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The GRRRR!!!!!! thread
When book 1 was free did you promote book 1 or 2? I'm not sure where I should throw the promotion? No point in paying for book 2 if you haven't read 1. Book 1 is permanently set to 99p at the moment on Amazon. But free on Radish. And the instafreebie.
How did you get Amazon to link the two books as a series? Is it enough to put the series title in the box that mentions it's a series or does that not work?
I'll have to check that I've filled in all the boxes correctly. I hate that whole process because you change one tiny thing and then you have to wait hours/days for it to be actioned.
Amy wrote: "I'll have to check that I've filled in all the boxes correctly. I hate that whole process because you change one tiny thing and then you have to wait hours/days for it to be actioned."I called them and had them link them. I also asked them to create a separate series page for the series.
I did the same with KDP (you can reach a Kindle agent by calling Author Central and asking to be transferred). They are very accommodating.
Yeah, I always have to ask mine to be linked. I just send them an email with the two ASINs and ask them to be rolled into a series. It's pretty painless, and I think it does help drive sales.
Angel wrote: "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..."Just to jump in on this question, your mum might want to check out the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org/). They have galleries etc.
Or, if I can help in any way, I'd be glad to... *Smiles politely*
Thanks. Sorry, didn't want to hijack this thread but thought the link might be useful.
Jon wrote: "Angel wrote: "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..."Just to jump in on this question, your mum might wa..."
Thanks, Jon! I'll let her know.
Erica wrote: "Thank you Alex and Angel. It's just frustrating to put a lot of time and work into something and see no major results. Just trying to keep my mind focused on enjoying the journey and awesome people..."Thanks, Erica! Hang in there. :)
Thanks everyone, I'll get on to that after my holiday.
Random Grr. One of my books (not a Wielder World) has mainly 4 and 5 stars, though not a ton, and I randomly got a 1 star. Not a review at all, just a 1 star rating (no explanation) and I'm wondering why I got trolled. Ah well, I know it happens, but it's still annoying.
Could be... thanks for the solace. I just feel like rolling my eyes!
Nat wrote: "Random Grr. One of my books (not a Wielder World) has mainly 4 and 5 stars, though not a ton, and I randomly got a 1 star. Not a review at all, just a 1 star rating (no explanation) and I'm wonderi..."Was it a verified purchase? If not, I would write Amazon and challenge it.
GROWLI went with a new book promo service for this Mega Sale I'm having, and they're promoting the wrong book! I wanted "Double Lives" to be spotlighted, but they're doing "The Clerk" for some reason. The ASIN I gave them was for "Double Lives," and all the confirmation emails I received from them had that ASIN.
Thankfully, they have a live chat, and I've just got it sorted out - I think. The promo for "Double Lives" will still run its full length, just one day later. I suppose this snafu may put me ahead, since "The Clerk" got some "free" publicity.
I was wondering why "The Clerk" was kicking "Double Lives's" butt on Amazon. This is likely the reason why.
The promo site is called Books Butterfly. It's very "busy" and looks amateurish, but they do "guarantee" results. We'll see if they're worth it.
If they aren't, or if they don't fix their mistake, I'll be back with more GRRRs.
How about this for a review? Went up on one of my books yesterday, with four stars:'This lost a star from me because the book finished at 87%, the rest being the first chapter of another book. But that was the only reason.'
I thought it was common practice to put the chapter of another book at the end of a novel--clearly separated from the main novel by my bio and links.
Some people like it and some don't. I thought it was a novel idea when I first came across it just a few years ago. I read the extra bit with interest. I stuck a short two page thing at the end of my first. Nothing at the end of the second because I'm not sure I'll write a third in that series.
Still great 4* though.
I suppose my positive reaction should be, 'They wanted more! Great!'
At least it's something interesting to read though. I've read books where I've got to the end of the actual book and there's been pages of references at the end.
I hired a bad editor. Goddamit!!!She sold me proper editing. Copy editing and line editing... and I got proofreading with some light copy edits. The line edits are just missing from the file.
She says that if you want to be pampered and praised with every line, that's not line editing. OMG!! No, I don't want any pampering, I want my editor to EDIT and fix my MS!
I'm so pissed off right now!!! I may be new at this but I'm not stupid! And I chose the more experienced one! Never again will I put old age and "experience" over youth and professionalism.
Luckily, I didn't pay it all up front. But it's a waste of time AND money.
GGNNNHHHHH!!!!
Mod
Was that the person who advertised on Goodreads?
Sorry, Elina! I hope you recover from this.
Sorry to hear that Elina :( Had you tried a sample of their work beforehand?
Eldon wrote: "Sorry to hear that Elina :( Had you tried a sample of their work beforehand?"I did get a sample edit but it was only 500 words so there was not much to learn from it.
Angel wrote: "Sorry, Elina! I hope you recover from this."
Thnaks Angel, I will! I got some refund from her and she was very professional with my complaints. I have another editor in mind and I didn't lose a lot of money. I think I'll be ok. AND this has been a learning experience!!
Chrys wrote: "Was that the person who advertised on Goodreads?"
I'm not sure, I think she is at Goodreads also.
R.L. wrote: "Omg I'm so sorry that happened to you! Man I wish we had a database we can store for people to avoid. Had a similar experience myself."
Thanks, that would be nice. No one else would have to fall for it. She wasn't a bad person, but maybe ignorant.
I'm fuming right now. I went through the rigmarole of getting a virtual PO Box address so my home address wouldn't be listed on any bloody blanket emails I send out via mailchimp to my mailing list. I've updated mailchimp with the PO Box and it's sent the sodding email to over 600 people with my home address still at the bottom. Why do I bother wasting my time on stuff like this? I felt like I had to jump through hoops to sort that out yesterday. I had to prove my ID to a company I've never heard of to have another well known one let me down.
Oh no. I'm so sorry. Did you change your address under 'Primary Account Contact' or 'Lists in this Account'? You need to change the latter so it sends out the right address. (I had this same problem for ages, but with my email. They kept sending it from my gmail, not my aislinnkearns.com one)If it's any consolation, I never look at company addresses in emails.
Aislinn, I don't know what I've done. I've gone through again and made sure all the correct addresses are where they should be. It's not like hundreds of people don't know where I live anyway, I've worked from home and seen over a thousand people for work in the last 12 years at this address. It shouldn't bother me. (I wish that meant I was a high class hooker, it would sound more exciting than working in weight loss!) I updated the list name the other day and I know I changed it and saved it, but it hasn't changed it on the list. I'm hoping the next one I send will have all the right things.
And as for these emails, I've had so many non writing ones I didn't sign up for recently all I do with them is hit unsubscribe!
Today I hate everything to do with being an author that happens after the writing. #Annoyed #StampsFoot
I totally understand. I'm so sorry it's been tough.Next time, you can send the email to yourself before you send it to anyone else - that way you can check it before anyone else sees it.
Can you do that? I'll have to check. It just said send. I wish I was better at this.
Theodore wrote: "Was it a verified purchase? If not, I would write Amazon and challenge it.."It's actually on Goodreads, so it doesn't matter there. My Amazon reviews for that book are all 4s and 5s with a few 3 star ratings but not many.
Alex wrote: "It's more common with books in a series than those that are not. I have only anecdotal evidence of this, but I think readers are more likely to be unhappy about it when they read on an ereader beca..."I get annoyed when I get to 87 % and find out the book is done. That 'extra' part shouldn't be too long, imho. But I don't think i would have rated it poorly for that, only if I felt the book didn't end.
Mod
Ugh, that shouldn't happen! Hope they update it quickly.I've probably fixed the address thing. Yesterday my vision was compromised so I was squinting and gurning at the screen all day. Look up gurning if you've never heard of it. (Not sure if it's a UK thing or not, the dictionary here has never heard of it!) I dare you not to laugh.
I hate naming things. How hard is it to come up with a title for an 5k short story set in a crumbing hotel with loads of dead bodies around?
Thanks Alex. I've got it. I always have to complain about something before I come up with an idea for it and it doesn't work if I complain in my head.Short story for Halloween/erotica anthology is called...
He Knows You Now.
So that's done then. Suppose I'd better check what format I'm doing this thing in.
You say that, but that's what I came up with at first, googled them and found they'd already been used! lol
I suppose it depends on context. I've seen some books and TV shows use "future" science in quite clever ways - like the episode with Briscoe County Jr and the finger prints. But that show was meant to be fun and sometimes a little silly, so it very much worked in context.But I also did my minor in history, so I like historical accuracy, too.
Alex I would let the author whoever he is fall flat on his face. You tried. We indies already have a super glued label stamped on our forehead by people out there that we put out rubbish, and have to constantly try to prove that it's not true for all of us. I always do my research before putting something out there or I have firsthand knowledge. I'm a historical fanatic by nature. I use these attributes to make sure my writing is on point. If he wants to be a rubbish indie author then let him have at it. All we can do as indies is prove ourselves with integrity when it comes to our writing. Let the readers and reviewers handle that. They'll let him know and they won't be as diplomatic as you were about it, Alex. We all have to live and learn.
Mod
Alex wrote: "I've got to have a grr about this.In another group an author posted that they received a rejection for an historical crime novel with the following comment
'You have a good historical knowledge,..."
You can't cure stupid.
Save your energy for your writing and other positive work.
Mod
I remember trying to help out a writer with her manuscript. It was full of misplaced modifiers, but when I pointed this out, she became very rude and asked me never to contact her again. Then she sent me a string of emails stating that her editor and her readers had never minded sentences like 'Famous for wine and cheese, we drove through the French villages in our ancient car.' I declined to respond.
Mod
I've made a comment under that review, Alex, but I'll remove it if you want.
Doesn't bother me if she does, but thanks for being concerned on my behalf, that's very thoughtful of you.
Chin up, Alex. I've been there, revised and moved on from it. Nobody's perfect.
Alex wrote: "Angel wrote: "Chin up, Alex. I've been there, revised and moved on from it. Nobody's perfect."Yeah, I've fixed that errant word and reuploaded, took no time at all. Fortunately I was never under ..."
That's a very good thing, Alex. Growth is good as an author. :)
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Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie
Books mentioned in this topic
Amy Robsart: A Life and Its End (other topics)Iridessian Haunts (other topics)
Oh and I've sold about 6 copies of Nate and Day and one of them I bought. As soon as I get my inheritance I'll need to sink some money into promo. I don't have the energy to do it all on my own.