Crystal Dawn’s Comments (group member since Feb 01, 2017)

Crystal Dawn’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

Author Name: Kevin J.J. Carpenter
Book: Strife
Ebook: Free
Special Link: https://www.miragestories.com/strife

Ruth wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-written memoir wi..."

I've sent you an email. You may just cry buckets, or be like me and cry rivers! There is definitely a Kleenex warning needed with this book.

That's a lovely sentiment Ruth, thank you!

I represent my fiancé in all marketing, so I'll leave his two books here.

Child of None is a co-written memoir with Kevin's grandmother.
Some of the worst things imaginable happen to children, and for many there is little hope of a happy life. These unfortunate souls are caught in a dystopian current from birth, washed into helpless straits and inundated by the many cruelties of life. Robin Gai Smith was one such victim, and this is her story.

Pieced together from the fragmented remnants of more than one hundred unfinished letters, Child of None recounts Robin’s great journey, in her own words. From her early years as a victim of sexual torture, through her time as an abused wife, until her final days as an invalid living from pill to pill, each chapter not only provides an illuminating exposé into a life of poverty, but also offers an heartbreaking glimpse of Robin's relentless struggle to combat an unsavoury existence.

"Simon, I want you to know something. I did love you, I did want you. I did not force you away, you were stolen from me. Fifty years later, I still remember your birthday. I suffer quietly, still wondering where you are. Many questions remain unanswered. Are you even still alive, or have you long since left this earth? I do not want to take you away from the people who raised you; I do not want to replace their love with mine. I just want you to know that I did not surrender you willingly."

Sombre yet inspiring, Child of None is not only a memoir, it is an emotional experience that will leave a lasting impression upon every reader.

And then there is the first piece to Kevin's magnum opus, Strife.
When Giles Deschain, a well-respected man, consort and father, discovers evidence of the malicious spice drug in his hometown, he embarks on a quest for truth and justice.

The longer Giles searches, however, the more volatile and unpredictable he becomes, and as he inches closer to exposing the rats that live in the walls, the moral anomalies of his own actions begin to endanger every single person he once hoped to protect.

Both thrilling and heartbreaking, Strife is a novella of obsession manifest in many forms.

Strife is available free through our website, www.miragestories.com as part of a perma-free design to build a fan-base in a larger ongoing fantasy series. I'm happy to send you a free copy of Child of None if you'd prefer that one.

Do you have a book you would like reviews for? :)

That's excellent! I was honestly curious as to why his pen name had to be changed because (in emails with him as well) I can see just how much effort in promotion has gone behind it. I'm a little confused, is he with Kevin J. Anderson's company? Or is it just a coincidence to be released alongside him? Either way, that's a great name to be attached too, particularly if you're after movie connections.

I wish you all of the luck in the world with your further dealings. This is great news! and a real insight for everyone else. It's like a backstage pass into another world.

Alexis wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "Alexis wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "Alexis wrote: "Awesome!

--

Alright. The contemporary romance category is done.

http://navigatingindieworld.com/book-......"

Haha! Well good work on both! It definitely shows, just so you know.
Is this new romance one you set up, apart of the overall showcase? Or is it separate?

Alexis wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "Alexis wrote: "Awesome!

--

Alright. The contemporary romance category is done.

http://navigatingindieworld.com/book-...

Click on the books, e.g. ST..."


This program? I was just asking if you uploaded the books and designed it?
http://navigatingindieworld.com/portf...

Alexis wrote: "Awesome!

--

Alright. The contemporary romance category is done.

http://navigatingindieworld.com/book-...

Click on the books, e.g. START AGAIN, to check out where/how I ..."

That actually looks great! So fresh and polished. I submitted my fiancé's book as part of the Spring Book program, and did you do that as well? I just went through them all and it looks very professional.

Carole wrote: "I have very exciting news and I want to share it with you, my Goodreads family.
My son was picked up by a publisher. They bought Monsterland 1 and the unpublished Monsterland 2.
He will be publish..."

Congratulations Michael! That's fantastic news to come online and read. Can I ask why he changed his pen name, now that he's sourcing traditional publishing for his book?

Hello! My name is Crystal and I’m the co-owner of Carcharodon Books. I recently established this business with my partner as we are both lovers of literature and huge advocates of the independent industry. Through our website we offer a variety of services targeted at independent authors, such as reviews, editing and evaluations.

Our free services include reviews for independently published stories, which are hosted on a variety of social media platforms, and complimentary story evaluations designed to help fledgeling authors flesh out their narrative and realise their full potential.

Our premium services are more traditional. We offer various frames of editing designed against the Australian Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Publishers, including proofreading, copyediting, thorough manuscript evaluations, and final manuscript formatting. Please be aware that we are malleable to specific styles and will edit all manuscripts according to each individual author’s local grammar laws, though we may offer suggestions when applicable.

We understand the many trials of being an independent author and have established our business accordingly. All of our prices are below industry standards and we offer adjustable and personalised payment plans.

As a friendly, introductory offer, all first-time clients for the month of March will receive a huge 20% off all our premium services. Make sure to see our website for full details, and read our submission rules before applying to any service. Feel free to also contact me personally via GoodReads.

https://carcharodonbooks.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

Genre: Fantasy, High-Fantasy, Science Fiction, Western, Dystopian.
Title: Strife (A Mirage Novella)

Author: Kevin J.J. Carpenter
When Giles Deschain, a well-respected man, consort and father, discovers evidence of the malicious spice drug in his hometown, he embarks on a quest for truth and justice.

The longer Giles searches, however, the more volatile and unpredictable he becomes, and as he inches closer to exposing the rats that live in the walls, the moral anomalies of his own actions begin to endanger every single person he once hoped to protect.

Both thrilling and heartbreaking, Strife is a novella of obsession manifest in many forms.

Mirage can be found on our Mirage website completely free, always. (In any downloadable file you would like).
https://www.miragestories.com/strife

Elina, I've sent you a private message. :)

Hi everyone,

I'm pleased to announce my blog's first giveaway is now live! And I'm asking your help to make it a success. If everything goes well, I'll be more than happy to make this a regular gesture with future authors, to help spread the word of their books. Any publicity is good publicity, and people love receiving free things. Even giving away a single book, can garner a lot of interest for you, and people who receive books in competitions or for free, feel more swayed to leave reviews.

My blog is set up to honour and shine a light, on independent authors only, and so far everything has been a success. In the next few weeks, we'll be moving from Bloggr to our own website and not long after that, I'll be finishing my editing course and will be offering very affordable editing for independent authors only. As the date for this grows closer, I'll place my business proposal here for your feedback.

You're all welcome to enter the competition for yourself. All information can be found on the blogs page, otherwise the competition is open via Facebook and Twitter entries. With your help, we can make this a success for future authors to utilise!

Thanks!

Blog: http://carcharodonbooks.blogspot.com....
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharkBookBlo...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharkBookBlog

Roughseasinthemed wrote: "Back on topic. That's a similar rate ie £400/$500 to what I charge. And I still get people saying it is expensive. Yet, there are editors out there charging thousands for no different standard of w..."

Rough, thank you for saying this. I am only weeks away from finishing my editing course and have collaborated with another editor in opening our own business, completely dedicated to helping independent authors. We intend to offer proofreads, copyedits and manuscript evaluations at reduced industry rates, as well as complimentary story evaluations and reviews. We have no intention of charging exorbitant prices and we’ve cut to the bone on what we can justifiably afford. That being said, however, there is no way we could survive on charging the amounts Mr David R. Burton charges—it’s certifiable. There’s just no competition. Although independent authors claim hardship, the same can be said of independent editors who are not represented by larger authorities. Editors also have bills to pay, families to feed and personal lives to lead.

I must admit, it’s a little devastating, after studying so hard, to come online and see that all of my efforts may have been futile. I cannot offer rates as low as Burton’s without sacrificing quality, but I do guarantee that my rates are very feasible and reduced. As an addendum, I will always use my rates as more of a guideline, as every manuscript is completely different and some might require extra attention. Payment plans are also an option at no extra cost.

Authors, please remember the old adage that if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. At $5 per thousand words, you are likely having your document scanned through an automated software, such as Grammarly, as opposed to the dedicated, surgical precision of an editor’s eye. While this might make for an appealing manuscript on a superficial level, there are likely many underlying errors that have gone unnoticed, especially if only a standard proofread was performed.

That's great! Thanks for sharing.

Bump!

Thanks Carole! You're welcome to enter as well if you like. It will be drawn by a third party as usual, so there is no bias. It needs reach and interaction before it can take off. :)

Hi everyone,

I'm pleased to announce my blog's first giveaway is now live! And I'm asking your help to make it a success. If everything goes well, I'll be more than happy to make this a regular gesture with future authors, to help spread the word of their books. Any publicity is good publicity, and people love receiving free things. Even giving away a single book, can garner a lot of interest for you, and people who receive books in competitions or for free, feel more swayed to leave reviews.

My blog is set up to honour and shine a light, on independent authors only, and so far everything has been a success. In the next few weeks, we'll be moving from Bloggr to our own website and not long after that, I'll be finishing my editing course and will be offering VERY affordable editing for independent authors only. As the date for this grows closer, I'll place my business proposal here for your feedback, but I assure you, my prices CANNOT be beaten.

You're all welcome to enter the competition for yourself. All information can be answered on the blogs page, otherwise the competition is open through Facebook and Twitter entries. With your help, we can make this a success for future authors to utilise!

Thanks!

Blog: http://carcharodonbooks.blogspot.com....
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharkBookBlo...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharkBookBlog

Would you accept a memoir?
Child of None

David wrote: "Groovy wrote: "I agree, Crystal Dawn. To be so young, David is a talented writer. I can only imagine what wonderful stories will come out of him years from now. I have his new book on my Kindle rea..."

That was actually some advice I had for you (I know, I've been meaning to send it but I keep forgetting, haha). If you're going to swear, just swear. There's no need to cover it up, because as long as you're not over doing it, and you're using it at scenes of great tension, then it will only enhance the reading expirience, whereas just saying f-bomb or f-sakes etc, can take away from it.

I really loved your work kiddo, I'll email you shortly regarding another one!

Very shortly I'll be reading Judge by the Cover: High School, Drama & Deadly Vices by Melissa Abigail, so I'll let you know how it goes :)

Would anyone else be interested in review exchanges that are legal in Goodreads Speak? My fiancè's works for something of yours to be read by me and placed on my book blog? It seems like a good deal ;) Send me a pm if you'd like to talk about it.

Melissa wrote: "Crystal Dawn wrote: "Harry Potter Script as in [book:Fan..."

Ah I see your point. I'm a Potter fan but when I heard those books were scripts, and one of them is basically glorified fanfiction... I..."

I was very annoyed when they were announced. I haven't left them negative reviews, that would be wrong. I have, however, marked them in a personalised folder, that doesn't add to my red count, as not-to-read. I've made my views on these books known, because plain and simply, I just can't stand the money snatching behind them. With each company the quota is obviously different depending on their budgets. Basically it stands so they can allocate a set amount to printing and marketing costs, but still try and guarantee themselves good return profit. It would be the same for any business in regards to gain and loss. It would apply to famous authors as well, but obviously, someone like Patrick Rothfuss, JK Rowling or Stephen King would have precedence over a small author, regardless of what they wrote. They're just guaranteed sales.

I'll emphasise I have nothing against the movie of Fantastic Beasts, and will eventually see it. It's a movie, made to be a movie and probably a good one at that. It wasn't meant to be a book.

Carole wrote: "It's all about money. I read the first Potter book when it came out and didn't like it. Cut to many years later. My grandson was not doing well with reading- so I started reading with him at night...."

That was a very sweet tale between you and your grandson. It made me smile. Do you just do it over the phone or skype and both read at the same time? you're doing your grandson a great thing. I hope you're very proud of yourself.

Just like I said before, it probably wasn't even Rowling's intention to have it released as a book, but somebody cut her a check she couldn't refuse and here we are now with a series that just won't settle in the dust. The Cursed Child play, and I guess book, would have been a great concept ... if they had waited. It plays on Nostalgia, so if they had released it nineteen years later, people like myself who did grow up with the books and movies would have been able to feel nostalgic. The last movie came out, what, six years ago? We haven't forgotten it, before the re-hype, you could still purchase a lot of merchandise. In my own opinion, someone, somewhere, was just desperate for more money fast.

Just a reminder too Carole, If you wanted to enter the contest, the person taking care of your social media hasn't posted a banner yet. :)