Even if I don’t make serious money by writing and publishing, the satisfactions of this hobby/activity are GREAT. I highly recommend it, if you can afford it.
For example, a big challenge after you have published a book is getting POSITIVE reviews. You ask your friends to post reviews. You ask your friends to VOTE DOWN bad reviews (on Amazon). People count reviews. People discount the power of reviews.
Basically, a review enhances the summary of the book that comes with its “For Sale” posting. Readers might relate the story to themselves, and they might recommend it.
If you think writing the book was hard, and getting it published was hard, welcome to the world of “getting reviews.”
Because we have the Internet, we have thousands of opinions about what is “good” and “bad.”
Yes, people knock on your door and offer a review for some compensation.
I have an offer from people who will display my physical book in a national book fair and “give it some attention” for $600-$1500. (I pointed out that since the book we were discussing is sold for 99 cents, with no royalty, I would be INVESTING in GIVING AWAY MORE COPIES.) Will it make me rich or famous?
I just commissioned Aimee Ann of Red Headed Book Lover Blog to write a review of My Boat Is So Small. It is a positive review. Her blog is a big library of beautifully displayed books that she has reviewed. I was concerned about her scope, and taste. She includes spiritual non-fiction, Zen Buddhism, erotica, and dystopian fantasy, along with romance. (That’s been a problem: it seems to me that most volunteer reviewers want to review romances, and they might hate your book—on the Internet—for not being a romance, especially not a “clean romance.”)
I read a discussion panning Aimee Ann’s reviews: “she didn’t read the book,” “wanted money,” etc.
But what if I thought of her work as PROMOTION, and MARKETING? She emphasizes interaction with readers. She puts your book up beautifully, with the dozen related links, especially the “buy” links. What if her review isn’t a “highly credentialed” comment on your book and your writing, but an enhanced summary, in language that many other people might even prefer to your own language?
What’s wrong with a BIG LIKE?
As a former librarian, I like having my book in her library. I don’t mind a few glowing words in its favor. She is reaching people I will not reach.
She describes herself as “a redheaded wife of a perfect Marine and a mother of four beautiful red-haired children.” That suggests to me that she’s found a way to be part of the literary scene and work from home. She’s created her own job. She’s an entrepreneur. She’s resourceful. And talented. And passionate about books. Like a self-appointed librarian. Who likes finding good things to say about a wide variety of books.
See here: https://redheadedbookloverblog.com/2018/03/17/my-boat-is-so-small-ruta-sevo/
I’ve asked her to do another book, which is the novel written by my great-grandmother. It might find a few more readers. I think Sofia Zubov will smile in heaven.
For example, a big challenge after you have published a book is getting POSITIVE reviews. You ask your friends to post reviews. You ask your friends to VOTE DOWN bad reviews (on Amazon). People count reviews. People discount the power of reviews.
Basically, a review enhances the summary of the book that comes with its “For Sale” posting. Readers might relate the story to themselves, and they might recommend it.
If you think writing the book was hard, and getting it published was hard, welcome to the world of “getting reviews.”
Because we have the Internet, we have thousands of opinions about what is “good” and “bad.”
Yes, people knock on your door and offer a review for some compensation.
I have an offer from people who will display my physical book in a national book fair and “give it some attention” for $600-$1500. (I pointed out that since the book we were discussing is sold for 99 cents, with no royalty, I would be INVESTING in GIVING AWAY MORE COPIES.) Will it make me rich or famous?
I just commissioned Aimee Ann of Red Headed Book Lover Blog to write a review of My Boat Is So Small. It is a positive review. Her blog is a big library of beautifully displayed books that she has reviewed. I was concerned about her scope, and taste. She includes spiritual non-fiction, Zen Buddhism, erotica, and dystopian fantasy, along with romance. (That’s been a problem: it seems to me that most volunteer reviewers want to review romances, and they might hate your book—on the Internet—for not being a romance, especially not a “clean romance.”)
I read a discussion panning Aimee Ann’s reviews: “she didn’t read the book,” “wanted money,” etc.
But what if I thought of her work as PROMOTION, and MARKETING? She emphasizes interaction with readers. She puts your book up beautifully, with the dozen related links, especially the “buy” links. What if her review isn’t a “highly credentialed” comment on your book and your writing, but an enhanced summary, in language that many other people might even prefer to your own language?
What’s wrong with a BIG LIKE?
As a former librarian, I like having my book in her library. I don’t mind a few glowing words in its favor. She is reaching people I will not reach.
She describes herself as “a redheaded wife of a perfect Marine and a mother of four beautiful red-haired children.” That suggests to me that she’s found a way to be part of the literary scene and work from home. She’s created her own job. She’s an entrepreneur. She’s resourceful. And talented. And passionate about books. Like a self-appointed librarian. Who likes finding good things to say about a wide variety of books.
See here: https://redheadedbookloverblog.com/2018/03/17/my-boat-is-so-small-ruta-sevo/
I’ve asked her to do another book, which is the novel written by my great-grandmother. It might find a few more readers. I think Sofia Zubov will smile in heaven.
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