Evelyn’s Comments (group member since Apr 12, 2018)

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

Hello Simi, if you are on Twitter I'll follow you.

The National Literacy Trust estimates that 5.1 million adults in England are functionally illiterate, meaning that they have a reading age of 11 or below and can understand only the most straightforward, short texts on familiar topics.

If you ever wondered how idiots get elected to councils and parliaments this might be part of the answer.

Dale wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested in promoting..."

I've been involved in businesses that managed personal interface in the hundreds. The bottom line is that even if they do not want to respond individually they could at least write their own formula. Good manners, even if only partial, cost nothing.

Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested in promoting creativity rely on models. I hope that they pay royalties to whoever had the wit to write them.

Anita wrote: "For anyone who is trying to move their books and is unable to do so, this is why. Excerpt from KDP guidelines.

"In a few weeks, we'll start automatically moving CreateSpace books to KDP and expect..."

Just got this from Create space about KDP( both owned by Amazon)
CreateSpace's payment schedule, 30 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. After you move your books to KDP, new royalties earned will be paid on KDP's payment schedule. KDP pays royalties on a monthly basis 60 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. As a result, you’ll be paid in October for any royalties earned in September on CreateSpace and be paid in November for any royalties earned on KDP.

So higher costs in some cases plus keeping our money longer. I feel really treasured in the way the corporates do everything to help others and not themselves!

Just had this from CS: "There is no further action required from your end. Your books will be accepted in the same format approved in CreateSpace." Nice to get some good news!

Carmel wrote: "Thanks, Alex. What was supposed to be very simple wasn't even close to simple. And the woman trying to help me resolve it at KDP seemed clueless as well. It doesn't instill confidence."

I have sent an e-mail asking if my files will remain OK on KDP. I only have print and upload as PDF - I have never used any of the CS generators. I'll update on reply. I sell more through Ingram and I'm seriously wondering if it's worth while going on with a dictatorial monolith. There are other ways to list books (print and digital) on Amazon. I don't know about others, but I'm really sick of the faux "We are doing this to help you" spin. "We are doing this to make more money to pay our shareholders" is maybe not what I want, but at least it's honest.

Alex wrote: "D.J. wrote: "I wish you luck, Alex. I hope they grant you a KDP account. I mean, come on Amazon. Sheesh.

Carole, I normally use stronger words than ‘rubbish’ :-)"

Thanks, it's been more than 5 y..."

Just in from CS:
"Hello,

We are contacting you because your CreateSpace account has one of more books that will be charged a higher manufacturing fee once they are moved to KDP to align with KDP’s global pricing standards. Paperback printing costs are higher on KDP than CreateSpace for Black & White titles under 110 pages printed in the EU, Black & White titles under 100 pages printed in the UK, and color titles under 30 pages printed in both the EU and UK. Based on this change, you may want to update the list prices of your books."

Ah, all clear now.

According to Create Space "Once the move (to KDP) is complete, CreateSpace members will be able to access the same great features they use today on KDP, as well as features unique to KDP. CreateSpace and KDP will continue to operate as a single team. Paperbacks will continue to be printed in the same facilities, on the same printers, and by the same people."

I don't have any digital books and can only assume this is a logical process of merging two Amazon businesses and spinning it as a benefit to users rather than what it is.

Theodore wrote: "Just ran across this article in The Washington Post...very depressing, to say the least:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/i......"

I read so much I got into trouble for it, but I'm not sure that the 60% of kids reading years ago is true. There is a problem in analysis based on asking people what they do.

All said and done it is worrying not least because reading fires imagination and, mostly, expands the mind. I think as or maybe more serious is the decline in using writing instruments. There is a brain connection between thought, eye and writing that is vitally important.

P.D.R. wrote: "Thank you, Evelyn, I've now got Rutvi sorted.
Sorry not to be clear in my posting above. Have had two new hips and a new knee over the last 18 months and it's eaten up most of my time with rehab an..."

Thanks for following me and I followed back. That sounds quite a journey. Maybe there is another novel in that!

Hi Rutvi,

Hope you are feeling better. I followed you on Twitter @rutvisompura is your twitter address. You last posted in April - if you lost the details check with Twitter.

Alexis wrote: "I’ve been headhunted for a nice legal counsel position. Problem is, it’s a 3 interview process. The first one is tomorrow (I’m not prepared at all but that’s another story.) but if I make it throug..."

I guess you have to ask:
A) Is this a job I really want?
B) Is Greece going to disappear while I interview?
C) If agencies think a holiday is more important to me than my career will they continue to offer opportunities?

Whatever you decide, good luck and above all remember that the future is in front of you and the best way to stop good things in your future is to regret the past.

Dennis wrote: "Just 'followed' everyone who has listed themselves.

Great idea, hope everyone gets on board.

Here are our pages to follow:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/scifinov

Facebook: https://www.facebook..."

Followed you please follow back.

Followed Ben and Justin on Twitter.

Incidentally I've started using https://unfollowerstats.com/ a free service to monitor who follows back. Extraordinary how many follow to get a follow back and then unfollow as soon as you have. Also how many post the same under multiple names or are seemingly interesting, but turn out to be porn site promoters.

Carole wrote: "Who does the reminding?"

Goodreads promise to do so although as it is not a requirement I fail to see how they can remind someone to do something they were not asked to do.

D.J. wrote: "Is that actually a ruling? Nice for anyone who has the money. Not so great if the readers do not follow through."

Ah! In October 2016 a reviewer of one of my books prefaced her review with "I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review..." Very clear, then I thought, "Have they changed something along with the introduction of the fee this year." Well, yes. The requirement to give an honest review is no longer there although in the FAQ it does say that after 8 weeks winners will be reminded to rate and review the book.

So, in a nutshell, they are charging for a program that makes no pretence of helping authors. Thanks for raising the issue. I should have checked if they had changed it rather than assuming that being charged meant it was made clear to participants what the purpose was.

Judy wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "This discussion was whether it was worth participating because Goodreads changed the rules by restricting the promotion to USA addresses and charging a basic $119.00..." When (if) you do the giveaways, do you ask for a review?

Anyone entering a Goodreads giveaway do so on the clear understanding that they will provide an honest review. That's the only reason that authors give books away.

This discussion was whether it was worth participating because Goodreads changed the rules by restricting the promotion to USA addresses and charging a basic $119.00. Of course on top of that one has the cost of the books and postage – not inconsiderable. I flipped a coin to decide whether to spend money on a fourth Giveaway.

My Giveaway ended on February 23rd and I mailed the books the following Tuesday 27th. After confirming the send, I got a ‘Support’ request asking me to rate the experience. I ignored it because there was nothing to comment on. Previous experience with Giveaways has seen responses of between 30 and 50%. Almost five months later I can report that one person has posted a thoughtful review including a valuable suggestion. One person gave a star rating without any comment. Four recipients have not bothered. No books have been sold because of Goodreads, who claimed they would get behind the program and remind winners to review.

Goodreads describe Giveaways, as “key to all our marketing tools. Giveaways, deals and paid advertising all work together to support books. This new program is about making Giveaways a more powerful tool for publishers and authors.”

If my experience is typical, then this program is a huge waste of money. There is no real support from Goodreads. The fairly low response rate was just about acceptable when one only had mail costs. Restricting the audience and charging has no value for me as an author. I intend to set up a reader panel that I know will honestly review my books. It seems a more sensible way to go. And yes, I do know I can pay for reviews, but I’m yet to be persuaded that that makes sense for me.

Carole wrote: "William Potter is a really nice man. Both my son and I have won numerous awards on his site. He's affiliated with a lot of indie authors.

He has had interesting articles. I don't think it made a d..."

I guess few have an elastic promo budget and there are lots of 'Nice' people, but I want to sell my books. Seems the most reliable is still good old word of mouth.