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

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

Why would CS deliberately destroy books already in their library that are generating revenue? It makes no sense. Either they will migrate our book files to KDP or grandfather them in a CS space that will be closed to newcomers. Let's not get upset over things into which we have very little visibility at this time.

Again, from my end, I have seen ZERO change in the way I interface with CS and in the way CS agents have been working with me. And my most recent interaction with them was last week regarding the misprinting of a book that they reprinted and air shipped to me at no cost.

Eldon wrote: "Alex wrote: "I believe there is a fair use policy in existence, so long as the quoted text is under a certain number of words, and proper credit is given, you are allowed to use it.

Please don't ..."

Excellent point. When it comes to lyrics, you can get in a heap of trouble. I wrote a sonnet in 2009 that opened with some lines from "The Democratic Circus" by David Byrnes.

https://www.theodore-cohen-novels.com...

Talking Heads, "The Democratic Circus," Lyrics by David Byrne. Reprinted by permission of Mr. Byrne

I had to get his permission to use these lines. As well, when I wanted to publish the sonnet in our local newspaper (as a paid advertisement) on Veteran's Day one year (I took out a quarter-page ad on the op-ed page), I had to again get his permission.

These are things you do NOT want to fool around with.

"Please don't quote me on this, I could be wrong, but you should be able to find the exactly rules/law regarding quotes and citations with a bit of searching."

Sir Alex of Goodreads

(;>)

But you are correct:

https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2016/...

So, there is some truth to what Dale says, though the waters are murky. I'll take the risk and use short quotes to the front of my books. For example, for the latest book of Flash Fiction:

“Literature is a luxury; fiction is a necessity.”

Gilbert K. Chesterton

Frankly, I would absolutely love it if someone were to quote me. You can never get enough exposure.

Dale wrote: "Eldon wrote: "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?"

Depends. I usually don..."

I don't think that's correct, Dale...you can quote someone and give their name. I've been doing it for five decades, both in my personal and professional/scientific writings. No editor nor publisher has ever questioned it. Not once.

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Josie wrote: "Each to his own, Ted!"

Indeed."

I've used them before too Ted, I'm just not sure readers actually pay them any attention. I do like Josie's idea of using fabricated..."

Frankly, at times, I wonder if there's anyone alive out there.

Josie wrote: "Each to his own, Ted!"

Indeed.

Pretentious or not, I use them in all of my books (except the ones in my children's series). I also include a dedication in each book. Frankly, I think they add "class."

Eldon wrote: "Theodore wrote: "I have to admit...I'm puzzled by the problems people say they are having with CS. I currently have four books "in process" on CS. I go in and out every week or so, updating my draf..."

I have only used CS for the last four to five years. And the quality has always been great. The only problem I had was with the printing of the covers of one of my children's books, which was a dark blue. The problem was mine...I submitted an RGB jpg that had a red component, but the subtractive printing process they use created all kinds of shades of blue, ranging from light purple to blue to dark purple. I finally created an GB jpg cover (no R component) and that solved the problem. But CS was very patient during the process, even reprinting the books on one occasion at their expense to determine whether the problem might be theirs.

I have to admit...I'm puzzled by the problems people say they are having with CS. I currently have four books "in process" on CS. I go in and out every week or so, updating my drafts because the books are scheduled to come "live" in April, June, July, and August. The turnaround for approval and interiors has never taken more than 24 hours.

I recently had 17 copies of a recently released book printed for my personal use. One of the copies was printed backwards. I called CS early in the morning EDST (when I knew I would get an agent in South Africa) and explained the problem to him. The agent asked for all the pertinent information, but did NOT ask for a photo, which I was prepared to provide. He promised to have the book reprinted, which they did. That copy was delivered within two days by FedX Air Express.

So, again, I'm puzzled by the recent comments re CS service. It's basically what I've experienced for the last four to five years.

BTW, KDP also is great...turnaround on approval of interiors has, in many cases, taken only a few hours.

Carmel wrote: "Dale wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Dale wrote: "Ted and I both have stories in this week's contest, although we aren't eligible for the reader's choice so you don't have to vote for either of us. But I ..."

Thanks, Carmel.

Dale wrote: "Ted and I both have stories in this week's contest, although we aren't eligible for the reader's choice so you don't have to vote for either of us. But I like his story, and the picture inspired me..."

Great story, Dale.

Carole wrote: "Hey guys! Just letting you know the email blast went out today!"

Thanks, Carole...will watch the sales board. Much appreciated.

If you live in one of the 14 states mentioned in this article, Comcast just increased your download speed.

https://www.engadget.com/2018/03/06/c...

You'll have to reset your modem (pull the power plug) to get the upgrade. I checked my speed after the upgrade, and it was close to 300 Mbps...that enough to download a movie in 45 seconds.

You can check your speed here:

http://www.speedtest.net/

Judy wrote: "Congratulations to Carole P. Roman for being a finalist in Foreword Reviews Awards for If You Were Me and Lived in the Mayan Empire!!"

That's wonderful, Carole. Congratulations.

Dale wrote: "In semi-related news, neither Ted nor I won or even made the short list (runners up) in the Brilliant Flash Fiction contest. I noted that Ann Zimmerman, who often posts in the Indies Unlimited cont..."

That's interesting. I didn't receive a notification. Good catch.

BTW, the Long List only contains 75 entries, so at least we made the first cut.

T

I received what may have been a scam call tonight from 917-338-6450. Now, the Caller ID on my phone showed that the call was coming from New York, and indeed, area code 917 is a valid area code for all five boroughs, but . . . this call didn't pass the smell test.

First, the caller ostensibly was representing a marketing firm that wanted to sell me a marketing package for one of my books. The problem was, the agent spoke broken English (sounded like an Indian or Pakistani accent) and was using a cell phone. The longer we talked, the more he broke up, until he was gone. Evaporated into thin air, even though I told him twice he was breaking up. I almost immediately realized the "game" he was playing was to get me to return his call, which, if he truly were out of the country, could have resulted in significant charges.

I say "could" because we maintain a block on all foreign outgoing calls on both of our lines. It is impossible for anyone to place a call from our house to another country.

I hung up and whoever it was never called back.

Be warned.

Hey, Guys and Gals,

As you know, Indies Unlimited apologized last week for erroneously disqualifying my last entry. As such, we are very much in the running this week for their Weekly competition. Alyssa’s story this week is about a chipmunk, a bird, and the picture the chipmunk wants take for his holiday card. I hope you enjoy it.

Here’s the story:

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

You can vote here for Alyssa Devine (aka Ted)

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

Thanks!!!!

Carmel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "The IU folks decided that my entry this week was not eligible for a “win” because I had won a week earlier.

This was surprising, given they always list winners of Editor Choice a..."

I just got an e-mail from Indies Unlimited, apologizing for the error in disqualifying my latest entry. So, apparently, the date of record for submissions on the Weekly competitions is the date/month on which the photo is posted (which is always on a Saturday).

BTW, I applaud the rule that restricts a winner to one Weekly win a month.

The IU folks decided that my entry this week was not eligible for a “win” because I had won a week earlier.

This was surprising, given they always list winners of Editor Choice awards by the date a photo is posted, and my “win” in March was for a photo prompt posted in February.

Live and learn.

I’ll be back next month with more stories.

Thanks for your support.

Ted

Letters some agents wished they had never written:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/r...

I've had my share of rejection letters. At least the ones she received gave her some constructive (albeit, on hindsight, worthless) advice. Two-thirds of agents today don't even bother to respond, and 90% of those that do simply say it's "not on their list."