Comment from Rosemary Everson1

Excellent

So enjoyed your story. Glad that you made the debut of your book finally on Amazon. I will have to see what it reads inside the first few pages. Best of luck to you!

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

I want to apologize over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering in the freebie. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. As far as I can see, the content hasn't been affected.
Jay

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Okay, for me coming up with a title is harder than writing the entire novel. I have often deferred to my editors. LOL I clicked on the URL and my virus scanner went crazy. So I copied and pasted it and came up with a page of different instructions on how to use it. HELP

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

I'm sorry, Barbara. I was amazed that FS allowed for a working link. It worked for me and took me to Amazon. You may just have to go in the back door and look for it under Jay Squires in books, or by the title, "The Uneven Zen of Time". I want to apologize in advance for the quality of what you'll get. I have to redo it ... as you will clearly see. It's just the way Amazon did the Chapter numbers.

Thank you for persisting. That's what friends do!
Jay

reply by barbara.wilkey on 20-Apr-2023

I do understand. That's why I pay a publisher to do it for me.

Comment from Annmuma

Excellent

I ordered my paperback copy to be delivered Saturday! Looking forward to reading every word. I enjoyed the trip down 'angst' lane as you chose your title, your cover, all of the nerve wracking details of publishing. ann

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Ann. I got my freebie today and I was stunned by its sloppiness. It wasn't that way on the "previewer". I was embarrassed enough knowing my FS friends will be getting a sloppy book (It's only the chapter headings ... and I will correct it. But you went to the expense of paperback crap! I'm sorry. Thanks so much for the kindness of what you did. I hope you return it, read the freebie story on your phone or Kindle, and when I make the correction ... I will post an announcement and if you wish to you can buy a new, more professional copy. You are such a Dear for your gesture. I won't forget that!
Jay

reply by Annmuma on 20-Apr-2023

We'll see what comes in the mail on Saturday. Maybe I can use it as a 'pre-ad' to my friends for a glimpse of what is to come, i.e. a complete book, from my Fanstory friend Jay!

reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Here's what I want to do. As soon as I make the corrections (with chapter numbers I, II, III, IV, V instead of One, Two, etc.) I will order your and Karenina's paperback, autograph it and mail it off to you. Thats what I want to do. But please send Saturday's copy back?

reply by Annmuma on 20-Apr-2023

I want that autographed copy!!!! Thank you so much. We'll take a look at Sat. copy. ann

reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

I would LOVE to do that for you, Ann. I'm starting to get paranoid about Amazon. Could they actually have it in for me? Are they trying to get me so frustrated that I will give up publishing there entirely? LOL ( I say, but I'm beginning to wonder)!
Jay

Comment from Soledadpaz

Exceptional

You are right. Titles are extremely important. They say: Buy me. Or worse: Keep walking. Cover color and font also matter greatly and yours is definitely an eye-catcher. As a quilter, I well know the measure twice, cut once mantra. And as a writer, it's even more pertinent to look over your material (pun not intended) before sending it out into the world. I love Alice Munro. When I grow up, I'm going to write a short story.

Sol

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Sol, thank you. I hope that means you also got your freebie. I want to apologize over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. I'm so embarrassed!
Jay
Thank you so much Sol, for your kind words and the six lovely stars!

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Jay, I loved your post, and I will definitely read the free story. I'm listening to Liza singing about what is my favourite city on earth. I know it so very well.
Also, I did see that film back in the sixties. I actually remember it very well. Now, onto reading my free copy. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Thank you, Ulla. I want to apologize over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. As far as I can see, the content hasn't been affected.

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

Sorry for no six. I gave a friend of mine, JS, two of my last coveted sixes. Good thing because he offered me so much great advice and a sweet deal on his new book.

Love, love the book cover because it's so you and not announced without colorful commentary. That being said, the book cover is stupendous!! Even me ol' blind eyes can see the sunflower yellow. I can't wait.

Congratulations, too, and thank you so much for the free book!! I am blessed!
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxo's

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

You are so sweet, Sally!! Thank you for your always kind words. Now about the book, I want to apologize over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. As far as I can see, the content hasn't been affected. Again, thank you so much for being YOU!
Jay

Comment from Terry Broxson

Excellent

Jay, you have received all the six-star ratings you are going to get from me this week! Besides, I don't have any more. Now, before I take you to the woodshed, this accounting of the search for a title was fun and wonderfully written.

Now to the woodshed, are you not the one who literally beat me over the head to buy...The William Saroyan Reader and from Amazon for my Kindle, no less, and you did not mention that wonderful book (you were right) in your list of collected stories! What a faux pas.

One more turn around the woodshed, Liza only borrowed that song...The Chairman of the Board owned it...Okay, go back to selling. Terry.

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Hahaha. You are too funny, Man. By now you've probably read your personal message I left. I am so damned embarrassed, Terry. I got all the kind words from reviewers who didn't admit to smelling the elephant in the room!

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

Well, Jay, you believe in yourself and your writing ability and that is always a good thing. And the title of your book is quite ingenious as titles go so I will look up this novella when I have the time to read the greatest short stories you have ever written. This is interesting and entertaining to read and I hope for your sake that you sell a lot of books!
Thanks for this inspirational piece!
Jesse

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

"when I have the time to read the greatest short stories you have ever written." Does that mean you also got the collection? That wasn't my intention, but if you got it anyway, I am very, very grateful! Thank you.

reply by Jesse James Doty on 20-Apr-2023

I will look up the book when I have time to read it, I said. But this also means I intend to read it as well. Thanks for the gratitude!
Jesse

reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

Thank you, Jesse. You are one of a kind!
Jay

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

I will check it out Friday night. You crack me up. I could see Liza holding a mock up of your book in a black sequined dress belting out that song and holding it out. I need to start promoting Miranda. This is the part I absolutely hate. In my next life I'm taking marketing classes. Lol. Good luck, Jay. Gretchen

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

You are so funny, Gretchen! Now that would be MARKETING! LOL. I want to apologize in advance over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. As far as I can see, the content hasn't been affected.
Jay

Comment from John Ciarmello

Excellent

I love the title and the cover, Jay!
This was super informative. I guess the bottom line is to take your time.
Titles are the most crucial grabber since it's the first words of your book or story that people see. I'm guilty of not spending enough time on, as you say, "That glowing common theme." After reading this, I will pay better attention to that. Great stuff!

 Comment Written 20-Apr-2023

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reply by the author on 20-Apr-2023

But you DID get your freebie, didn't you. I want to apologize, in advance, over the sloppiness of the chapter numbering. I'll have that corrected later, but I can't do it while the window is open for the freebie. As far as I can see, the content hasn't been affected. I want you to read the story, though. It's one of the best things I've done.