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

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

Carole wrote: ""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 have come to this conclusion as well. They've put up a c..."

That would be a significant scandal if the winners of Amazon's Goodreads who posted (or attempted to post) reviews on Amazon had those reviews removed. Then, the ONLY purpose of the Giveaways would be to draw people to Goodreads for the purpose of taking authors for their books, many of which would end up for resale on Amazon in the end anyway. However you slice it, Amazon wins coming and going, and the indie authors take it in the ear (and the pocketbook).

Marie Silk wrote: "I did fill it in but was surprised when the survey stopped abruptly after the question about how much promotional money goes into my books. Also it was a sloppy question imo because it did not give..."

For an Amazon "product," the survey was quite amateurish. Clearly, they are experiencing a problem, but that survey is NOT going to give them the answer to whatever is ailing the program. What's ailing the program is that the premise--the winners will post reviews--is wrong. Follow the money. When people start writing you, asking you to sign only your name if they win the competition (as one person did), it's pretty clear people could care less about posting reviews and more about turning a buck.

I don't know how you ever could create a program such as Giveaways in such a way as too ensure winners will produce reviews. Hell, even after the thousands of books purchased during my ENT discount sales, I doubt readers of those books have posted TEN reviews on the novels they purchased from me. More and more these days (my opinion), people aren't stopping to do much more than the absolute minimum on anything before moving on to whatever is next in their life.

And it's not only in our world I see this. I subscribe to two communication/electronics magazines. Almost every month, I write one to three letters to the writers of articles published in those magazines, commending them on their work, commenting on a circuit they published, noting something about a quirk in ionospheric propagation they overlooked, or something other. And yet, not one person (NOT ONE) has even gone to the "trouble" to hit the REPLY button and said "Hey, Ted, how the hell are ya?!" (I'm very well know internationally in this community) in the last five years. So much for people taking time to do something many used to do as a common courtesy a decade ago. We have all these wonderful communication modes, these "social media," and the fact is, people are more isolated and unsocial than ever before. If you don't believe me, just watch any family, at any restaurant, today. Who are they talking to? If they ARE talking.

Okay...I am now retiring to my cave. It's snowing out, the wind is blowing at 40 mph, my daughter to the east in Princeton lost power a few minutes ago, and it's just another day in Paradise. (;>)

Again, for the record and those that haven't read this before: I ran six multi-book Giveaways on Amazon a few years ago, Priority-Mailed the books to all winners (none was outside the US), and not one recipient posted a review. One book turned up for sale on Amazon at an address of a bookstore close to where one of the books was shipped less than two weeks after I had mailed it.

The best way I have found to sell books (Kindle editions) is using eReader News Today (ENT) discount sales. Have sold thousands of copies over the last three years.

I have a tiny violin downstairs on the shelf...about two inches long. I think I'll tune it up and play Hearts and Flowers for them. Their Giveaways should be called Ripaways, given the people who win them, for the most part, just sell them on Amazon. They win, Amazon wins, you lose, but two out of three ain't bad. (;>)

Alexis wrote: "Marie Silk wrote: "Alexis wrote: " I’m just afraid that whatever I write will be pure crap that no one will truly enjoy.

Anyone ever feel like that?"

Every time. Sometimes you don't know how your..."

No, not everyone will enjoy your books. Even worse, not every one will even understand them. It's called the "intentional fallacy." Readers will think (!) they know what the author's "intent" was in writing what they wrote, but not all will "get it" correct (or better, as intended).

We do the best we can.

Frankly, as indies, G_d's plan did not include making us rich. For some, however--those who enjoy writing--it might include making us happy.

Hahahaha...just received a Goodreads Giveaways Survey...not that many questions, but...BUT...they forgot to ask the one real important one: if you spend so much per book on advertising, why haven't you run a Giveaway in the last six (or twelve) months? That's a pretty glaring omission, and probably a question to which they did NOT want to hear my answer. (Hint: because it's a total and complete waste of time and money.)

Dale wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Yikes, I hope everything is okay, Dale. There are better ways to open the New Year!!! Fingers crossed that things get better."

Yeah, it definitely wasn't the way we wanted to spen..."

Sometimes it takes a few tries to get the meds right. Be patient.

And yes, the IU contests are wonderful. This one might have stumped me except I happened to hear about the problem the day before on NPR and obviously, it clicked. Terrible problem out there for the people and the environment. Screw with Mother Nature and you pay a price. Can't wait to see how bad the summer will be in the Southern Hemisphere this year.

Christine wrote: "Good story, Ted - voted!"

Thanks, Christine. XOXOXOXOXO

Dale wrote: "Congratulations again, Ted. I didn't see your latest yet. Unfortunately I spent New Year's Eve in the emergency room again with my wife (everything is relatively okay now) so didn't more than glanc..."

Yikes, I hope everything is okay, Dale. There are better ways to open the New Year!!! Fingers crossed that things get better.

I forgot to post the new story. Voting opened this morning:

here's the link...

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

My story this week is a true, modern-day tragedy prompted by the photo of a salt flat. You'll understand once you read what I've written. Hope it's not to late to save the area about which I write.

Thanks for your vote. And good luck on your efforts, Dale.

Alexis wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Thanks, ladies. Was just trying to help. Be even the smallest amount of editing can help, if only to catch the "oh s---" errors that are so off-putting to readers. Sad but true: yo..."

Well, close to "right." Perfection is the enemy of pretty good. Only G-d can make something perfect, which is why I always leave a few typos in my books. (;>)

Carole wrote: "http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/2018...

Please SHARE!!! <3"

Done

Thanks, ladies. Was just trying to help. Be even the smallest amount of editing can help, if only to catch the "oh s---" errors that are so off-putting to readers. Sad but true: you only have one chance to make a first impression. I am constantly amazed at what my editor--who works for free books--turns up. Sometimes I just want to scream!

Amy wrote: "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 t..."

Amy, I sure hope you didn't think I was attacking anyone for not spending money on an editor. I was only saying that in my experience, the developmental editor I hired on my first book opened my eyes to a whole new realm of writing and basically kickstarted my career. We all make decisions in our lives and allocate our resources accordingly. Putting our coins in one place necessarily denies them to another. We all understand that. I chose to put some on a developmental editor, and I never looked back. It was one of the best decisions I ever made as a writer.

Alexis wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Alexis wrote: "Oh, it felt so good to type that. I NEED HELP. :D

In the last few years I’ve started four books and finished zero.
I know I have talent.
I just.. there’s a mental b..."

Okay, I've read everything above, so this isn't a shot in the dark. Yes, editors cost money. So does everything else that has something of worth. Few of us are gifted enough to be good at everything. I've done a lot in my life--tinker sailer soldier spy--well, maybe not the last one, but close to it one time, and in any event, when it came to my first book, I peeled off a portion and hired a developmental editor who taught English at a community college to "pump up" the text, so to speak. It opened my eyes as she took the book and the characters from two to three dimensions. You don't have to have an entire text treated---ask for 10,000 or 20,000 works to be edited...just enough to open your eyes to the possibilities. And you do NOT want a simple edit...you want someone like the woman I mentioned above (and I do NOT know her) who can take your material and spin gold. You want an "orchestrator" to take that tune you've put down on paper and create the orchestral arrangement. (Oh, well, you understand what I'm saying...and you don't have to hear the entire concerto to learn how to do some of those things for yourself.)

Look around for developmental editors...look at their backgrounds, look at their products, ask their clients...then, pick one of your books or a portion of one, and get to work with your preferred editor. It will be money well spent. Better than wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Here's the post:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Talk to her about "developmental" editing and her other offerings.

Alexis wrote: "Oh, it felt so good to type that. I NEED HELP. :D

In the last few years I’ve started four books and finished zero.
I know I have talent.
I just.. there’s a mental block there that makes me doubt m..."

Alexis...

Assuming you're done your "homework" and have a sense of the genre in which you are writing, and given everyone (well, almost everyone (the rest are insane)) have self-doubts, my advice is two-fold:

1. Plunge ahead and finish one book. Pick one. Pick the one in which you love the story, the characters, whatever, the best. Just plunge ahead and finish it.
2. Find a good content editor and let them show you how to turn it into the sparkling gem it has the potential to be.

A great content editor opened my eyes in 2009, and I never looked back.

Ted

PS Yesterday, here, I saw someone offering their services as a content editor (or something along those lines). You might want to have a chat with her. T

Thanks, Becky and Judy.

I'll certainly be in the "swinging" for the fences.

Happy New Year!

Amy wrote: "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."

Okay...I understand. It can be a challenge to pack a complete story in that short a space.

Amy wrote: "Well done Ted."

Thanks, Amy. You should try it some week.

Hey, Gang!

Great way to finish out the old year…with a win!!!

https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/...

Thanks for your support in 2017. I’ll be back next week with a story based on true events.

Until next Wednesday, Happy New Year. And if you’re out and about, please…PLEASE…drive safely.

Ted (and Alyssa)