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Off Topic > When authors are their own worst enemy...

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message 101: by Kate (new)

Kate | 3525 comments This is from the author description:

"I don't let anyone edit my stories because I believe it is important to not let some program create a style or input any content. when you read my stories you can be certain they came from my heart not some program or editor .so the mistakes are mine and I may not write in a predesigned format but you will be able to appreciate the story you read is my story."

Perhaps next time he writes he should engage his brain not his heart.


message 102: by Gatorman (new)

Gatorman | 8320 comments What a lazy response. It has nothing to do with format but rather crappy punctuation and grammar. I can't appreciate a story that has so many mistakes in it.


message 103: by Tressa (new)

Tressa  (moanalisa) | 19903 comments I think he's trying to equate his sloppy writing with the stylistic writing of e.e. cummings or Cormac McCarthy.


message 104: by Shaun (new)

Shaun Horton | 324 comments Tressa wrote: "I think he's trying to equate his sloppy writing with the stylistic writing of e.e. cummings or Cormac McCarthy."

Except I honestly doubt he's ever heard of either one.


message 105: by Tressa (new)

Tressa  (moanalisa) | 19903 comments *chuckle* Can't argue with that.


message 106: by Jason (last edited May 13, 2013 10:01AM) (new)

Jason Purdy | 14 comments After reading through all of this and the book descriptions, I have to ask... do you ever worry that you are this guy?

That you type until your fingers are bleeding stumps and revise and re-edit and throw out your best work, and then everyone turns around and pats you on the back for effort. They give five star reviews because you went through the trouble to write it all and because you seem like a nice person.

This kind of thing keeps me up at night. My girlfriend tells me it's all in my head, but then, she would say that, wouldn't she?

-Puts on tinfoil hat-


message 107: by Ken B (new)

Ken B | 6810 comments I've gotten to the point with reviews that I discount 5 STARS for that very reason. 4 STAR reviews and 1 STAR or 2 STAR reviews hold more value.

Just glancing at your book "Cigarette", I would say that you won't ever have to worry about even accidentally putting out something as weak as "Crosco" or "A Heart From Within". You have the ability to put together cohesive sentences, something that eludes those others.


message 108: by Shaun (new)

Shaun Horton | 324 comments Um. No. I don't worry that I am that guy. I paid for a professional editor to go over my work, after I revised it several times myself. I understand the basics of how the English language is supposed to work when written, which includes spelling, grammar, and punctuation. I don't have all the nuances down, no, but that is what we pay editors for.

I don't worry that I am that guy because I know I put real effort into my work. I don't just give it one go on Microsoft Word and upload it straight away, ignoring the little warning on Kindle which says "We have found errors in your work, would you like to fix them?"

As an example, the last guy brought up in this discussion obviously knows his work is filled with flaws and errors. He just doesn't care, spouting nonsense about keeping his "voice" intact.


message 109: by Jon Recluse (new)

Jon Recluse | 12043 comments Mod
I give 5 stars to the books that work for me.

What other people think is usually the last thing on my mind.

Most aren't really good at thinking.


message 110: by Jon Recluse (new)

Jon Recluse | 12043 comments Mod
Shaun wrote: "Um. No. I don't worry that I am that guy. I paid for a professional editor to go over my work, after I revised it several times myself. I understand the basics of how the English language is suppos..."

He doesn't need an editor.

He needs medication.


message 111: by Tressa (new)

Tressa  (moanalisa) | 19903 comments I used to be fooled by so many 5-star reviews and would buy/check out the book. Then I was like, "WTF did I just read and are these people too stupid to live?" Now I realize there is no way that a new, self-published/indie author could get consistently better ratings than some of the revered great American novels out there. I have even been scratching my head lately over 5-star ratings and excellent reviews from trusted friends about indie novellas/short stories that I found below par. I know we all have different tastes, but, come on!


message 112: by Jon Recluse (new)

Jon Recluse | 12043 comments Mod
I can't be held responsible for your lack of taste. :)

Then again, I don't read much indie stuff.

My dumpster diving days for reading material ended in the 80s.


message 113: by Kit (new)

Kit | 146 comments I have to admit that the first edition of my novel Beneath was littered with grammatical errors, even though I used to teach English, and I had it read through by three separate people, all of whom found some mistakes. My problem is that when I read my own work back I see what I meant to write instead of what I do write.

however, since then I have found a wonderful professional editor, who has edited my novel for a second edition, and is just finishing off work on my forthcoming short story collection.

I admit the mistake I made first time, but I will not be making it again.


message 114: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Ken wrote: "I was more concerned about his claims to be a master criminal. I posted a bad review! I may have to ask for federal protection!"

Nice review :P! I don't even understand what the title means "A Heart from within"? This is a sorry excuse for self expression, I love it when these authors cry not to judge them and to ignore typos, it's as if he was clearly aware of all the problems but ignored them instead.. And I don't believe he wrote it with two fingers, more like with one toe.


message 115: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Another thing as I just saw this on his Amazon page, clearly letters aren't his only issue, numbers are a problem as well.

Latest Tweet

peterfryer4

THE NEW PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL. A HEART FROM WITHIN. IS QUICKLY FINDING ITS WAY TO THE TOP OF THE BEST SELLERS LIST ON AMAZON EBOOK SALES

about 10 hours ago via web

( reality - Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #827,955 Paid in Kindle Store)


message 116: by Jon Recluse (new)

Jon Recluse | 12043 comments Mod
If it's floating in the toilet, it's higher than the stuff that sank, right? :)


message 117: by Shaun (new)

Shaun Horton | 324 comments Well, that's more just picking and choosing what you go by. It is currently ranked #37 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Ghosts. Though that's mostly due to the fact it's been free all weekend, and not due to people actually enjoying the read.


message 118: by Ken B (new)

Ken B | 6810 comments Wow! You really had to drill down to get at that ranking

ranked #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror > Ghosts > 1 STAR ratings


message 119: by Jon Recluse (last edited May 13, 2013 10:48AM) (new)

Jon Recluse | 12043 comments Mod
It's kinda like the New York Times Bestseller list, without the butt kissing.....nobody reads those books. They just buy them and quote the blurbs off the back covers at each other.

"A moving (colon cleansing) novel. One that will make you sit (on the toilet) and ponder (why you read the damn thing)."


message 120: by Jason (new)

Jason Purdy | 14 comments Kasia wrote: "Another thing as I just saw this on his Amazon page, clearly letters aren't his only issue, numbers are a problem as well.

Latest Tweet

peterfryer4

THE NEW PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL. A HEART FROM..."


I've followed him on twitter. I think this could be the beginning of something beautiful.


message 121: by Kasia (last edited May 13, 2013 10:53AM) (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
I wasn't picking that's what it said on his page...and he's nowhere to be found on the Ghosts list either.. certainly not #37

I'm checking the ratings now though for Ghosts list, Omg.. the Horrible Book I'm reading now is #2.. clearly that list has nothing to do with actual reading or enjoyment..


message 122: by Shaun (last edited May 13, 2013 11:09AM) (new)

Shaun Horton | 324 comments It actually lists it on the book's page, down at the bottom of the product details section. And you're right Kasia, the ratings are for straight number of downloads. Free books get downloaded by the dozens, just because they're free. The people downloading it may never actually read it, but because it's free, they feel compelled to scoop it up.

It shows an awareness of what he's doing as far as advertising though, choosing search keywords which help put the story into such a smaller category helps ensure he can claim to be higher on the scale. Thus, he can claim the book is high up on the rankings.


message 123: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
I've followed him on twitter. I think this could be the beginning of something beautiful"

Lol..something horrific and hilarious?


message 124: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Shaun wrote: "It actually lists it on the book's page, down at the bottom of the product details section. And you're right Kasia, the ratings are for straight number of downloads. Free books get downloaded by th..."

Gotcha.. but I still don't see it, maybe my work pc is being wonky, sometimes even Goodreads is all a mash of images and words, depending on the day my computer is having lol.

If he was only half as clever when it came to putting the actual story down on paper ( or whatever medium he uses; etch a sketch ), not when it comes to getting mileage and getting noticed.


message 125: by Justin (new)

Justin (justinbienvenue) | 3047 comments I admit I have made mistakes when editing and I've been through an ordeal and a half with people discussing them but it's an issue in itself...but let me add this guy takes the cake!

When I read it I think I even said in a comment earlier that maybe he isn't American, at least that was my obvious conclusion given the clear errors of missing basic words but upon reading from other comments he is American and is actually aware of his errors and wishes to keep them in there?? Yikes!

It's one thing to have a horribly written synopsis and book but to sit there and be like oh yeah I'm proud of my errors and wish to keep them as is? I'm sorry but no..It makes you look like an idiot! You gotta stand up for yourself or give us something better then that! I clicked on the link Ken posted again and I read it and cringed! Gahh!!


message 126: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Ken wrote: "I've gotten to the point with reviews that I discount 5 STARS for that very reason. 4 STAR reviews and 1 STAR or 2 STAR reviews hold more value.

Just glancing at your book "Cigarette", I would say..."


Amazon removed your review and the price went up to $9.99 insanity!!


message 127: by Ken B (new)

Ken B | 6810 comments Kasia wrote: "Ken wrote: "I've gotten to the point with reviews that I discount 5 STARS for that very reason. 4 STAR reviews and 1 STAR or 2 STAR reviews hold more value.

Just glancing at your book "Cigarette",..."


I removed all of my Amazon reviews after they censored one of them for some BS. "Ain't nobody got time for that." Just a preview of things to come around here once they close the GR purchase.


message 128: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Ken wrote: "Kasia wrote: "Ken wrote: "I've gotten to the point with reviews that I discount 5 STARS for that very reason. 4 STAR reviews and 1 STAR or 2 STAR reviews hold more value.

Just glancing at your boo..."


Aw sorry to hear that, a friend of mine had a review censored because she used the word "breast" as in "chicken breast" when she was reviewing a cookbook, so I am well aware of the idiotic stuff that goes on there.


message 129: by Holly (new)

Holly (goldikova) After reading some of that stuff, I feel that the "authors" all owe me $1.95.....no one should have to read that crap without being compensated in some way.


message 130: by Kasia (new)

Kasia (kasia_s) | 4516 comments Mod
Holly wrote: "After reading some of that stuff, I feel that the "authors" all owe me $1.95.....no one should have to read that crap without being compensated in some way."

haha, nice 1 :)


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