Tag: beta readers

Can you relate?

Where do all these new writers find the time, the energy and the readers to boost their self published books so quickly??

Paying out the nose for people’s interest just doesn’t seem to be right in my mind. Is it just me? Is paying for constant ads and/or banking on family and friends to actually read and review your work really your only option when doing this alone?

A good friend of mine, one who writes and edits as a fairly profitable profession, told me your worst readers are the people closest to you. Basically, everyone who talks so highly of your “ambitious idea” will praise you to your face and then expect everything for free and will give you nothing.

I saw that first hand when my first book was published.

Some bought it and read it just to find any and every little flaw. Some purchased just to say they did and still haven’t read a word. And others are still talking about buying my work and go this day this I’ve still not seen the sales. 😂

Who else can relate?

Ebook or No Ebook?

Let’s get down to it

Honestly. I dislike Ebooks…

I know, I know! Why do you publish Ebooks if you hate them so much?

  • Because everyone likes Ebooks (well most people do)
  • Ebooks sell better than paperbacks
  • They’re cheaper- better for budgeters
  • Social media connect – makes its so much simpler to share your favourite titles with friends and family
  • Super ideal to pack and travel with
  • Access to thousands of titles at your fingertips
  • …. and that’s all I got. 😄

The truth is, publishing via Ebook prior to releasing a paperback is a great way to start stirring up reviews and attention for the book on a minimal budget. Many editors, publishers and writers have said this (and proved it) over and over again. Especially those of us that are publishing independently.

But I hate them!

  • I don’t like staring at a screen that long. Special screen, special glasses or not, my eyes tire out.
  • I lose interest in reading!
    The book may be great but I can never sit down and read on a kindle as long as I can sit with a physical book.
  • Forgetting to charge the darn thing!! 🤦🏻‍♀️
  • Losing the cords!
  • Your kindle crashes! (I’ve been a victim … I posted about it too)
  • I like having signed copies of my favourite authors (heck I like being able to sign my own books for others to have)
  • You lose out on that new book (or old book) smell
  • You don’t get to walk the isles of a bookshop and sift through titles weighing the book, the price and the catchy ness of the first paragraph as you decide what to buy or pass on.

So what are your thoughts?

Ebook or real book?

What are some of your “convincing” points when telling someone why you like one vs the other?

Promoting myself… or something along that lines.

Slowly but surely I’m making myself seem more professional and less like a newbie who has no idea what they’re doing. 

I’m currently watching the tracking info and awaiting my box of freshly printed business cards! 😊

Now, I found that business cards for a novelist/ writer can be a touchy subject. Some people say “Go for it! It’s a great little promotional tool that most writers over look…”

And then I find other articles that say it’s a “…waste of time and money…” 🤷🏻‍♀️  I guess it really all depends on your outlook.

Well, I’ve decided to give it a go anyway. (Props for being spontaneous Jen👏🏼)
I look at it this way, I have one book currently published and a couple more on the way…and I need to get my name and stories out there more. Currently I’m not doing so hot in the publicity area (more like sucking terribly at something I know hardly anything about)… 😞😒. 

So for me, the business cards will serve as a friendly, not so pushy way, to say “Here, check out my website” or “Yes, I’m on instagram. Follow me if you’d like.” 

Or “Hey I know a great editing service… it’s linked on my website…” 😊 there’s so many ways to slip your name out there 💚 without forking it down someone’s throat. Lol 

I personal feel like I have ample oppurtunites to hand out a card. Especially with starting my new job, people are always needing my number or work email for one thing or another… so why not take the opportunity to drop info on my other job?  

Granted, I can’t just walk around promoting my books when I should be focusing on my other duties. But if the opportunity presents itself, I’m going to take it!  

Now to just buckle down on the editing and set more of these little story ideas free 👩🏻‍💻

Jen