tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post9096227724297394854..comments2023-08-22T13:05:38.255-04:00Comments on The Other Side of Providence: Are You Jealous of Your FriendsRobynne Randhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09543633861156873031noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-31670152031638777972013-06-16T22:06:08.106-04:002013-06-16T22:06:08.106-04:00Liza -- I don't know if I have to reassess, mo...Liza -- I don't know if I have to reassess, more like get my act together. I enjoy self-publishing, it's the only way to go. <br /><br />However, real life has thrown me a couple of curve balls of late and I miss my writing life. A LOT! Soon I'll get back to it. I hope.Robynne Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543633861156873031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-64409858876292834442013-06-16T21:57:59.682-04:002013-06-16T21:57:59.682-04:00Anonymous -- Yes, I see your point. Reviews are no...Anonymous -- Yes, I see your point. Reviews are not what they used to be, nor do they mean what they should. 99% of the reviews on my books are from readers, not people I know. But still, it would be nice to have a few more. I used to ask for them and never got them. So I stopped doing that. I don't know. I guess I'm still learning to figure out the business.Robynne Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543633861156873031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-56608047339157286122013-06-14T16:56:43.522-04:002013-06-14T16:56:43.522-04:00Such a hard topic. I try my best just to compare m...Such a hard topic. I try my best just to compare me with me. I know...doesn't make sense. But we KNOW there will always be someone better than us, so making comparisons will always be bad for morale. All we can request of ourselves is to do OUR best. And if our best isn't good enough, then we need to keep trying until it is...until we achieve the goal we set for ourselves. You set a challenging goal to self-publish and it sure seems like you've got that mastered! If you are happy with the path you have chosen, then that is what matters. But if you are feeling like you need something different, maybe it is time to re-assess your goals? Lizahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16170701034715108039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-41042355304724140112013-06-13T14:37:40.614-04:002013-06-13T14:37:40.614-04:00If I may offer my opinion, I don't think multi...If I may offer my opinion, I don't think multiple reviews are the key. No one trusts them anymore. Reviews have been exposed for their ugly truth as mostly written by family and friends, or fellow writers seeking a kind review in exchange. (Not to mention the ugly underbelly of the paid review industry.) The only thing I trust as a reader is my own knowledge of the author's style, voice and ability to write a captivating story. This makes those first few free pages and/or chapters so critically important. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-72350505898321670202013-06-13T13:16:08.042-04:002013-06-13T13:16:08.042-04:00And you know how much I love to mow my grass! lol...And you know how much I love to mow my grass! lol<br /><br />I think the secret to self-publishing is to have as many reviews up on your book as soon as you upload. I'm still sitting with the same reviews as I pretty much started with. <br /><br />My next book will have at least 10 before I publish. I think that's the only way for lightning to really strike.Robynne Randhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543633861156873031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213297244305443272.post-64342315555726015032013-06-13T10:53:09.865-04:002013-06-13T10:53:09.865-04:00I have come to the conclusion that, despite all ou...I have come to the conclusion that, despite all our stellar efforts, lightning will strike where it will. <br /><br />Getting an agent or a publisher is not the Golden Fleece. If you do not sell well, the agent and/or publisher will drop you. Ouch.<br /><br />Your published books will stay on the shelves only a micro-season, and then be swept away for a new crop of titles.<br /><br />eBooks stay on the cyber-shelves forever. All it takes is for you to sizzle with one great seller, and your readers will check to see if you have any more books.<br /><br />BAM!<br /><br />There will be your lightning as you have a substantial backlist.<br /><br />The grass may be greener on the other side of the "Good Luck" fence, but you don't have to mow it! :-)Roland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.com