Jessica’s Comments (group member since Nov 22, 2010)

Jessica’s comments from the The Extra Cool Group! (of people Michael is experimenting on) group.

I like the discussions and the incredible reviews my friends--and strangers--write. I love discovering writers I wouldn't otherwise.

I like some of the groups (like this one, of course and Graham Greene and a few others), but I don't like the stupid polls and the games (Scrabble, or maybe it's a group?) that clutter up my feed. I have shifted my friends around because of Scrabble posting (not a 'top friend' anymore).

As has been said already, the feedback group is great on GR, the quick responses to feedback from the GR team.

I don't like the ganging up that one sometimes sees on threads where a commenter who's made the mistake of posting something stupid or contrary, gets piled on. One or two counter-comments are enough. The rest is gratuitous and bully-ish.

well Will, we're in competition! My biggest vote getter is at 25 at present. (And yet...once upon a time I was #14 Goodreads Best Reviewer! I enjoyed that while it lasted ~)

If there is a way, I'd be happy to know as well.

I just took a guess at which one of mine had the most...

yeah, well that's a strong label to put on one of the above.

yes, I noticed those points. I guess it's the case that--as with some religions--truth is not what is at issue. Faith, or something like that--one's own comfortable beliefs--is.

Your review is entirely convincing, Sho; nonetheless, I see there were folks who didn't want to be convinced.

sometimes it's surprising which review garners votes....a bit mysterious. A very early review of mine on Charlotte Perkins' The Yellow Wallpaper recently got a whole slew of votes. Not sure why, except that I gush about it. I think really gushing reviews, as well as damning ones, may garner more votes because of the passion involved.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

well just goes to show you--with my publisher at least, any extra profit is not going to the author.

The royalty per book is smaller with ebooks than with print books. At least with my pubber.

Brian wrote: "I love it when I find some personal little notation in a used book. It makes me wonder about the life of the book, prior to my ownership. My copy of Tomorrow's Money used to belong to a library in ..."

I like this too, except when there are too many notations, like in a book used for a class...too distracting then for me, too much the former owner's book and not mine...

There was an outcry (and petition) from established authors some years ago against Amazon, due to the fact that it listed one's books from second hand vendors right where it listed new books, thereby potentially cutting out the opportunity for any roylaties due to authors (assuming purchasers went for the cheaper 2nd hand option). Independent press authors, however, felt differently as Amazon provided worldwide distribuition of their books whereas previously it was very, very difficult to get hold of small press authors' books.
E-books, on the other hand, not only reduce the aftermarket of authors' books as you point out, but the royalties suck or are virtually nonexistent.

as an author, I am happiest to have readers. While royalties are great, even with 3 books (in my case), they don't amount to that much. So...knowing folks are reading my books--whether from libraries, on loan, 2nd hand shops, or new sales--is what matters most of all.

it helps in the way you mention Jim, not in royalties, but at least in finding readers and in possible reviews...

MFSO, I remember when I first encountered you on gr, there were some prickly threads...you and brian, and who was that army guy with the gals in Jamaica? Bill?

wild stuff.

but yeah, I remember some fights. of sorts.

Angel wrote: "*breaks into wild applause* Well done!"

I agree! Well done indeed, MFSO.

Glimmertrain is legit.
But unfortunately, all too many jounals make their money from contests. This is not to say that the contest isn't judged fairly, but the fees, given the odds of winning, don't make it worthwhile in my view.
I generally steer clear of contests, unless it's one that for whatever reason I think my story/poem has an exceptionally good chance of winning.
The one time I won a prize for a story was a time I had not even entered a contest. I was given 'best fiction award' for stories published in the journal that year. As it had been judged by Ben Marcus, I was really pleased. And I got a bit of money as well. But I hadn't even known there was a contest.

yes we must live/engage long enough to have regrets...

Getting published isn't like competitive sports where you either win or lose. It's more like archeology. You keep trying until you hit something.

I think this is true. It's about getting lucky with an editor, hitting one on the right day, one who shares your sensibility...like my friend whose first book, a collection of linked stories set in Oklahoma, landed on an editor's desk at Viking (not agented, mind you). He was from Texas, the same part of the country, and he loved her work...She's had three books with Viking now. They only recently dropped her (not selling enough) so she's with a University Press now.

I don't think deleting a review and starting over shows a lack of integrity...it can be a good move. I don't know the particulars though.

ohhh, wow, so soon?


I'm not sure I have any goodreads regrets, I'll have to think about it.


good question, tho--