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message 1601:
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Ije the Devourer of Books
(new)
Apr 04, 2013 03:47PM

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I'm pissed that I thought I would have more time before my in-laws got back from the doctor. Alas, no, they are back:( Ah, well, at least when my grandson was here they were too worried about being sick and infecting that they stayed away. I had all that time without them around. My daughter in law was happy with that too. She dislikes them I think as much as me.

Macky wrote: "I'm also so sorry to hear about your loss Anil. Try not to get too angry with your brother. Two months is no time at all, he's grieving and angry at the world right now and at 12 his mind won't ..."
Macky is right Anil. Your little brother is so young he hasn't even had time to figure out who he is yet. His world has changed and soon his body will start to change too. It must be very hard to understand. He's dealing with trying to grow up and suddenly he has had his life torn apart by this tragedy as have you. Only you are mature and can see the need to move on, two months is too soon to expect a twelve-year old to come to terms with this.
There are adults two or three times your age that would need a very long time to accept such a loss. As Macky said you have your own grief too so everyone needs time. I am glad you care about your brother so much that you want him to be strong,
I know in my life I've learned that everything takes time. So he will be strong with lots of love and time. Again you have my sympathy and condolences. It is harder still now that the University is keeping you waiting and you don't know where you stand with your education and don't even know where you will be living. I would not be as calm and brave as you are. I can only let you know I care and I'm thinking of you.
Hugs, Lucas
Macky is right Anil. Your little brother is so young he hasn't even had time to figure out who he is yet. His world has changed and soon his body will start to change too. It must be very hard to understand. He's dealing with trying to grow up and suddenly he has had his life torn apart by this tragedy as have you. Only you are mature and can see the need to move on, two months is too soon to expect a twelve-year old to come to terms with this.
There are adults two or three times your age that would need a very long time to accept such a loss. As Macky said you have your own grief too so everyone needs time. I am glad you care about your brother so much that you want him to be strong,
I know in my life I've learned that everything takes time. So he will be strong with lots of love and time. Again you have my sympathy and condolences. It is harder still now that the University is keeping you waiting and you don't know where you stand with your education and don't even know where you will be living. I would not be as calm and brave as you are. I can only let you know I care and I'm thinking of you.
Hugs, Lucas

Hugs to you and your brother.

It was just I wanted to remind him of that he should do certain things at certain times such as switching off the computer while having dinner or he could leave it open, but he can't use it while having his meal. I understand that the computer and PC games are a hub for him to ease his pain. I just don't know how to change it or, even, whether to change it or not. There is one thing I am sure that I don't want him to do: his becoming too mature for his age. Nothing can bring back the moments that aren't lived as one should at certain age.
The good thing is that he does his homework and seems to participate in his classes. I expected him to do a little worse, but he gets good results in the exams. So, I think I should let him do whatever he wants to do as long as it doesn't affect him badly.


As a new and still unknown writer, it seems $5.99 for 60,000+ words is still too expensive. So I have to reduce it to $2.99 novella size but it means I have to cripple my own story by taking away most of its intimate and emotional scenes.
Another reason to hack it is because, against popular belief, it seems selling erotica is SO HARD esp with many readers who do have sex in real life but hate reading about sex.
The original story does have a long plot with sex and intimacy as the engine to drive the story forward. It means I have to replace most sub-plots so that the story doesn't look crippled. I'm seriously not happy!
What makes the story long is the intimate scenes. I wrote how they meet and how they fall in love and get horny for each other. The dialogue also makes it long. If I hack it, it will seem like shallow sex encounter.
Novella is impossible! Novel is more possible but as I said noone will want to buy $5.99 novel from an unknown writer (like what happens to my Bleak Woods novel

So any idea???
PS: Err... please dear members, support me :) by purchasing my ebooks. Thank u ^_^


I use Smashwords to sell but I can NOT get my money... Not until I have the annoying US' tax number despite the fact that Im not even American (btw I also hv to pay tax to my own country as well - so double tax). So I also sell via my own site using PayPal I think it's safe for consumers.
Im not sure publishers will like my stories unless they welcome heavy erotica. I did get an offer months ago from a shady publisher called TT Publisher or something like that. I didn't take the offer coz their site sells NO books! I heard they use spam, other than submitting to online stores. Plus I can only get my money every 6 months as long as it hits $1,000! The money I get is only 20% !!! it sounds like a very BAD DEAL for me, so I decline... (sigh)

The US tax business is a total PITA, but anything regarding US taxes is a PITA for one and all, so you are no different there I don't think.
I would not hack apart your story, if it is told the way you envisioned it. If it is good and people like it, word will spread. I would continue using whatever vehicles are there to make your work visible, i.e. the different GR group forums, such as this one. Facebook, though some stay away like it's the plague, it is a great place to advertise your work. There is at least one mm group where authors post their books and news, etc. Anyway, just a few ideas. Good luck, Hector!

Oh oh that does sound shady Hector! Good for you for refusing. The tax thing with Smashwords is a bummer, taxes are complicated and not always fair. I think Jens ideas are great.. Keep plugging at as many social sites as you can. Why dont you post one of your free stories on each site. Its good to know you use PayPal, safer for you and the consumer both. At the moment it sounds like you're doing the best you can but who knows things can happen out of the blue. I agree don't compromise your vision for the sake of commerce, your words and imagination are precious. Good luck kiddo!

Hector, I also am not American and self-publish via Smashwords, and for two years I took the 30% US withholding tax punishment, but in recent months the royalties, with more works online, have risen and it has been worth the pain and grief getting the all-important TIN (Tax Identification Number) sorted out, since it also means getting the full return from Amazon US sales as well (Amazon Seattle, very fast and accurate in applying it once they had the details of the BEN form posted to them).
As to hacking down a long work – I'm not sure. The M/M Romance genre, coming as it did so much from Slash Fiction, tends to the short story and novella, yet I read so many posts suggesting that most readers want a long and involved story to get their teeth into and the M/M Romance genre has short-sold itself by constantly promoting short reads; and if you're primarily writing for gay men (something which increasing numbers of women fed on M/M Romance are coming to appreciate is as much for them as well), the full-scale novel is even more appreciated.
Getting sales without a known publisher behind you is very difficult—I know only too well where I can compare my self-published sales (even with now three GR M/M Romance and Queereaders Books of the Month behind me) with those titles published by Bruno Gmünder with all the backing of an established gay publisher. But the only way is to persevere… which you certainly seem to be doing.
I agree that it's asking too much of readers to fork out $5.99 for a novella (although there was a time when international publishers considered 80,000 words a standard novel) and i have been selling at Amazon/Smashwords at as little as $2.99 to $3.99 for as many as 120,000 words. I think sales are picking up sufficiently to be able to increase that to $5.99 soon. But at least through both routes, authors do receive a fair return compared to any standard publishing contract – just not the promotional backing…

The US tax bus..."
I honestly can't classify my own works. They r not true romance coz they have explicit sex and so-called vulgar words". But they're not porn either coz half of the books are about non-sexual plot. But I think my works still fall to "heavy erotica". Somehow I don't like the term hardcore erotica LOL coz it's not accurate to describe my ebooks.
Word of mouth sounds good. I hope u could help me, Jen ^_^ I mean if u know gay friends and female friends who aren't afraid to read "plotful" stories with steamy details, pls tell them about me.
I hope u like my free stories. Have u read them? :) The commercial versions have more non-sexual plots. But if u like the way I write, you'll love the commercial versions :)
I find Facebook to b very hard to use. 99% gay men I add are not interested in reading (sigh). They're more into pirated sex videos. The ones who like, they only want free read. So it's very hard... But Google Plus is more crowded.
I actually want to re-write my Titanic novel as serialized novellas. That's the only way to press the price down. The ending will be hard. If I use cliffhanger, readers may think "WTF? To be continued? Oh no!" But if I make a good ending though to be continued, readers will not have the urge to buy the continuation LOL It's a dilemma!
Thanks responding, Jen. I hope u'll support me in any way u could :) It'll mean a lot to me. Thanks again.

Yes I am doing the best I can. I just need luck :) And word of mouth... So pls tell ur gay friends and your female friends if they like steamy stories :) I do know 2 or 3 women who really like my free stories. One of them also bought my commercial novella. But I need more fans :)
TT Publishing does publish ebooks. I saw it at Amazon BUT I don't like how little I'll get and how hard to get my money out. They even encourage me to break copyright law regarding my non-commercial cover arts! I mean, if they're a real company, how hard is it to commission me to make new covers?
Thx for your moral support, Macky. Pls do tell ur erotica-fan friends about me ok? :) I'll owe u one ;)
Roger wrote: "Hector, I also am not American and..."
Thx for responding :) I know it may sound unrealistic but if u could, pls ask your friends (who like erotica) to take a look at mine ^_^
And oh, I'm always available IF u ever need photoshopped cover arts :D I can even help enhance drawings. Thank you!

Hector, I have added your books to my TBR, right alongside Roger's and all the others mentioned in this group and look forward to reading them all.
I can see your problem with FB and the pirated porn seekers (is FB really their best avenue for finding said smut?). However, there are naught but eager mm readers in the mm group, which I encourage you to join and post to. I believe it was started by some from the GR MM group, but I could be wrong.

Hector, I have ad..."
Thank you, Jen. I'd be VERY flattered if u could read my commercial ebooks :D I just hope when u do, u'll love it.
My FB friends they only post muscle men pix. One or two post pirated gay porn movie links. They hardly follow my posts (sigh). I mean, Im not hypocrite. I like those too BUT I also like stories. From my experience, most gay men do not want to read eventhough if the stories are 100% porn (coz they prefer to watch). Sometimes I wish I had been a lesbian instead LOL
If you do know any FB ebook groups where I can post stuff about my ebooks, pls do let me know ^_^ And oh, pls PM me ur FB address so I can add u :D
Thanks again, Jen! You're so kind and supportive. I really appreciate it.


Sorry2hear, Ijeoma. But then again unemployment happens every where. It's indeed hard... I hope he can get a job that he wants, soon.


And - the self-publishing thing goes both ways. While the numerous whack jobs spitting out crap for quick profit may have soured many readers, I also know there are many who seek out the new voices looking for something fresh. I rarely even check who the publisher is when I'm buying from a third party site... well, except when I want to confirm that that ridiculously expensive book is, in fact, another Dreamspinner release. But I digress. I think it's a matter of how you market this book... Don't call it a serial or leave us hanging between 'sequels' and you'll have a devoted fan base... Especially if you offer that first one at a good teaser price to suck us in.
So ... that's it. All of my cents. :)


Never too late! Thx for responding :)
Timeless is actually an ambitious series for an erotica. I mean, I often read shallow erotica. While its good, it's not memorable. hence I came up with the story of reincarnation and fantasy. It's not a new idea, I know. But it's kinda new when u're talking about stories with explicit sex.
Main plot is actually divided into several chapters (actually books): ancient Egypt, Sodom, Judah, China, Tudors, Titanic, Future. Each chapter is long. Esp for Titanic, it's even divided into Hindenburg Chapter and 1998 Chapter. Even with my current censoring, the result is still long! So, series is really unavoidable.
Anil wrote: "I am appalled that the current UK government does everything to protect the ultra-rich, but does nothing for others especially on creating new jobs. I hope Ljeoma's son will get a job related to hi..."
Trust me. Your government is way better than mine! I speak from the fact :) Here, we pay tax but we don't feel like getting anything in return. Not to mention corruption is abundant. Discrimination too! And homophobic. The list goes on and on... (I'm taking my chance to really complain here LOL). Sometimes I wish I could move out of country... (sigh). Maybe when I get a bf :) So any gay top man wants to love me? :D


Aw that's so sweet.. Huggg....
I never talked to Aves yet. But Lucas said that he's a power bottom. I'm a bottom too (sigh). I'd like to believe that when a door closes, another opens. Wish me luck :D

And in a completely unrelated gripe: I am frustrated that so many people seem to think that gay men have to be either a top or a bottom? Please do not take this the wrong way, I'm just griping becuase I like to gripe and I enjoy being snarky (just like Lambert in Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979). I always thought that the idea of embracing queerness was, at least in part, a way of getting away from polarities and dichotomies.

I'm actually very OK with being a bottom :) as long as being a bottom is not associated with feminine. I dont know how I knew it but it's like instinct. I just knew I wanted to be a bottom. I enjoy the anal pain and the thought that my sex partner will get pleasure from my ass. It just happens.
Aves wrote: "Y"
Hi Aves, it's great to see u here... finally LOL You have no idea how often we talked about you here :) How are you? We never met before coz I was new.

I'm stuffed and regurgitated because Ive finally succumbed to Ricks blatant cries for sympathy.... Make it stop!!! You've won... Jonny and Hadji have got to me ... I changed my vote!!

Hector wrote: "I'm actually very OK with being a bottom :) as long as being a bottom is not associated with feminine. I dont know how I knew it but it's like instinct. I just knew I wanted to be a bottom. I enjoy the anal pain and the thought that my sex partner will get pleasure from my ass. It just happens.
And you go right on being the best @#$% bottom you can be! I would never tell someone that they can't be something they are. My complaint was in that so many people just seem to want to categorize things as just this or that, one thing or another (and yes, I am contributing to the This/That game on another thread). I'm not even saying that the idea of being something other than this or that doesn't occur to them, just that the polarity comes to mind so quickly. I am also frustrated that I do it as well. I guess I'm just griping about living in a culture that is so conditioned to thinking in that way.
Smart Lucas now you can be taught how and why gay find out if you are a Bottom, top or switch(?!? I am not sure the last word is write right) you get more information here, than other places.
Hector I hope you will get your books publish and I have it on my list, I wish you luck finding the right publisher.
Aves you need to be back on in the talk here again, we miss you.
Rick maybe a lot thinks that, but not all. I think it's good to tell others what it really means to be born gay. Hopefully soon all will respect people regardless of sexuality, that is my wish for the future.
Well not about complain in this, sorry Lucas
A Big thank you Lucas for making this group, for meeting so sweet and lovely people that help and support you. Meeting new friends. Lots of hugs
Hector I hope you will get your books publish and I have it on my list, I wish you luck finding the right publisher.
Aves you need to be back on in the talk here again, we miss you.
Rick maybe a lot thinks that, but not all. I think it's good to tell others what it really means to be born gay. Hopefully soon all will respect people regardless of sexuality, that is my wish for the future.
Well not about complain in this, sorry Lucas
A Big thank you Lucas for making this group, for meeting so sweet and lovely people that help and support you. Meeting new friends. Lots of hugs

I am so upset with myself that I resorted to threats of virtual violence in order to garner votes for Jonny & Hadji. But then I see them rising up in the polls and I don't care. Now, I must leave in order to wax my mustache and practice my manical laugh.
Aves wrote: "Y"
Don't over exert yourself making lengthy comments. Now get back to studying.
Don't over exert yourself making lengthy comments. Now get back to studying.
Rick wrote: "I am contributing to the This/That game on another thread..."
Thanks Rick.
Thanks Rick.
Helle wrote: "Smart Lucas now you can be taught how and why gay find out if you are a Bottom, top or switch(?!? I am not sure the last word is write right) you get more information here, than other places"
Hi Helle, Thank you for your friendship and kind words.
Switch? No that's a word used in reversal of roles in the world of Dominance & Submission (D/s) which is part of BDSM.
For plain vanilla gay male sex I think the word you're looking for is versatile. Also note that there are is a large percentage* of gay men who do not have anal sex so the alternatives are: top, bottom, versatile or none of the above.
*Estimates range from one-quarter to one-third of gay men do not engage in anal see Wikipedia for an article on both heterosexual and homosexual anal sex data at this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_sex
Hi Helle, Thank you for your friendship and kind words.
Switch? No that's a word used in reversal of roles in the world of Dominance & Submission (D/s) which is part of BDSM.
For plain vanilla gay male sex I think the word you're looking for is versatile. Also note that there are is a large percentage* of gay men who do not have anal sex so the alternatives are: top, bottom, versatile or none of the above.
*Estimates range from one-quarter to one-third of gay men do not engage in anal see Wikipedia for an article on both heterosexual and homosexual anal sex data at this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_sex

I am more of a bottom who likes changing the role once in a while. I am not a sub in its jargon sense, but I like being dominated or directed in the bed. I love it when my partner looks into my eyes while penetrating me and moving back and forth. Hence, being more of a bottom. Getting too anxious when penetrating my partner is another reason that I prefer being bottom. Would I like to be more versatile? I'm a bit simple man who is unable to do two things at the same time and it gets confusing to change positions and stuff. In other words, I could be more versatile, but I choose not to. Also, I don't think versatility is the correct form of homosexuality. I think there is no single correct way of homosexuality. Hence everyone's choosing different roles or sex types.
Coming from a culture--for the record I am Turkish and was brought up in Turkey--penetrative sex is the only type of sex--and it should be either vaginal or anal penetration, oral sex is just a stimulant, an appetiser for "real" sex--I feel there is something missing when a guy asks only oral sex. I do enjoy oral sex, but I like it to be followed by anal sex. I am not entirely comfortable with the idea, but I haven't met the guy who can change my thinking. I know he is out there waiting for me and he'll show up at the most unexpected moment. I have something to tell him:
"Hey, you filthy bas***d. Stop playing hide and seek, and telling me you'll get out of your hiding place/closet once I stop seeking for you. It's been years since I began looking for you. Believe me I'm sick and tired of your games. Either, get the hell out of your hiding place or I'll entirely stop looking for you, and I'll kick your sorry a*s out of my life once you show up at my place. Thank you.
Yours Faithfully,
Anil"


Very flattering for me to be regarded as a power-anything at this stage in my life.
My very first boyfriend, a big, strapping, broad-shouldered blonde-haired, blue-eyed Ohio boy of German extraction set the pattern for me very early on. To wit, “You’re little, you’re Asian, you’re gonna get f**ked”. And with a push of his broad palm on my chest, he pinned me down and intruded himself into the deepest part of me, deeper than anyone had before. I was all of twenty-two.
Since so many of my partners have been far bigger men than me, it’s made more sense for me to be the bottom and believe me, I haven’t minded. Sometimes a good f**k in the butt is all that’s needed to make everything right in the world again.
On the other hand, I’ve been surprised on the few occasions when these self-avowed “Total Tops” mix things up on me. That can be a real turn-on; but it takes total comfort and ease with my sexual partner for me to oblige them. And I always do, with feeling.
Oh. Hi, Hector!
*Waves from north of the border*
Aves wrote: "...these self-avowed 'Total Top'” mix things up on me..."
Sir,is there any truth to the rumors that over the course of your career to date you have been required to top a navy seal, a bar bouncer and a fireman? My source is confidential but reliable. For he record, Sir, can you confirm that in one case this charitable work on your part required this beneficence for up to a year?
Sir,is there any truth to the rumors that over the course of your career to date you have been required to top a navy seal, a bar bouncer and a fireman? My source is confidential but reliable. For he record, Sir, can you confirm that in one case this charitable work on your part required this beneficence for up to a year?


Ahahaha!!!! You’re hysterical!!!
*Still gripping my side from stitches*

Oh, that squealing, blabbermouth, b**ch!!! I can’t believe he, I mean, she, or maybe he, told you that!!!
I’m pleading the fifth...
Aves wrote: "Lucas wrote: "is there any truth to the rumors that over the course of your career to date you have been required to top a navy seal, a bar bouncer and a fireman?."
I'm pleading the fifth...
There were five? I only knew about the three. Five... wow!
I'm pleading the fifth...
There were five? I only knew about the three. Five... wow!
Dustin wrote: "Hi! New the group. My name is Dusty. Today I'm going to complain about my brother. I find he watches way too much wrestling. I swear he has like 20 DVDs on WWE and also a game and plus he talks to ..."
Hi Dusty, how irritating. I bet he's a younger brother. Little kids go through that phase until they get to be about... no they just stay that way. Sorry about that.
Hi Dusty, how irritating. I bet he's a younger brother. Little kids go through that phase until they get to be about... no they just stay that way. Sorry about that.

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