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Publishing Gripes and Grrrs!
They’re not doing this to help us. It’s business and we’re small fry. They are the market leader. I’m not labelling them as malicious but it is business and they’ll do whatever they need to benefit the business. It would be more honest to say ‘to streamline our business’ rather than anything that claims to help the author. As an aside, I wonder how many authors will just fall out of print because of this. Probably not enough to boost visibility to those remaining. Meh. Back to searching for affordable marketing options. (Haven’t sold anything in weeks-moan!)
Won’t make a blind bit of difference to my exposure Alex. It would take all authors of Sci-Fi to be vapourised for me to be visible. I wish they cared how authors saw them. But it’s business.
D.J. wrote: "I was lucky. I came along at the point where Amazon had launched the KDP beta and had acquired CreateSpace. I couldn't see why they'd continue to run two side by side and 'knew' they would ditch CS..."I'm in the same boat, D.J. thankfully. I am reading all these posts with my hand over my mouth and my breath held. It sounded like it was all going to be so easy to swap over.
So time consuming and anxiety inducing. I wish I could help or give you all some chocolate...
For anyone who is trying to move their books and is unable to do so, this is why. Excerpt from KDP guidelines."In a few weeks, we'll start automatically moving CreateSpace books to KDP and expect to have moved all books in the weeks that follow. If you have a release planned soon or would like to start the move yourself, you'll be able to move your entire catalog in just a few steps. To ensure a quality experience, we'll enable the ability to move your CreateSpace books to KDP in phases, so authors may see it at different times. Log in to your CreateSpace Member Dashboard and follow the instructions to begin once the link to do so appears in your account."
Just to cheer you up - perhaps... I know this should be in another thread (and because the mods are nice on here, I hope they won't mind if I double up - just this once ;o) but I have collected together four of my short stories and they are free from today through until 2nd September. I may have had a grumble about not being able to make them permanently free on this thread somewhere.https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Stolen-K...
and
https://www.amazon.com/One-Stolen-Kis...
And for folks in other countries, if you want a free egift (!) please search for One Stolen Kiss and other stories by Anna Faversham and it should get you there.
Then make a cup of hot chocolate and eat some cake to go with the easy-read stuff.
Ignore the sweet pussy-cat on the front cover. I have yet to think of a story to go with it. But I couldn't resist the cover. Not very professional, eh?
Hugs to all who've had a hard time lately.
It's not all been plain sailing here either - I've been made aware of a historical hiccup in One Dark Soul. Sounds trivial really but I had to take out 'the Dean's steps' because they weren't built in 1825. This morning was spent on a rewrite and a reupload and... you know how it goes.
Mod
Thank you, Carole. This might help!
One Stolen Kiss and other short stories
But GR won't accept my nice puss-cat cover - too big, it says!
Navie is the first place I've been to to shout out it's FREE!
Dear Navie (sorry Carole, that's my pet name for this group).
Can you resize the pic? Or do you want a hand with that?
D.J. Resize the pic? Or are you talking to someone else? Um... Ah, got it... yes, the cover pic is being resized tomorrow! My friend who does my covers is on the job! Bless you for the thought.
@Alex, I understand - mine is probably in the thirties or forties but that will take me several years... The only incentive I can give you is that it's only about 10,000 words and easy to read type stuff. But it's only fair you put it at the bottom of the queue!
@ Anna excellent, glad you can get it resized. It’s one of the only things I can do in Photoshop!
@Alex - I use the same 'system'.@ D.J. - I haven't even got photoshop, not that I've noticed anyway!
Window PC users can use Paint to Resize a cover. Just open the file in Paint, select Resize, and choose your options from there. You may also have to ensure there are a sufficient number of pixels.
Anna Faversham wrote: "Thank you, Carole. This might help!
One Stolen Kiss and other short stories
But GR won't accept my nice puss-cat cover - too big, it says!
Navie is the first place I've been to..."
Got it downloaded on my Kindle, Anna. And I'm already 15% in. It's on my currently reading list. Got so many on that list as it is. But I'm happy to add another good read to my list. This will be the second book I've got of yours on my list. I'm determined to finish all those on my currently reading list. And I always do within the year.
Oh ffs Alex. I’m glad that was a mistake but seriously-you don’t need that kind of mistake in your life.
Alex wrote: "Well the hits keep on comingI've just gone to log in to my Kobo Writing Life account to check for new sales and seen the following message
We're sorry...
We've deactivated this account
Please se..."
That's good to hear it'll be worked out, Alex.
Theodore wrote: "Window PC users can use Paint to Resize a cover. Just open the file in Paint, select Resize, and choose your options from there. You may also have to ensure there are a sufficient number of pixels."Oh that sounds useful and easy, thank you!
Angel, thank you! I hope you find it slips down like warm jelly. Or maybe something else that you like...!Alex - aargh! How awful. Perhaps it's this change in the weather and not our fantastic talent that's making everything go up the creek. So keep going. Perseverance is one of the elements of success. Sigh.
Mod
Alex wrote: "Well the hits keep on comingI've just gone to log in to my Kobo Writing Life account to check for new sales and seen the following message
We're sorry...
We've deactivated this account
Please se..."
Nothing like an unwanted jolt of adrenaline when you least expect it. Sorry, Alex. And very happy to hear it was so quickly explained, and that it is their problem to fix. :)
Alex wrote: "Thanks, Carole and Carmel. Definitely glad it's their problem to fix. I'm pretending it's because I've had so many sales that their system can't handle it and they need time to process them all, ..."
That made me smile. Or was that a grimace? Sometimes I can't tell the difference. :) I know what you mean.
Just had this from CS: "There is no further action required from your end. Your books will be accepted in the same format approved in CreateSpace." Nice to get some good news!
Anna Faversham wrote: "Angel, thank you! I hope you find it slips down like warm jelly. Or maybe something else that you like...!Alex - aargh! How awful. Perhaps it's this change in the weather and not our fantastic ta..."
I'm definitely enjoying the read, Anna. :)
:) here too, thanks Angel. I'd love to know which short story people like best.
Anita wrote: "For anyone who is trying to move their books and is unable to do so, this is why. Excerpt from KDP guidelines."In a few weeks, we'll start automatically moving CreateSpace books to KDP and expect..."
Just got this from Create space about KDP( both owned by Amazon)
CreateSpace's payment schedule, 30 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. After you move your books to KDP, new royalties earned will be paid on KDP's payment schedule. KDP pays royalties on a monthly basis 60 days after the end of the month in which they were earned. As a result, you’ll be paid in October for any royalties earned in September on CreateSpace and be paid in November for any royalties earned on KDP.
So higher costs in some cases plus keeping our money longer. I feel really treasured in the way the corporates do everything to help others and not themselves!
I can imagine. Yep. That’s the way it works. I sell so few books I’m always surprised when £2 of royalty turns up.
Just had a rejection from an agent for a book I self-published five months ago. Usual thing. Enjoyed it, liked it. Just never enough to take me on. I'm beginning to think all agents state they like and enjoy everything they read whether it's crap or not.
Mod
Alex wrote: "D.J. wrote: "Just had a rejection from an agent for a book I self-published five months ago. Usual thing. Enjoyed it, liked it. Just never enough to take me on. I'm beginning to think all agents st..."Thank you for saying so, Alex.
I'm not sure how an author would go after an agent these days. A rowdy author slamming an agent on the web is only going to come across as bitter. It is what it is-too many authors and not enough agents. It doesn't matter how good your book is, there is just so much competition and not enough right place at the right time to go around.
D.J. wrote: "Just had a rejection from an agent for a book I self-published five months ago. Usual thing. Enjoyed it, liked it. Just never enough to take me on. I'm beginning to think all agents state they like..."Hey, I have enough rejections to paper the loft! I wear them as a badge of honor!
The facts are (in my humble opinion), agents these days, I think, are looking for authors who (1) have an MFA, (2) multiple publications in literary journals, (3) a significant online presence, (4) a following on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, and, (5) basically present them with a situation that maximizes the possibilities for success AND minimizes the outlay of cash on their end.
Even if you succeeded, you would have to be prepared to go through the agent's editing process, wait while they sell the manuscript, and then, wait up to a year for the publisher to edit and release the book.
I've come to terms with the fact this never is going to "happen" for me. And frankly, I no longer am pursuing it as a goal.
I guess G_d's plan for the Universe did not include making me rich. (;>)
Carole wrote: "No, I've gotten a few notes telling me I wrote rubbish- only they didn't say it like that. lol"I've never known you to have written rubbish!
I suppose I should be grateful that the worst I've received is "it's not for me". But in my mind that reads like "why did you send me this tripe?"
BTW, here is a blog piece I wrote about my experiences seeking an agent. It might be of benefit in steering you to those who at least will give you a response:https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Theodore wrote: "BTW, here is a blog piece I wrote about my experiences seeking an agent. It might be of benefit in steering you to those who at least will give you a response:https://www.goodreads.com/author_blo..."
Thanks, Ted. I read that post a while ago. Then lost it, so I'm happy to have it bookmarked to refer to later on.
I feel the number of "assumed to have passed" comments is bad form and as you say bad business. In my day job we get torn a new one if we don't respond to every enquiry. Then again, I don't get hundreds of emails every month.
D.J. wrote: "Theodore wrote: "BTW, here is a blog piece I wrote about my experiences seeking an agent. It might be of benefit in steering you to those who at least will give you a response:https://www.goodrea..."
I agree...there is no excuse for not giving an author the courtesy of a reply.
When I was the VP for Research many years (decades) ago at a firm in DC, I had a rule for HR: the receipt of every (!) resume was to trigger the release of a postcard (this was before the Internet and e-mail were widespread), thanking the applicant for his or her interest and indicating we would be in touch within 30 days if we wanted to pursue the matter further. This was the least we could do.
Submitting to agents or publishers or magazines (for shorter works) is a painful process for most of us. Quite aside from whether or not a writer's work is up to snuff and happens to align properly with the agent or publisher's interests, there is the small matter of how many submissions they get. We usually don't see the numbers, but one publication I submitted to had a tracker that showed you your place in the queue. My story started out at something like 600 (if I recall correctly), In other words, they are probably receiving upwards of 8,000 submissions every year for a publication that will print maybe 100 stories every year, if that. Even if every submission were a stellar work that they absolutely loved, they would have to reject nearly 99.99% of what they received.
You have to be good to make a sale, but you also have to get incredibly lucky.
Theodore wrote: "D.J. wrote: "Theodore wrote: "BTW, here is a blog piece I wrote about my experiences seeking an agent. It might be of benefit in steering you to those who at least will give you a response:https:..."
I totally agree with that. When I was trying to make it as an actress I saw similar things. One rejection postcard reached me an entire year after my resume was submitted. At least they responded, even if it took a year.
Mod
Yes, right place, right time and luck. And those have to sit on top of ability. Agents and publishers receive hundreds of submissions a month. The odds aren't great.A few years back I read mundane fiction written by someone already in a different corner of the publishing world who, to me, only got that book out because they knew someone who knew someone. Meh.
I still think I could die before I find an agent or that kind of publishing deal. I'm not being morbid, I have already had a mini stroke. As my Dad used to say, it's difficult to not constantly look over your shoulder. I'd rather be unknown and self-published several times than never published because I waited to be traditionally published and it never happened. At least I'm published.
D.J. wrote: "Yes, right place, right time and luck. And those have to sit on top of ability. Agents and publishers receive hundreds of submissions a month. The odds aren't great.A few years back I read mundan..."
That's exactly right, D. J. I never even seriously considered looking for an agent for that very reason. At least my book is out there, and getting a chance to reach people. It may not reach many, but if I die tomorrow, it's left behind to continue. Yours are too.
Hello,I often miss great opportunities and I am just learning about another opportunity. The Goodreads Choice Awards. How does this work? Can authors submit their books or readers only? I never seen this on Goodreads until the announcement to vote is made.
Carmel wrote: "That's exactly right, D. J. I never even seriously considered looking for an agent for that very reason. At least my book is out there, and getting a chance to reach people. It may not reach many, but if I die tomorrow, it's left behind to continue. Yours are too. "Precisely. We did it, they're out there and in my case at least six people have read them lol!
Kimberly wrote: "Hello,I often miss great opportunities and I am just learning about another opportunity. The Goodreads Choice Awards. How does this work? Can authors submit their books or readers only? I never s..."
I don't know how it works, Kimberly. But with the awards this group has picked up between them, I expect someone does.
D.J. wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Hello,I often miss great opportunities and I am just learning about another opportunity. The Goodreads Choice Awards. How does this work? Can authors submit their books or reader..."
Thank you. I have seen information about it but never information how books get selected.
Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested in promoting creativity rely on models. I hope that they pay royalties to whoever had the wit to write them.
Evelyn wrote: "Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested in promoting creativity rel..."It's just a necessity. If you're getting hundreds of submissions per month and have to send hundreds of rejections per month, you don't have time to write personal responses to everyone.
Dale wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested in promoting..."I've been involved in businesses that managed personal interface in the hundreds. The bottom line is that even if they do not want to respond individually they could at least write their own formula. Good manners, even if only partial, cost nothing.
Evelyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those supposedly interested..."Yes, there are businesses that do that, but they also have staff largely dedicated to that function, I would guess. It also depends on what "personal interface" is about. Editors and manuscript readers are in the business of finding good material to purchase, not dealing with customer issues or complaints. The author is a salesperson, trying to interest the editor/reader in a product. It's the author's job to make the pitch. It's not really the editor's/reader's job to explain why a given pitch didn't succeed.
I don't see form rejections as discourteous. There are only so many ways to say, "Sorry, not interested." A lot of writers want details specific to their own work, not just, "Sorry, not interested." But that isn't the editor's/reader's job. Their job is make selections, not to justify to the salespeople (authors) why they didn't make the cut. Anyway, it can be hard to explain why a work doesn't grab you. Some editors have used forms that allow them to quickly check off common reasons for rejection. But where well-written submissions are concerned, it's often just, "Sorry, not interested."
I don't think it's worth getting tied in knots over this stuff. If you get a rejection, just move on to the next submission. The odds are always against you, unless your name is something like Stephen King, but you might get lucky someday.
Dale wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Dale wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Agents and publishers all over the world have a couple of model paragraph rejections that, if you are lucky, they send. It is rather sad that those suppos..."I tend to agree with Dale.
That said, you may want to avoid agents who require you to commit your work solely to them until you either hear from them or a specified period of time (e.g., 3 months) has elapsed. Put another way, submit only to those agents who will accept simultaneous submissions (and be sure to let everyone know if an agent has made you a offer!). Otherwise, you could end up waiting up to 3 months for a rejection letter, and then, have to start the process all over again. With simultaneous submissions, at least, you increase your chances significantly over the time period of interest.
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One Stolen Kiss and Other Stories (other topics)One Stolen Kiss and Other Stories (other topics)
I have sent an e-mail asking if my files will remain OK on KDP. I only have print and upload as PDF - I have never used any of the CS generators. I'll update on reply. I sell more through Ingram and I'm seriously wondering if it's worth while going on with a dictatorial monolith. There are other ways to list books (print and digital) on Amazon. I don't know about others, but I'm really sick of the faux "We are doing this to help you" spin. "We are doing this to make more money to pay our shareholders" is maybe not what I want, but at least it's honest.