Who Influences Your Book Choice?

Have a think about the last book you read, or the book you're reading now. Of the bazillion books in circulation, what made you pick that particular one?

I used to buy most of my books from stores like Waterstones or Borders. The ones I picked were displayed prominently on the shelf and (some) had glossy posters, or offers attached to them. I thought they had to be good because a big publisher was behind them, and I didn't even think about searching for other titles.

I first realised the error of my ways when I bought a novel written by a celebrity last year.  It had a lovely red glossy cover, and was placed in prime position...

That book was a real wake-up call; it made me realise that a fantastic cover and a big marketing budget doesn't necessarily equal a great book, (I won't go into detail, but at the time of writing this book has 58 reviews on Amazon.co.uk, and over half of them are the dreaded 1 star.)

What I didn't appreciate was that all the other books lurking in dark corners with absolutely no promotion attached could be equally as good, if not better, than the heavily promoted ones. (And definitely better than the aforementioned book.)

Now I've got my Kindle, I've taken advantage of downloading free samples from any book I fancy, so I can 'try before I buy.'  Also, I've joined Goodreads and Shelfari - online book clubs where I can visit my genre of choice and consider reviews/ratings of like-minded people before I make my decision. (Don't get me wrong, some of the 'great' books are still produced via the 'big six' publishers, but then others are indie-published, and the quality has been just as good.) 

I'm so pleased the publishing world is changing, it means more books become visible, and with all the digital platforms available, if we're still not sure, we can download the sample before we commit to buying that book.

I'm not saying traditionally published books are bad, or that all indie published books are good - I'm just saying don't judge a book by it's... publisher!

Magic Eye

Do you remember the magic eye pictures?  They were sooo popular back when, the 90's?

In my book, when Gracie tries to tune into the voices in her head, I mention that it's like trying to view one of those magic eye pictures; the first time you try to do it you struggle, but once you know what you're doing, you wonder why you ever had a problem.

Are you any good at magic eyes?  Here's a test for you:-


Can you see it?

Just Had to Share...

Hi y'all

Hope everyone is happy. I have sunshine inside and out today :o)  The inside sunshine is coming from my latest review on Amazon UK - just had to share!!

Couldn't Put it Down! It has been a long time since I got so into a book that I had forgotten how it feels- I was going to bed an hour earlier to read it! Only problem now is that I've finished it and can't wait for the next one. The characters are so well written you feel as though you know. The plot is really interesting and like nothing I've read before. A great read-just be prepared to clear your social calendar because you wont be able to put it down!

Awesome!

Daily Cheap Reads

Why is it that when you don't have to set the alarm clock, you wake up even earlier than usual?  Yesterday morning my eldest woke me up at 4am to tell me he'd lost a tooth, and this morning at 4.45am hubbie made a strangulated noise in his sleep, and I had to check he hadn't expired! 


After a quick trip to powder my nose, (not sure if that has a different meaning these days...?) I knew I was past snoozing, so I decided to check emails. And I was very excited to see one from the lovely folk at dailycheapreads.co.uk telling me they would be featuring my book at 8am (GMT) this morning. Now that's worth getting up for!


Am going to make myself a large latte and then hover over the pc, anticipating the thrill of seeing my book featured on someone else's website. Happy days... 


Hopefully I'll be sleeping in until at least 7am tomorrow morning!

Guest Post by Lexi Revellian

Since I've been spreading the word about my book, several friends have told me they also intend to write a book one day, but for one reason or another, can't get started. I'm lucky enough to have Lexi Revellian guest post today. As Lexi is having great success on Amazon, I thought I'd ask what works for her.

Lexi, what inspired you to write a book?

I’ve always read a great deal, but never thought I’d be able to write – my favourite authors set the bar too high. And after all, it’s insanely hubristic to believe thousands of people will be entertained by the contents of your mind, which is what a novelist has to believe. So I’d never have written, but my daughter suggested we write a fantasy together; I found it totally addictive and couldn’t stop.

What is your writing process?

Ideas are like dreams, they slip away unless you commit them to paper. I always have a pen and paper in my handbag and beside the bed. The bath, too, once I really get on a roll, to write down damp snatches of dialogue or plot points as they arrive.

I write thousands of words of notes before I start a novel, but don’t plan chapter by chapter. The beginning, the end and the main characters is enough. I write when I can, and aim for 500 words a day. I don’t obsess about word count.

Any tips for ‘would be’ authors?

Join a critique site once you’ve written a book – probably not before, as you don’t want to be daunted by too much advice about the ‘right’ way to write. Remember, your first draft will need a lot of work, even if like me you polish each chapter as you go. Beta readers are hugely helpful; you will recognize what advice to take and what to ignore.

Did you ever consider getting published the traditional way?

Yes. I allowed myself a year to try to get an agent with Remix, as I knew it was good. Some agents liked it, but didn’t take it on for one reason or another. Mainstream publishing isn’t necessarily the Holy Grail. Unless your book is perceived as a hot property and you get a big advance, it will linger spine out on the shelves, while customers pick up the heavily promoted books on the tables at the front of the shop. After several months, new books will take its place, but the publisher will retain all rights, including ebook rights.

Success so far?

I’ve had total ebook sales of over 38,000 in under a year, and probably made more money than the advance I’d have been offered as a new author. I’ve signed a book deal with Könyvmolyképző Kiadó, who will bring out a Hungarian translation of Remix, hardback, paperback and ebook, in 2012. As yet neither of my books has been made into a film…

Occasionally, readers who have enjoyed the books email me, and this always makes my day. I know most of the people who read them will buy my next. I just have to write it.

Lexi Revellian

Human Nature

It's Wednesday, and I'm having a good day.  Initial reaction to Soul Protector has been far better than I dared to hope.  It gives me such a buzz knowing people are reading it - but telling me they 'couldn't put it down,' 'had to go to bed early so they could carry on reading,' 'it's bloody brilliant,' and 'never read a book so quick before,' are all helping me believe I did okay.

I know Soul Protector won't be everyone's cup of tea - no book ever is - but knowing some people are enjoying it is fantastic.  Once you make a book available, you open yourself up to be judged, and it's more scary than I thought.

If, (and I'm pretty sure it will happen), I get a nasty review, I will make myself look back at these comments, instead of cowering in the corner with my head in my hands.

But, even if I get ninety-nine good reviews, and one bad one, which one do you think will stick in my head?  Human nature, aargh!

Death of the traditional book...?

There's much debate across the net right now, on whether traditional books have had their day.  It can't be denied that readers are stampeding towards Kindles, Nooks and Sony E-readers, (myself included). And if you look on Amazon, you will see that the Kindle has been their bestselling item for two years running. It's the most-wished-for, most-gifted, and has the most 5-star reviews of any product on Amazon.  Can't really argue with that.


Also, when the American Association of Publishers released their latest sales figures, it was plain to see people are heading away from traditional print in their droves, and heading towards the digital platforms instead.


We've all seen what happened to Borders - I hate to think of the little independent book stores going the same way.  So... does this mean the end for 'proper' books?

I don't think so.  As much as I love my Kindle, (sorry to keep going on about it, but I do), I love the feel of a book as well.  I love seeing a good cover, cracking open the spine, and smelling all the lovely pages.  I love seeing how long until the next chapter, and how far until the end.  And when I've finished reading, I like seeing the books I've read all lined up together.


I think I'll buy the majority of my books in Kindle format from now on, but I'll still treat myself to the odd traditional one every now and again, for nostalgia's sake...

Kindle Version of Soul Protector Ready...

Well, that's it, Soul Protector is available on Kindle!  Feel a bit nervous having my baby out there, all on it's own, hoping people will buy it.  On the one hand, I want it to sell well, but on the other, I'm holding my breath waiting for reviews.  Because I have seen some AWFUL reviews of good books, and some AMAZING reviews of awful books.  Obviously it's all down to the reviewer's opinion, but I just hope I'm thick-skinned enough to take it...

Have sent format and cover approval to YouWriteOn, so just waiting for my copy in the post for final approval, and then the paperback version will be available to order online and in bookshops.

Exciting stuff...!

Kindle for PC

As much as I love my Kindle - did you know you can download Kindle for PC (from Amazon)?  It's free, and only takes a couple of minutes.  Obviously you have to read off a computer screen, which is nowhere near as good as the proper Kindle screen, but you can road test books before you buy.  Most of them have at least the first chapter available as a free sample.  I've downloaded loads, but only buy the ones that have me hooked.

Kindle Love

Just thought I should mention... I love my Kindle!  

I have to admit, I was one of the many doubters, because  'I love the feel of a book', 'I hate reading off screens' etc, etc.  BUT, I hadn't held a Kindle then...  I didn't realise that the screen looked like paper, that I'd be able to read it in the sun, AND that I could download free samples before I chose whether to buy.  Totally converted!!

Rant...

So annoyed... I write articles, mainly on weight loss, and then sell them via a Canadian website, like you do...

Anyway, got an email yesterday to say that another article had sold (woo hoo), and then this morning I got an email to say, no, it was fraudulent activity (again), and unfortunately they couldn't recover my article, so now it can't be considered 'original' and therefore only worth half-price!!

Hmmmmph!

Rant over, happy again....

Big Learning Curve...

So, the book is done.  Well, I say done, but every time I look at it I end up tweaking something.  I read once that a writer never finishes his book, he only abandons it.  So true!  The trick is knowing when to abandon it.  Over-tweaking can completely ruin it, but under-tweak and you might end up with an inferior product.  I am definitely in danger of over-tweaking.  For this reason, I have drawn a virtual line under it.  It's finished.

So now the formatting starts... I've already submitted it to You Write On for (self) publishing.  That process will take up to 7 weeks.  And I've just started the process of formatting for Kindle.  So frustrating!  It's now in HTML format as requested, but trying to change codes to put errant lines in the right place is not easy...!  The good thing is, once it is formatted, it will be available within 24 hours.  So excited...!