The reader’s voice has increasing impact on a book’s fate. Agents and editors admit they keep a watchful eye on reader reviews at Amazon and Goodreads, looking for that surge in popularity that suggests a potential winner, and hoping they can acquire that property in time to develop, package, and sell it. This growing influence … Continue reading The Reader’s Voice
Thoughts on Writing
My Five Goals for a Conference
Two days after the convention is the minimum time I need to evaluate the experience, to let it soak in. There is an overload of information that needs to settle, like rainwater on dry soil, to begin the growth process. I need the time to separate my emotional high from the true value gained, the grain … Continue reading My Five Goals for a Conference
How I Write
If you write books, sooner or later you will be asked how you came to write them, in essence why have you written what you have written the way you have written it? I have been asked such questions. I have even been asked, “Do you use a formula or something?” Well, yes. The genesis of … Continue reading How I Write
To Series, or Not to Series (It’s a Serious Question)
Up to this moment in time, I have thought that I am writing a series. I have written two novels linked by common characters - my Zack Tolliver and Eagle Feather adventure mysteries. I am 220 pages along on the third novel with the same protagonists. But when is a series not a series? This question … Continue reading To Series, or Not to Series (It’s a Serious Question)
A New Partnership of Self Published and Traditionally Published Books: Five Ways We Will Benefit
Recently I viewed a documentary on the history of Western movies. I was struck by the challenge these movies faced with the advent of television. The Western B movie almost died then and there. But it didn’t, and isolated salvage efforts resulted in another surge in popularity that continues even today. It turns out there was a … Continue reading A New Partnership of Self Published and Traditionally Published Books: Five Ways We Will Benefit
Books That Kickstart Writers
Recently I read an interview with James Patterson. The interviewer asked him if there was a particular book that influenced him in his writing career. This is an interesting question, because where you might expect most authors to respond that many books influenced them, most can identify a particular one, a book that was the genesis of … Continue reading Books That Kickstart Writers
Which Fiction Sells?
On a shelf next to me as I write are fiction books by authors I read, authors I should read (I’m told), and authors to whom I refer for hints on style and technique. I’m currently reading Iain Pear’s “An Instance of the Fingerpost”. It is long, 685 pages, and it is long, as in slow … Continue reading Which Fiction Sells?
Some Thoughts on Launch parties
I have done three launch parties to date and would like to share my thoughts and experiences. Before continuing I should define a launch party in my terms, as there are many concepts abroad. I see three purposes: to celebrate, to introduce, and to sell. So it should indeed be a party, which means refreshments and … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Launch parties
The Power of Free Revisited
As my sales lagged this month I went back to my surefire method of the past: free books. But I found that downloads of the free book during this time diminished by half, or more. I wondered why. I took a look and thought I’d share my conclusions. There are several variables to be considered. … Continue reading The Power of Free Revisited
The Wrong Side Of Amazon
Is there a wrong side of Amazon? Is there a punishment algorithm for those who violate the expectations of this mighty retailer? I’ve heard many stories from those who have failed to follow directions, particularly authors. Have they reviewed another writer on amazon who writes in a similar genre? Has someone who is closely related … Continue reading The Wrong Side Of Amazon
