Welcome to The Attic!!

[M.T.]

Absolutely and different people write in different ways. I couldn't manage more than two books a year if I wrote full time. My creative mojo just doesn't move that fast! Although I suspect I would probably write more than one thing at the same time. Even so, one of the reasons I write so slowly now (apart from the whole Mum thing) is because I have to quality check my work quite rigorously!

22 is impressive. Nice going there!

Cheers

MTM

[J.A.]

God, yes, there's no point being mediocre in lots of different places all over the web!! Though there are writers for whom that seems to work very well but that's an entirely subjective opinion on my part...

No, I believe that if it's not ready, you don't upload it despite the biggest deadline in the world. We have a rep to build and maintain, and one dud book might be forgiven but more definitely won't, and unless you have unfeasibly good luck or astoundingly good publicity, that's not a way forward that I want to explore!

Actually, I have to say, most of my books out there are free downloads (and I'm quite pleased with the number that went) but I'm quite chuffed with my modest number of sales as well. Considering my last release was back in Sept, and even ODS1 is only novella-length, it's trickling on steadily. Will be interested to see what a) another book and another short and b) a paperback will do.

Cambria, are your stuff in KDP Select? MTM, did you put the short in? People seem to be getting good results with the post-sale algorithm-boost, but what I'll be interested to see is how much the borrows bring in.
JAC

[TC]

Hi guys, how's the new year treating everyone so far? I have a quick question to ask. A friend posted this on FB, it doesn't ring any bells with me so thought I'd see if I could find her the answer.

"Quick q for my literary friends; I read an opening paragraph a while ago about a girl going on a train to some sort of ceremony to meet her future partner, first seeing his image on screen. She has a 'relic' with her, it happens in a big hall, and when her name is called the screen is blank. I want to read it, so does Heather, but we've no idea of author, title or publisher! Any ideas?"

Anyone?

[M.T.]

TC pants, sorry no... pity it sounds interesting.

JA I put the short in. People definitely are getting a good tail of actual buys after their freebie ends. That said downloads of my short are stopping dead the minute the freebie ends. I might get more success if I put FAC in when TWS comes out. No borrows and definitely not worth it for a short. BUT, have 'converted' at the right rate in that about 2 or 3 in every 100 people who download buy FAC.

Re freebies, you and me both, I have 4 on Smashwords that are not on Amazon! They're crap and I don't know what to do with them.

Phnark. Looking forward to your next one, anyway.

Cheers

MTM

[Cambria]

TC wrote: "Hi guys, how's the new year treating everyone so far? I have a quick question to ask. A friend posted this on FB, it doesn't ring any bells with me so thought I'd see if I could find her the answe..."

Yup, that would be Matched by Ally Condie

I read it last year. The sequel is out. Its a YA dystopian novel. I will be honest and say I loved the setting but the story line fell flat for me. If you read it let me know your thoughts!

[Cambria]

J.A. wrote: "God, yes, there's no point being mediocre in lots of different places all over the web!! Though there are writers for whom that seems to work very well but that's an entirely subjective opinion on ..."

No, JA my books aren't in KDP select. I won't take them down everywhere else just to put them there. Really, my publisher won't either but I didn't ask because I don't really like the idea of only be allowed to have my book there for a certain amount of time. At risk of sounding opinionated (lol) I think Amazon is trying to monopolize the publishing market and I don't like it. LOL.
BUt i know a lot of people really like KDP select because it is great for exsposure. I think it all comes down to whats right for the author. :)

[M.T.]

I don't like the principle either, if I sold any copies of my books elsewhere I wouldn't think about it. As it is, I've sold 16 copies of Few Are Chosen off Amazon and all but 3 of those were free copies for reviewers or operation ebook drop. After just over a year I still haven't made enough sales to hit the $10 floor for payment.

Cheers

MTM

[TC]

Cambria, you're a star, thank you. I've passed that on.

Reading all the dilemmas you guys have about where, how and for how much to sell books I'm quite glad I'm not a writer!

[Cambria]

Sure thing TC! Glad to have helped!

MTM - KDP select could definitely help you out, it definitely can be a great tool for authors. :)

[J.A.]

Cambria, glad to hear it, my thoughts entirely! I think if a new author wanted to join and put all their books in from the word go, that would be one thing, but shifting all the books into it from everywhere else would leave readers who'd got halfway into the series hanging. Just [utting one in is probably an interesting experiment though.

For me, I'm not in a hurry. Accepted wisdom is that once the series is long enough it will build its own momentum - obv I'll help as much as I can but I'm out for as many people being able to read it as poss. Whether they choose to or not is their own affair, but I want it to be available to them in case they do!

That said, I'll be interested to see what the pay-out's like as I think it'll be just an exaggerated version of same old same old. Some people's books will take off like rockets and other people's won't and there will be no working out why!
JAC

[[deleted user]]

Wow! I've never been here before...

[J.A.]

This is where the cool kids hang out...so you'll fit right in!!

Tell you what, I am so behind at the mo. My MS came back from my second editors and I haven't had time to do a damn thing with it as they're changing me to a new team at work and no-one is communicating with anyone! I'm basically organising the lot myself and have now got too tired to sleep so have started walking into things and just blithering at all times.

On plus side, working conditions may improve once I get there but I'm gonna have to rejig my whole commute and my season ticket on the trains and everything....so the edits for book 2 (which is so nearly there) have come to a full stop.

...zzzZZZzzz...

So how are you lot getting on at the mo?
JAC

[Cambria]

LOL Georgina - Welcome to the maddness!!! Got anything random you would like to post about?

[Cambria]

My goodness JA it sounds like a real circus over there!! I hope that you can get back to book 2 very soon!

[Cambria]

J.A. wrote: "Cambria, glad to hear it, my thoughts entirely! I think if a new author wanted to join and put all their books in from the word go, that would be one thing, but shifting all the books into it from ..."

You know i agree with you there. It might take longer to buils steam but I don't see the point in pulling my book from everywhere else to have it as select. Like you said maybe for a brand new author or maybe for a stand alone title that would be a great experiement. I just can't help but feel claustrophobic when I think about Select. LOL.

[M.T.]

Hello Georgina and JA my sympathies. I have had so much homework to do from the Editor that it's taken me ages. The book went down to 120k after he pruned it and then when I added some more alts up to 150k.

Cambria and JA re the pulling everything. I heartily agree in many respects but having said that I think I my pull the short from Select and put my novel in for 3 months. Apparently, what it does, is get you sales... Then again if I do a free promo on smashwords when the new one comes out, I may get it free on Kobo and B&N which would mean I could get it free on Amazon that way...

We shall see... I'm gradually working my way to the end of the book but it's taking me ages too.

JA I hope the changes are making for an easier commute as well as a different one.

Cheers

MTM

[[deleted user]]

Hi all! I'm just popping in for a second as I'm about to help harvest our veggies for market (a few hours work).

I'm working on edits too. I'm writing (on my laptop) in my bedroom, away from the second computer and the internet. It's too tempting to chat when I should be writing!

:) Georgina.

[J.A.]

MTM, having lots of edits is a good thing though as it means the book will be that much sharper when you're done. He says mine is a pretty clean MS but there is still something to correct every second line!!

Re commute, ....quick answer is I'm not sure they could have made it less convenient, more time-consuming or more expensive if they'd put considerable thought into it.
They haven't finished yet though so I should probably not speak too soon.
Joy!
JAC

[[deleted user]]

So glad I was introduced to this group. I told mine about it and hope we cross-pollinate. :)

[[deleted user]]

Coral wrote: "So glad I was introduced to this group. I told mine about it and hope we cross-pollinate. :)"

What a lovely way of putting it. I think I just joined your group too :)

[C.S. Splitter]

Good to see you here, Coral.

She runs a fab blog too.

Splitter

[[deleted user]]

C.S. Splitter wrote: "Good to see you here, Coral.

She runs a fab blog too.

Splitter"

I've found and followed so many blogs lately I'm getting confused. Is it alchemyofscrawl? (Following that too, very good blog).

[C.S. Splitter]

That is the blog I was talking about. Must reading.

Splitter

[J.A.]

Wecome, Coral, this is a great group so join in as and when!
JAC

[[deleted user]]

C.S. Splitter wrote: "That is the blog I was talking about. Must reading.

Splitter"

I've subscribed by email. I'm finally figuring out how to do those things. :) I agree, it's a very good blog.

[[deleted user]]

C.S. Splitter wrote: "Good to see you here, Coral.

She runs a fab blog too.

Splitter"

Hey Splitter, thanks! Yep it is alchemyofscrawl. I had a sucky day today but tomorrow will be better. Off to read a book. :)

[[deleted user]]

Coral wrote: "C.S. Splitter wrote: "Good to see you here, Coral.

She runs a fab blog too.

Splitter"

Hey Splitter, thanks! Yep it is alchemyofscrawl. I had a sucky day today but tomorrow will be better. Off to..."

Coral, I was extra impressed with your blog post today (I'm a fan anyway). I've posted it on my facebook profile and my page. Good on you for bringing up topics that we like to sweep under the carpet because they are distressful to think about. A bloody good blog!

[Cambria]

Hi Coral! Nice to see you here.