Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage.
Category: Odd Observation
Woo-hoo! Here I Am!
Lately, I’ve been thinking about that episode in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) where a girl has been ignored by everyone especially her classmates to the point she disappeared. That’s how I feel recently. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve waved my hand (almost figuratively) and been looked over.
As a writer, I do lots of positive things for attention, hoping that people will remember my name and maybe, just maybe, buy my books. I won’t go into details because it’s really so silly.
Okay. Pity party over. (No need to slap me.)
Writing A Real Book
The other day people were commenting (loop or Facebook) of how people they know and some strangers would come up to them and ask when they plan to write a real book. Or ask, why do they write filth?
Really? 0~o Huh?
My books are real and have three-dimensional characters. Besides, why is good sex filthy? Well, if you do it in a mud puddle because you couldn’t wait to get somewhere more convenient, you would end up dirty. Good for you!
I’ve never had anyone to ask me those questions. Truthfully, I’m not a scary person but I’m known for being blunt. But even I respect people’s choices in what they write or the job they hold. There are times I’m speechless when people are rude.
If a person had the guts to ask me, I believe I would laugh in their face.
Really.
Here Let Me Help You
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a review (not mine) and become frustrated when an angry reviewer gives a novella one star because “It was too short.” You’re reading and that’s important. Obviously, you want to learn. So be sure to watch for certain words before you click on that FREE, $0.99 or $1.99 specials.
Short Story: That means exactly what it says. It’s a story that’s short. Probably around 50 pages or less.
Novella: Dictionary.com tells us, “A fictional prose narrative that is longer and more complex than a short story; a short novel.” I would say anything 51 pages to around 200 pages.
Part 1 (or 2 or 3, etc.): That book will be short. Can’t guess at the size as it varies and is up to the author (or publisher) of how many pages they want to make each part. But it’s like watching a 30 minute TV series that continues next week. You will only get PART of the story.
Okay, this is what you need to look at closely if you’re not sure.
For example, on Amazon they now tell you how many pages under Product Details. No guessing.
At Barnes and Noble, they don’t give you the number but if you see a File Size of around 126 KB under Product Details, chances are it’s short. If you’re still unsure, look at the reviews. Yes. People will complain about the length. Thus why I’m writing this post.
I checked Kobo and they don’t show pages or file size, but let’s use some common sense. Chances are if it is $0.99 and has the word(s) Novella, Short Story or Part 1, it will not be a full novel.
Now I’m not saying all $1.99 or lower price books are short stories. My books have been $1.99 and $0.99 before and they are full pledged novels, and I’ve grabbed up some great books for those prices myself. You just need to stop and read a little bit if this sort of thing pisses you off.
Authors love happy readers.
Worth Repeating
A few months ago, I mentioned on Facebook five ways to say thank you to the authors that write the books you love. I thought it worth repeating here.
5) Purchase the book new from a reputable bookseller.
4) Be sure to hit LIKE and rate it wherever it’s sold on line (see #5).
3) Sign up for the author’s newsletter (if she has one). Publishers love knowing the author has fans interested enough in her early/special announcements.
2) Become a fan: Follow, tweet, and LIKE and comment occasionally. (Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and her blog.) We love hearing from you.
1) TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN ABOUT THE BOOK(S)!
Then we can thank you in return by writing MORE BOOKS!
Carla Swafford, Author 