Where has all the drama gone?

When I first starting writing, 7 or so years ago, it was a foreign world to me. Ebooks were not highly thought of and the ebook publishers of the time were little demi-gods that you weren’t allowed to question because they wouldn’t give you a contract if you did. I know some authors who were terrified of a certain diva at the main erotic epublisher of the time. I suspect she enjoyed scaring people with her power. Everyone has to have a hobby I guess.

Today, for some reason Mrs Giggles came to mind. Do you remember her? She’s still going. I remember how terrified authors were of getting a book reviewed by Mrs G. She hated two of mine. It didn’t bother me. Reviews are always just opinion and not fact – but oh, how some people were scared of her.  I kinda liked her. She was a force to be reckoned with then. And there was Karen Knows Best. She’s still going too but – dare I say it and I will – she’s mellowed a lot. I can remember HUGE controversies about authors like Carol Lynne who had ebooks ripped to shreds on KKB and the drama behind all that. It never harmed CL and frankly it made her career and good luck to her.

There were other ‘terrifying’ people as well, but most have fallen by the wayside.  I tend to think it’s because ebooks are more acceptable now than then. A plethora – love that word – of people can write ebooks, there are scads and scads of publishers out there and writers don’t have to rely on the tyrannical whimsy of the only established ones - and let’s not forget self publishing. Look at people like Selena Kitt, an author, who kicked arse and made a huge success of it despite what people thought or said.

Does anyone fear reviews any more? I don’t think so. Not from what I read. Are writers scared of trying other publishers? Not that I’ve heard. Do Diva publishers rule? Probably in their own minds. So, where has all the drama gone? I’m sure writer Anny Cook is nodding her head at this. Is it just age mellowing them or more, as I believe, the world has moved on without being scared of them? Or, do we just not scare as easily?    

         

Crazy good...

So, I’ve been writing in between doing other stuff today. I won’t lie it’s been a shit-full year on personal scale and writing has been one of the last things on my mind. But today, as I was writing, I got several reviews come through Smashwords. Lordy, it took me long enough to work out how to get those books properly formatted on Smashwords and then out through ebook distributors. But it was worth it. The sales tell me that. 

But, more importantly – much, much more importantly, are the reader reviewers that come through on Smashwords.  I’ll be honest, I’m always amazed someone reads my books let alone likes them enough to place a review. It’s crazy good to get a review.  It’s also deadset humbling to know someone will spend hard earned cash on your stories.

Thank you  

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/134295

Fancy Nancy…

So, I received an email from someone telling me that she and her book club were reading Prince Vampire and discussing it each week. Huh. Fancy Nancy. It never occurred to me that readers would discuss any book I had written in a group. Why didn’t it? I don’t know. It could be because I generally write what I like, think and believe and if someone takes a punt on my work and spends a couple of bucks to buy it, then that’s good and appreciated. I’ve never thought about groups reading and discussing together the subtext of one of my stories. And while it was nice feedback, crap feedback is also okay to get. What you say? You want to hear bad stuff? Sure. I’m a big girl. I appreciate all different points of view and I don’t expect everyone to love or like what I write. I’d be a pretty damn shallow writer if I couldn’t take negative feedback.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/131719
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-princevampire-600230-139.html

But - even more gobsmacking - one of the chooks laid an egg! Huzzah! 

Nicked off Facebook...

“Well...today's shocking revelation is that Amazon allows sellers, who you have given negative feedback to email you and offer you a cash enticement to take your negative review down!!!!”

Do I believe this? It seems silly enough to be true. Would I give money to someone to retract their negative feedback? I’d have to give a damn first. Writer Rule number one – or it should be – some people will hate what you write. Writer Rule number two - develop a thick skin. Don't ask for retractions. Toughen up. General Rule Number three – don’t email a writer and ask for money back. It's tacky. If you didn't like the writer's style then move on. You're not going to like everyone. General Rule number four - one exclamation mark is enough. We get it. If you're that alarmed by what you read then do something more than put it on facebook for people to 'like.'

Okay, that's about the only rules I adhere to...

Fake awesomeness…

I was over at the Ellora's Cave site reading some reader reviews I was emailed about by X for several newish releases. I’ve had some pukeable reader reviews there and that’s okay. I’ve put them on the blog in the past. I’m a great believer in giving an opinion. It’s up to you as an individual to accept what another says or move on. Clearly there are many writers who do not accept opinion. I have to wonder if your book is deemed to suck by genuine readers who paid money for it is it going to make any damn difference how many writer friends go in on the EC site and say the book was 5 star and ‘awesome’ to the 1 and 2 star ‘you suck’ reviews. Oh sure, you may get a few more readers buying the book after the false balancing up of negative to positive reviews but doesn’t this also mean that those who were undecided about an author may buy a book, based on fake awesomeness and then think ‘what a gyp! This book does suck. I will never read Hotsy R Totsy’s books again.' It’s not an honest way to do business is it?

*gyp = rip-off

Amarinda Jones
Penn Halligan
www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Be daring...read an Amarinda book