Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "Yes Amazon continues to be a problem Helen! Glad you've successfully transferred...I wonder if AU will be as hard to work with as US?!"

The reason I didn't change to Amazon Au was because I couldn't share my books with my family. Do you know if that is still the case?

[Helen]

I am not sure Carolyn I haven't done that before sorry

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Yes Amazon continues to be a problem Helen! Glad you've successfully transferred...I wonder if AU will be as hard to work with as US?!"

The reason I didn't change to Amazon Au was b..."

No idea Carolyn, I'm still US!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rowan wrote: "The press have now latched onto the debacle which is The Turing Protocol 🙈

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

https://qnews.com.au/outrage-a..."

Thanks for the links Rowan. Intriguing, but oh my goodness! What has the author done?! I think he crossed the lines of decency!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

All these generic profiles on the 5 and 4 star reviews, have only 1 review - The Turing Protocol - and are quite obviously fake!! As you say Rowan, what a debacle!!

[Carolyn]

Rowan wrote: "The press have now latched onto the debacle which is The Turing Protocol 🙈

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

https://qnews.com.au/outrage-a..."

It makes you wonder if Dervla McTiernan and Chris Hammer actually read the book before they gave an endorsement or just the blurb and thought it sounded good!

[Rowan]

Carolyn wrote: "Rowan wrote: "The press have now latched onto the debacle which is The Turing Protocol 🙈

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

https://qnews.co..."

I was thinking the same thing, Carolyn! Some big names have given praise for this which doesn't align with public reception.

Dervla McTiernan and Chris Hammer - that you mentioned. And Trent Dalton, TJ Newman, Don Winslow, Meredith Jaffe.

The whole thing is rather strange.

[Krystal]

Rowan wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Rowan wrote: "The press have now latched onto the debacle which is The Turing Protocol 🙈

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...

..."

This is fascinating to keep up with. I do think those authors that gave a blurb should elaborate on their high praise - if they praise such a terrible book I'd have to think twice about reading theirs!

[Rowan]

Krystal wrote: "Rowan wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "Rowan wrote: "The press have now latched onto the debacle which is The Turing Protocol 🙈

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-..."

I agree, Krystal! And there seems to be new developments all the time. Caroline Overington wrote an article about it in The Australian today where the author and director of Simon and Schuster defend the book.

The author said he's "not any old debut author" and that any critics mustn't have read the book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

So obviously he thinks a lot of himself!!!

[Krystal]

One thing I really hate in the book world is authors who say things like, 'if you didn't like it, you just didn't understand it.' This feels a bit the same if he's saying critics mustn't have read it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's the sort of author who doesn't realise everyone is different, and not everyone will like a book!

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "That's the sort of author who doesn't realise everyone is different, and not everyone will like a book!"

Absolutely right. Not everybody reacts to a book the same way. Just means we are all different.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thank goodness! It'd be a boring old world if we weren't Dale!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Saying you didn't understand a book always suggests that the reader is not as smart as the author which is rather condescending.

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "Thank goodness! It'd be a boring old world if we weren't Dale!"

It would indeed Brenda. And I agree Phrynne, it does sound condescending and like that particular author has an ego issue.

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "Saying you didn't understand a book always suggests that the reader is not as smart as the author which is rather condescending."

Yes! I 100% agree with that - was my first thought as well

[Andrea]

Walking audiobook clubs - an interesting idea. I can’t decide whether I find it appealing or just pointless!

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I think it would be wasted on me. I enjoy walking at my own pace and listening to an audiobook without interruptions from people who want to talk. I would very much enjoy the coffee shop and chat afterwards though!

[Sarah]

Phrynne wrote: "I think it would be wasted on me. I enjoy walking at my own pace and listening to an audiobook without interruptions from people who want to talk. I would very much enjoy the coffee shop and chat a..."

I'm with you, Phrynne!

[Krystal]

Andrea wrote: "Walking audiobook clubs - an interesting idea. I can’t decide whether I find it appealing or just pointless!

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b......"

I actually really like the idea - walking with others without having to talk to them, but then at the end gathering for coffee etc and talking about books! It's got the feeling of 'reading silently in a room together' but in the great outdoors.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Our next NSW get together has been listed. If you're interested, click on the link and put your name down :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Rita]

On a different note - each week I interview a different author on my website at http://www.ritaleechapman.com. If you would like a free, written interview, please contact me through the website. I've been hosting authors since 2013 and currently looking for more!

[Dale]

Is it just me or does there seem toe a lot of juvenile too cutesy covers on books these days?

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Dale wrote: "Is it just me or does there seem toe a lot of juvenile too cutesy covers on books these days?"

Not just you Dale. It's a trend - hopefully a short lived one:)

[Andrea]

Dale wrote: "Is it just me or does there seem toe a lot of juvenile too cutesy covers on books these days?"

I don’t know if this is accurate, but those covers send me a strong message ==> BookTok, steer clear!

[Rowan]

Not just you, Dale. It's unfortunate. Like Andrea said, it instantly makes me think BookTok.

Everything is either that or 'romantasy' it seems.

[Sally906]

Rowan wrote: "Not just you, Dale. It's unfortunate. Like Andrea said, it instantly makes me think BookTok.

Everything is either that or 'romantasy' it seems."

I HATE the term Romantasy

And not a fan of BookTok either - I prefer to read a review rather than watch the way out performances that some of the reviewers put on.

Having said that I’m not a fan of the gifs that written reviewers use either - such as rolling eyes, explosions and fainting women. emojis are fine - it a the moving pictures!

Sigh maybe it’s me - it seems petty now I’ve written it 😂😂

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

At least it all keeps people reading books. A few years ago reading for entertainment was becoming a dying thing.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Sally I agree completely! To me, romantasy isn't a genre, it's just another made up word! And I don't like booktok - any of the toks actually!! lol And gifs - don't read reviews that have them in them!!! I guess I'm just getting old....

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "At least it all keeps people reading books. A few years ago reading for entertainment was becoming a dying thing."

And that's the most important thing :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I agree with not reading reviews with gifs in them Brenda:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "I agree with not reading reviews with gifs in them Brenda:)"

They make me shudder!

[Rowan]

Brenda wrote: "Haha! Sally I agree completely! To me, romantasy isn't a genre, it's just another made up word! And I don't like booktok - any of the toks actually!! lol And gifs - don't read reviews that have the..."

I agree with everything you said, Brenda! And when I first heard the word 'TikTok' years ago, I thought it must be some brand of smartwatch Haha I want none of it.

[Dale]

Thanks Phrynne and Rowan. Glad to know it is not just me thinks that. Covers can send such an important message.
😁

[Dale]

This person has never heard of BookTok. Never been on TikTok either. Apart from Goodreads I don’t do social media and internet sites. Anyway, to each their own I guess.💕

[Rowan]

Dale wrote: "This person has never heard of BookTok. Never been on TikTok either. Apart from Goodreads I don’t do social media and internet sites. Anyway, to each their own I guess.💕"

You're not missing anything, Dale! Social media is not good for our mental health. It takes something wonderful like books and reading, and somehow makes it toxic and fake.

But the publishers love it unfortunately.

[Leonie]

Ah yes, Romantasy. It was always there, but now it has connotations of not PG any longer. I did one Booktok myself, but it took an hour to make 1 minute of content. And the cat helped...

[Alex]

Pass!!!!

[Dale]

Rowan wrote: "Dale wrote: "This person has never heard of BookTok. Never been on TikTok either. Apart from Goodreads I don’t do social media and internet sites. Anyway, to each their own I guess.💕"

You're not m..."

I don’t feel I am either Rowan.😀

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Rowan wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Haha! Sally I agree completely! To me, romantasy isn't a genre, it's just another made up word! And I don't like booktok - any of the toks actually!! lol And gifs - don't read review..."

Haha! Our old grandfather clock used to go tick tock!!

[Krystal]

Agree agree the BookTok wave and Romantasy stuff can die down any time now. PLEASE I'M BEGGING

I think it's great that it's getting non-readers reading, I'm always happy when people pick up books, but the flood of romantasy especially is killing my desire to read. I love reading new fantasy and it's hard to get it these days without a side of smut!

[Dale]

As a Geelong supporter how confident are you feeling about the grand final on Saturday, Brenda

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very confident Dale, thanks 😊

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "Very confident Dale, thanks 😊"
With good reason, I think.😁

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

👍👌

[Krystal]

I'm hoping Geelong take it (I'm a Carlton supporter, so doesn't hugely bother me either way) but I think Brisbane does tend to fight well when it comes down to the wire!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Yes they do Krystal!! Hoping the Cats keep up their good form :)

[Dale]

Sorry your cats couldn’t deliver for you today Brenda. Know how disappointing that is.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dale wrote: "Sorry your cats couldn’t deliver for you today Brenda. Know how disappointing that is."

Yes it's very sad Dale - they fell in a hole after half time. The Lions were the better side on the day...