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

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

Goodreads would be better off spending its time cleaning up its Giveaway fraud than wasting its time on this ghost hunt with you, of all people.

Unbelievable!! Pretty amazing that they are acting on unsubstantiated claims. This impunes the integrity of Goodreads. They should have performed an internal investigation and verified the veracity of the claims as well as the motives of those complaining. I smell a rat (several, in fact).

Dale wrote: "Yeah, some of them haven't been too interesting. But I've found that with practice it's getting easier to tease something out of even a fairly uninteresting photo. I've also found that more and mor..."

I, as well...which is because I'm struggling LOL

Dale wrote: "I found it interesting and a bit humorous that we both started with the same general idea, although we spun them in very different directions. That doesn't usually happen with these photos."

I agree...given the nature of the photos, I have trouble in general, of late, just coming up with stories.

Hi, Guys and Gals…

My story this week is about a snowball fight that turns tragic. I think you will find it interesting.

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

As always, your support is appreciated.

Ted

Annabelle wrote: "Does anyone here have any military experience or knowledge and can give me some information on my current WIP? One of the characters is a veteran and I just want to be accurate about some of the te..."

I was a captain in the Corps of Engineers during the Vietnam War, Annabelle. What is your question?

Ted

Carole wrote: "Well done!"

Alyssa says "Thanks!" (;>)

Dale wrote: "Here's a modified version of the same cover concept, with lettering a bit better (still not entirely right) and some blue shading added in the foreground water."

It could work if you could "lay" the letters down on the water...give them the "right" perspective so that they appear to be floating on the water. But that's going to take a professional house, I think, to get that "look." Maybe a SirSpeedy or other printing house could achieve the effect you're seeking.

Dale wrote: "Got it, thanks. I'll have to poke around their site some more. You might have to actually create an account to be able to see full details. They don't list that kind of package on their pricing inf..."

Here are the plans...you can purchase 10 credits for $35 or 25 credits for $49

https://www.bigstockphoto.com/subscri...

You do NOT have to subscribe to any monthly or yearly plan. I just purchase credits as I need them using $49 purchases.

Dale wrote: "Ted,

I took a look at Big Stock. The pricing plans seem to be monthly, starting at $79/month. Is that how you're doing it, or am I missing something?"

No, I purchased a package of points for $49...I then use up the points as I need them.

Carole wrote: "Has anybody seen any sales in mass distribution? I send out our flyer daily- I must have mailed a thousand of them- it goes to libraries in the midwest.

I have seen some new movement on my books-..."

I know that the local has one of my books...even met (by accident) the person who requested it. She works out in the same gym I use. Pure chance. I'll get her to request another LOL

Congrats, Carole.

Dale wrote: "Thanks again, I'll look into them. We generally use DreamsTime. It typically costs no more than $35 for a photo through them, and sometimes less. Sometimes we look at Shutterstock, but Kathleen fee..."

I usually pay $2 for my photos, $4 at the most.

Dale wrote: "Theodore wrote: "I walked into my local library branch a few months ago and offered to give them $100 worth of my novels and children's books. They refused them. Instead, they gave me a form to sub..."

Indie authors get no respect! That's the bottom line.

Done! Very impressive.

Ted

Faith wrote: "Hi Judy. For libraries, i.e. to give away the book but each copy reaches many readers, just Google for public library addresses in the areas and countries you want it to go to, then post it marked ..."

I walked into my local library branch a few months ago and offered to give them $100 worth of my novels and children's books. They refused them. Instead, they gave me a form to submit to "headquarters," on which I could provide a list of my books for them to consider. I never heard another word.

I'll never make that offer again. Nor will I contribute money to the county's library system.

Dale wrote: "Ted,

Thanks for the comments.

Some additional background, in case it matters:

We had a few problems with finding an image. I originally wanted a Chesapeake scene with ice on the water, but tha..."

Understand. I get my stock photos from Big Stock Photo. Very economical. Worth a look.

Good luck with your book.

I think it has potential, Dale...

My suggestions:

1. Do the background in an icy blue
2. Move the title to the top, choosing both the font and the color carefully
3. Move your name to the bottom

Here's what I did with the Kindle edition cover for my Antarctic Murders Trilogy:

Denise wrote: "Amy wrote: "Do you think Amazon are trying to force the Indie out? What’s next a fee for the privilege of using their services? They certainly don’t employ enough staff for anything, let alone vett..."

I have said it before, and I will say it again...the giveaways were a scam...a way for people, at the least, to build libraries, and at the most, to make a buck by selling your books to resellers. I found one of my books on a Texas resellers' site one week after sending the book to the winner (loser!). I never once (!) received a review from any of the six paperback giveaways I ran.

Carole wrote: "lol"

She has said some wonderful things about your books.

Carole wrote: "Voted and shared!!"

Thanks, Carole! (from Alyssa (;>))