Amy’s Comments (group member since Jan 15, 2017)

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

I came out of KU early on, but only because I wanted to see if I could get iBooks to publish my erotica after hearing it was difficult to do. And yay they did, I think I sold two copies. :)

It's all changed. Reading past articles it's like it's a different world now.

Anna Faversham wrote: "Amy said: "If Amazon carries on the way they are, Indies will just be indulging in a very costly hobby. And that's not what I set out to achieve. "

Perhaps it's what Amazon set out to achieve?"

I'm beginning to wonder.

@Alex, I've always thought it's wise to not put all the eggs in one basket. Although I possibly sold two books on iBooks.

I never thought those who were successful for years would now be unsure of the future. Eye-opening.

I hate to be pessimistic. (That's a lie, it's my natural state.) I'm beginning to wonder if all this is the beginning of the end. If Amazon carries on the way they are, Indies will just be indulging in a very costly hobby. And that's not what I set out to achieve.

I hope they made suggestions for what you should have used instead.

No not at all Ted, you’ve always been very supportive. But editing for me is currently out of the question so I either publish what I can do myself or I give up.

Thanks. And I hope you get one finished. I’m desperately putting off finishing my fourth for some unknown reason.

I don't think it's oversharing. I think it's realistic. People seem to take it for granted that indies have hundreds of pounds sitting around that they can throw at getting a book out. I am under the distinct impression that there are people who are used to having disposable income. The last recession finished that off for us. It is very hand to mouth at the moment.

Here's the thing. I know I have talent too. I have doubts every day. I know I'd have more confidence if I had an editor. However the fact of the matter is, to edit my latest book would cost £300+ for 47k. This probably isn't considered to be much. I just don't have it. End of story. Every penny I have and every penny I earn this year is going towards getting our daughter into uni in September. I want both my kids to have the chances I didn't. If editing happened to cost fifty quid I'd consider it, but it doesn't, it costs a lot more than that, and probably rightly so. I don't believe in people offering their services for peanuts in the same way as I don't believe I should be giving everything I write away for free.

I would also go with the pick one and finish it approach. In the end, last year with two being serialised at the same time, I had to take a break from one to get the other one finished. Pick your favourite.

I only like technology when it works.

Mmmmm cave...

I know I should. The 250 word count bothers me. I think I'd find myself woefully lacking. My confidence doesn't need the hit right now.

Well done Ted.

I can honestly say I've never felt anything like that. Most of the things I've done have always felt like an uphill struggle going against what is expected of me.

Bleugh.

Enter the weirdo:

I'd have liked to have witnessed the Black Death without experiencing it. I'm not that much of a masochist.

I didn't pop out until the early 70s and feel like I missed the fun of the 60s.

I too like technology but feel I'm better suited to being filthy rich and not having to work because I came from money in the time when women only stressed about the colour of the lace they wore! Although saying that, women didn't own anything and husbands owned their wives, you know what you can do with that idea. Modern life is too stressful.

I understand where you're coming from, although my reinventions have been small scale in comparison. I've gone from selling car parts I knew nothing about to clothes, being a data entry clerk, a secretary, IT support, server management, would be writer, family, weight loss consultant, author. Basically trying to help pay the bills without feeling like I could murder someone.

Clapped.

I have "finished" Missing Remnants. I guess I'm calling it a beta at the moment.

I’ve got a missing persons thriller at under 50k if you’re interested.

I’m not surprised but in reality this will mean someone like me who doesn’t sell books to anyone other than those who know me, even if they only vaguely know me, will end up with no reviews. You can use our platform but we don’t want you to be successful. Cheers Amazon.

I’ve seen similar things (not on my books). At least they aren’t 1* reviews for a hairdryer or something. That happens.

I know. It seems all downs at the moment. If I get a payment of £2.50 out of Medium next month I may throw a party. Clutching at straws...

Never give up. I had everything crossed that it was an algorithm or some other thing I don’t understand that caused it. Sorted. Yay.