Eldon’s Comments (group member since Jan 05, 2017)

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

Alex wrote: "That is definitely true, Eldon, and I've heard rumours that though Amazon says they want all kinds of reviews there is a subtle pressure to give positive reviews, and that Amazon makes a lot of mon..."

Figures :( Just what Amazon needs.... more money -_-

Alex wrote: "Eldon wrote: "Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Best of luck with it Alex!! And don't sweat it too much.... the times, they are a changing :D"

Thanks, as you say, nothing ventured, nothing gained...."

It's a tough business for sure. But I have to believe persistence pays off!!

Anna Faversham wrote: "I began to think it would never happen! The final draft is quite different from the first. But it's all good fun, eh?

And yours?"

Singularity is complete. I'm polishing it now before it goes off for final edits. Then, I'm taking my shot with this one. Going to try my hand at a traditional publishing contract. If that fails, hope to release the book myself around November :)

Alex wrote: "The Vine program is Amazon's official review program

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/vine/help"

Thanks Alex. That doesn't sound like a good program at all. Invitation only for the top reviewers based on rank, but if your ability to review is limited, how can you ever get invited to review? Seems like a chicken and egg scenario to me.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Best of luck with it Alex!! And don't sweat it too much.... the times, they are a changing :D

That is the question. I'm curious, as readers do you pay attention to the epigraph at all? Do you find a quotation adds value to a story or is it just filler?

Alex wrote: "It doesn't surprise me that Amazon is changing things in a way that encourages people to spend money on their services, ie the Vine program.
I hope this is wrong but it rings true to me, unfortunat..."

What is the Vine program??

So is it only a matter of time until Amazon closes Createspace entirely? With KDP Print up and running I can't see why they would keep both available.

Congratulations on the book release Anna!!

Erica wrote: "Way to go, Eldon! Good luck with marketing. Not my favorite part of writing either."

Is it anyone's favorite? Lol

Carole wrote: "Congrats!!"

Thanks!!

Well it took some time but.... I have finished writing Singularity :D It's off to the editor's next month and then back to marketing. Yay :(

I can vouch for Catherine as a terrific editor!!

Sorry to hear of this sad news Carole. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Carole wrote: "Thanks, Sue. 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..."

It doesn't seem like they've provided any information to you at all. That response is 100 percent canned. Why should you be presumed guilty without a chance to face your accuser? The whole thing stinks :(

Carole wrote: "I will no longer review books."

Goodreads has obviously made a grievous error here. In every instance I've seen you post anything on this site, you've always done so with the upmost integrity.

I wouldn't stop reviewing books. Why should you let them bully you out of doing something you like to do?

Carole wrote: "This are the physical books they have for the next show

Unicorn hunter 9
Unmasking 4
Heirs of power 5
Stillness 7
Working stiff 20"

What is the next show?

Carole wrote: "Only think how ridiculous some of them look that Weinstein's stuff is in the open. Anyone affiliated with his movies is in deep crap."

How true indeed.

Carole wrote: "Sound advice, Eldon. Editing and formatting were the best investments in our books."

For sure. And if I can't master HTML I'll be paying for formatting ;)

Baleigh wrote: "So, I have a novel that isn’t quite ready for the final round of editing. I realized some plot issues so I’m going to have to go back and fix them. However, I’m at the point where I’ve started seri..."

Hi Baleigh! Nice to meet you :) Congratulations on having a novel that is close to being ready. A lot of writers never get that far!!

The best advice I can give you is advice I wish I had heeded myself. If you cannot afford an editor right now, hang on to your book. Don't publish without being edited first. Take the time required to save up until you can afford an editor.

I realize this likely isn't what you want to hear but... if you publish before the book is ready you will regret it. I published my first three books without being edited and I regret that now. The mistakes readers find that you could've avoided will haunt you.

And yes, it's true, that even trad published books have errors in them. But no one is perfect. The reason trad looks down on indie is because, while they may not be perfect, they do try. In a lot of cases, indie authors know their manuscripts have mistakes in them but publish anyway.

Do yourself a huge favor and don't be one of them. Find an editor you can trust and the quality of your final manuscript will be worth whatever the eventual investment. And if you're interested, Catherine Milos is the editor of my forthcoming book and she's been a godsend. Highly recommend her services.

Hope it helps, and once again congratulations on coming this far!!