https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?u=...
Please share folks- I am giving away five kindles books that anyone chooses from our advent calendar.https://us15.campaign-archive.com/?u=...
Great article. I know exactly how you feel!!!
Benjamin, I've had my books at the Milan, Frankfurt, and China shows for the past four years with the Foreword Review. I'm not sure what they charge- it's a couple of hundred dollars per book- I've had some international interest, but nobody sealed the deal yet. We've come close- I did end up getting an agent. She picked me up and has negotiated on my behalf with foreign book publishers.
It's hard, Ted, and yes. I think it's better if you are at the show to "sell" the book. I just did the Monster Ink show and sold 14 books- No much I know- but sometimes it's about the audience.
Justin wrote: "I have a thought: You said you added your own rating and made a review of your book...a troll may have reported you. These are people who seek out people and try to ruin the Goodreads experience fo..."Thanks, Justin. I didn't explain it properly. I rated my books but I didn't write a review. I wrote things about the book- like why I wrote it or who helped me. I had asked Goodreads about that years ago and I want to say it was okay- because I was identified as the author. They were clear I couldn't write a review for either one of my or my son's book.
I never wrote a review for one of my books- that would just be stupid- but I had noticed several authors had put interesting backstories in about their books in the author's review. I thought it was a neat idea to give interesting information about the book.
I don't think it was that- I think someone took what I said about paying it forward and reviewing an indie- out of context. I never said to swap reviews, but I think they have twisted something else I said and I don't want to repeat it- for them to twist it in a knot again.
Matt- you've found me out!
I suggested that. I removed all the comments from my own books, just in case it's against the rules. IDK what the problem is.
Latest magazine- please share and see if your book is mentioned.https://www.indieauthorsmonthly.com/r...
shared
Thanks, Sam. I am currently taking off any stars I put on my own books, here- I don't want to be accused of pumping up its ratings. I had assumed it was okay for us to comment on our own books, but now I'm not sure.
