Writing Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 4 "Local Meet the Author Fair"Help with writing, mine and yours.
45 total reviews
Comment from estory
Great advice for all of us would be published authors. I appreciate the detail in going through the editing, the publishing, and the marketing aspects of it. The thing that scares me most is getting scammed. You get emails all the time from these publishers claiming they are interested in your book and want you to sign a contract paying them $5,000. estory
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Great advice for all of us would be published authors. I appreciate the detail in going through the editing, the publishing, and the marketing aspects of it. The thing that scares me most is getting scammed. You get emails all the time from these publishers claiming they are interested in your book and want you to sign a contract paying them $5,000. estory
Comment Written 18-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for your wonderful support. It is scary. I wouldn't go with anybody who contacts me or who is pushing me toward something.
Comment from Lisasview
Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Yes, I completely agree, one needs to have their work edited by someone that actually knows what they are doing.
I find that many people do not want any help with their writing, which I find so strange.
Recently I helped someone with her story (it was confusing) and she fixed it and won first place.
Just now I found several errors (punctuation, etc.) in another persons writing and let him know... We will see what he thinks.
His story was good but the ending was not clear....
I have a mentor that edits my work which I so appreciate.
Thank you again
Lisa
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Yes, I completely agree, one needs to have their work edited by someone that actually knows what they are doing.
I find that many people do not want any help with their writing, which I find so strange.
Recently I helped someone with her story (it was confusing) and she fixed it and won first place.
Just now I found several errors (punctuation, etc.) in another persons writing and let him know... We will see what he thinks.
His story was good but the ending was not clear....
I have a mentor that edits my work which I so appreciate.
Thank you again
Lisa
Comment Written 18-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support. This really doesn't have an ending because it's simply facts to help people. I can promise my novels do have a clear ending. LOL I have found people who don't want suggestions with their writing and have told me so. I simply don't do it again. It's their loss if they don't want to learn what I've learned from my editors.
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YES, it is their loss... I have been editing other peoples works for years. Grew up with a father that was a motion picture director, producer and writer... so I was always involved in writing.. Did you read my Romance story about my parents... I do think you will like it.
Lisa
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I don't think so. I need to correct that.
Comment from CD Richards
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and congratulations on your success so far. If you are managing to sell your books for $16.99, they must be of a pretty high standard.
I'm sure many of us will have learned something from your experiences with your publisher and editors. Well done, and continued future success!
Craig
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thanks for sharing your experiences, and congratulations on your success so far. If you are managing to sell your books for $16.99, they must be of a pretty high standard.
I'm sure many of us will have learned something from your experiences with your publisher and editors. Well done, and continued future success!
Craig
Comment Written 18-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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My purpose for sharing this is to help others. Thank you for the wonderful support.
Comment from Sankey
This was an interesting rundown of all your efforts in getting published. It frightens me a bit as I am still unpublished for five books I have done or are in the process of doing. One small spag. I can't think of any other questions people ha(ve)[s] asked.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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This was an interesting rundown of all your efforts in getting published. It frightens me a bit as I am still unpublished for five books I have done or are in the process of doing. One small spag. I can't think of any other questions people ha(ve)[s] asked.
Comment Written 18-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. Thank you for the catch. I made the correction.
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Barbara,
Congratulations on being invited to the library for a reading. I've never done a reading, and frankly, I don't want to do one. I've done three book signings, and sold a few books at each one and of course gotten exposure. When I wrote my first book, I went to two newspapers in Juneau and they did a write up for the book and got me my first signing. I like talking to people, but the whole event overall makes me nervous.
Have you done any stories about Harley? We had a dachshund named Rigby, but he passed away a few years ago. I loved him dearly, but I'll never have another, the loss was more than I could face again. Good luck gal, though I doubt you'll need it.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Hello Barbara,
Congratulations on being invited to the library for a reading. I've never done a reading, and frankly, I don't want to do one. I've done three book signings, and sold a few books at each one and of course gotten exposure. When I wrote my first book, I went to two newspapers in Juneau and they did a write up for the book and got me my first signing. I like talking to people, but the whole event overall makes me nervous.
Have you done any stories about Harley? We had a dachshund named Rigby, but he passed away a few years ago. I loved him dearly, but I'll never have another, the loss was more than I could face again. Good luck gal, though I doubt you'll need it.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom
Comment Written 18-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. In Gateway to Deception there is a Harley, but named Arlo. Yes, He's a stinker too. LOL I did a poem that's in my portfolio about Harley a while ago.
Comment from davisr (Rhonda)
Hi Barbara!
I'm so glad you've had a chance to do the fun author things as well as the creative writing, and tedious reviewing and editing. Book talks are lots of fun, but exhausting. Being retired is much easier than working in between teaching (where I'm back to now). I'm glad you're able to do it.
I've already received my copy of your book, and the price is actually lower that normal. Most are around $20 and yours is a big book, so don't worry about the cost.
My mother-in-law, Mildred, has already snatched it up and is bout 1/4 of the way through. I won't let her tell me about it because its one I don't think I reviewed on here. It's my next book in line to read, so I'll let you know when I'm finished. I'm very excited. You've worked very hard and have a lot to be proud of.
Hugs,
Rhonda
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Hi Barbara!
I'm so glad you've had a chance to do the fun author things as well as the creative writing, and tedious reviewing and editing. Book talks are lots of fun, but exhausting. Being retired is much easier than working in between teaching (where I'm back to now). I'm glad you're able to do it.
I've already received my copy of your book, and the price is actually lower that normal. Most are around $20 and yours is a big book, so don't worry about the cost.
My mother-in-law, Mildred, has already snatched it up and is bout 1/4 of the way through. I won't let her tell me about it because its one I don't think I reviewed on here. It's my next book in line to read, so I'll let you know when I'm finished. I'm very excited. You've worked very hard and have a lot to be proud of.
Hugs,
Rhonda
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. Thank you. I do hope your mother-in-law likes it.
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She does, but is going to have to give it up, now. I'm just about finished with Piper.
Comment from Wendy G
Congratulations on getting so far with all your books. The Meet the Author Fair sounds like a great opportunity to promote and sell your work. It's good to see inside the world of publishing and I have vine yo the conclusion that despite the writer putting in 90 percent of the work they get very little out of it. The publishers play on the writers' yearning to see hard copy books. I am going to try KDP I think. But as I am not great with technology I am not sure how I'll go.
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for your ongoing success.
Wendy
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Congratulations on getting so far with all your books. The Meet the Author Fair sounds like a great opportunity to promote and sell your work. It's good to see inside the world of publishing and I have vine yo the conclusion that despite the writer putting in 90 percent of the work they get very little out of it. The publishers play on the writers' yearning to see hard copy books. I am going to try KDP I think. But as I am not great with technology I am not sure how I'll go.
Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for your ongoing success.
Wendy
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. I'm not at all good with technology either. Hence the reason I put with publishers. LOL Also, I've discovered promotion is the key. Even if it's out there, if it's not promoted nobody knows it's there to buy it.
Comment from judiverse
Great news about you doing another Meet the Author event. It think it's wonderful that libraries give people the opportunity to meet local writers. Our library also has similar programs. Be like Jeanne Dams, the author I wrote about recently, and wear a big, colorful hat. That'll get you attention. I was appalled by the mention of how little you get out of each of your books that's sold. The author certainly deserves much more. I know others involved do their share of work, too, but it's ultimately the author who makes the book a success. From a reader's standpoint, I like the e-books. I'd run out of space if I bought only hard copies of books. I use a lending system where I can borrow certain titles. I can borrow up to ten for free, and if I want to get another one, I have to return one that I've borrowed. I'm glad Gateway to Deception is off to a good start. You're sure to get more sales after the Meet the Author event. Best of luck. judi
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Great news about you doing another Meet the Author event. It think it's wonderful that libraries give people the opportunity to meet local writers. Our library also has similar programs. Be like Jeanne Dams, the author I wrote about recently, and wear a big, colorful hat. That'll get you attention. I was appalled by the mention of how little you get out of each of your books that's sold. The author certainly deserves much more. I know others involved do their share of work, too, but it's ultimately the author who makes the book a success. From a reader's standpoint, I like the e-books. I'd run out of space if I bought only hard copies of books. I use a lending system where I can borrow certain titles. I can borrow up to ten for free, and if I want to get another one, I have to return one that I've borrowed. I'm glad Gateway to Deception is off to a good start. You're sure to get more sales after the Meet the Author event. Best of luck. judi
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support.
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You're very welcome. I hope Saturday will be a great day for you. judi
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I'm excited, but really nervous.
Comment from Jay Squires
I'm so happy for you that you received the invitation. I trust you will provide the link for the Facebook interview when it's available. I have questions about a couple of items:
My books run about 90,00 words. [Barbara, this still isn't right. On an earlier edition of this post you said your books run about 900 words. The only thing I can think you mean is 90,000 words, but that doesn't sound right either. Not for a romance.
I can't think of any other questions people has asked. [ ... people HAVE asked.]
Good luck with the Author Fair!
Jay
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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I'm so happy for you that you received the invitation. I trust you will provide the link for the Facebook interview when it's available. I have questions about a couple of items:
My books run about 90,00 words. [Barbara, this still isn't right. On an earlier edition of this post you said your books run about 900 words. The only thing I can think you mean is 90,000 words, but that doesn't sound right either. Not for a romance.
I can't think of any other questions people has asked. [ ... people HAVE asked.]
Good luck with the Author Fair!
Jay
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. I checked the word count, it's actually 87,144. I rounded up. I made the correction.
Comment from BethShelby
I think this is wonderful that you're getting you are getting your books out there. And going to great links to make sure they are perfect. You are an excellent writer. I alway enjoy your stores. It does seem you should be getting more for the books you've published. I'm afraid I went the cheap route when I put a book on Amazon. It didn't cost anything and it did really well the first month, but unless it promote sales slow down.
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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I think this is wonderful that you're getting you are getting your books out there. And going to great links to make sure they are perfect. You are an excellent writer. I alway enjoy your stores. It does seem you should be getting more for the books you've published. I'm afraid I went the cheap route when I put a book on Amazon. It didn't cost anything and it did really well the first month, but unless it promote sales slow down.
Comment Written 17-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 18-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the wonderful support. Promotion is key. People have to know the book is out there. There's where a publisher comes in handy.