May Challenge - Reduce your TBR list!

[Lynxie]

Ok try now Brenda :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Lynxie...thought that was the reason it didn't work...lol
Interesting how there are soooooo many typos in a lot of these kindle reads, isn't it!
Don't they have editors??

[Lynxie]

I'm not sure. I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that a lot of them just aren't editors and don't/can't pay for an editor to look at their work before publishing.

Either that or I'm a spelling and grammar Nazi! (this could also be true :P)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "I'm not sure. I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that a lot of them just aren't editors and don't/can't pay for an editor to look at their work before publishing.

Either that or I'm a spe..."

But I have noticed it so much as well...90% of the kindle reads are like it...it's almost as if they are too lazy to finish it properly (the publishers, not the authors)!

[Lynxie]

If it's self published does an editor go over it before it's put up?

I thought you had to do all that yourself first? Beta readers and all that stuff.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm not sure Lynxie...I guess if you self publish, you do it all, with maybe the help of friends?

[Lynxie]

Most of the books I'm reading at the moment are self published, so I'm pretty sure it's the author and some beta readers who do the editing. I believe paying an editor can get quite pricey...

Anyways - I like to do my bit for them :P

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I agree, I like to do my part as well, I think it's very important. It just interrupts the flow of the story sometimes....

[[deleted user]]

As an indie author you have to have an editor! Beta readers read through it first, then give their feedback (I also use a developmental editor--this comes first, then rewrites, then beta readers, then rewrites). The writer then works on the feedback, and fixes anything the beta readers have alerted them to. THEN it goes to the copy editor. In my case my copy editor and I sent the manuscript back and forth to each other until we were satisfied.

At a publishing house I believe they have a team of about nine people going through the manuscript in turn. Even then typos and missing commas, quotation marks etc can slip through.

It doesn't matter if we can't afford it--we have to do it! Just my opinion on the matter. :)

[Lynxie]

It all adds to the polish of a well finished book doesn't it Gina?! I agree with you! It's a necessity not a nicety

[[deleted user]]

Absolutely!!

[[deleted user]]

I have spent about $1,500 on the cover, and the editors' fees for my latest novel. It will be about the same for the next release (towards the end of this year). $ well spent!!

[Lynxie]

Can I ask how much of that was cover? To get an idea of pricing for editors?

[[deleted user]]

$500. We were going to do a percentage of sales thing, but I felt it was unfair and too much of a gamble. After all, I might not sell any at all, or it could take years and years, in order to properly compensate her. So I phoned E. M. up and insisted on paying her properly! I'll PM you now with the editors fees (I so recommend Tricia Kristufek and Teresa Edgerton!!). They were worth every cent and more!

[[deleted user]]

Message sent, Lynxie:)

[Lynxie]

Thanks Gina - Message received :D

[[deleted user]]

:):)

[Trina]

I've now finished five books, and I'll maybe fit another one in before the month is out.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. The Midwich Cuckoos
3. Fifty Shades Darker
4. The Great Gatsby
5. The Lucifer Code

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "I've now finished five books, and I'll maybe fit another one in before the month is out.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. The Midwich Cuckoos
3. Fifty Shades Darker
4. The Great Gatsby
5. The Lucifer Code"

Amazing! Well done Trina. I'm sure you can fit in another one :)

[Trina]

I'm sure I can too! Now, just deciding which one...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trina wrote: "I've now finished five books, and I'll maybe fit another one in before the month is out.

1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. The Midwich Cuckoos
3. Fifty Shades Darker
4. The Great Gatsby
5. The Lucifer Code"

Looking good Trina:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Here are my May reads...

1. Frantic by Katherine Howell
2. The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell
3. Final Crossing: A Novel of Suspense by Carter Wilson
4. Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry
5. Dead Scared by S.J. Bolton
6. Burning Lies by Helene Young
7. Cold Justice by Katherine Howell
8. BoomBust by Lisa Chappel
9. Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
10. Violent Exposure by Katherine Howell
11. Silent Fear by Katherine Howell
12. Freaks by Tess Gerritsen
13. Faint Echoes Of Laughter by Stacey Danson

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Michael wrote: "Wow Brenda your cruising along. Got enough time for another one or two before the months out. :)"

Hoping so Michael...thanks:)

[Mish]

Brenda wrote: "Here are my May reads so far...

1. Frantic by Katherine Howell
2. The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell
3. Final Crossing: A Novel of Suspense by Carter Wilson
4. Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry
5. Dea..."

Oh WOW! That is fantastic

[[deleted user]]

I've just finished:The Men Who Stare at Goats. 4/5 stars. My review to follow. It was pretty amazing, very eye opening, but as a book it didn't wrap up properly, or at least in a satisfying manner, in the final third (although the argument had already been won).

My measly one more book added, looks pretty pitiful in comparison to yours, Trina and Brenda!

[Trina]

That's alright Georgina, I'm still a little surprised at the rate I seem to be going through books this year! Maybe I've just started reading all the right ones? Ones that are easy to get through or something.

[[deleted user]]

Enjoyable ones! The best ones. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Mish and Gina:) Nothing pitiful Gina....you're writing and releasing a new book!!

[Christy]

Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!! Got all 3 read and am actually starting my 4th!
I know 3 or 4 isn't many, but for me, it's HUGE (especially these days)!!

1. The Soldier's Wifeby Margaret Leroy
2. Fifty Shades of Greyby E.L. James
3. Love Letters from Ladybug Farmby Donna Ball
4. Starting Fifty Shades Darkerby E.L. James

[Monica Lamperd]

Christy - I know how you feel! I've read four books this month and that is a huge achievement for me!!

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
3. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards by
4. Mugglenet.com's Harry Potter Should Have Died: Controversial Views from the #1 Fan Site by Emerson Spartz and Ben Schoen

I just started The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.. not sure if I will finish it before the month is up as all my uni assignments are due next week! But I'm happy with my four books :)

[Nicola]

Monica - I've read number 2 and 3 on your list. I liked them. I doubt I'll finish my last book before the month is up for the same reason as you - uni assessment.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Christy wrote: "Whoo Hoo!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!! Got all 3 read and am actually starting my 4th!
I know 3 or 4 isn't many, but for me, it's HUGE (especially these days)!!

1. The Soldier's Wifeby Margaret Leroy
2. ..."

Well done Christy!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Monica wrote: "Christy - I know how you feel! I've read four books this month and that is a huge achievement for me!!

1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
3. The Memory Keeper's D..."

Great result Monica! I've read #3, and have #2 for my library bookclub this month (June)...did you like it?

[Lynxie]

I'm hoping to get to #5 before the end of the month... might be pushing it a bit. Didn't reach the 10 I'd have preferred, but 5 is better than none :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "I'm hoping to get to #5 before the end of the month... might be pushing it a bit. Didn't reach the 10 I'd have preferred, but 5 is better than none :D"

5 is fantastic Lynxie...1 is better than none!! lol

[Lynxie]

still reading #4 but it's almost half way done so I'm hoping #5 will be a quick read :P

[Davina]

Just finished book number 4 for May The Forest of Hands and TeethI didn't love it. Was hoping to get through 5 but we'll see. Still 5 days to go.

[Davina]

Michael wrote: "Ok just finished my fourth one for the month. The King's Concubine

Review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Will be reading this one next: Luther: The Calling"

That sounds like a very interesting book Michael but I don't know if it's my cup of tea. I might keep umming and arring over it for a while. But I think I might know someone who will like it. Great review by the way.

[Janine]

I have just finished my 9th book for May and am really pleased as I have had some of these books for years just waiting to be read and most are by authors new to me
Duet by Kimberley Freeman
Exposed by Alex Kava
Paycheque by Fiona Mccallum
Nine Dragons by Michael Connelly
Matter Of Trust by Sydney BauerThe Long Road Home by Mary Alice Monroe
I Am David by Anne Holm
Hell Island by Matthew Reilly
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
I have just started Between a Mother and Her Child by Elizabeth Noble and should finish that before the end of May so that will make 10

[Lynxie]

Well done Janine!!

[Trina]

1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. The Midwich Cuckoos
3. Fifty Shades Darker
4. The Great Gatsby
5. The Lucifer Code
6. Cosmos

Finished Cosmos last night, even though I started it quite a while ago. It's just taken me so long to read! I enjoyed it a lot, but it wasn't one that I could sit with and get lost in, so it took a while, but I'm counting it here anyway.

[Monica Lamperd]

Brenda wrote: Great result Monica! I've read #3, and have #2 for my library bookclub this month (June)...did you like it?

The Lovely Bones was a lot better than I expected. The storyline has the potential to drag and be a bit depressing, but the writing managed to keep it afloat somehow. Of course I've seen some extremely negative and extremely positive reviews - I think it's one of those books you either love or hate! But it had me thinking for days after I finished. Love a book that can make that kind of impact on me :)

[Trina]

Monica, I neither loved nor hated The Lovely Bones, but it's been so long since I read it. Have you seen the movie? I quite liked it I think. I also didn't really like The Memory Keeper's Daughter that much! Did you like it?

[Monica Lamperd]

Trina, ahh, you've proved me wrong! I was going on the reviews I read.. very passionate views both ways on that book. I've seen part of the movie, but it was a few years ago so I'd really quite like to see it again. I've heard some people prefer the movie to the book so I'm interested to compare!

I liked the Memory Keeper's Daughter but it wasn't a life-changing book for me. The storyline was intriguing but there were a few things (some of the characters specifically) that annoyed me enough not to give it four stars. What in particular didn't you like about it? :)

[Trina]

With The Memory Keeper's Daughter I think I just found it really boring! It's a while ago that I read it so I really don't remember much about it, but I remember not liking it enough to not bother buying another of her books!

[Mish]

Trina wrote: "With The Memory Keeper's Daughter I think I just found it really boring! It's a while ago that I read it so I really don't remember much about it, but I remember not liking it enough to not bother ..."

It been years since I've read it too. But i do remember finding it boring

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congrats everyone, you've all done extremely well! With still a few days left till the end of the month, there'll be a few more to add I'm sure!

Thanks Monica for your summary of The Lovely Bones.. I was intrigued when I read the blurb! I too didn't like The Memory Keeper's Daughter that much...nothing to jump out and 'grab' you in the story!

Great review Michael!

[Trina]

Brenda I am so glad I am not the only one who didn't like The Memory Keeper's Daughter! I'm sure of course plenty of people disliked it, but I don't know any.

[[deleted user]]

Brenda wrote: "Here are my May reads so far...

1. Frantic by Katherine Howell
2. The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell
3. Final Crossing: A Novel of Suspense by Carter Wilson
4. Dead Heat by Bronwyn Parry
5. Dea..."

What!!!..& mine is not in there....LOL!!..just kidding..on another matter, I will be going to Helen's book signing very soon & will have my signed copy of Burning Lies....(-:

[KOMET]

The Flight Of The Maidens

124 MORE PAGES TO GO!!!