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The GRRRR!!!!!! thread
No it's all about the money the publicity generates. If it doesn't make boat loads of money, publicity won't even break the surface. I read a bit of Fifty shades and wasn't crazy about it. It bored me to tears. It was a DNF for me.
Carole wrote: "It's all about the publicity. I mean, did you read Fifty Shades???"Yes I read the trilogy and (here's where I get into trouble with some people) I absolutely see myself as a better writer if not now then later. Maybe I'm misleading myself. Just as a for instance, how can something professionally edited have so many mentions of "oh my" and "inner goddess"? How?
Amy wrote: "Carole wrote: "It's all about the publicity. I mean, did you read Fifty Shades???"Yes I read the trilogy and (here's where I get into trouble with some people) I absolutely see myself as a better..."
Because people are suddenly oblivious to those things when it has so much fame and fortune behind it.
Yes, read all of those too. IMHO they're nowhere near as bad.(I won't be anywhere near as annoyed at everything when I'm not in debt)
50 Shades was originally self published. Not really my genre but I think it's awesome that an indie book "made it".
That's true. Indie anything else is seen in a much better light.
I have just read all the way through one reviewer's criteria for review requests who even lists the genres of erotica and space opera and talked myself out of submitting for a review today. Far too intimidating. Judging by previous reviews I would be likely to get 3 stars if I was exceedingly lucky. When I win the lottery, I'm buying myself an assistant or something.
Same!! I hate applying to get reviews SO MUCH and it's so damn demoralising because you just get ignored. (I imagine it's even worse for erotica!) Being able to hand that misery on to someone else would be a dream come true.
Amy wrote: "I have just read all the way through one reviewer's criteria for review requests who even lists the genres of erotica and space opera and talked myself out of submitting for a review today. Far too..."Take a chance. A 3 star review won't kill you. It might lead to exposure. Be brave.
I've stopped worrying about people taking me seriously, because they never will. I and my kind are not fit for them and vice versa. Normal people are too hard to please and I'm not normal and my indie author reputation doesn't depend on what they think. I don't write my books for them anyway. They either take me too seriously, or not seriously at all or I'm invisible to them. Mostly the latter. I feel like I'm in high school all over again and it's not pretty or acceptable.
That's a great attitude, Angel!(I secretly sing along to a few Katy Perry songs myself. Or not so secretly. #noshame)
Aislinn wrote: "That's a great attitude, Angel!(I secretly sing along to a few Katy Perry songs myself. Or not so secretly. #noshame)"
Listening to Katy Perry and Sia (lots of Sia) has been a big confidence boost for me having something to relate to and rage to at times when I go through my depression, which is often, through it all I've learned to not let things that are negative add to the mix of it.
Alex wrote: "I find Sia's videos weird but the songs are great."I actually get her music videos and songs. Her videos are a type of conceptual art with emotion, protest, pain with a wicked sense of humor to them. Quite thought provoking, very emotive and evocative.
Ok, everyone! This is a newsletter I've subscribed to that has writing contests with prizes, etc. for self published and indies. They also do insightful articles like this one. Take a read:http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2017/...
Alex wrote: "I think it's the use of the girl in the leotard, especially in the one with Shia Labeouf who I find odd at the best of times."That one was odd, but I had to make myself see pass that to know what Sia was trying to say. She also explained it in a rare interview that it was about her two self states, which I came to the conclusion it was due to her suffering from bipolar disorder, alcoholism, graves disease and her treatment and overcoming and balancing those self states. But yeah I agree, me being a mom, I would've went about expressing that another way.
Alex wrote: "I like her loyalty in sticking to the use of the girl, who is a very good gymnast, but the way she's portrayed gives me pause. Though I was impressed when I saw a thing about the Chandelier video w..."She says her odd outfits are inspired by her clothing stylist and also she admires Cate Blanchett's eclectic style of clothing, so it's that mix in there, too. She wears the hats and wigs to maintain her privacy by hiding her appearance so she can have some semblance of a normal life and not be hounded by the paparazzi, which is a part of her staying sober and sane since fame had become destabilizing for her. I understand it, but to me it's pointless because anyone can Google her face and find out what she really looks like. It shows that she's a real person. I think people tend to forget that celebrities are real people. Me I've always seen them as real and messed up people with money.
Alex wrote: "I think a number of them bring their problems on themselves, they court publicity and attention and then complain about it, that's mostly the younger ones though. Tom Hanks, to me, is the ultimate..."
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors of all time.
Alex wrote: "Mine too, he has been capable of acting in veritually every kind of film."What are your favorite movies he's acted in? Mine's are Road to Perdition, Castaway, Forrest Gump, The Green Mile, Philadelphia, Splash, Big, The Money Pit, Catch Me if You Can Toy Story, Cars (voiceover, he's a great voiceover actor, too).
Alex wrote: "Oooh, that's tough.Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump (definitely) Philadelphia, Catch Me If You Can. Bachelor Party (a lot of his 80s comedies really) The 'Burbs,"
The Burbs, I can't remember if I liked it or not.
Alex, I think Tom Hanks would be a perfect candidate to play Sergeant Mitchell in the movie based on your novel, Written in Blood. I can actually imagine that coming true.
Joins in the conversation to say I've got one song by Sia. LolI don't think I'd mind the 3 star reviews. It's the 1 star DNF that I can't deal with. That felt rotten for weeks. And some of these reviewers will do it from what I'm seeing of their work.
Alex wrote: "Angel wrote: "Alex, I think Tom Hanks would be a perfect candidate to play Sergeant Mitchell in the movie based on your novel, Written in Blood. I can actually imagine that coming true."He's cert..."
For Zack Wild maybe Matt Damon or Casey Affleck or Eddie Redmayne? I think Maisie Williams would be a great fit.
Amy and Aislinn, I hear ya. It's time-consuming and hard and because they're inundated with book review offers, you don't hear from them. So, Amy when you win your lottery, get me an assistant, too:)And I agree with Alexis, a three star review is good. You want an array of star reviews (but not 1 &2 stars)
Angel, that's a good attitude to have. That's how I write, too, which I didn't at first. One of my most favorite persons in the world was Prince (as you can tell by my homage to him in one of my books--Tee-Hee) Anyway, it was known that he wrote his songs for himself, and if nobody liked them, he could have cared less. Look how that turned out:)
I think that's the attitude I adopted for erotica. I write for me almost because I write what I like. Everyone likes different things. I tried to write in the way others wanted me to and I cringed at a lot of it.
Told a friend of mine anything above a 3 cos I'm definitely worth 3 and above. Would have been happy with that. He obliged with a 1. #CheersMate
I went the blog review route last year. To say it was a tedious process would be an understatement. I ended up researching about 100 blogs. Of those 100, my book fit the submission criteria of about 20 who were also accepting review requests. Of the 20 submissions I made, I was accepted by about 10. Of those 10, I think I got 7 reviews. It took a lot of time and patience but those reviews were gold for me. I was surprised at how many reviewers stated they would not read historical fiction. It seemed most of them were interested in contemporary YA, romance, scifi, and fantasy. The ones who did read histfic usually had very specific requirements of historical timeline and location. So if they only like books set in 16th century France, my series was out of the equation. I spent a lot of hours researching and submitting but it was worth it for the reviews. However it was a less effort and time to get reviews from goodreads by joining genre-related groups and offering books for review.
That's some friend--LOL!I, too, tried to write what I thought others would like, and didn't feel good about it at all. Now, when I get a chance, I'm going to go back and change my earlier books.
Alex wrote: "Amy wrote: "Told a friend of mine anything above a 3 cos I'm definitely worth 3 and above. Would have been happy with that. He obliged with a 1. #CheersMate"With friends like that......"
Ex friend now...
I just received a response from someone who saw my request for a review from a Book Review forum I'm part of. So, it does work and is a lot easier than sitting for hours with your bloggers' list.
Marie Silk wrote: "I went the blog review route last year. To say it was a tedious process would be an understatement. I ended up researching about 100 blogs. Of those 100, my book fit the submission criteria of abou..."I'd love 7 reviews. I know that many people have read my book and liked it pmsl. I'm so big time lol
Groovy wrote: "I just received a response from someone who saw my request for a review from a Book Review forum I'm part of. So, it does work and is a lot easier than sitting for hours with your bloggers' list."That's probably a good idea.
I am guilty of giving a 1 star out years ago. It must have followed a rejection I'd received from trad publishing. However I wasn't the only one who gave it a one. It was unpublished a day later, I've always felt guilty about that. (It was very bad.)
Alex wrote: "The only 1* I've given was for Twilight, the film, and I feel it was justified."OMG that's so funny given its popularity. I can't comment because I've never read the books or seen the films.
I briefly thought about joining a group for people who like Space Operas, seeing as that's my new genre along with erotica. I've just read a bit about the group. The rules are in order to get noticed as an author by them you have to join in and be an active member. No can do. There aren't enough hours in the day to do that, this, my business, the kids, the house and write. It's exactly the same problem with my weight loss business when it was viable, I could spend money to boost it, but never had the time to stand at a bloody wedding fair handing out fliers-which I'd personally find insulting in the first place.
Okay, here's my GRRRR:I shelled out $108 for promos for my .99 Kindle Countdown that's currently running. Here's the breakdown:
April 4: eBookHounds - cost $20
April 5: Fussy Librarians - $18
April 6: eReaderIQ / Booksends combo - $30
April 7: Fiverr Bknights - $11
April 8: Manybooks - $29
To break even I'll need to sell 172 units (about 34 per day). I've only run one other Kindle Countdown and I didn't advertise at all, and I barely had any reviews, yet I still sold 6 units. I did some research and it seemed like most people were getting around 30 sales / day with these newsletters, so I was crossing my fingers things for about the same. I didn't care if I came up a little short when all was said and done, but it turns out I'm going to come up a LOT short--as in, I've sold a total of 7 units so far-- $4.34 in royalties. Manybooks is coming up tomorrow, but I doubt much will come of that. Not sure what I'm doing wrong--my guess is it's the blurb. I did ask other authors about the blurb, but they assured me it was fine. I'm going to chalk this up as a (somewhat expensive) learning experience and try not to beat myself up over it too much, but you can bet I won't be paying for any more advertising. It's been a pretty disheartening week, and I was so excited for it beforehand. :(
Alex wrote: "I have the same problem, Amy, in order to get success through social media you have to be sociable, and I just can't manage it. I enjoy this group, but it does take a lot of my energy."I can cope here. But I can't add any more places to be sociable at. It's too intimidating. And you're right exhausting. I have to be sociable for work, thankfully I was an actress (non professional) for years, it's the only way I pull some things off.
X. wrote: "Okay, here's my GRRRR:I shelled out $108 for promos for my .99 Kindle Countdown that's currently running. Here's the breakdown:
April 4: eBookHounds - cost $20
April 5: Fussy Librarians - $18
A..."
This is my worry about throwing money at it too.
So here's my experience with a bunch of stuff mentioned in this post. Sorry if I'm repeating crap.Covers: I make my own. First of all, I'm way too OCD to put them in the hands of others. Second, well, I hate to part with the money. So I get professional pics that I pay for through shutterstock and alter them online. My covers might not be the best or most professional out there, but honestly, I haven't had any complaints about them, so... I don't know. Covers are tricky business.
Reviews: So, other than being part of groups on here, I definitely hit up bloggers with either ARCs or free copies. I've gotten some responses and over time, have built up a stead list of bloggers/fans who gladly accept my free copies in exchange for reviews. Also, you can post your wears on a few of the sites here and see if anyone bites. I've definitely gotten reviews that way. But keep people who give you good reviews on a sheet of paper (or online) and when you put something new out, message them and see if they're interested.
Marketing: With my last release I used a promotion company. It cost me $100 for a cover reveal and then release blitz which spans 5 days. They basically put the book out to their list of bloggers and if they're willing, they put your new book on their website when it's released. Many also do reviews. I got 8 reviews from bloggers with that for the last one and for my newest, which isn't coming out until June, I have 10 people already scheduled to review it and another 25 to post it on their websites. That and through my promotion company, if they can't give you 3.5 stars or higher, then they don't review your book. So it's sort of like paying for good reviews, but... well... I don't care. The reviews are honest.
Book promotion sites: I've sued Manybooks, booksends, bargainbooksy and bookdaily. So far, I've seen the best action from booksends, but they're a touch on the expensive side. That said, I've made my money back twice with them so I'll take it. If you can get into bookbub, I hear they're worth the hefty cost. I can't seem to get into ereadernews, but I know some people who have done well with them.
I hope some of this helps!
Groovy wrote: "Amy and Aislinn, I hear ya. It's time-consuming and hard and because they're inundated with book review offers, you don't hear from them. So, Amy when you win your lottery, get me an assistant, too..."Ok, die hard Prince fan here. I'm so glad to find out we have that in common. I still can't believe he's gone though. But yeah, Groovy that's the attitude we all should have.
Alex wrote: "I'll have to vote against Eddie Redmayne, it needs a more toned physique because he's supposed to be studly, lmao."Well then, Lol! What about Idris Elba?
Groovy wrote: "That's some friend--LOL!I, too, tried to write what I thought others would like, and didn't feel good about it at all. Now, when I get a chance, I'm going to go back and change my earlier books."
Write the book you want to see in bookstores and that you like. That's what I do. Because most people are hard to please. There are people out there who do want books out there like mine, like yours, like all of ours. But we have to first write what we like and love and then there will be others out there, the ones who actually embrace true individuality who will read and review it. That's what being human, being creative, an indie is all about individuality. Embracing that is being true to oneself.
Marie Silk wrote: "I went the blog review route last year. To say it was a tedious process would be an understatement. I ended up researching about 100 blogs. Of those 100, my book fit the submission criteria of abou..."People irk me sometimes. I love historical fiction, along with a lot of other genres. I have a eclectic array I enjoy. I can find a place on my bookshelf for pretty much every genre. As far as doing blog reviews I avoided doing that because I feel like it's pointless because my reviews are posted on Goodreads and Amazon and whenever I've just done a review on Goodreads, people can easily see it. So no need to blog the reviews of books I've read or reviews on my own books. I never understood why people go through that hassle.
X. wrote: "Okay, here's my GRRRR:I shelled out $108 for promos for my .99 Kindle Countdown that's currently running. Here's the breakdown:
April 4: eBookHounds - cost $20
April 5: Fussy Librarians - $18
A..."
Hi there X. I must say, I think your blurb could be a bit more exciting. It reads more like a synopsis now than an attention grabbing blurb! Sorry about the money, but look at it as an investment. You lose some, you win some. One of those seven buyers could turn out to be a veyr influent blogger or reviewer. You never know. :)
The only thing about writing what I'd read is that I'm a weirdo and the risk is there aren't that many weirdos like me out there. That said I do have positive feedback that is not in review form from people I believe. I just wish they'd write them up.
Amy wrote: "The only thing about writing what I'd read is that I'm a weirdo and the risk is there aren't that many weirdos like me out there. That said I do have positive feedback that is not in review form fr..."I'm a weirdo too, Amy. But I'm not afraid to use it. I find your weirdness refreshing. Trust me there are a lot of creative weirdos out there just waiting to come out of the closet. They need weirdos like you and me to let them know its ok to let their freak flag fly. I've always embraced the darkness inside me, my super weirdness and my dark, sadistic, masochistic, intellectual prowess. I know there are people out there who don't understand me because of it. But just as I said before I don't write for them, I write for myself and my fellow weirdos, my dark intellectuals (I call them).
Great name. I stopped trying to fit in when a work colleague asked if I'd ever tried to be normal. She meant it seriously and I'd never been so insulted.
Amy wrote: "Great name. I stopped trying to fit in when a work colleague asked if I'd ever tried to be normal. She meant it seriously and I'd never been so insulted."Like being normal is something special. I like the unique, the weird that's family to me. I never belonged with the "normies" (I call them). I like variety, oddity, not blandness. See that's why I have no friends. They say the most toxic things. Toxicity don't need that in my life. It's easy to pretend to be normal. I've done it a million, zillion times. I'd like to see the "normies" try to pretend to be more like us weirdos, now that would be entertaining. LMAO!
I have a tiny amount of face to face friends. I don't do the normal stuff of going on girls holidays and going out drinking. I'd actually hate to win the work holidays people strive for. People think I'm weird. So be it.
Normal is almost a nonsense. Too much variation in people for anyone to be normal.
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It's all about the publicity. I mean, did you read Fifty Shades???