Dale’s Comments (group member since Sep 15, 2017)

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

And today's story, The Crossing, a flash fiction western fantasy. A cross-over crossing, I guess. ;-)

Thanks, folks! To answer Erica's question, every publication has their own policy, from what I can tell.

The Writing Cooperative allows you to submit stories that are set to earn money in the Partner Program. They pay you separately from Medium, taking a commission. I think that means Medium pays them what you earned, then they deduct their commission and pay you. I'll receive my first payment from them at the end of April, so I don't know yet how that will work out.

Lit Up, I just discovered, doesn't let you enroll stories in the Partner Program. They apparently have some "big announcement" to make in next month's newsletter, so I'm hoping they might be planning on switching over to allow stories to earn money. But that's just speculation, of course.

Petra wrote: An interesting answer, thank you. I'm always a bit nervous when writing reviews, because I don't want to hurt someone with my subjective opinion. But you're right, if you want to learn as an author, listening to criticism is a good way to do it.

You're quite welcome. I've read a bit about providing feedback, because I run a small workshop for writers at my local library and wanted to understand how to make criticism both helpful and relatively safe. A lot of it comes down to three things: (1) Be honest but respectful; (2) be specific; (3) if you must give bad news, give some good news first.

I think I'm all caught up on reading and clapping.

I've been accepted as a writer for the Medium publication Lit Up, to which I'll be submitting some of my fiction. I'll let you know when I have something there.

Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger) wrote: "A week ago I set up Facebook and Twitter accounts and have found and am following some of you. If you want to find me...

https://www.facebook.com/samantha.bea...
https://twitter.com/SamBeachD..."

Followed both. The numbers might be because there are others out there with the same name. Not sure, just guessing...

Amy wrote: Thanks Dale. Meanwhile in a house in SE England the chocolate shortage is becoming critical. The homeowners are aware the shopping will not arrive until Friday. "

Oog. Reminds me of a t-shirt my wife once found somewhere: "Things are getting worse. Send chocolate!"

Amy wrote: "That hasn’t stopped me... (I’m so funny...)"

:-)

What I did today instead of whatever it was I should have been doing: The Moral Dimension of Privacy. I hope somebody thinks it makes some kind of sense . . .

Amy wrote: "As there is no such thing as perfection, my vision is compromised, and I've had enough of everything that doesn't come with a side order of chocolate, there's this:"

Good enough. Now have some chocolate. ;-)

Carmel wrote: "Nice features for both, Dale and Carole!"

Thank you!

Petra wrote: "Dale that was an interesting interview, did it cause problems that you were a bit critical in the review? Did the author mind? Or was he just happy to get the interview? "

No, it generally doesn't. When I review a book, I'm honest about my reactions, but I also try to balance any negative comments with positive comments. I wouldn't even post a review on my blog if I didn't think the book had some redeeming qualities or if I didn't honestly think the author at least showed promise.

A couple of times I've gotten an argument about my comments, but most authors are grateful that somebody cares enough about their work to say anything at all. I also often send authors some personal commentary to suggest ways they might improve their work. Obviously these are just my own thoughts, which authors are free to accept or reject as they will. But they are almost always gratefully acknowledged, which in my book means the author is serious and wants to improve his or her craft.

Oh, and thank you for sharing the post!

Alex wrote: "I remain interested in publishing through Medium, it's a great place to get some attention and a bit of money, but my enthusiasm hasn't been what it could be recently.
Hopefully I'll get some more..."

I've been pulling material from my blog and my IU flash fiction stories to keep posting every day. Once that's done, I might find myself flagging a bit, too, mostly because I don't always have something to write about. I don't want to post total fluff. If I'm going to post something, I'd like it to be at least a little bit entertaining or insightful...

Carole wrote: "Newest article

https://medium.com/@caroleproman/why-..."

I actually saw it and clapped for it before I saw it here. I'm ahead of the curve for once. ;-)

I got a bit sidetracked, but I now have my review of Alex's An Unwanted Inheritance and an interview with him on my blog. Please enjoy and share!

The second of my IU Editor's Choice award-winners is now on Medium, a fun little snake story: Rattler.

Alex wrote: "A new post from me, well, an old one repurposed from my blog because my brain is stagnant and can't come up with anything fresh at the moment.

https://medium.com/@arcarver87/a-hist......"

Good story. Clapped!

Thanks, clapped!

Only sold 2 books, but both customers signed up for my email list and one other took a bookmark with our URL on it and said she'd be interested in picking up one of my books later. The weather was kind of blah here and store traffic was on the low side, but a sale is a sale . . .

Carole wrote: "Check out my newest article- t4estingthe waters on putting reviews there- https://medium.com/@caroleproman/wome..."

Looks like the link is bad. I get a 404 . . .

Erica wrote: "Great article, Dale. Looks like you are reaching quite a few people already!"

Thanks! Yes, this is now my second-most read article so far, and my most clapped-for article. I expect by the end of today it may rank #1.