The Holiday Season is a wonderful time for most, a time of special music, colorful lights, great food, renewed friendship, and renewed souls. What's not to love? It's a rewarding season for all. Not so much for authors of eBook mystery and crime novels. I've noticed a lag in sales during most U.S. holidays, lasting … Continue reading Tis The Season For…Crime and Carnage?
readers
About Relating To Reviewers
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
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
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
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)
Are You Reading The Author You Expected?
It came to me after reading Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code first, his preceding novel Angels and Demons second––this awareness of author growth. I found both books enormously entertaining, yet the greater sophistication of the former in contrast to the latter was clear. I suppose I had not previously thought in terms of author … Continue reading Are You Reading The Author You Expected?
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
Is Kafka The Same On Kindle?
The digital age has forced choices; smart phone or single purpose phone, GPS for the car or old-fashioned map (and instinct), broadcast TV or streaming video, and my topic for this column; eBook or physical book? As an author, my support of the eBook revolution was a no-brainer. It’s all about little time and large numbers. … Continue reading Is Kafka The Same On Kindle?
Just For You
It is New Year's Day and as my mind wanders back over the year just past I think of opportunities not seized and words not spoken. With each passing year these omissions grow in importance for me and I resolve to improve. So often it is not the will to seize these opportunities that fails me … Continue reading Just For You
It’s Time to Thank My Reviewers
With the Holiday Season there comes an urge to give thanks. In the Rolodex of my brain I can flip through many names of those who reach out regularly to help make my life and those of others better. As an author, I am particularly beholden to my reviewers. For readers, this is a brave … Continue reading It’s Time to Thank My Reviewers