Theodore’s Comments (group member since Apr 01, 2017)

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

Carmel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Alex wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Theodore wrote: "I love the KDP platform...

It took me about a hour last night to convert the paperback edition of my Spanish childrens book, Pepe Co..."

Thanks. The biggest problem I have now is with the Goodreads editors and getting the new editions posted. The requests have been up on the Editors' board for quite some time, but none has responded.

Alex wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Theodore wrote: "I love the KDP platform...

It took me about a hour last night to convert the paperback edition of my Spanish childrens book, Pepe Construye un Nido (Pepe Builds a..."

Thanks, Alex. I appreciate that.

And yes, it took less than an hour for Amazon to link the pages after I put the request in through Author Central. The support today has been terrific on the publication of both the Spanish and the French editions.

Theodore wrote: "I love the KDP platform...

It took me about a hour last night to convert the paperback edition of my Spanish childrens book, Pepe Construye un Nido (Pepe Builds a Nest) to a Kindle edition. The la..."

I just received an e-mail from KDP that the French version now is on sale at Amazon.com. Unbelievable response time from Amazon, given the Word file was submitted to them only a few hours ago.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FNS6726

Alex wrote: "Theodore wrote: "I love the KDP platform...

It took me about a hour last night to convert the paperback edition of my Spanish childrens book, Pepe Construye un Nido (Pepe Builds a Nest) to a Kindl..."

Actually, friends helped me with the translations. The cost was a generous supply of the published, translated books.

The childrens books, which are relatively short, are the only ones I've had translated.

I love the KDP platform...

It took me about a hour last night to convert the paperback edition of my Spanish childrens book, Pepe Construye un Nido (Pepe Builds a Nest) to a Kindle edition. The latter was submitted as a Word document at 10 pm EDT last night, and by 10 am this morning, it was available on Amazon.com.

Just submitted the French version to KDP; I expect it will go "live" before I'm even awake tomorrow morning.

I'm still amazed at how easy it is to publish using Amazon's various platforms.

Anna Faversham wrote: "I have discovered that Under a Dark Star has become a finalist in the eFestival of Words held by Bards and Sages Publishing. I had never heard of it and, initially, I did not know who had nominated..."

Done

There's a good discussion on book advertising to which you might want to contribute on the Indies Unlimited site:

https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2018/...

D.J. wrote: "I’ve had six days of book sales. It may be just one or two a day but I don’t care. This may not sound like much if it wasn’t for the fact until very recently I could say ‘I don’t sell books.’"

Great work, D.J.

Carole wrote: "Who does the reminding?"

So, in a way, Giveaway reviews are paid reviews. (;>)

Carole wrote: "I think you can't ask for a review."

I think you can ask for a review, in general. Why not?

Think about it: Amazon, itself, sponsors Giveaways for the sole purpose of stimulating readers UNKNOWN to the author to tender reviews--good or bad--on Amazon.com. Why else would you give a book away?

To this end, I have inserted an Afterword in the Kindle editions of my Flash Fiction Anthologies, commending readers on finishing the book and asking if they might take a moment to post a review. I have no idea who they are or whether or not they liked the book...just that if they have a moment, they go over to the Amazon webpage for the book and leave a note. And I note that the only thing I can give them is a huge helping of thanks.

The audiobook for my third Detective Louis Martelli, NYPD, mystery/thriller, Lilith: Demon of the Night, was just released:

https://www.amazon.com/Lilith-Demon-N...


Free with your Audible trial.

You can listen to the first chapter on the audiobook’s Amazon.com webpage.

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. Of course on top of that one h..."

Giveaways are a total waste of time and money. I ran six several years ago, using Priority Mail to send the winners their books (each Giveaway involved multiple winners). None--NONE--resulted in a review. In one case, I know for certain the book showed up in a used book store in Texas three weeks later. (In one case, during the giveaway, one participant even wrote, asking that if she won, would I please just sign my name and nothing else on the cover page.)

If you're thinking of doing a Giveaway, save yourself the time and aggravation by simply flushing your money down the toilet.

Alex wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Carole wrote: "Happy Birthday, Alex!!!!"

No, cake?! What the hell. And I already had my ticket on American Airlines, direct to Heathrow!"

I'd love a cake, I've been looking aroun..."

What about a good carrot cake...nice, thick frosting with that little simulated carrot on top? There is none finer! Think outta the box, my friend.

Carole wrote: "Happy Birthday, Alex!!!!"

No, cake?! What the hell. And I already had my ticket on American Airlines, direct to Heathrow!

Carole wrote: "Book sales have fallen off- I am not publishing anything new ( except for the book I actually got paid for).
I was checking the KDP reports which are hard to read if you have multiple authors and ..."

I think the issue with reviews, and the difficulty in obtaining them, remains one of my biggest concerns. I simply can't understand why people who, after expressing an interest in a book and agreeing to do a review, never "come through."

I've given up on giving out review copies. If they're that interested, they can spend $2.99 and purchase the Kindle edition.

Carmel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Carmel wrote: "Dale...good to have your perspective on what your experiences have been.

Ted...I think the Friends of the Library is different from the library itself, in that the..."

I believe strongly in that old adage: you have only one chance to make a first impression.

At this point in my life, I'm not much into giving people second chances.

Carmel wrote: "Dale...good to have your perspective on what your experiences have been.

Ted...I think the Friends of the Library is different from the library itself, in that they help support the library, and ..."

Carmel,

No, in this case, I was dealing directly with the Bucks County Free Library System.

https://buckslib.org/

There is no excuse for their amateurish behavior. Clearly, they don't have a clue regarding outreach (let alone their responsibility to respond, at the least, to those who submit papers IAW their instructions). They get no pass from me.

I've organized and managed conference sessions for groups up to 1000 participants. It takes a lot of work and organization. Unless and until you understand what's required, best to either defer the event or reach out to people who understand what's required and seek help.

Carole wrote: "Getting very frustrated here!!!"

What was the tipoff? (;>)

D.J. wrote: "Not surprised you did after what you experienced. It's a very them and us world."

Even worse...they didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. You have to wonder: what color is the sky in their world?!

D.J. wrote: "That sounds grim Ted. I’ve no idea how libraries in the UK view us. As a society we know how to do red tape. I expect the process would be some excruciating form of torture."

They sent out a questionnaire after the "Indies Day," asking if I was interested in such an event next (this) year. I told them not to contact me again.