Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
Introduce Yourself!
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* THE DRIVE * by S.J. Johnson
"I'm really new at this self-promotion game, I apologize if I have offended anyone with an improper use of this forum"
Hi VincentThanks for starting this group :)
I'm an Australian author. My novel, The Wedding Shroud, was published in Australia and New Zealand (and available online) but has now been released as an ebook world wide. It's set in early Rome and Etruria. I love ancient history in particular but am always captivated by novels set in any historical period. I'm looking forward to chatting.
As I'm pretty new to goodreads groups I'm now sure how to add my book to a particular genre. Can you help with this?
Cheers
Elisabeth
www.elisabethstorrs.com
Hi all, My first foray away from the desk and out into cyberspace. I'm two books in, with a third on the way, and some short stories in anthologies thrown in for good measure.
Critical response has been great so far, and there's been awards and translations. However, it seems we're up against it nowadays, with big musclebound publishers paying for all the advertising slots and spaces on TV. So! I've been urged to 'get out there' ... To an extent, I think the books should do their own work, but they are limited in what they can do if no one is getting to hear about them.
So here I am. Let me know how you get on.
C.
Kathleen wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Good to hear! I've found a few scary blogs about them online. So do they offer cover design? Editing? Formatting? Do they charge for these services?Hope you don't mind all the quest..."
We researched all of these options and initially went with Authorhouse for the first book . Coming to realize that this is not the model within which we wish to operate we have chosen a local Atlanta publisher with many years of experience Booklogix . Take a look and tell me what you think .
I initially looked at Authorhouse but could not afford the large upfront cost. I stumbled across PublishAmerica online and thought I'd hit the jackpot. They claimed to be a "traditional publisher" not a self publishing house. And I will give credit where it is due. They did format my book nicely. I presented them with a Word document and they converted it to a PDF file with proper spacing, font, etc. They designed a beautiful cover based on my suggestions, and they made it available online through their website as well as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. All of this at no charge. They did not edit for any spelling or grammar issues, and I'm sad to say that even though I went over the manuscript with a fine tooth comb several times I have found 3 errors in my printed book :(. However my biggest contention with PublishAmerica is that they priced my paperback at $24.95! So they didn't make their money off charging me to publish, they make their money off overpricing my book. Did I mention I only get 8% royalties and have signed a 7 year contract! I have no control. I have no say over the price of my book. Yes it is available through Ingram, it has an ISBN, any bookstore in the world can order it. But will they? At that price? Of course not! I have paid to activate the kindle, nook, and google ebook versions which are only $7.95 (still somewhat high for an ebook, but at least more reasonable than the paperback) I have paid to activate a "zoftcover" edition of my book that sells for $7.95 but is only available directly through PublishAmerica's website, no other vendor. Overall my biggest problem is the pricing and my lack of control. So now onto the current situation. I have a completed manuscript in a Word document. I need help with formatting and cover design. I don't want to shell out $500-$1000 upfront. I don't want my book priced at $24.95.
Any suggestions?
Gordon, I will check out Booklogix :)
I am a poet, a writer of short stories and broadcaster. I have recently published my first book , which traces my journey in poems images and words to find out about my Grandfather's war in WW1. There is a further journey to discover my dad's war in WW2 , plus I use my poetry to highlight other issues and it use it in my work as a volunteer for WaterAid. I have also performed my poems live and on radioFor John, Winston, and of Course, Harry
Tracey wrote: "Has anyone here used CreateSpace?"yes I have it seems easy to use and produces a good product ( although in my case I can't comment upon the content between the 2 covers) My only gripe is that you have to upload the complete work if you make a typo although i think they are or may have changed that.
Dennis wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "May I ask what book has a nice cover?"I don't know just what constitutes a 'nice cover', but I like to think that the cover of my sci-fi novel, The Understanding, is unusual and ..."
That's quite the cover, I like the eye! Here is what my book cover looks like, I like it http://bit.ly/mamkindle
I have used CreateSpace and found the process to be fairly smooth. It's a relatively inexpensive way to produce a book and distribute it, especially if you do the design work yourself. I chose to use templates they provided to format my books although they do offer design services. There is community forum on their site where you can get a range of opinions and comments from users.Murdo Morrison
Roses of Winter
A Hole Without Sides
Murdo wrote: "I have used CreateSpace and found the process to be fairly smooth. It's a relatively inexpensive way to produce a book and distribute it, especially if you do the design work yourself. I chose to u..." I agree and it certainly gives you the tools to be creative and if you do not use their design services you get what you want not what somebody else thins you want
Tracey wrote: "Has anyone here used CreateSpace?"I've found their customer service to be top-drawer, their quality very good and (just as importantly) very consistent and repeatable, and their cost structure as good as any other P.O.D. outfits and better than most. I have not tried Lulu but that's because one must "petition" to be a customer and they don't respond. I guess I have received my answer....
- Xavier
Xavier wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Has anyone here used CreateSpace?"I've found their customer service to be top-drawer, their quality very good and (just as importantly) very consistent and repeatable, and their co..."
Lulu was just an online setup. As simple as filling out a registration form.
The one downside, I think, of Create Space is that they do not seem to talk to Amazon UK ( or possibly Amazon elsewhere either) I had to set myself up as a distributor to get my book onto Amazon UK .One would have thought that anyone using Create Space and showing they wish to sell their book by joining in with the marketing offers, would get an automatic listing on Amazon UK or at least the Amazon in their home country. Apart from that niggle I think they are very good
I may look at Lulu next time it was a toss up between the two but I thought Create Space appeared more user friendly but that was an impression at the time . It is good to know you have a good experience with them. thank you
Stella wrote: "Hello to all! I'm a reader of sci-fi and modern stories about global women's rights. I just bought a Kindle Fire and thought I would fill the to-read list. I discovered the conversation areas and..."Hi Stella!
Nice to meet you here! I'm the author of "Marriages & Miscarriages:One Woman's Personal Experience" my website is http://kathleensmith.org
Smartphones, chocolate, marijuana and the Beatles. Yes, these are my interests -- and the subject of my first novel, The Empty Spaces. It is a work of fiction, possibly categorized under "technology" and/or political thriller.
Hello Everyone.Just over two weeks left for the Goodreads giveaway of a signed, paper copy of The Dark Age Survivors of the Pulse, the sequel to the 2010 thriller The Great Collapse. Just follow the link below to enter. I hope you'll take a look at this futuristic, post-apocalyptic thriller, and forward this to family and friends, re-post, re-tweet, and help spread the word.
The Dark Age is a story set in a post-modern dark age, in which a courageous few risk everything in the hope and belief that humanity can one day emerge from the darkness which follows the instantaneous collapse of civilization across the planet.
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Hi,I'm an Aussie author. Humour.
My latest ebook is at
It's also available as a tree-book (ink on paper) from the publisher in Western Australia at http://www.equilibriumbooks.com/major...
@Lori, that's an awesome suggestion! I absolutely love Lord of the Rings, i'm going to Barnes and Noble today to check it out. Thanks!
Hello, I am H. H. Laura, and Larkspur is the first book of my Sensate Trilogy. I have been lurking in GoodReads' forums to gain insight into readers of fantasy fiction. My book doesn't fit easily into a category, so I will lurk until I find it's niche. This appears to be a fun group. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.
Welcome H.H. I, too , do a bit of lurking mainly because I'm too lazy to call up the keyboard on my iPad and struggle with autospell. See you around.
Stella wrote: "Hello to all! I'm a reader of sci-fi and modern stories about global women's rights. I just bought a Kindle Fire and thought I would fill the to-read list. I discovered the conversation areas and..."Hi Stella. How do you like the Fire? Considering it as a gift for my daughter.
Hi everyone! I am the author of Jah na Sleep,a multi-dimensional odyssey that uses imagery, introspection, letters and dreams, to examine the tension that exists between the ego personality and the soul self, leading the reader on a healing pilgrimage to the door of the authentic self.Jah na Sleep is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords in both paperback edition and digital format, as well as at the book’s website. http://www.jahnasleep.com
I just recently joined Goodreads, last evening in fact, so I'm still finding my way around. I must admit though, I am very impressed with the site, the community and the promising reads ahead of me!
Hi. I'm Jerry Hanel, and I love dark paranormal/fantasy stories. You know, the ones where it seems that everything is falling apart. I can enjoy books that are all roses and light (The Ivy Malone series, for examle), but I really get into ones where there is no hope at all until some spike of light rips through the heavens and brings everything back to being right. In the end, I really enjoy it when there is a huge redeeming factor in the chaos. Those are my favorite books.
As a writer, I tend on those same lines. Feel free to check out my novels. (4/5 stars here on Goodreads!)
Death Has a Name, Book ONE of the Brodie Wade Series.
Thaloc Has a Body, Book TWO of the Brodie Wade Series.And keep you eyes out for a non-Bordie book coming early next year: Entomos.
If you want to stay updated on releases, win books (not just my books, but others that guest-post on my site) and other freebies, sign up for my newsletter: http://www.jerryhanel.com/newsletter
Madeline wrote: "Welcome H.H. I, too , do a bit of lurking mainly because I'm too lazy to call up the keyboard on my iPad and struggle with autospell. See you around."Thanks for the welcome, Madeline.
Hello folks,I am Manoj Kewalramani. I am an author/journalist from India. My first book, Voterfiles: A Political Travelogue, was published in 2010 - a collection of articles written as I had backpacked across India during our general election.
And now I've got my new book out just last month. Titled, Fairy Tales: Love, Hate and Hubris, it is a collection of 16 poems, retelling some of the classic fairy tales. It's a look at the darker side of relationships and the games we play through the prism of fairy tales.
Do take a look and do participate in the giveaway!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
Cheers!
Hi folks!!! My name is Cyndia Rios-Myers and I am the author of four books. Two are women's fiction novels and the other two are novellas in the sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal genre. All are available on Amazon and on Barnes and Noble. When I am not writing, I prefer to be reading. When I am not doing either one of those, I am keeping house, home schooling my son, and/or enjoy the wonderful San Diego weather. It was nice meeting you all!!
Cyndia Rios-Myers
Hi! My name is Mike. I am a retired college professor. I am an avid reader and also a writer. I have published three novels on Amazon Kindle. I live in Southern California wine country with my wife, Kitty, and our two other cats. I hope to be a productive member of this group.Mike
Hello all,It's nice to sign up. I'm Rob from Brisbane Australia. I published my first novel Urgus the Scribe, on Amazon and Smashwords in July.
Happy to share my experiences with paid advertising with writers 'out there'; and am a big reader, of humour, history and biographies.
Hi Vicent,I'm Betsy Miller, the author of the nonfiction books The Parents' Guide to Hip Dysplasia and The Parents' Guide to Clubfoot. I also write fiction. Some of my short stories (Equilibrium, Half and Half, and soon Negative Space) are available through Untreed Reads, I'm working on my first novel, which is a young adult story in a contemporary setting.
Betsy Miller
http://betsymillerbooks.weebly.com/
Hey everyone and welcome to Goodreads and the group!
Hello my new goodreads family!!! I'm Harvey kho from the Philippines. . .and the main reason I join is I love reading books and having new friends is so welcome. . .and also to talk about books, books and nothing but books. . .love, happiness and equality for all!!!
Hello, I am an author of A Love Story..How God Pursued Me and Found Me..An Impossibly True Story. GoodReads has an overview as well as Amazon (U.S.) and Amazon (UK). I reside U.S. and UK. My website: www.SamanthaRyanChandler.comI write about trying to understand where God was in my life when all seemed so out of control and unfair. The last chapter was added 5 months after my book was accepted for publication. When I wrote the manuscript I was believing that I was writing it to myself......had an epiphany that explained all.
Kindest regards,
Samantha Ryan Chandler
Hello All! My name is Teresa Gabelman. I have a assorted mix of interest. I love mixed martial arts, I'm a third degree black belt in Taekwondo and also addicted to reality TV. I love to fish for big catfish and hate to shop which, I think, is the reason my husband married me. My most favorite thing in the world is to pick up a book and have the story take me away from my reality for a moment or two. I have written one book that is part of a series and self published. My dream....my goal is to do for others what authors have done for me and that is to take them away from everything into a new exciting world if just for a moment or two.
The Protectors 'Damon'
Hello!My name is Amy Joy and I write serious and silly stories for adults and kids. I have way to many works-in-progress and a couple of published books. The one here on Goodreads is THE ACADEMIE (YA Dystopian). My kids book (A "What Happens Next?(TM) book)is available as an ebook, but the print edition is not quite finished yet.
Speaking of that, does anyone know why a book doesn't appear on Goodreads until the print edition is published?
Hi GoodReads,I'm Jana and look forward to making some new friends and reading lots of interesting books.
The Amazing Wolf BoyHi everyone! I'm Roxanne Smolen, a novelist living in Florida. Some of my books are based in Florida so I can give them local flavor. My latest is a humorous paranormal romance about a sixteen-year-old nerd who becomes a werewolf and finds he has superpowers. It takes place in Loxahatchee, FL. People who have read it are describing it as "endearing" and "engrossing", "the cutest book ever!" So if you're looking for a sweet romance, try The Amazing Wolf Boy.
Hi!I'm a reader and writer, and sometimes it's tough to balance the two! I just got the print proof of my YA fantasy novel in the mail yesterday. I should have it for sale before Christmas. But, while reviewing the print, it's sooo difficult not to nip and tuck! Anyway, I look forward to chiming in on posts in multiple categories.
Peace,
Kea
http://www.keaalwang.com
Evening ladies and gents,I'm L E Fitzpatrick, Indie Author and currently the world's best paper chain maker (although this has yet to be confirmed by anyone other than my three year old).
I published my first fantasy novel in July this year called Dark Watersand have a short illustrated poem called the Woods also available.
I write what I want to read and am particularly inspired by writers such as Neil Gaiman, Scott Lynch and John Connolly.
Randomness and amazing art (from my illustrator) is updated on my blog http://l-e-fitzpatrick.blogspot.com/
Hey everyone... I'm a reader and an author, and I'm going to try to do this link/html thing, but please bear with me because I'm not savvy on those things...lol! In fact, I've done this post four times now and when I clicked on help it erased everything. O_o
Soooo....my debut novel The Reason is You comes out April 3, 2012, in paperback with Berkley, a second tentatively scheduled in November.
My writing inspirations are Sarah Addison Allen, Karen White, and Kathryn Magendie. I write humorous romantic women's fiction, usually with something mystical tied in. REASON, for instance, is as much a ghost story as it is about the main character's journey to redefine her life.
Looking forward to the connection! You can find me at http://www.sharlalovelace.com Now I'm going to cross my fingers and close my eyes while I hit "post". ok...go...
Vincent wrote: "Please introduce yourself! Do you write books? Do you just enjoy reading them?Let us know a little bit more about who you are:"
Hello, my name is Mark Barnes. I accidentally stumbled on writing and found it to be a lot of fun. I have two titles published with a third under review. The first is called How I Beat Sciatica and the second is called The Ten Simple Secrets to Losing Weight the Healthy Natural Way. Looking forward to meeting everyone here!
Hi friends,I'm an author. My debut novel came out this summer. It's a small town love story with suspense called SWEET TEA AND SECRETS. It's set in the fictional small town of Adams Grove. My second book with ties to Adams Grove just came out in November. It's titled OUT OF FOCUS.
Like most authors, I'm an avid reader, too!
I live in a small town on a goat farm.
Nice to meet y'all!
Hugs and happy reading,
Nancy Naigle
Love stories from the crossroad of small town and suspense.
www.NancyNaigle.com
Hi everybody! I have written dozens of screenplays, most that only a few people have ever seen, but I've been working on trying to turn them into novels; which is actually why I joined this group.
Melissa wrote: "Hi everybody! I have written dozens of screenplays, most that only a few people have ever seen, but I've been working on trying to turn them into novels; which is actually why I joined this group."Hello Melissa!
Hi Everyone! I'm reintroducing myself since I just put the first of my historical mystery series up on KIndle and Nook. STAGESTRUCK, A JUBILEE SHOWBOAT MYSTERY, Book 1 is ready to download for 2.99. I have several books on Goodreads, but they are romances. I love mysteries just as much. This book was originally published by Five Star. Hope you'll think about giving it a try.http://www.amazon.com/Stagestruck-Jub...
You can read an excerpt on my web site
http://cynthiathomason.com
Hi Terri and welcome. You're a "recovering journalist"? I'm curious-were you freelance or with a newspaper, television station, radio, magazine? I hope you find books to your hearts desire. :)
Welcome everyone.Recovering journalists are a common sight these days. I too started in journalism and was a sports writer for over 15 years. I still miss those good old days of having a newspaper delivered, but I sure like the new days of clicking and having a book I want at my fingertips instantly. Progress!
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I've already introduced myself, but feel that is needed again, it was when this forum was brand new. My name is Spencer Brokaw, 12 year old author of The Impenetrable Spy available on Kindle, nook, and ibooks. I have a blog you can checkout: http://www.spencerbrokaw.com and currently interview authors like yourselves! We all need to spread the word, so email me at brokaw.spencer@gmail.com if you are interested in being interviewed!