Anna’s Comments (group member since Mar 21, 2017)

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

I'm not saying this worked for me but it does come under the thread heading of 'Where can I promote my book?'

eBookStage has a system whereby if you use it it gives you points. I kind of view these things as a bit of a gimmick and I'll only advertise with someone if I think it's worth it. Well, as you know, very few are actually worth it in terms of getting your money back immediately, but as we have to stay visible, we have to advertise, don't we? So I took a look at eBookStage for my forthcoming ad for a KCD and was surprised to find I had enough points for a free ad! Whoop, whoop. Just thought you'd like to know.

Another thing I've noticed is that a book on Amazon published by Harper Collins has a free sample. Now that's not the 'look inside' feature that Amazon provide, though it might be the free sample that Amazon do (or have they stopped it?). But it seemed that an Indie author might be able to put up the first 5,000 words (or whatever it takes for your book to hook a reader) and that reader would then buy all of your book. If Harper Collins do it, maybe Indies could catch the wave. Again - just a thought.

For every new review I get, they remove two others.
Carole, this is awful. Also awful for Chrys. I thought I was imagining things when I noticed my measly total of reviews had gone down. Perhaps I wasn't.

Alexis - great to hear your joy!

In my weekend newspaper there was an article about fake reviews - review factories, bots, and leaning on or tempting reviewers to give 5 star reviews or not at all. Some of this relates to book reviews.

I quote:

"Amazon gave the most comprehensive response to any suggestion of laxity (in policing fake reviews). 'Amazon invests significant resources to protect the integrity of reviews in our store...

" 'Even one inauthentic review is one too many.' It said that it uses machine learning to analyse all incoming reviews and regularly works with social networks to break up review groups. Since 2015, it said, it had brought lawsuits against more than 1,000 defendants for abusing the review system and in 2018 it spent more that £319m on stopping reviews abuse, fraud and other forms of misconduct."

Worth knowing that Amazon are defending those of us who don't have many reviews but they are all genuine.

Congratulations to our Carole!

Also to Nat, three years, but what satisfaction there is for us slow writers when finally a book is born. My last two have taken about 22 months which is the same gestation period as for an elephant. Three years? You might have grown a whale of a tale.

It's all right, there's no need to try laughing.

It's worth it in the long run - you know it is!

Oh, oh, now I know why I stick with Amazon.

So very sorry to know you're having eye troubles as well as everything else. I hope the injection soon works and things will be better, clearer.

Alexis wrote: "Oohh fun!
The park close to my house.
https://images.app.goo.gl/WVBM2WZRjWz..."

Lovely, all parks should have lakes/water!

I can't complain. I had a long run when nothing much went wrong, yes there were time consuming surprises, but nice ones. I knew that this long run of smoothness (sorry couldn't think of a better word and, as you can imagine, I am pushed for time) would/must run out at some time. But, as Alex said, everything has happened all at once. I've spared you all the rest of the stuff! But one of it is emotionally draining, just physically draining. I've resorted to chatting on Goodreads for a rest!

Quarter century, Carole? Ah... same here.

I wonder if you could make a new joke out of that, Carole. You know the sort of thing, "How many handymen does it take...?"

All these labour saving devices that have been invented seem to need a lot of looking after. When there was just one invention, it saved time. Now there are loads of things 'we can't do without' we seem to be running from one to the next to keep all the balls in the air.

The insurance assessor declined it as it was a leak in a pipe under the concrete floor which soaked the concrete which... and so on. I've forgotten all the details now but it sounded right the way he explained it!!!

Sensational, Alex. You're on your way.

There's so much I still need to learn and figure out about this publishing lark, especially when it comes to the marketing.

I echo that.

Simi says So what's up, guys?

Oh Simi, you don't want to hear about my mini flood, digging up of the concrete floor, having to wait weeks for a new carpet with all the... nope I can't bring myself to give you all the details, it's so boring. Mostly I carried on writing, but today, with the boiler man and carpenters here, I gave up trying. Maybe once we've got straight. I've not let it worry me at all, so don't think I need a hug (although you can give me one anyway!) I just plough through these things, but writing has suffered.

See - boring...

Ah... just whipped over to the 'What sites worked...' thread and found your post. Yay! That's amazing, especially the feed through to the paid books.

BookBub took my time travel some time ago and it hasn't looked back (though I have to keep giving it a kick up the backside sometimes). Oh how I wish it had been part of a series. Well done for getting it right, Alex.

I wish my email feed would get it right and send me what I want to see!

And Alex, your "Where There's a Will" is a raging success. Shouldn't you be posting on this 'Something Good..." thread?

Great news, Alexis! Keep going...

Internet not working - aarrgh!

Years ago, I was about to publish on Amazon my very first novel, it was all ready to roll but I thought I'd wait until I returned from holiday. Returned, Internet down, stayed down for 11 days. Grrr...

It must have been difficult waiting for two weeks. It makes me wonder what would happen if someone pulled the plug on us all. Now there's a plot for someone (not me!)

Wow! Congratulations.

Whoop, whoop, whoop!!!

Thanks for sharing your joy. It just proves good things can and do happen right out of the blue.

I feel for you, Alexis, for the loss - so young - of your cousin and others have said what I too would say.

What comes through most of all to me from what has happened to you is what you said - life is short, particularly when we are busy keeping a lot of balls in the air. We are finite and time rushes on, so let's all focus on leaving something worthwhile for the generations to come.

Ooh... what a good idea, Alex. I'll join you in that celebration (much deserved) and sneak off to find some chocolate now!

Alex, that's amazing - all of it.

You have many more reviews than I do, speaks volumes for your writing.

Also, you're almost at the top of the free charts for your genres in the UK and BookBub are only just beginning to roll out their newsletters.

Go, go, go!