Perhaps I should begin by emphasizing that I appreciate all my reviewers immensely (even, or possibly especially the critics). I know the time it takes to assess, formulate, and write one's feelings about a book. A book is a complicated blending of thoughts, actions, and emotions, many of which often conflict. Reviews are not judgments; … Continue reading About Relating To Reviewers
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Is the Amazon Kindle Countdown Effective?
Recent chatroom wisdom tends to dismiss the Amazon KDP marketing tools Countdown and Free Books as less than effective for eBook marketing. The reasoning is all about numbers - there are simply too many free books at any one time, too many books offering countdown prices, too many authors altogether. I disagree For those who … Continue reading Is the Amazon Kindle Countdown Effective?
A Review of Publishing Today
With a title this assumptive, I hasten to acknowledge I possess no lofty credentials or superior access to data upon which to base the ideas which follow. I am not a queen bee, I am a drone. But even the drone bee is cognizant of change in the quality of the honey over a period … Continue reading A Review of Publishing Today
Crunching The Numbers
As the old year wanes, the time has come to evaluate my book sales and learn from the data, hopefully to improve sales in 2017. Many charts and graphs are available to authors through the auspices of various retailers and distributors. In part, because these businesses must keep the data for their own purposes, in … Continue reading Crunching The Numbers
Changing Genre Midstream
As writer and reader I've noticed few authors write in more than one genre. I wondered why. An author of a crime mystery series, I decided to try another category of writing. In so doing, I think I may have learned the answer to my question. It is not about ability so much as expectations, … Continue reading Changing Genre Midstream
Can You Maintain Your Identity As A Writer?
It's all right there––in your head. Your dream project, your book. You know what you will say in it, you know what it will look like. You begin to write, it grows page by page, chapter by chapter. One day it is finished. Soon you will find a way to publish it. But ask yourself: … Continue reading Can You Maintain Your Identity As A Writer?
Help Your Favorite Author (and yourself)
There is a growing symbiotic relationship between authors and readers. Like horse and carriage, you can't have one without the other. Of course, a relationship has always existed, but until recently it was always somewhat removed, stand-offish, like the maiden aunt who visits you once a year. Over the centuries, readers have had to read … Continue reading Help Your Favorite Author (and yourself)
Why An Audio Book?
The hot topic in my writing circles lately is audio books. I sense a fascination among my fellow authors. Several have made them, many want to make them. And why not? Audio books are enjoying an enormous surge in popularity, having more than doubled sales in the last several years. For the author, it's never … Continue reading Why An Audio Book?
But What About Us Readers?
Graffiti on a junior school bathroom wall: "I love grils" "You mean, you love girls" "But what about us grils?" Messages like this one make teaching worthwhile. Most people will admit the demise of physical books was exaggerated. It appears eBooks and traditional books can live side by side after all. Now some are predicting, … Continue reading But What About Us Readers?
Writing A Review Is Easy
Of course, everybody knows how to write a book review. We all wrote them in grade school. All those summer reading reports due at the opening of school. The formal review styles we were taught in English classes. No wonder we pause when asked to write one. Who's got the time? Times have changed. Book reviews … Continue reading Writing A Review Is Easy
R Lawson Gamble 