Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Smashwords: Barnes & Noble Opens U.K. Ebook Store Supported by...
Smashwords: Barnes & Noble Opens U.K. Ebook Store Supported by...: Barnes and Noble launched their U.K. ebook store ( www.nook.co.uk ) yesterday, bringing with them over 114,000 Smashwords titles. B&N's m...
Monday, October 15, 2012
Smashwords Author Brian S. Pratt to Earn over $100,000
"His writing style is completely his own, and any New York editor would surely bristle at the rules Brian breaks. His most popular series, The Morcyth Saga, is written in the present tense (though he changed to past tense for subsequent series). It's no wonder that after years trying to land an agent and a publisher, he faced unanimous rejection from publishing experts."
This article gives me such hope.
By the way MC stands for Mark Coker the CEO of Smashwords. The biggest of all indie support system.
"[BSP] Training??? Not a bit. All I started with was the drive to write a story and everything else followed. I ended up writing a seven book series in Present Tense, rife with errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Most of the errors have been fixed in subsequent editions. My word usage was not what one would find in the traditionally produced books, some said it was too simple. I don't know about that, but at least you don't need a dictionary at hand when you read my books. Some have liked it, others less so. My books feel different than others for that reason.
[MC] Tell us about some of the first customer reviews you received, and how you reacted?
[BSP] Reviews, yes there have been some dillies. Here's the first one-star I ever received. It was at Amazon.com less than a month after I first published The Unsuspecting Mage.
1.0 out of 5 stars - January 15, 2006
Present tense is an amateurish way to write.....,
.....and this book reads like it was written for a high school English class. Worst book I've read in a long time. I like lots of books, especially ones written by Robin Hobb, George Martin, and Stephen Donaldson to name but three. These books were well written. This one was not. Just wondering - how many of you are still in high school yourselves?
The last line was directed at the other reviewers who said they liked my book.
Needless to say, this devastated me and I stopped writing for a few weeks. Of course, I've had much worse ones since. But then, my books kept selling. And I always told myself that as long as my books keep selling, even if it is marginally, then it would be worth it to continue. I've come to realize that there will always be those that do not like my books, and so what? They simply are not in my target audience. And my target audience is me. I write what I would like to read. And it looks like there are many "me's" out there for I've sold lots of books. If you want to see what may be in your future, check out The Unsuspecting Mage at Amazon."
Smashwords: Smashwords Author Brian S. Pratt to Earn over $100...: At first glance, Brian S. Pratt of Boswell, Oklahoma doesn't fit the stereotypical profile of a best-selling author. Yet he, and others Sma...
This article gives me such hope.
By the way MC stands for Mark Coker the CEO of Smashwords. The biggest of all indie support system.
"[BSP] Training??? Not a bit. All I started with was the drive to write a story and everything else followed. I ended up writing a seven book series in Present Tense, rife with errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Most of the errors have been fixed in subsequent editions. My word usage was not what one would find in the traditionally produced books, some said it was too simple. I don't know about that, but at least you don't need a dictionary at hand when you read my books. Some have liked it, others less so. My books feel different than others for that reason.
[MC] Tell us about some of the first customer reviews you received, and how you reacted?
[BSP] Reviews, yes there have been some dillies. Here's the first one-star I ever received. It was at Amazon.com less than a month after I first published The Unsuspecting Mage.
1.0 out of 5 stars - January 15, 2006
Present tense is an amateurish way to write.....,
.....and this book reads like it was written for a high school English class. Worst book I've read in a long time. I like lots of books, especially ones written by Robin Hobb, George Martin, and Stephen Donaldson to name but three. These books were well written. This one was not. Just wondering - how many of you are still in high school yourselves?
The last line was directed at the other reviewers who said they liked my book.
Needless to say, this devastated me and I stopped writing for a few weeks. Of course, I've had much worse ones since. But then, my books kept selling. And I always told myself that as long as my books keep selling, even if it is marginally, then it would be worth it to continue. I've come to realize that there will always be those that do not like my books, and so what? They simply are not in my target audience. And my target audience is me. I write what I would like to read. And it looks like there are many "me's" out there for I've sold lots of books. If you want to see what may be in your future, check out The Unsuspecting Mage at Amazon."
Smashwords: Smashwords Author Brian S. Pratt to Earn over $100...: At first glance, Brian S. Pratt of Boswell, Oklahoma doesn't fit the stereotypical profile of a best-selling author. Yet he, and others Sma...
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
kboards: Confessions of a Wingnut: we profile author R.J. P...
kboards: Confessions of a Wingnut: we profile author R.J. P...: We're pleased to introduce you today to R.J. Palmer, author of Birthright and Sins of the Father, in this latest edition of our Author Pr...
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
My Editor Harry, the real Iron Man
Harry's words "It was pretty amazing. About 11 miles, 25 obstacles. It's designed by British special forces. I totally recommend it. As for training, I'd say cardio & basic weight training. It's impossible to target every muscle used, so focus on major muscle groups: back, chest, legs, arms. Compound movements will work the smaller muscles too. Honestly, it's psychologically much more challenging than it is physically."
Ever heard of the Tough Mudder?
Well my editor just participated in it. Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $3 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.
In other words, my brave and fearless editor braved a 10+ mile obstacle course designed by British special forces.
He went in with a smile and came out with one. Is it any wonder why I salute him? Then again I shouldn't be surprised the man after all does participate in the Roller Derby.
But man am I proud of him! I never could have done this.
Way to go Harry!
Ever heard of the Tough Mudder?
Well my editor just participated in it. Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $3 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.
In other words, my brave and fearless editor braved a 10+ mile obstacle course designed by British special forces.
He went in with a smile and came out with one. Is it any wonder why I salute him? Then again I shouldn't be surprised the man after all does participate in the Roller Derby.
But man am I proud of him! I never could have done this.
Way to go Harry!
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