The Cole Cut VIII: It Began with a “Bang”

Author William Butler

In my very early author/blogger days, I got discouraged from seeking out potential reviewers, and getting some rejections.  One reviewer seemed interested, but didn’t post a review on the free book I sent because Edward Cullen wasn’t Shevata’s love interest.  While I do appreciate the honesty of reviewers being up front with me about their book preferences, I had one of many low days.

Since I already had a kindle (got before they got cheap, as I’ve written before), I did a quick scan on Twitter.  I decided to become a book reviewer.  What does it mean to be a reviewer?  Well, to state the obvious, one reads books.  As a non-editor, I go for content.  So there I was, tweeting away about my book, and never offered to read anyone else’s?  Not one of my better moments. 

A title caught my attention on Twitter by a guy wearing sunglasses reminding me of Joe Cool (that’s a compliment).  The title was “Bang.”  I saw the synopsis, and decided to give the book a try. 

For those who haven’t read it, “Bang” it’s a well-written Noir fiction novel.  For those offended by this “very R-rated” story, I suspect they have had the fortune to have never known people like that.  But for me, yes, I’ve known people that abuse alcohol, drugs, commit adultery and come home after a hard days’ work for a hard night of inter-martial fighting.  (Adulthood is under-rated; I can avoid such these days).  So to me, it was brilliant at five stars.

The author William Butler saw my five star review and found me on Twitter, graciously thanking me, and asking, “who are you?”  I love pleasant surprises. 

Since then, William and I support each other’s work.  Are we “faking” our reviews?  Nope.  We’re two struggling writers.  As I mature on my writers’ journey, I’ll remember where it began:  Not necessarily with my own first book, but appreciation of others’ books as well. Any author I’ve reviewed since has William to thank.

The Cole Cut VII: Generosity and Visionaries

In this section of the “Cole Cut” I’d like to feature some talented, fascinating people that through their work, they reach out to help not only new authors, but also many people in need.  Their unwavering efforts will continue to reach out to those not as fortunate as us blogging away at our computers.

Kimberley Johnson

 

Author Kimberley Johnson, her mother Ann Werner, and Ralph Faust:  Their creation of “The Virgin Diaries” a sensible, tell-all book from confidential interviews about first-time sexual encounters is to reach out and help people deal with sensitive topics.  The follow up, “There Ain’t No Sunshine” reveals the under-appreciate heartbreak felt by men.  I’ve given them both five stars, and their upcoming book on body image I’m sure will not disappoint us.  Besides their work, I applaud their courage to make a stand for Indie writers.

Bernard Schaffer

 

Bernard Schaffer, author of “Whitechapel: The Final Stand of Sherlock Holmes” got five stars by me and is a must-read for fans-and non-fans of one of the greatest detectives in literary history.  He formed the “Kindle All Stars” whose proceeds go to missing and exploited children.  He also looks like a younger David Boreanz, but don’t tell him I said that.

Pandor Poikilos

 

Pandora Poikilos:  Accomplished writer who spends time in the blogosphere helping other authors get noticed in the vast cyber-space.  She’s brilliant, kind, and offers to help everyone.  She’s a forerunner for Orangeberry Books (amongst others), and sets us straight when it comes to blog touring.  For flunkies like me, I admire her straightforwardness and dedication. I’ve got two of her books and looking forward to reading them.

Paul Anthony

 

Paul Anthony:  The ace author of “Bushfire” given five stars by me reaches out to the Dyslexia Foundation.  He’s brilliant, generous, and I’ve got him working on a Mississippi accent.  It could be worse:  I could be working on a British accent.

 

Blog Tour de Troops:  As my first successful blog tour, I loved it and hope to participate again.  So what I gave away books?  Look what our Troops give for us.  No comparison. 

More to follow!  I’ve got a bunch because I’m blessed to virtually meet so many awesome people!

Notice Me!

As new authors, while we’re out promoting, interviewing tweeting, FB’ing, networking, we all have the same in common:  The desire to be noticed.

Publicity is an interesting concept; what seems simple is far from the truth.  Even “publicists” sometimes can’t get the publicity many authors are seeking (I write by my own experience).  Reviews are a good start, features and interviews also help, but what brings us out of the shadows of amazon and smashwords to be “known?”

Complex questions rarely lead to simple answers.  As a fan of “Occam’s Razor,” I’ve found it doesn’t apply to the publicity of new authors.  What are we to do?

I’ve found the least-expensive method is to follow the advice of our social networking experts and fellow authors.  Most of us know the importance of social networking as well as “promote your work, not just your work.”  As new authors, especially Indies, what we have to remember is that our books are purchased via the Internet (with some exceptions, depending on local bookstores).  We need to develop an internet presence.

An article recently about authors constantly networking with other authors made a valid point:  Authors are not always readers, and it’s readers that an author wants.  I still like to network with authors because I learn so much from them and I like reviewing their work.  But for new authors, we need readers.

For-money services are out there to attract readers, such as “Tweet-Adder.”  This strategy is to tap into the readership of other authors in your genre.  As a non-expert, I suggest checking this out and see if it’s a good fit for you.

Last, but not least, we have to write all the time.  One book every ten years may work for Jonathan Franzen, but not for us new Indies.  Readers have to see your work, and even for the “big shots” it takes more than one book often to get noticed. 

The experts don’t ever say that getting noticed is easy.  But persistence does pay off to some level.   As long as we new authors understand that, we can find our own way to get noticed without getting arrested in the process.

The Cole Cut VI: Great People for New Authors

I wanted to look back and thank some great promotional experts that helped me take my now-defunct site www.gastarseries.com, basically the plains of Pluto to the new www.shevata-cccole.blogspot.com into a blog reaching over 13K hits today.  I couldn’t have done it without these inspiring, amazing people.  Though they don’t work for free, they do offer inexpensive ways to get your work noticed and improving your blog.

Shelley Hitz

 

Shelley Hitz:  The pretty and smart self-publishing coach is every bit as nice over the telephone as she seems in her posts and emails.  She helped me improve the left side of my blog while at the same time doing what I wanted:  Featuring my work, using easy-to-use links without ads, and made a great effort at helping me organize, which is challenging at best.

 

The Blog Farm:  When I first joined this to have my blog syndicated, he emailed me offering to return my money because links and occasional videos do not make a blog.  Through his guidance, he helped with my graphics as well as advice.  

Aggie Villaneuva

 

Aggie Villaneuva:  I still can’t pronounce her last name.  She features “Promotion a la Carte,” an inexpensive alternative to more costly and less effective ads and marketing campaigns.  New authors, check this out to find out that promotion need not break your bank account and still be effective.  Also, Aggie’s great in every way; she’s pointed me in the direction of great blogs with entertainment and education.

The Cole Cut V: Who Freaked Me Out

As I continue to reflect back on 2011, I’d like to name some creative authors whose books I’ve reviewed that took me down the scary journey into the world of darkness and horror.  

 

Ania Ahlborn’s “Seed,” reviewed by me at five stars, made me jump out of my chair.  When I read part of it aloud to my husband he said, “If you keep reading that you won’t be able to sleep for a week.”  At five stars, Ania’s book threw me for a loop, and her book did understandably well regarding sales.  

 

Erik Gustafon’s “Fall Leaves and the Black Dragon” is a fascinating debut novel as the layers are pulled back to reveal to a young man the explanation of horrific events he experienced as a boy.  Reviewed by me at four stars, and Erik was nice enough to be my first interview on my blog.  

 

S.L. Pierce’s “The Hate,” layers “Evil upon Evil” that made me squirm, but brilliant at four stars by me.  Let’s just say, don’t tick off her heroines. They play for keeps.

 

Last, but not least, Diana Trees’ “Divine Wine” which I’ve mentioned in a previous article, is a “wickedly funny” version of a vampire story.  Like I stated before, it’s nothing like any vampire story I ever read.  At four stars by me, horror fans, check out how bad vampires can really be.

The Cole Cut IV: Great Books for Kids

During my writing/reviewing/blogging journey, I came across some writers that amazed me not only with skilled writing, but fantastic imagination as well.  In this list are books that are to me great books for kids.  Disclaimer:  When I say “kids’ books,” that always translates into “Parents check these books out for your kids.”

 

“Neiko’s Five Land Adventure,” by A.K. Taylor which I reviewed at four stars, to me is incredibly imaginative.  The fun adventure story is to me a fun book for any age, including adults still kids mentally.

 

“Toonopolis” by Jeremy Rodden , also reviewed by me at four stars, is over-the-top imagination at its best.  To be dropped into a world of bizarre, fun characters with a touch of danger make for a fun read.

“Sam and the Dragon” by Eric and Kamin Thomasma is a beautiful little book about the value of friendship.  Given five stars by me, if I had friends with little kids, I’d give them a copy of this book for a bedtime story.

More to follow as 2011 winds down!

On Wordsmiths and Entertainment

We new authors have in common with other creative people learning difficult industries to break in to and get noticed through our work. As difficult as it is, sometimes I feel blessed not to be in the music industry.

Kurt Cobain

 

I find the life of Kurt Cobain tragic, as I do the loss of anyone so young and troubled, need not be the life of a famous person.  As a life long head-banger (less so with the migraines these days), I admit I enjoyed his music also.  Like I stated before in my article “On the Lives of Writers” there are the author’s life and his/her work.  I’d prefer to remember Kurt for where he placed his passion:  His work.  Below, from his landmark song and video “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

“With the lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My Libido
Yeah”

Elton John

 

Now let’s change to Elton John, another artist, still living, whose lyrics by his collaborator Bernie Taupin created a timeless classic with “Your Song:”

“And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world”

As it appears that I’m moving back to the music industry to compare the writing industry, hear (read) me out.  Remember John Locke’s mega-seller about the importance of entertaining books?   He made a profound point.  As new authors, stringing together our words into mesmerizing elegance is  at risk of losing what we have to offer:  Entertainment.   While both of the above work is considered entertaining, the styles couldn’t have been more different.  Kurt’s song brought out the rebellious part of us with unconventional, but fun lyrics, while Elton John (not forgetting Taupin) gave us a moving, beautiful song to remember always.

As I read the old classics (currently on the original “Frankenstein” and “Dracula”), what I see is eloquent, but laborious writing.  Some of it is a sign of the times and the changing writing industry.  While I marvel at these old foundations for dark fantasy, what I also see it that entertainment is making or breaks for the new author in fiction.  Yes, some of us are “junior writers” but even the most sophisticated authors need to entertain the reader.  And when a writer can go both, that's by far the goal of all authors of fiction.