Willing to tag swap?

[Richard]

Thanks everyone, all caught up.

http://www.amazon.com/Collapse-New-Am...

[Damon]

To Self-Published Authors

I have met people who are energized by their own genuine enthusiasms here on Goodreads, as well as in other online communities. I have a deep sense of gratitude and thankfulness for the correspondence that has been established between us, and still continues. But in terms of Goodreads, a community now having reached ten million members if I have read correctly, there is an even larger confusion of purpose.

Being an indie author is not cute. Nor is it clever or respectable. It is not enough to think an idea followed through to a bound book makes one a serious writer. In reality, to be an indie author is to be prepared to wallow in not only the malaise and self-doubt that comes with authorship, but the general belief in your uselessness and irrelevance from the publishing world, which includes readers. Ever hear the phrase “If you can’t do, coach?” It’s unfair but no different. Ever hear “No one wanted to publish your work, so you published it yourself?”

I am an indie author, but I wish to rescind the label. And I know, above all and before anything else, I am looked down on because I put money and effort into producing my debut novel. Perhaps I’ve earned a modicum of respect for the financial and temporal sacrifice, which is in its own right a generosity of spirit from people as frustrated as myself, people who could easily have not offered that. And I knew this ahead of time. I knew it would be a gamble, of perception, reception and reward. But I did it because of my understanding of two things:

1. I believe in the relevance and importance of my novel.
2. With the evolution of the publishing industry, I recognized the level of difficulty in convincing an agent or editor to consider a debut novelist who can not guarantee a return on initial investment, as well as a marketing plan that is to be handled mostly by the author. Most good books...hell...most amazing books, spend their time in slush piles before seeing the light of day. I understand established writers and their contention when it comes to self-published authors perverting the system. (And it should not be a system. But because it’s become a system, a tacky machine of superfluous words, the indie authors’ negative reactions to being shoved off in to the margins as not being “true writers” are NOT valid. So prove yourself!)

But just don’t try to prove yourself by engaging in some factory of Likes, Tags and Reviews being exchanged for those who don’t even read your writing. Recently, I commented on a thread here in Goodreads about kindness, humility and gratitude. Someone responded, adding to the end of his/her comment that he/she wasn’t promoting his/her own work before doing it a few hours later in the same thread. And what has pushed me toward this conversation is that today, when corresponding with a show host for books and authors in Canada, the host told me he’d be interested in my book, but mostly he feels self-publishing is a hustle. A hustle. And he isn’t wrong, especially when I see something like what I saw last night on Goodreads: a “writer” was actually asking for help with plot lines for the book. And people were lining up to share their two cents.

Pathetic.

And so, we are not writers here. We are salespersons. And I see fully, now, what is wrong with self-publishing. I am proud of my book, inside and out, and pleased with the company I’ve paid to produce it with me. Not for me. But I am also completely satisfied with one person a month falling in love with my story, indefinitely, rather than one hundred thousand readers “liking” it temporarily just so I will follow their blog.

Wrong.

[Joyce]

Liking and Tagging! Please LIKE, TAG, and click Yes on 4&5-star reviews. Good luck.

US: http://www.amazon.com/Unheard-Cries-e...
http://www.amazon.com/Toby-the-Trout-...
http://www.amazon.com/Smell-of-Resin-...
http://www.amazon.com/Booger-Bottoms-...
http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Maypop-e...

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unheard-Cries...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Smell-of-Resi...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Toby-the-Trou...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Booger-Bottom...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maggie-Maypop...

[Vickie]

Joyce wrote: "Liking and Tagging! Please LIKE, TAG, and click Yes on 4&5-star reviews. Good luck.

Joyce -- tagged and liked your books.
Vickie

[E.H.]

I'm working on tagging as many of the most recent titles posted here as I can.

Here's mine:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Immortal-No...

Many thanks!

[Marcelle]

Here's mine for tagging, liking, etc.

(US) http://www.amazon.com/Marcelle-Bartol...

(UK) http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B004WLH0IS

[Richard]

Thanks everyone!

http://www.amazon.com/Spider-A-Short-...

[Vickie]

All caught up.
Vickie

[Joseph]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007W9F4A8

Let me know when you tag and like, so I can hook you up! Thanks guys!

[Jill]

Hello,

I'm a new author of romance books. My first book Finding Pride is NOW FREE on Smashwords!!!

Take a look and help me out by reading/reviewing it.

Finding Pride at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Pride-S...


Thank you in advance.

--Jill



Finding Pride

[Mikhail]

I am working my way up this list right now! Here is mine, please like and tag!

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Sand-Z-Pl...

[Vickie]

All caught up.

[[deleted user]]

Joseph wrote: "http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007W9F4A8

Let me know when you tag and like, so I can hook you up! Thanks guys!"
I liked and tagged everything.Please tag my "sports fiction, suspense, and courtroom drama'.Thanks, Harold
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...

[Jill]

Hi everyone, I think I have caught up on all the last message.

Thanks,

--Jill
Finding Pride at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Pride-S...

Finding Pride

[Vickie]

All caught up.

[[deleted user]]

Elizabeth wrote: "Does this work for everyone? If you have room for one more, I'd like to try just to see what happens. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Second on the Right
http://www.amazon.com/Second-On-The-R..."
Elizabeth, I liked your US page and tagged all of your categories.I am unable to do the UK or Canada.Please like my page and tag sports fiction, suspense, and courtroom drama.Thanks, Harold
http://www.amazon.com/A-Pitch-for-Jus...

[Jacci]

Charlotte wrote: "My books could use some "tagging" on amazon...and if you're willing to also click helpful on the 4 and 5 star reviews, that would be even better.

Post the link to your book and I'll return the fa..."

Done! Here's mine and thanks! Jacci
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Leigh wrote: "I'm always up for a game of tag.

I tagged and liked both, and also clicked "yes" on all of your five-star reviews.

I'd be most appreciative for tags/likes/positive review agreement for a couple o..."
Done! Here's mine and thanks in advance! Jacci
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Jeffrey wrote: "Going to tag and like your books.

Do the same for my stuff out there, thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Jeffrey-Kosh/e/..."

Done, here's mine. Jacci
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Dana wrote: "I've tagged everyone on this page. I'd be grateful if you could do the same for me.

http://www.amazon.com/Leah-ebook/dp/B...

http://www.amaz..."
Done! Here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Valerie wrote: "I have tagged/liked everyone on this page. Below are my links. Thanks, Charlotte!

Book 1: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Shifters......"

Done, here's mine:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Michayla wrote: "Tagged, liked, and yes'd 5 stars reviews for everyone on here...

Here's mine:
http://www.amazon.com/Quest-A-World-H..."

Done, here's mine:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Debbie wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm up to date.
For those who are new, here's a list of what to do
1- LIKE the book (near the title)
2- click on author page abd LIKE that (beside author's pic lower down)
3- click YE..."
Done, here's mine:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Vickie wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "My books could use some "tagging" on amazon...and if you're willing to also click helpful on the 4 and 5 star reviews, that would be even better.

Post the link to your book and ..."
Done, here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Vickie wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I'd like to get in on this. I'll like and tag and "yes" everyone on the list. My books are:

http://amzn.to/WileyRandolph1 (please "Yes" the 5 and 3 star review--want to bury the 1 ..."
Done, here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Vickie wrote: "Cassandra wrote: "Off to tag/like all of your works. Would appreciate reciprocal actions:

http://www.amazon.com/Dremiks-ebook/d..."
Done! Here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
Cassandra --..."

[Jacci]

Chaeya wrote: "Can you all give me some tags and likes as well? I'll go down this page and get everyone and anyone who comes after. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_......"
Done, here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Jacci]

Jan wrote: "Hi Jeffrey, Leigh, Harrison, and Charlotte -- got you! Continuing with others now...

Here's my book, thanks for liking it and my Author bio :)

http://www.amazon.com/Scent-Triumph-J......"
Done: Here's mine:http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...

[Richard]

http://amzn.to/Y7Fjhh

Thanks! Time to play catch up!