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The GRRRR!!!!!! thread
Apparently it's not unusual for an estate to take more than a year to settle. I would however like something actually positive to happen rather than just making do with yay I've written something else no-one will ever read.
Amy wrote: "Let's hope so Angel. I'm less clueless with this book. But in being less clueless it's been more nerve racking. I suppose my third may be better written from the start. (The first was far from hide..."I hope you are feeling better, Amy. I also used CL. She was a big help. She was such a big help I have thanked her on my Acknowledgements page of the rerelease and revised copy of my book.
Alex wrote: "You moan away if you need to, it's amazing how a good moan can make you feel better. The whole of this writing business is a learning experience, and with each book we get better, both in terms o..."
Maybe when you get a chance to look back at it, it will be with fresher eyes and ideas. Sometimes it's better to get away from writing and take care of personal things so your mind can be ready to get back into writing again. I'm praying for you and your mom. Best wishes to you both.
Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I rereleased it a week and a half ago. The print version updated within a day or two. But KDP tells me it will be another week before the Kindle version will update. But that they do have the update version on file and that the "Look inside" feature doesn't have any effect on the e-book version being distributed with the updated revised copy when customers buy it. In others words, they can still get the new revised 2017 copy through the usual sales channels/websites. But I'm worried that since readers do look at the "Look inside" feature first that they won't realize its the display of the old copy and hasn't updated. I thought about telling my readers that if they want to "Look Inside" that they should click on the "print book" which when I checked shows the 2017 version and to make sure when they look at the copyright year that they see it says 2017. And another thing Amazon and Kindle won't change the release date to the rerelease date. They claimed to me that they couldn't. So the revised copy is still under the old date, but weirdly enough they have changed the amount of pages numbers to reflect the revision. Maybe because it's my first time re-releasing a book and I didn't think it would be done like that.
Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I rereleased it a week and a half ago. The print version update..."I have had the same problem with one of my books. Everything was fine, but when I checked two weeks ago, the number of pages visible had shrunk. I have been e-mailing and talking to them for two weeks...people say they will follow up (more like "foul up!"), but they never do. KDP is totally FUBAR right now when it comes to the LookInside feature (you can google FUBAR...I'm not going to spell it out here, but I assure you, it is most apt!)
The print edition's LookInside is just fine.
Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I rereleased it a week and a half ago. The print ..."Lol!I know what you mean by FUBAR, Theo. Yeah, I hope so, since the print is the only one updated in the "Look inside." I do have PDF copies of the new revised version, So I already sent out a few copies to reviewers who have either reviewed one of my books before or are looking to review this one. So I can get some fresher reviews. All the reviews I have on Amazon and Goodreads are for the old copy before I re-released the revised copy this month July 2017.
Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I rereleased it a week and a hal..."Okay...I just checked, and my Kindle edition's LookInside availability is perfect.
Here's what you need to do, Angel. Tomorrow morning, after 9 am, ET, get on Author Central, and use the Contact us feature (upper left-hand corner) to get them to call you.
https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/h...
You can just keep putting in "other" in response to the questions.
Once you have an agent on the phone, ask to be transferred to Kindle Direct Publishing.
Once you have a KDP agent on the phone, explain to them you need them to set your LookInside percentage to 40% (or more if you want it). It's supposed to default to 20%, but that, apparently is what's all screwed up.
I did that this morning, and just now, the feature is showing 40% of my book.
This should take care of your problem.
Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I rereleased it a ..."Thanks, Theodore! I wish had known that when I talked to KDP last week. I'll definitely give it a try.
Update: Thanks again! I did exactly what you suggested. I just talked to them a few minutes ago. Author Central transferred me to KDP and they updated the kindle version to the new revised copy by 40% while I was on the phone with them. They said the update will show by early tomorrow afternoon. So I can check then for it on the Amazon distribution channels.
Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I..."And there you go! LOL Where there's a will, and all that. Superb. I'll bet it shows up before that. I talked to them this morning around 11 am and it was up and running by 6 pm or so. But who knows. In any event, I think you're on your way. Best wishes.
Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of m..."Thanks! And the same to you.
Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Angel wrote: "Ok, I'm a little peeved because the "Look Inside" feature for the kindle version has not updated to the revised copy of my book since I..."Check your LookInside every once in a while. I just checked one of my paperback eiditons for which I spent two weeks fixing the LookInside parameter, finally setting the viewing to 40% last Friday, only to find it somehow had reverted to 20% today. I don't know whether an old request is catching up with CS or not (maybe someone just took the inquiry as permission to reset the viewing percentage to the default value of 20%--who knows what people are thinking these days???!), but it's very annoying to have to call CS (again!) to fix the problem. Just keep an eye on it.
I suppose this belongs on the GRRRR thread. People are again asking "can a book be a romance if it doesn't have a happily ever after?" The answer, of course, is no. Always. But for some reason people still ask!Anyway, I wrote a ranty blog post about it to get my annoyance off my chest: http://aislinnkearns.com/2017/07/12/n...
It would never be classified in the romance genre without a HEA. It might be a love story, or have romantic elements, but any romance reader would crucify an author (and have many times in the past) if they forewent the all-important HEA.
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To me and everyone else in Romancelandia, and "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending" IS a happily ever after. Or, at a minimum, a happily for now. If the couple aren't together, it's not a genre romance. If a book was marketed to me as a romance and didn't have a happy ending I would burn the book and absolutely crucify the author everywhere and anywhere, to anyone that would listen. I'd be FURIOUS. (And that's putting it lightly.) For me, the ending is absolutely non-negotiable.I get what you're saying, but to us in the genre, it's not a matter of opinion. I'm not the only one that holds the happy ending sacred, every reader and writer of genre romance does too.
I am with you on the 'sci-fi doesn't have to be in space' thing. But, then, it's not a genre I have much emotional investment in.
It's all about reader expectations. I'm sure if I sci-fi reader expects space in a book, they'll be disappointed if it doesn't have any. Like if a crime/mystery reader picked up a crime/mystery book and the mystery wasn't solved. As writers, I fully believe that we have to meet our reader's expectations, since that's what I expect from the authors I read in return.
On a parallel I once bought an anthology by well known authors that was marketed as erotica. I have never read anything less erotic in my entire life. It was published during the days of Black Lace. Band wagon and lots of jumping, if you please.Erotic romance publishers (the ones I've looked at accept all forms of romance including different heats of erotica) claimed to be happy with at least an HFN (happily for now) if not a full HEA. But when I provided them with an HFN it wasn't good enough, so it makes you wonder what they're playing at.
Romance is not my genre either for reading or writing. (My mother read a Mills and Boon a day and told me every day her life wasn't worth living because it didn't mimic the book she'd just read. It's therefore the HEA I have problems with, which is fine we can't all like and do the same things.)
We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one, because I'm not going to change my mind on the definition of the romance genre. Sorry.
That's really not something you should have put off for a few weeks. Bad Alex! But as you say, less likely to be heart. Neither of us is a doctor. I'm glad you're getting it checked. (Although the words "it's probably muscular and will go away on it's own" are whining away in my brain-don't you just hate it when they say that?)
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I suspect it's connected to my stress an..."
I had a heart attack at forty- go to the doctor!!!! NOW!
Can I just put a call out to any authors that are fighting fit? I had a mini stroke at 42. Are we all falling apart?
Yeah, but so do office workers. Car, desk, car, home. Unless they do something extra curricular, not many people I see have active jobs. Anyway, you get your chest pain sorted tomorrow and I'll get laughed at for a blue badge application on Friday. (Not that I'm at all stressed about having to go in for an assessment.)
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Keep us posted, Alex.
I am overweight (losing), good diet, hardly any exercise at the moment. Go in and tell them you've got chest pain. It usually makes them think twice about fobbing you off.
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Ok...you triggered my mom side. Lol Those other things are not more important than your life! While it may just be muscle aches, heart symptoms can radiate to various areas. Better safe than sorry. As Carole said, go see a doctor ASAP! Nagging done. Hope you get the answers you need. :)
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Alex wrote: "Okay, it's my turn for a grrrr!!!! I am having to go up to the doctor's tomorrow to make an appointment because I've been having pains in my chest recently.I suspect it's connected to my stress an..."
It never hurts to go to the doctor for a MOT. It'll put your mind at rest. If you're feeling breathless and perhaps fatigued, then best if you go.
And the results of the trip to the doctor...
Awesome and because you weren't admitted to hospital in a massive panic of receptionist and medical staff limbs, it's probably nothing to worry about, but something that needs checking. Good result.(I phoned the dentist and got an appointment next Wednesday to fill a wisdom tooth that has been annoying me for months. I'll be pleased to get that sorted.)
Having answers and causes always make things easier to deal with, I find.I was surprised to be able to get an appointment within a week at the dentist. I wonder if people just don't go any more. When I tried to get the kids in years ago there were never any appointments available.
(Resists all urges to play with various versions of the words "gotten lucky")
I have a major grrrr.I'm trying to book stacked promos for a sale I'll have in early August for the one year anniversary of me being a published author. But I stuffed up. I hadn't realised that my author email wasn't working after I switched to my new website.
So, when I booked a promo for Robin Reads and didn't hear anything, I presumed all was fine. But now I found the email to say I'd been rejected. Ok, no big deal. However, that was meant to be the big day of the sale (ie the actual day of the anniversary). Hence why I shelled out for a more expensive promo on that day. I've already booked all the other promo slots, at the sites that will take me, meaning I'm left with a massive gaping hole on the 4th.
ENT won't take me (I've tried a couple of times). BookBub is an obvious no-go. Last time I had a Bargain Booksy it was disastrous and they had to refund me. And those are really the only promo sites people recommend much any more, particularly for big results. So, I'm out of options. And that means that the whole supposed advantage of having stacked promos will be lost, too, since there's that gap in the middle.
Ughhhhhh. I'm not sure what to do. I tried to stick to promo sites that had specific 'Romantic Suspense' categories, since I'm trying to get on people's Also Boughts. I could go hunt down sites that had a 'romance only' section, but a) it might defeat the purpose, and b) again, no heavy hitters to try.
To add insult to injury, I only have 9 reviews instead of the often-required 10. So that leaves me with fewer options, too.
It's also probably too late for most sites. If I'd realised 3 weeks ago when I booked...*sigh*
Aw I can't help of course, I can only commiserate. (Still haven't discovered a magical list for erotica) Although you have more reviews than me. Have you by any chance had a look at Fiverr to see if there's anyone on there that'll charge a tiny amount for posting you to various pages? (That's all I've got and I'm not saying it works, but it's cheap.)
On my hunt I've actually found a few promo sites that specialise in erotica. Want me to see if I can find them again for you? No idea on prices or anything, but it might help?
Only if you've got time Aislinn. I've spent hours looking, so I know how time consuming it is. It's knowing if they're any good, isn't it? I did a small thing before Christmas via Fiverr and OK it didn't cost much, but I didn't see any movement either. (Shouldn't have written niche!)
Here's a couple I'm not sure you've tried. I've been looking for sites for hours and these are just ones I've comes across:http://wantonreads.com/tell-us-about-...
http://excitespice.com/author-promotion/
http://steamyromancebooks.com/add-you...
Obviously no guarantee but I hope they're good!
And, to be fair, I DIDN'T write niche, I wrote firmly in a popular genre and I'm still finding it super tough. So it's just sucky. :/
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I'm trying to book stacked promos for a sale I'll have in early August for the one year anniversary of me being a published author. But I stuffed up. I hadn't realised that m..."
Aislinn, I am sorry sorry to hear that. It is so much work to get things lined up. That really sucks. I am not real familiar with promo sites and the ones I have been looking into are children's, so unfortunately I don't have any other recommendations. Wishing you the best of luck though. Things will work out. *Hugs*
It's not easy that's for sure. I still think like other things it comes down to a percentage of luck on top of everything else. Thank you very much for the links.
Thanks Erica! I'll keep at it. :)And you're welcome, Amy. I hope they help.
I've filled in one thanks Aislinn. That's one more than I had this morning!
Here's an interesting piece on keywords that just popped up on Indies Unlimited:http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0...
Alex wrote: "Theodore wrote: "Here's an interesting piece on keywords that just popped up on Indies Unlimited:http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/0......"
I have to agree with you...I sometimes am at a total loss to figure out from where they pull some categories for my books (though I'd venture a guess (not for mixed company)).
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Sorry to here that, Erica. I'm going through the same thing, but these are the times I get more involved with my writing and other creative projects. But I'm also helping others giving advice and sharing as much of my experience as possible in this writing world. Like right now, I'm helping my mother on her first children's books. She doesn't know anything about publishing, etc. but has been wanting to get involved in it. I have been sharing as much of my expertise and the ups and downs of it as I can. She is a retired teacher. So this is something she's always wanted to do. By the way, not to get off topic here but does anyone know of any illustrators for children's books? My mom is looking for one.
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Children's Books Author and Illustrators is a Facebook group with a lot of involved illustrators. I believe there are some illustrator lists on Goodreads too. Carole may know.
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Your books exist- isn't that the most powerful part of this whole venture. WRITE ON!!
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Amy Robsart: A Life and Its End (other topics)Iridessian Haunts (other topics)
Speaking of which-further delay on my dad's estate. The solicitor resigned so someone else is taking over. I suspect that means more delay. Yay.