Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

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message 2051: by Calathea (new)

Calathea | 6034 comments There's a new post on Josh's blog: "It's Flue Season". *hatschi* a.ka. *achoo*


message 2052: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04...


message 2053: by Josh (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
Johanna wrote: "We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."


I am way tired of the if-you-disagree-with-me-you're-stifling-my-free-speech! argument.

It's the same goofy logic that believes legislating protections for a minority equals infringing on the rights of the discriminators and therefore requires new legal protections. As in the so-called "bathroom" laws.

What. The. ????

Sometimes I watch the news at night and think my head is going to explode.


message 2054: by Anne (new)

Anne | 6816 comments Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."

I am way tired of the if-you-disagree-with-me-you're-st..."


It's such an important thing, to have the right to free speech, it's a shame this basic human right is being abused and misused like this.

As for the bathroom laws, I read about it and feel baffled. I mean, hereabouts you see more and more non- gendered bathrooms in restaurants, and we really live well with that.

And how are they going to uphold such laws? Taking DNA tests of bathroom visitors? It's just playing to the gallery, no sensible reason, just discrimination for the purpose of showing power. It's actually very nasty and mean.


message 2055: by Josh (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."

I am way tired of the if-you-disagree-with..."




It's such utter and appalling bullshit. Because if it really had to do with the sensitivities of, er, bathroom patrons...I can tell you right now more women would be startled by a transgender man showing up in the ladies restroom than men would be startled by his walking into the gents' room.

AND ANYWAY WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER'S PRIVATES? WHO ARE THESE WEIRDOS WHO CAN'T KEEP THEIR EYES TO THEMSELVES?


And yes, you're so right. It's already causing difficulties. A woman with short hair was forcibly thrown out of the ladies restroom in some backwater town because someone thought she appeared "mannish." I believe she's planning to sue--and so she should because it will take a few lawsuits to drag the ridiculousness of this into the light.


message 2056: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."

I am way tired of the if-you-..."


That is ridiculous. The whole bathroom law is just... unbelievable.


message 2057: by Josh (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
Johanna wrote: "Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "Johanna wrote: "We have a new blog post. Agreed, right? ;-)

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."

I am way tired o..."


Yes.

I wish we could just blame it all on the south, but unfortunately...no.


message 2058: by Johanna (last edited Apr 29, 2016 09:16AM) (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
A delightful interview in Josh's blog today. :-D

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04...


message 2059: by HJ (new)

HJ | 3603 comments Johanna wrote: "A delightful interview in Josh's blog today. :-D

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."


Fun! Thanks, I'd have missed it by reading only the post on free speech.


message 2060: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
HJ wrote: "Johanna wrote: "A delightful interview in Josh's blog today. :-D

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/04..."

Fun! Thanks, I'd have missed it by reading onl..."


You're welcome! This was such a fun blog post. *still giggling*


message 2061: by Goge (new)

Goge | 641 comments Yes! I love how her mind works LOL.


message 2062: by Trio (new)

Trio | 670 comments that was adorable


message 2063: by Johanna (last edited Apr 30, 2016 08:20AM) (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Staying in the topic of unusual, but realistic beauty tips — I took a shower this morning, still being half asleep as always in the mornings and managed to wash my hair with my shower gel instead of shampoo. :-)

The bonus side of this incident is that my hair has smelled wonderful the whole day. No matter that it's been behaving quite fuzzily. :-D


message 2064: by Jordan (new)

Jordan Lombard (jslombard) | 15348 comments Mod
Lol, I've done stuff like that in the shower. Usually I mix up the shower gel and conditioner. :-P


message 2065: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Jordan wrote: "Lol, I've done stuff like that in the shower. Usually I mix up the shower gel and conditioner. :-P"

All is good, as long as you don' t try to use the hairspray as a deodorant :-)


message 2066: by Trio (new)

Trio | 670 comments Sabine wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Lol, I've done stuff like that in the shower. Usually I mix up the shower gel and conditioner. :-P"

All is good, as long as you don' t try to use the hairspray as a deodorant :-)"


and vice versa!


message 2067: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Trioseven7 wrote: "Sabine wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Lol, I've done stuff like that in the shower. Usually I mix up the shower gel and conditioner. :-P"

All is good, as long as you don' t try to use the hairspray as a d..."


Sounds as if we share similar experiences :D


message 2068: by Goge (new)

Goge | 641 comments Yes, we do!


message 2069: by Loretta (new)

Loretta (loris65) | 1545 comments The Mermaid Murders is up for Book of the Week at Lovebytes if you would like to vote in the poll.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/05/0...


message 2070: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Loretta wrote: "The Mermaid Murders is up for Book of the Week at Lovebytes if you would like to vote in the poll.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/05/0..."


Voted


message 2071: by Goge (new)

Goge | 641 comments Voted and TMM is in the lead!!!!!!


message 2072: by Josephine (new)

Josephine (jojiemon_) | 225 comments voted! <3 <3 <3


message 2073: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Loretta wrote: "The Mermaid Murders is up for Book of the Week at Lovebytes if you would like to vote in the poll.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/05/0..."


Thank you for letting us know, Loretta.

Voted. :-)


message 2074: by Haldis (new)

Haldis | 1288 comments Voted. :-)


message 2075: by Judy (new)

Judy Stone | 378 comments voted! TMM still in the lead.


message 2076: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Josh has a new blog post that you should read.

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/05...

It makes me want to give warm, tight hugs.


message 2077: by Trio (new)

Trio | 670 comments Johanna wrote: "Josh has a new blog post that you should read.

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/05...

It makes me want to give warm, tight hugs."


Oh I'm just coming out of one of those myself - take care of yourself first Josh, everyone else (and everything else) can come after. Know how much we love you and be well :)


message 2078: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Want to join Josh's VIP newsletter list? Of course you do!!! There will be cool surprises, too! :-)

Go read the new blog post and subscribe:

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/05...


message 2079: by Antonella (new)


message 2080: by Antonella (new)

Antonella | 11565 comments Josh, as usual I don't manage to publish a comment on the blog, but I wanted to say that the site is real and it belongs to one of the biggest library chains in Italy, Feltrinelli.


message 2081: by Trio (new)

Trio | 670 comments Well said Josh! You know we'll support you however you handle it. Good job for taking a stand, brava


message 2082: by Tal (new)

Tal (taliesien) RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it on behest of other authors?

You might also want to look up the definition of monopoly as you have clearly conflated that term with "successful" which is what Amazon is. The most successful book seller in the world. Not because they have a monopoly, but because they do it better than everybody else and earned their market share by attracting customers, repeat customers. Millions of them.

It's also rather sad that you chose to mislead your readers by presenting only one side of the royalty story, again obviously because that engenders the sympathy you're looking for as a victim of big bad Amazon. What you neglected to mention is that even at the 70% & 35% royalty rates they are significantly higher than traditional publishing contract royalties which historically have been around 50% and run even lower for ebooks with the standard being 25%.

Amazon has taken a sledgehammer to the old guard, traditional publishing industry as they open up the publishing market to authors who would never have gotten past the gate-keepers, increasing competition and driving book prices down to be affordable to the masses. It scared the big 5 & Apple into actually breaking the law and violating anti-trust laws with a price-fixing scheme designed to try and undermine Amazon's market dominance. Yeah, that failed and they got caught. So I can see how the book market evolution underway would scare you. There are authors and publishers clinging to the past trying desperately to avoid this shifting market, I'm quite surprised to find you among their number.

I'm actually pretty sorry I read your blog post because now I won't be reading any more of your books. And I loved your books. With the exception of the Carina Press titles I think I own every one. <- I don't purchase titles that aren't lendable. Since you've expressed your hatred of Amazon so clearly today I wouldn't want to insult you by continuing to purchase your books there (the only site I purchase books) when the royalty rates are so beneath what you feel you deserve.


message 2083: by M (new)

M | 41 comments Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it on behest of..."


LOL, Bezos, is that you??


message 2084: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments M wrote: "Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it ..."


:-D One could think that!


message 2085: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
M wrote: "LOL, Bezos, is that you??"

*splutter* :-)


message 2086: by M (new)

M | 41 comments Johanna wrote: "M wrote: "LOL, Bezos, is that you??"

*splutter* :-)"


LOL I love when I can make you splutter. :-D


message 2087: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
M wrote: "Johanna wrote: "M wrote: "LOL, Bezos, is that you??"

*splutter* :-)"

LOL I love when I can make you splutter. :-D"


And I love that you do it quite regularly, dear. :-D


message 2088: by Johanna (last edited Jun 07, 2016 03:14AM) (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
So, about Josh playing elsewhere — did you all already see that Josh is also playing at Wattpad?

Josh is posting her The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks there bit by bit. Here's the link:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/7351154...

Today (Thursday, June 7th) Josh will be playing :-) on FB at The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks book discussion event. See you guys there! Here's the event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/21845...


message 2089: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Johanna wrote: "So, about Josh playing elsewhere — did you all already see that Josh is also playing at Wattpad?

Josh is posting her The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks there bit by bit. Here's the link:
..."


But today is June 7th or?


message 2090: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Sabine wrote: "Johanna wrote: "So, about Josh playing elsewhere — did you all already see that Josh is also playing at Wattpad?

Josh is posting her The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks there bit by bit. H...

But today is June 7th or?"


Oops! Yes! Today! Today!

Thank you for the catch, Sabine! Can you tell I'm already on holiday and mixing up dates... :-D


message 2091: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Johanna wrote: "Sabine wrote: "Johanna wrote: "So, about Josh playing elsewhere — did you all already see that Josh is also playing at Wattpad?

Josh is posting her The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks ther..."


:D


message 2092: by Josh (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it on behest of..."


Sorry I missed this comment -- I'm not online a lot right now.

So first thing: people who depend on Amazon, relate to it like it's their religion, and I get that. Your star is pinned to Amazon's wagon. You are terrified at the idea that your God might not exist. :-D

I like Amazon. I like it as a customer and I like it as an author. I think Amazon has done many good things for authors--and for publishing as a whole--but they did not do those things out of the goodness of their heart. Amazon is a business and Bezos is quite open about his game plan. I suggest you check out some of his interviews. Start with the one on 60 Minutes from a few years back.

I'm not saying anything about Amazon that Bezos hasn't said himself. Do you genuinely not know that?

It's clear that you do not know that exclusivity IS a requirement to earn full royalties in Japan, Brazil and India. Given that, I'm guessing that you actually don't understand a lot of Amazon's terms and restrictions. It's surprising how many authors do not.

Anyway, I'm sorry you won't be buying my books because of my utterly outrageous wish to not be penalized at Amazon for the fact that other vendors are selling my work for less money (while still paying me full royalties).

You did follow that part right? That Amazon, who already pays less in royalties, was going to drop my royalty rate to a few cents simply because another vendor chose to put my book on sale?

Does that *really* seem fair to you? I mean, if you can put aside your knee-jerk defensiveness for a moment, does that scenario really seem like a just and reasonable one? Does it honestly seem good and healthy for authors?

Here's another thought. If Amazon's "success" is dependent on -- if Amazon can only compete thanks to -- things like the delivery charge and the making sure no bookseller can ever (not even for the space of a special sale) sell a book at a price lower than they do...how solid are they? How realistic is their business model if it can only survive based on all these artificial restrictions?

But anyway, you buy whatever books you want from whomever you please. I'm going to do what's right for me and my career -- and my readers (because ultimately giving my readers plenty of options is the best thing for them).

Ciao!


message 2093: by Josh (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
M wrote: "Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it ..."


It is certainly straight from the self-published author's Bible.

Right down to this frayed and worn Psalm: "Amazon has taken a sledgehammer to the old guard, traditional publishing industry as they open up the publishing market to authors who would never have gotten past the gate-keepers."

All that's missing are a few "Almightys" and "You, Oh Lords."

Let me blunt. Gatekeeping is not always bad thing.


message 2094: by Sabine (new)

Sabine | 3041 comments Josh wrote: "Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

Huh, I wasn't aware you've ever participated in KDP Select Josh, since that is the only program that requires exclusivity or are you expressing your hatred of it ..."


I have consider to set all the links to the reports here alone in Germany to this topic, but now I glad, I was busy with my vacation.
You have said it so much better as I could do it, nice, friendly and finally!


message 2095: by Josh (last edited Jun 09, 2016 09:23AM) (new)

Josh (joshlanyon) | 23709 comments Mod
Tal wrote: "RE: June 3 Blog post:

It's also rather sad that you chose to mislead your readers by presenting only one side of the royalty story, again obviously because that engenders the sympathy you're looking for as a victim of big bad Amazon.


One last thing. I'm fascinated by the comment above. Please feel free to share Amazon's side of the story on this particular issue. I'm all for open dialog.

But as for this nonsense: What you neglected to mention is that even at the 70% & 35% royalty rates they are significantly higher than traditional publishing contract royalties which historically have been around 50% and run even lower for ebooks with the standard being 25%.

You're comparing apples to oranges. The conversation is about self-publishing not traditional/legacy publishing, and Amazon is not as equitable as its competitor platforms. It really is that simple.

Is 35% higher than the 25% mainstream publishers pay in ebook royalties? Sure! Is it lower than the 70% iBooks pays? Sure! And Apple, not Penguin, is the competitor here.

Part of this defensiveness no doubt stems from the feeling that I'm criticizing authors who choose to go the route of Kindle Unlimited or Select.

I'm not. I don't.

It's tough to earn a living from writing fiction, and I understand why some authors may feel the only possible way they can compete is to throw all their eggs in the Amazon basket.

I don't think authors who choose to go the KU route are evil or my enemy or to be hated or any other dramatic thing you might come up with. I think they are foolish to gamble everything on Amazon. That's all. But that's their choice. I don't blame them -- nor do I expect to be blamed for making a different choice and explaining why I'm making that choice.


message 2096: by S.C. (new)

S.C. Wynne | 43 comments Just wanted to mention that Tal/Bezos is wrong on yet another point. I'm published by many traditional ebook publishers: Loose Id, Dreamspinner Press and Riptide, and none of them only pay 25% e-book royalites. It is generally between 35% and 45%. Plus they carry the cost of producing the book.


message 2097: by Murphy (new)

Murphy (orchideyes) | 149 comments I agree with Josh. I use Amazon a lot because it is convenient but I buy from other venues if it is cheaper or more available.


message 2098: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Interesting ramblings :-) about art, creativity, piracy, pricing, products and much more — in other words a new blog post from Josh:

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/06...


message 2099: by Josephine (last edited Jun 17, 2016 04:05AM) (new)

Josephine (jojiemon_) | 225 comments stumbled on this one:

https://the-active-voice.com/2016/06/...

Posting, because it is related to the previous discussion. I think.

[The author who posted this in our #romanceclass said it got her thinking twice about putting up her books exclusively on Amazon. She's curious if it's advisable for up-and-coming authors (meaning those who are still building their reader base) to do this or if it's better to put books up in as many distributors as we can.]


message 2100: by Johanna (new)

Johanna | 18130 comments Mod
Josh's new blog post after a rough, violent week. And truth every word, IMO.

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2016/06...


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