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Anne wrote: "It's very understandable - in fact it's a thrill, as you rightly say. But how do you know it's the same person reading? If there are multiple readers there's no way, as far as I know."

I don't know, but my sales numbers are low enough that when someone reads on KU, it's likely one person (perhaps with 2-3 friends). Or, perhaps it's my desire for quality over quantity. It feeds my ego far better to imagine a single reader so enthralled by my words that he/she reads hundreds of pages a day. The alternative is 10-20 people only read the first chapter and move on.

Also, when I see enough pages are read for one book, then the second book in the series has a reader, odds are it's the same person.

Hi folks, I'm new to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ forums, *waves*. After reading back over previous posts, I see that we all deal with the same things: insecurties, frustration, and an overwhelming urge to quit.

I'm there. I'm struggling with Indie publishing, getting reviews, offering free digital copies, yada yada.

Wanna know what I decided?

I'm writing for me, because I have a story to tell. Once finished, I'm going to publish it, on my own if I have to.

I've had it with comparing myself to other (much more successful writers).

To all of you, hang in there, keep on keeping on. You WILL get there.

L. D.

Phillip wrote: "Anne wrote: "It's very understandable - in fact it's a thrill, as you rightly say. But how do you know it's the same person reading? If there are multiple readers there's no way, as far as I know."..."

Understood. My stuff is not in parts, so I suppose I'll never have the pleasure of knowing that a single person likes something enough to read on.

Since becoming an indie author and abandoning the traditional publishing world I have had more than 1500 people actually read my novels and short stories and I love that reality. It's more people than have ever read my stories. From that I have had two reviews on two of my novels and two reviews on my short stories and all four were great.

I have been pitched by several to "review" my books but my fear with all of that is they won't be a fan of the genre and kill my book with a negative review because they are the wrong reader. I have read plenty of horror stories from Indie authors that have said that is what happened to them after they had one bad review.

So I made the decision to not bother "trying" to get reviews. I just write on with the understanding that sales matter more. I also think it would be funny to get to a point where the book is selling wildly without the tons of reviews and I wouldn't mind that one bit.

L. D. welcome and please don't compare yourself to any of the "successful" writers. They got to where they are by writing what they loved to write. Ones like Tom Clancy and Lee Childs write to market, but that's their choice and they are good at it. Each of us have to decide how we want to be perceived and to write what makes us feel like we are putting out the best story we can in the best way we can. I don't worry about who I write like or who is more popular. I work on who I want to be as a writer and write what I enjoy writing. Good luck on on your writing and don't give up.

Raising this thread, like a Phoenix from the ashes. It used to be one of the most popular threads, then everyone kind of forgot about it.

So, what's irking me today? My damned characters that will not speak with contractions. I mean, won't.

I keep editing and editing and every time I go through this bugger, I'm like, "Criminy, these people talk like robots. Use some contractions now and then!"

Alex wrote: "I have the same issue as you. Even my most rough and ready characters speak fairly well and it takes a lot of work to fix that with contractions and the slang."

Hey, Alex. Another Phoenix from the ashes!

Yep. In the cast of my current work in progress, only one should sound a bit stiff. He's an English teacher with some anxiety issues and tends to be a little on the prissy side. But, even he should be allowed to speak casually now and then. It really trips me when my near-homeless, ex-junkie, rebellious, snide character comes across like a stiff little robot. He's not stupid, of course, but he doesn't give a crap about proper English.

Alex wrote: "I have been getting more and more irked by life getting in the way of writing."

I can relate. For nearly the past two years since being hired by the company I work for, I have only had time to write on the weekends. Just this week I started a new position. I'll be working more hours, but I think it will free up some time for writing most every day. I'd rather have this, two or three hours a day, rather than trying to cram all my writing in a two day period and then having to ignore it for five.

My sympathies. I know what it's like to have a loved one with dementia. It's not easy on the caretaker, at all. Good luck to you.

Alex wrote: "I have been getting more and more irked by life getting in the way of writing.

I've had to put marketing on hold and drop the price of my books in the hope that they will sell themselves for a whi..."

I can relate. Recently I came across an article that recommended when life gets in the way like this, we make the effort to write just 9 mins. every day. I tried and it worked well for the first few days. I was able to write for about 15 mins at a time, until I lapsed again. But I'll keep on trying.

Alex wrote: "I have been getting more and more irked by life getting in the way of writing.

I've had to put marketing on hold and drop the price of my books in the hope that they will sell themselves for a whi..."

I hear that Alex! Life has a way of messing up our plans, doesn't it?

Alex wrote: "I'm in the middle of trying to get mum's house up to scratch while also caring for her while her dementia slowly gets worse, and a couple of months ago we had major drama with a long hospital stay and even a dementia related disappearance from the hospital."

Dementia sucks. My grandma had no idea who I was in her last years. My sympathies.

Alzheimer's and dementia hit a lot of people in my mom's family. My aunt is showing signs of it currently, from what my mom says. (Aunt lives hundreds of miles from here and mom visited recently). She's still good with long term memories, but short term, not so much.

Kaylee wrote: "Very angry. Had to end a 16 year long friendship over something absolutely stupid.

So, I got engaged, married, and lost my grandmother after a long battle with congestive heart failure this year...."

Your friend sounds like she was a spoilt brat. You're better off without her.

Melissa wrote: "Mary wrote: "Just buy my *** books. Leave me alone."

I want this on a T shirt. I would wear it everyday, and it would be my most favorite T shirt ever."

I have a t shirt with a cat on it that says:

That's What I Do
I Drink Coffee
I Hate People
And I Know Things

An alternative is
I write books
I drink wine
And I know things

Here is a gripe concerning author newsletters:

I set up a promotion where I provide the first three chapters of my novel free in exchange for an email address. I then add that email address to a monthly newsletter group. The terms of this are very clear upfront. I have used this methodology to build a group of 500+ subscribers from scratch! I'm hoping this will snowball into more sales and give me a good platform to promote the sequel being released in 2022.

Each month when I send it, I usually get 2-3% unsubscribes. People just take the free sample and cancel or they read it and don't like it. There is nothing wrong with this, it is the nature of the beast.

But a few have actually unsubscribed and reported it as abuse! Yes, abuse! The reason provided has been "too spammy". Sorry, but spam is UNSOLICITED email. Not email that you have expressly requested and consented to receive.

My point is - please feel free to unsubscribe to email that you don't wish to receive, but have the decency not to characterize it as abuse.

Bryan wrote: "Here is a gripe concerning author newsletters:

I set up a promotion where I provide the first three chapters of my novel free in exchange for an email address. I then add that email address to a m..."

I hear you Bryan. Look at it this way though, once they're gone you no longer need to pay to carry dead weight, as it were :)

Eldon wrote: "Bryan wrote: "Here is a gripe concerning author newsletters:

I set up a promotion where I provide the first three chapters of my novel free in exchange for an email address. I then add that email ..."

Great point, Eldon!

Charles wrote: "Pretty self explanatory. For example:

f u stupid f blurb i f hate you and wish you would die

#deathtoblurbs"

LOL, I feel you!

First of all, this is one thread that does not piss me off.

Book blogger...unknown to me but I periodically scan my author name on book titles just to make sure everything is on the up and up.

This chick blogs about my book Behind the Fan, states the reviews seem to be from friends, dished on the book based on .... nothing. She has never read the book, and in fact never asked for a review copy. As a matter of fact, her 'blog' had horrific grammar. Hell, maybe she tried to read it and couldn't get past the big words.

Book Blogger my ass, you are just a snarky bitch.

Whew..that felt good!

Caroline wrote: "Hell, maybe she tried to read it and couldn't get past the big words...."

LOL

In November 2018 I asked four people who’s opinions I respected to read my book series. I asked for opinions for me, not reviews online. They all agreed.

Three years have passed.

One read the first book within a month, mentioned he was on vacation and forgot book two or would be reading it. Three years later and nothing.

One waited 18 months, then gave a rating for one book. No comments for me.

One said he really didn’t like the genre and didn’t plan to read any of it. This after I paid to have four books printed and sent to him after agreeing to read this specific genre.

The final guy took over a year to start but did read all four and share comments. I’m thankful for him.

My rant is: why agree to read something you didn’t want to? Saying no when I asked was expected by me. Getting my hopes up for candid thoughts that clearly aren’t coming feels cruel. It led to some depression for me. I wish people wouldn’t get my hopes up just to crush them.

Yeah, Phillip, I also struggle understanding people with that mindset. What good is a promise if you don't intend to fulfill it? There are situations where it may be a valid reason - such a major change in one's life - but that's not a majority of those cases. I can understand abandoning an idea - but why not honestly tell the person? That's what I don't understand.

Usually, I’m okay. It’s always November that hits me. It’s a twist of the knife to remind me of a broken promise that cost me about $100. Three years for any input on six of sixteen books. Really only five. I didn’t even ask for reviews. I just wanted a quick email or call to see if people who liked SFF thought my writing passed muster.

Phillip wrote: "In November 2018 I asked four people who’s opinions I respected to read my book series. I asked for opinions for me, not reviews online. They all agreed.

Three years have passed.

One read the fi..."

I've had that too. People say they are going to read one of your books when offered a copy and then you never hear from them again. It's disheartening.

Phillip wrote: "In November 2018 I asked four people who’s opinions I respected to read my book series. I asked for opinions for me, not reviews online. They all agreed.

Three years have passed.

One read the fi..."

I asked 2 guys to be beta readers for my newest historical novel, covering an era they both were relatively well informed about. They both started it and gave some good feedback but then petered out after a number of chapters. I truly appreciated the feedback they gave me, but it seemed like one of them just kind of lost interest. The other did have some health issues he was dealing with, which might explain his not getting further into it.

I gave the same book to a couple of female beta readers as well. Both finished the novel and had good comments to the very end.

Maybe it's a male/female thing. I've heard that most women will read books by men, but most men are uninterested in books by women - one reason why J.K. Rowling and a few other women writers use non-specific first names/initials.

It's the same with reviews--they promise and then don't come through. If I promise to read a book, even if it isn't in a genre I don't normally read, I'll read it and give my opinion. Same with a review. I give a review for every kindle book I read.

Like you all, I find that most people will not keep their word when agreeing to do things since there are no repercussions for them if they renege on the agreement, unlike years ago when your word mattered and if you didn't follow through, you weren't trusted again. I guess I'm in one of the last generations where if you say you'll do something, you do it.

Phillip wrote: "In November 2018 I asked four people who’s opinions I respected to read my book series. I asked for opinions for me, not reviews online. They all agreed.

Three years have passed.

One read the fi..."

I think this sort of neglect is the nature of the beast.

I selected around 15 friends to preview my first book and provide me with feedback. Probably 10 ignored me! I can't imagine just ignoring a project that was so important to a friend, but it did help me to properly reassess and calibrate my friendship with many of them.

I feel your angst. After I wrote my first book, I gave printed copies to all my close friends. I only heard back from 2 of them as they did read the book. I never heard boo fromm anyone else.

While I can understand the upset about people not living up to their word, I feel it's important to point out that as author's we should be seeking unbiased feedback anyway. It's nice to have friends and family read out stuff, but their comments will be inherently biased. They don't want to hurt our feelings and will tell us what they think we want to hear. But for growth as a writer to occur, we need to hear the unvarnished truth. This is something a stranger is far better placed to provide.

Eldon wrote: "While I can understand the upset about people not living up to their word, I feel it's important to point out that as author's we should be seeking unbiased feedback anyway. It's nice to have frien..."

I agree, it would be useless to ONLY solicit acquaintances to review our books. We also need professional editors and to get ARCs into the hands of strangers.

Sharing your book with friends is more than just soliciting constructive feedback, it is the satisfaction of sharing something you created with people you care about.

Eldon wrote: "While I can understand the upset about people not living up to their word, I feel it's important to point out that as author's we should be seeking unbiased feedback anyway. It's nice to have frien..."

I agree, it would be useless to ONLY solicit acquaintances to review our books. We also need professional editors and to get ARCs into the hands of strangers.

Sharing your book with friends is more than just soliciting constructive feedback, it is the satisfaction of sharing something you created with people you care about.

Bryan wrote: "Eldon wrote: "While I can understand the upset about people not living up to their word, I feel it's important to point out that as author's we should be seeking unbiased feedback anyway. It's nice..."

True enough Bryan :)

Eldon wrote: "While I can understand the upset about people not living up to their word, I feel it's important to point out that as author's we should be seeking unbiased feedback anyway. It's nice to have frien..."

I hope I didn't give the wrong impression. The people I asked were acquaintances met through reader groups. They didn't know me in real life, and could easily say no or ignore my request in the first place. I'd actually understand better if a friend/family member agreed and never got around to it (that's happen far more times than I can count). Here was a case where no fallback could hurt the person who agreed. They could have said no, instead of wasting my time and money. They also could have said they started it and hated it/got bored. That would have been acceptable (albeit tough to swallow) criticism.

Phillip wrote: "In November 2018 I asked four people who’s opinions I respected to read my book series. I asked for opinions for me, not reviews online. They all agreed.

Three years have passed.

One read the fi..."

Totally agree, I have had this experience as well. Two family members that agreed to read the manuscript evidently never read the first word. They like bragging they have a writer in the family though! Ugh.

S.J. wrote: "BTW, this really worked. I feel so much better. Although I think giggling at all your comments helped. That and the potato chips I inhaled when I realise hangry is a real thing."


LOL ... agree!