One of my most least favorite words is reviews. In particular, book reviews! Oy! And I handle the review submissions for TMP and my reasoning isn't because I hate my job. I love it.
The reason for my disdain is because no matter what, book reviews are subjective. Plain and simple. Have you ever read the disclaimer about fair or impartial reviews. Great! I honestly believe that the reviewer follows this rule but their taste does not always match mine. And while they might love one aspect but they could hate another and I may feel the opposite.
If you are a new writer or have a book out or about to, please, please, please, remember that book reviews are subjective. The review is entitled to their opinion when it concerns your work. Never engage them. Some industry folks, including reviewers, say stay away. The review isn't for the author, its for the readers.
And the sad thing is many book sales or rankings are dependent on book reviews. But who actually pays attention to them. Do you make all your reading decisions based on reviews? Do you read them for every details or do you pay attention the over star rating? What sites do you refer to build up your TBR list?
Personally, I don't base my reading choices on reviews. I might scan the star rating and I occassionally will read one but I go on word-of-mouth or stick with my favorite authors. Heck, I've been known to do just a genre search and pick out a new author.
I read a wonderful blog post by Katie McGarry where she discusses reviews and the recent incident involving an author who stalked and contacted the reviewer. If you get a chance, click on the link and read her post. It is fantastic. Truthful. Honest.
And I completely agree.
Do you have a review story? As an author, did you thank the reviewer or stay away?
Monday, October 27, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Back in the Slush Pile Again: Subjection Lesson 1
You know how when you have a bad day, everything else seems to go wrong. Your hot water ran out and then you found a hole in your sock and then it started to rain and water seeped into your shoes, making your bare toe chilly. Or your baby spit up on you as you were walking out the door and ran around the entire day with smudged sour milk on your clothes and the smell was enough to make you vomit.
I kind of had a day like that last week. I re-entered the world of agents and non-TMP presses. And I wasn't a fool. I knew doing this would set me up for rejection. Sure, I have 6 books under my belt and an Amazon Best Selling boxed set but I know this business. It is subjective.
And I prepared myself for rejections, even repeating the mantra, every "No brings me closer to a Yes". But that small part of myself dreamed. Hoped. And pretended what my life would be like or how I'd react if I received a Yes. Hey, I'm a writer. We're supposed to pretend!
I'm not sure I could prepare myself for 4 rejections in one day. Is there a club? A special hand-shake? Club jackets? Because how else do you explain 4 rejections in 1 day! Wow! Now, you add that to the additional 2 rejections already marked on this project. Sure, 6 spread out over the course of a few months, I could handle.
If you're not a writer, you may not understand this but I literally went to my basement, which is really nice, and cried. Not throw myself down on the floor tantrum, just silent tears where you imagine your life without writing. Where I ran through all the reasons to quit. Where every failure you've had comes crashing down.
But if you are a writer, you know what I did next.
After I dried my face. I picked myself up and became more determined to not let this one step get me down. Instead of burying myself in a pity hole, I dusted away the carnage and felt...inspired. Because as a writer, we heal ourselves with writing. We can deal with the death of a loved one in our writing. We can overcome the fear of failing through our writing. We share our love of life in our writing. And that is exactly what I'm doing.
I can't imagine how easy life is for an agent or a publisher. They are overwhelmed with countless pitches and they, the agent or pub house may have a particular project in mind. I know, that's not fair and we aren't mind readers. But that is the way the business is and once you realize that, you will be a stronger person.
Submissions are subjective. You're writing might be superb and the story fantastic, but if it isn't what they are looking for, then they will pass. It is that simple and as a writer, you need to add this knowledge to your armor.
Are you in the slush? Have any tips on submissions? Share. We like sharing!
I kind of had a day like that last week. I re-entered the world of agents and non-TMP presses. And I wasn't a fool. I knew doing this would set me up for rejection. Sure, I have 6 books under my belt and an Amazon Best Selling boxed set but I know this business. It is subjective.
And I prepared myself for rejections, even repeating the mantra, every "No brings me closer to a Yes". But that small part of myself dreamed. Hoped. And pretended what my life would be like or how I'd react if I received a Yes. Hey, I'm a writer. We're supposed to pretend!
I'm not sure I could prepare myself for 4 rejections in one day. Is there a club? A special hand-shake? Club jackets? Because how else do you explain 4 rejections in 1 day! Wow! Now, you add that to the additional 2 rejections already marked on this project. Sure, 6 spread out over the course of a few months, I could handle.
If you're not a writer, you may not understand this but I literally went to my basement, which is really nice, and cried. Not throw myself down on the floor tantrum, just silent tears where you imagine your life without writing. Where I ran through all the reasons to quit. Where every failure you've had comes crashing down.
But if you are a writer, you know what I did next.
After I dried my face. I picked myself up and became more determined to not let this one step get me down. Instead of burying myself in a pity hole, I dusted away the carnage and felt...inspired. Because as a writer, we heal ourselves with writing. We can deal with the death of a loved one in our writing. We can overcome the fear of failing through our writing. We share our love of life in our writing. And that is exactly what I'm doing.
I can't imagine how easy life is for an agent or a publisher. They are overwhelmed with countless pitches and they, the agent or pub house may have a particular project in mind. I know, that's not fair and we aren't mind readers. But that is the way the business is and once you realize that, you will be a stronger person.
Submissions are subjective. You're writing might be superb and the story fantastic, but if it isn't what they are looking for, then they will pass. It is that simple and as a writer, you need to add this knowledge to your armor.
Are you in the slush? Have any tips on submissions? Share. We like sharing!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Cassandra Page Presents: Isla's Inheritance
If you haven't seen me blather on about this young lady, then you are missing out. She is fantastic with a capital FAN! Lurve her and thrilled she is a fellow TMPer with me writing YA's, taking names and numbers! (Did that even make sense???)
So, she's a newbie author and she has a new book *drum roll*...
I mean look at this cover! Isn't it just gorgeous!
Book & Author Details:
Isla’s Inheritance by Cassandra Page
(Isla’s Inheritance #1)
Publication date: October 9th 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
(Isla’s Inheritance #1)
Publication date: October 9th 2014
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Isla was content to let her father keep his secrets, but now she can’t stand the touch of iron and her dreams are developing a life of their own. She must discover the truth — before it’s too late.
Seventeen-year-old Isla Blackman only agrees to participate in a Halloween party séance because Dominic, an old crush, wants to. She is sure nothing will happen when they try to contact the spirit of her mother. But the séance receives a chilling reply.
SHE IS NOT DEAD.
Isla doesn’t want to upset her father by prying into the family history he never discusses. When the mysterious and unearthly Jack offers to help her discover the truth, Isla must master her new abilities to protect her loved ones from enemies she never knew existed.
Purchase:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/479275
AUTHOR BIO:
Cassandra Page is a mother, author, editor and geek. She lives in Canberra, Australia’s bush capital, with her son and two Cairn Terriers. She has a serious coffee addiction and a tattoo of a cat — which is ironic, as she’s allergic to cats. When she’s not reading or writing, she engages in geekery, from Doctor Who to AD&D. Because who said you need to grow up?
Author links:
And to make things even more interesting, she's giving away a prize! *swoons*
GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INTL)
- A $50 gift card at Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Mysti Parker, author of The Roche Motel
It isn't often I can share my blog space with a non-TMP author but I'm thrilled to introduce you to a FB friend of mine, Mysti Parker! *round of applause*
After her husband
ditches her for a blonde actress wannabe, Jane Seymour needs a job that pays
the rent. The struggling Roche Hotel needs a miracle. With the former owner’s
wife butting her nose into the renovations and new owners who are in way over
their heads, Jane may be the answer to their prayers. Sure, she can handle The
Roche Hotel’s quirky staff. But, can this skittish divorcee keep it all
together when handsome Henry the Donut Guy makes his first delivery? This
collection of serial fiction stories is a Tudorific romantic comedy that will
leave you laughing out loud and hungry for more.
CLICK HERE to pre-order for just $0.99!
Fun, games, Tudor trivia, and a
chance to win a hotel themed prize basket!!
Excerpt
from Episode 2:
By 3:00 AM, I finally
learn enough Sasquatch language from Jerry to muddle through the audits until
all the figures add up. He wanders off somewhere to do whatever it is he does.
I dust things that don’t need dusting and clean the leaves on the silk plants
in the lobby until 5:00 AM, when Jerry unlocks the front doors. I go back to sit
at the office desk with a cup of coffee, resting my head in one hand. Surely
someone would soon wake up to check out or ask for toothpaste or even a stick
of gum for all I care.
My eyelids feel so
heavy...
“Ahem.”
I’m startled awake and
bump my coffee with my elbow. A brown pool of cold Folgers and congealed
half-n-half flows across the audit sheets. “Crap.”
The man at the front
desk laughs. “Sorry to startle you.”
“It’s
fine,” I say, not bothering to look at him because I’m searching for paper towels
instead. Finding none, I grab my sweater from the back of the chair and blot
the papers.
“Need some tissues?” he
asks.
“No, I’m fine.”
Embarrassed for being such a klutz in front of a guest, I keep my head down and
drag my sleepy self to the front desk. Finally, I look up and am met with a
stunningly handsome smile. “Oh, how can I help you?”
“Where’s Jerry?” He
holds up a small paper bag. There’s a stack of white boxes beside him.
“I don’t know. Would
you like me to page him?”
“No need. I’ll just
leave these here. Custard-filled. He loves those.”
I notice his shirt,
embroidered with Hermann’s Bakery in
a simple script font on the right pocket. His hair is a dusty brown and has
that trendy bed-head look which I usually consider lazy, but on him, it’s rather
adorable. He’s clean-shaven and reasonably tall.
His eyes crinkle when
he smiles again. “I’m Henry. You new here?”
“Yes, it’s my first
night.” I point to the temporary name tag with my name written in black
sharpie. “I’m Jane.”
“Nice to meet you. They
call me the ‘Donut Guy’.”
He offers his hand, and
I take it. His grip is warm and strong, and jump-starts a few sleepy neurons.
Henry. And Jane Seymour. The third wife of Henry VIII, as legend says, was
reportedly the love of his life. Why does my mind have to venture there, of all
places? I’m not ready to heal my broken heart over Nick with Henry the Donut
Guy, no matter how Tudorific our names are.
I let go of his hand
and take the paper bag. “I’ll be sure to give these to Jerry.”
“Would you like one?”
“I probably shouldn’t…”
My stomach rumbles in disagreement.
“They’re complimentary.
The hotel orders more than enough, trust me.”
“Oh, then I’ll take a
donut with chocolate icing if you have one.”
“Sure do.”
He opens one of the
boxes and holds it within my reach. I pick up a donut and take a bite. Still
warm and melt-in-your-mouth good.
“Mmm, this is
delicious.”
Henry closes the box
and takes a tissue from the Kleenex dispenser beside the wall. Why hadn’t I
noticed those before I sacrificed my poor sweater? He reaches across the front desk
and wipes the corner of my mouth. Warmth crawls up my cheeks.
“You had a little icing there,” he
says with that knee-weakening smile.
Mysti
Parker is a wife, mom, author, and shameless chocoholic. She is the author of
the Tallenmere standalone fantasy romance series. Her other writings have
appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, Christmas
Lites II, The Darwin Murders, Tasteful Murders and EveryDayFiction.
Other
writing pursuits include serving as a class mentor in Writers Village
University's seven week online course, F2K. She finished her first historical
romance this spring and has one children’s book (Quentin’s Problem) soon to be
published, with one more waiting for illustrations, and many more stewing in
her head.
When she's not writing fiction, Mysti works as a freelance editor and copywriter. She also reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
When she's not writing fiction, Mysti works as a freelance editor and copywriter. She also reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder's Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
Author links:
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Author 1: JC Wardon in Enchanted Lovers
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Category: Romance > Paranormal Length: Seven full-length novels, Boxed Set
Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press ISBN: 978-1-62237-340-6
Retail Price: $5.99 Ebook Price: $0.99 (Special Promotional Price)
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EXCERPT:
Rayne broke free of the tangle of cars
and sped-up to head toward the highway and home. Tears formed from both the
pain in her skull and the realization that she was forever trapped by genetics
that had finally exposed her to the world, and, not unexpectedly, ended what she’d hoped was a promising relationship.
She wanted to scream out her anger and
frustration. She wanted to crash into something and shatter it to smithereens.
After years of extreme caution, one persistent child ghost succeeded in making
her break the first and most important rule her family lived by. She had failed
to keep the secret that safeguarded them all. And she had to hurry home to let
them know before they heard about it from someone else or saw it on the news.
The exit ramp leading to the highway was
as congested as it always was this time of day, so Rayne ignored that route and
kept on driving, ending up in the lower income side of the city few tourists
ever saw. Los Angeles, the city of Angels, was not so angelic here.
Disreputable business establishments
gave way to weathered homes with shabby yards, some with garbage littering
streets and lawns, and many with rusting cars sitting atop concrete blocks. It
wasn’t a part of the city she knew well. She kept on driving and continued
wiping at her nose until the leather seat on the other side of the console filled
with bloody tissues.
Rayne kept her speed down and her eyes
on the residential road as she reached for another tissue, only to feel the box
was empty. She pinched her nose with her finger and thumb, and was nearly
gasping for breath as she glanced over to see if there was a used one that
wasn’t too saturated. When she looked back up, her breath hitched as an image
jumped in front of the car.
Slamming on the breaks flung the used
tissues, the empty box, and her purse from the passenger seat onto the
floorboard. Her heart beating wildly, Rayne stared at the large ghost before
her as its glittering essence mingling with the heat vapors radiating from the
hood of her car. Panic turned to anger and finally to despair as she recognized
the pesky ghost who made a habit of harassing her.
About JC:
JC
Wardon is the author of the Mystic Waters Books, published through Turquoise
Morning Press. As a lover of the paranormal romance, the psychological
thriller, and the suspense of dangerous plots, all woven into one, JC creates
stories that will curl your toes, and make your heart pound.
Her
Cavanaugh Sisters Trilogy kicks off a thirteen-book series rollercoaster ride
that will leave you captivated. Whether you’re titillated, tantalized,
breathlessly horrified, or shocked to the core, JC’s books always conclude with
a sneak peek into the next breathtaking trip.
As
of this writing, seven of the thirteen Cavanaugh Series Books are in
publication, with the remainder to come out over the next year. Though the
trilogy: Mystic Thunder, Touch of
Lightning, and Tempest’s Embrace novels
must be read in order and in their entirety, to solve the two major quests the
characters are burdened with, as well as set up the complicated foundation for
the future Cavanaugh series novels, the remaining books can stand alone. However, each subsequent book’s
characters build from the ones that came before. (They are a family, after
all!)
Due
to the time constraints of meeting publication deadlines, JC does not currently
have a blog, but you can check out all her current and upcoming releases at: http://jcwardon.com
where you are free to comment on your reading experience, or even ask
questions.
or
tweet her at: @jc_wardon
or
drop by her FaceBook Author page (and feel free to “Like”): https://www.facebook.com/JCWardonNovelist
REVIEWS:
“I would say that J.C. Wardon is a shining new star in
the paranormal genre.” Debra Taylor, The Romance Reviews
“Wardon has crafted a page-turner with the first of the
Cavanaugh Sisters Trilogy.” Karen Sweeny-Justice, RT Book Reviews
Giveaway Time:
Enter to Win $25 Amazon Gift card and 7 Print Books. Click this link to enter.
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