Goodreads Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors discussion
Self Promotions
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Shameless Self-Promotion
I posted a blog on my personal space at GoodReads. It's on the necessary characteristics of a self-published author. I read an earlier conversation on the "image" concerning self-publishing. Yes, there is trash among the books there....just like in the major publishing firms. Hopefully, writers are still judged based on their skill and not the exclusivity of a firm.
I skimmed through it, thanks Tod. The hardest is by far the last. I've always been patient but I just know people will like my book if only they would read it. (sigh) It'll happen sooner or later. I'm still pushing.
Don't worry Anna... we'll get you there!
I developed a series of papers on how to take out the critical nodes of a terrorist cell. I am seeing a lot of similarity between that thought process and what I think you have to do in internet media marketing.I think I'll call the new strategy - Attack the Internet Media Network: How to succeed at social media marketing. The only problem is that I haven't succeed...yet. :o) Just some hunches that I have.
Of course, the more fun and better part of sharing interests in reading and writing is just communicating with others that share your excitement. Unfortunately, I don't think that (alone) will result in the buzz needed to promote less known authors or books.
Physically, I'm pretty much alone in this. My physical location is quite isolated and currently I'm stranded too. However, now that I have this wonderful piece of 20th century technology hanging off the side of my modest little cabin, I'm not so alone any more. I am determined to get this ball rolling and It WILL happen.
Anna wrote: "Physically, I'm pretty much alone in this. My physical location is quite isolated and currently I'm stranded too. However, now that I have this wonderful piece of 20th century technology hanging ..."I actually envy you. I'm tired of people and society.
I really like my life and I'm not likely to change anything soon (my sons want us to move to town so I suppose it'll happen someday). It's just that it can be inconvenient sometimes. If I could get out there and do book signings and talk to store owners about putting my book on the shelf, it would help. I think.
Hi Malin,I was the same way for a long, long, long time. I spent 7 years on my own and now feel ready to face the world again. Sometimes, you just need to be alone for a while.
I would love to live out in the country... one day! But for mow my semi-urban lifestyle suits well.
And Anna, it will happen!
I know it will cause I'm going to keep pushing.
Sonia wrote: "Hi Malin,I was the same way for a long, long, long time. I spent 7 years on my own and now feel ready to face the world again. Sometimes, you just need to be alone for a while.
I would love to..."
Well, I mean alone as in out in the woods with no houses around me. I don't necessarily need to be without partner, but I doubt I'll find one.
That's what I was referring to... It's a bit tricky to be isolated in a city, but that's what I had managed to do, with the occasional cuppa with friends.
Fortunately, I have my hubby. And lately I have my son and his wife. None of us can go anywhere though. Not even for a cuppa.
I'm finally getting the hang of goodreads. I've been on here for a while, but I get lost sometimes.I'm sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal with romantic and erotic elements. I'm putting the finishing edits on my upcoming sci-fi/fantasy story "Srae Iss-Ka-Mala." I'm getting into the mode of marketing because like many here, I haven't been that great with self-promotion. And I'm not a shy person. I've been writing for years, but most of my stories were turned into songs for the years when I was doing music. This was only supposed to be a short story, but grew to 130K words. You can read an excerpt of it here: http://chaeya.com/?page_id=3.
Welcome to the chaos. I like the title of your book. It sounds exotic. Is it a language or the name of a race or what? If it was the title of one of my books, I say it was a spell. I like magic.
Hi Anna, thanks for the welcome.The title is the name of the heroine of the book. It's mainly her story and how she adapts going to a new planet. The excerpt explains everything.
Chaeya wrote: "Hi Anna, thanks for the welcome.The title is the name of the heroine of the book. It's mainly her story and how she adapts going to a new planet. The excerpt explains everything. "
OOoooo Exotic! A little too erotic for my taste but it sounded cool. You jumped a generation there, didn't you? Took me a minute to figure out that possibility but I'm still not sure.
I was reading through my current book and elsewhere here someone mentioned liking how a fairytale was retold. Well, that was a book and this is just a bit of mine, but I thought I'd share it anyway.As a bit of a lead-up, Derrick is in a hospital, recovering from a problem of his own.
A couple doors along the hall were open and Derrick could see inside. In both rooms, there was a parent or two sitting or standing beside a bed that held a small body. He didn’t open any other doors and there weren’t any windows in them. In the lobby at the end of the hall, it was exactly like the lobby at the south end of the building, the TV was tuned to cartoons, toys were scattered across the floor - just a few but there was some toy or other most everywhere you looked. An electric train set over by the window, Legos on the coffee table, a doll in one of the chairs. Three boys were playing with the train and another was playing with the Legos. A girl was reading a thin book. She looked up at Derrick with big eyes in her pale face. “What’s this word?” She pointed to a word in the middle of the page.
Derrick knelt down beside her to look where she pointed. “Spindle,” he said.
“What’s a spindle?” asked the little girl. “I don’t understand this story. Will you read it to me?”
Derrick sat down beside her and took the book. The cover said Sleeping Beauty. He hadn’t heard that story for a long time. He began to read but found the noise from the TV to be a static that disturbed his concentration. Not that the volume was all that loud or that the story was difficult but it had been a long time since Derrick had read English words and the current cartoon was just plain senseless; no one was watching it anyway. He got up and found the power button on the set and then went back to sit by the girl and started over.
Long before the end of the first page, he was telling the story as if he’d been there and moments later, he had an audience. There was no more electric train and no more clattering of Legos. The story in the book was fairly short - only about a dozen pages with pictures - but Derrick enlivened the tale and filled it with comical, capering animals and colorful people. By the time the hundred year sleep was over and everyone was waking up, the children’s eyes were all wide with wonder and then laughter rang, especially when the old cook had to make up for falling asleep by catching the kitchen boy and finishing her punishment even though she couldn’t remember why he’d needed punishing. The story ended with Derrick describing the wedding and the love between the bride and groom. He also told how the people now had their beloved royal family back and the small country would be able to prosper again. He finished it with the old frog jumping back into the pond with a knowing grin on his face, a grin that was on the face of every frog to this day.
“What was he grinning about?” asked one of the little boys.
“No one knows. Maybe he grins because such a good person escaped such an evil fate. Maybe he grins because the hundred years of sleep was a necessary jump in time so that these people could be where they needed to be for some important event they would have missed otherwise. Who knows,” said Derrick.
“But you said that they still grin, why?” asked another boy.
Derrick smiled. “Maybe because that was the only way this story would make it to your ears today. If there was no magic. And if there was no hundred years sleep, how could you learn what true love and sacrifice was?”
“But there was no sacrifice,” said the boy. “The spell was over; it had run its course. He just walked in.”
“Yes he did, but he didn’t know it was going to end and he’d been told about all the others who’d died trying to get in there. In fact, they all had, except the first one, of course, and yet each one of them was willing to sacrifice their very lives to save this beautiful girl from her long sleep. Each one died and the story grew. It grew until it reached your ears here today. What would you sacrifice to rescue a pretty girl?”
These boys were all too young for romance that intense. All they could think of was what mom and dad did, and at that age, that was a very obscure thing their young minds avoided. Derrick laughed at their discomfort allowing them to do the same and then they were clambering for another story.
Thanks Anna. Sorry, I guess I should've explained a little. Chapter 1 basically tells the story of Srae's mother and father meeting and making her. Chapter 2 jumps back to the present.I just warn people that there are points here and there that do get erotic. I put the elements tag because it's not a lot that runs through the entire book so those looking primarily for an erotic story may be disappointed. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, I know, but for those who just like fantasy and sci-fi without a lot of expectations should like it.
Thanks.
Never try to please everyone. A little of this. A little of that. Whatever you like to write about. Erotica is not something I'm comfortable reading but I thought the scene was a good one. Maybe a little over the top for me but not for erotica. Definitely keep writing.
Anna wrote: "Never try to please everyone. A little of this. A little of that. Whatever you like to write about. Erotica is not something I'm comfortable reading but I thought the scene was a good one. May..."Reminds me of a very interesting theme we had in a writing group. It was simply called "erotica". I had so fun writing a story about eroticism (?) without making it erotic at all. Then I ducked under and also contributed with a very erotic story - just for the sake of it.
That does sound like fun. I have fun with my writing too. Like the bit I posted above. That wasn't quite so haha funny but it was fun to do. Isn't it wonderful that we can have this kind of fun? And once it becomes a book, we can share it with others.
Oh I agree not to try and please people, but I want them to know what's in the book. I've read so many complaints from readers stating that the story became too racy for them and they were caught off guard. Especially when there is nothing in the review or blurb to let them know. I know if I preferred sweet romances and I bought a book which mentions nothing of the sexual content and all of a sudden here comes this highly explicit scene, it can throw you off.I know artists do not like labeling their work, but being that everyone has specific tastes, I think it's a good thing to respect that.
Hi Chaeya, I've been gone all weekend and missed your posts. I have a similar issue - what should I warn people about. For me, it's about whether kids, or even Young Adults, should read my book.The storyline is something that might appeal to those finishing up Meyer's Twilight books, but it includes graphic violence. My book is intended for adults because of the societal themes underlying the plot, but it would be great to widen the audience out to YA's also.
So the problem is - warn parents and kids? or let them determine it for themselves? I decided to encourage parents to read it first and then make a decision for their teenagers. That works for now, but if the book ever takes off I don't know what to do. I think one thing that can help is reader reviews through genre sights and Amazon.
Glad to meet ya!
Hi Tod. I would say put a parental guidance message. I think once a teen is 16 & 17, I'm not going to monitor what they're reading like I would if they were 15 and under. But if you put a sticker stating parental guidance, contains some violence which may upset sensitive readers, that may help. My book doesn't have a lot of sex in it, in fact the beginning is pretty mild, but there are few areas it gets explicit. But then to classify it as straight erotica, it may dissapoint those who are looking for a lot of sexual encounters to be in the book. I've had a hard time classifying it because it doesn't really fit into any one genre. Right now, I'm simply calling it Sci-Fi/Fantasy with romantic and erotic elements.
I'm going to have a few different people beta read for me before it comes out and have them share their thoughts with me on it.
I really don't think you have much to worry about. My daughter loves twighlight. She's 13, but given the movies I've let her watch, I'd let her read it. She usually tells me what she doesn't like to see moreso than I have. Thanks for the welcome. ;o)
Hi Chaeya, and welcome!I have the exact same problem! Erotic encounters don't happen on every single page of my book, but they do happen. I decided that I would simply state that the genre is Fanatsy, since it is, and there really isn't enough erotica for me to claim the erotica title.
I also have a fair amount of violence and a few instances of rape... it's a pretty grim world I've created. There are some scenes I wrote which turn even my stomach. For this reason I have stated explicitly that the target audience is adult.
That said, I was reading some pretty grim stuff when I was quite young, and I never thought any harm came of it. To be fair, I was a precocious young adult. I've met some young adults that seem to have regressed in the maturation process.... None of the darker books that I had read had any parental warnings directly on them. Though one or two stated directly in the blurb that the novels were adult. I hope that helps, Tod.
This is about as erotic as I've ever gotten. 'She' you might think of as a fairy queen only more powerful. 'He' is a 20th century druid straight out of D&D.She came on the third day just as he was pouring hot water over his body to cleanse away the old so that the new could begin. She appraised his naked form with a critical eye. Her fingers caressed each if his scars awakening an uncontrollable desire when her hand rested on his hip.
She looked up into his face and he read humor there and he groaned. How could he possibly hope that she would quench his desire? She was the Lady. She would never do something so crass as to have sex with a common human.
But she did things just the same. After expanding his energy to cast more spells, which left him stunned, she did indeed tend his bodily needs, just not the way he had envisioned. There was no real sexual contact, just her hands, her breath, her soft words that didn’t quite touch his ears. Her touch didn’t go where he craved either, just hinted and enticed. It all worked - more than once - more than twice, but it was torture what she did and he could only cling to the mantle over his fireplace for support. He wouldn’t dare to presume to touch her. Perhaps that was what she whispered, he didn’t know, but he couldn’t let go of the mantle or he’d collapse into the fire. If it were a choice between one fire or the other, he’d take her fire any day.
Thanks Sonia, I was the same way growing up. Most people would cringe if they saw what I was reading as a pre-teen and during my teenage years. What's interesting is, I see a lot of complaints about sexual content and when I see the books I'm like, that's all???? I had one sci-fi book that I bought under General Science Fiction and there was periodic graphic sex, there was one instance of rape and one of the male characters was pretty abusive; however, his character coincided with the events happening throughout the book. Sometimes I've found myself in a bit of mental bind with how to tag my book, which is pretty soft sci-fi fantasy, there isn't much violence and I wrote it mainly for people who wanted a light, fun read with some sex. So I didn't think it would be a big deal. I know it would probably appeal to more women than men, but when I've listened to women readers express themselves, I'm finding that there is a lot they don't want to read. I've had a few critique partners claim that one of my characters makes sexist remarks and that my hero is pretty chauvinist. Uh, it takes place on another planet with different beliefs. Yet, I don't believe many women who like the "warrior" books would find that appalling or those who like erotic stories would complain too much.
I would be interested in checking out your work, Sonia.
Thanks Chaeya!I have an excerpt from my story (The Third Prince)in an entry (titled "The Man was Born to War") in my blog
http://smcarriere.blogspot.com
that describes my main character.
I understand what you mean about the books that people kept complaining about. I often had the same 'that's it?' reaction!
Incidentally, if people are complaining about your characters' personality traits, it means you've done your job - it means the characters are people for the readers (maybe not likeable, but still people). If it wasn't so, they would be complaining about the dimensionality of the characters, rather than their personalities!
That's a good point, Sonia. It's so true. I've had a couple complaints but it was mostly in regard to the crimes comitted in my stories happening in stories I've designated for YA. One of the reasons I've decided not to go so hard for the YA group any more. Shit happens - it's on TV every day. Why not put it in books too?
Thanks Chaeya. I didn't look up far enough.
Geez, we read Farenheit 451, Animal Farm in High School, and the other class read (I can't think of the title, but the book where the girls were kept in the attic and abused). I think we can only protect kids so much. Parents want to create this fluff world for their kids, but all around us you have violence from the war, violence in society, abuse. Then at 18 through 21, these kids get pushed out into the world, sent to Iraq or sent to work and many of them can't cope because parents want to protect them from so much. This weekend I was sitting with some friends and we were talking about our elementary school years and how our teachers back then would have been arrested for child abuse. This weekend my 13yo daughter watched Troy and she asked me about many of the scenes which happened. I told her she might want to read the Illiad and now she wants me to buy it. I also told her to read The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley, one of my favorite books.
I'm not hiding the world from my kids. While I don't let them watch slasher movies and play violent video games (and frankly, they don't like them), they periodically see the news or watch a movie where people get killed. You're right, shit happens.
I never tried to shelter my boys. Our life of isolation sheltered them enough as it was. I like to think they were very well adjusted when they hit town and went to Job Corp. I also know that my sister had to do some sheltering; her daughter used to have nightmares if she watched violence on TV. I'm not sure what we did different - we were half a continent apart at the time and still are. Aaa, our kids all turned out alright so who knows.
I think every child is different. If they are sensitive then as a parent, we can only respect that. My little one doesn't like a lot of violence. She has Asperger's so I have to parent her completely different than I do my older daughter. My older daughter, I have to be a drill sergeant because she just slacks off, talks back and she's 13 so I have to ride her constantly to get anything done. My little one, I have be a lot gentler and she hates the idea of getting into trouble. I worry about that because when she does something wrong, she tends to take it very hard on herself. She always wants to be the very best or the most perfect and I've been trying to get through to her that we're all human and we're gonna make mistakes. My husband told me that someone got the video game, Resident Evil for his son (before we were married) and he was like 9. He played the game and was traumatised by it. So some kids, I can understand.
Asperger's - that must be rough. My two boys were as different as night and day. They told me that my oldest had some ADD but I'm not really so sure because the medicine they gave me made no difference. My youngest one was a serious tender heart - you could look at him cross and he'd burst into tears. They've both long since grown out of that. I think our isolation helped my oldest quite a lot - he learned how to be his own person before he got drug into the 'pleasing his peers' thing.
Yeah!!! Bring out the Jack and Coke...just scheduled my first book signing at Barnes and Nobles in my home town. OCT 31 - I'll theme it with Halloween.You're all invited!
OH!!! Congratulations. Have fun. Tell us all about it when you're done. I must live such events vicariously so I want to know everything.
Hey hey! That's superb! I'm all the way up in Ottawa, so chances are I won't make it... but if ever you're my way, let me know and I'll do whatever I can to get there!A HUGE congrats! How exciting!
Thanks for the encouragement...I AM excited. To be honest, after the local support goes away - I have no idea where this will go, so I'll take advantage of everything and enjoy all of it.I even got a prototype Tshirt for my Bday this weekend. It's a black shirt with the cover and title on the front and my webpage on the back. I wore it all day to a festival in IN Saturday and then washed it and wore it again yesterday on the plane back to DC. I had a book in my hand the whole time...YEP, it was as Shameless a promotion as I've ever done...but it was FUN!
I've tried a few times to get put on the shelf - it's harder and easier than it first appears.
The key for POD is being listed with Ingrams. The second part is ensuring a return policy for overstock/undersold titles.
The final critical piece is follow-up, follow-up, follow-up (without being a jerk). I've found that local support is really genuine, but everybody's busy. Give them time to make a decision and then follow through. If you don't hear anything then call them back and kindly remind them.
I had the chance to talk to the PR rep today for the store and she offered me two things - book signing during a panel on ghost sightings or a personal book signing on Halloween. I couldn't make it back to Indiana in time for the first and thought a Halloween themed signing would be fun.
I can't wait...I'll take pics and share them. :o)
It really does sound like fun. I can't wait to see the pics. I'll have to give B&N a call. I already have the other 2 requirements.
That's so cool, Tod! I think Halloween would be an excellent time to do your signing. Unfortunately, I'm all the way here in Cali and I have a Ren-Faire I'm doing on Halloween. But good luck and I wish you lots of people and sales!
Thanks for the friendship invite, Chaeya!
Goodreads Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors
Books mentioned in this topic
Don't Mess With Earth (other topics)The Usurper: A suspense political thriller (other topics)
Out of Time: A Time Travel Novel (other topics)
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Bwah hah hah hah hah hah! That's awesome. Oh, this one is worth the repost!