Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing ways

Getting a review for your book isn’t easy: Unless you want to compromise

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Keeping company with like-minded individuals can be an enlightening and enriching experience. It’s wise to connect with others to gain valuable insights. I hope to retain the numerous tips and information one can acquire through such interactions.

Recently, I learned a valuable lesson about editing and finding an editor from a gathering. A friend mentioned that she was currently seeking editors and had found someone willing to review her work in exchange for a review of their book. I was eager to jump on board immediately.

However, I’ve previously encountered situations where authors expected me to write their reviews first, with the promise of reciprocating. It felt like a dilemma as I’d have to compromise and give a positive review to receive one.

Obtaining honest book reviews without compromising integrity poses a real challenge for authors. It’s an arduous journey, especially for those who aren’t well-known like Stephen King or James Patterson.

I’ve offered free books in exchange for reviews, only to find that the reviews never materialized. As a result, I’ve ceased this practice. While asking friends or family members for reviews can help boost the review count on platforms like Amazon, it can also become time-consuming and frustrating for both parties.

Trying to promote yourself and your book can be an exhausting and time-consuming process. I’ve noticed numerous books online with very few or no reviews. Navigating this landscape can be tiring. But it’s an integral part of being an author.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing ways

When do you start promoting your manuscript?

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This topic landed in my email box. When should you start promoting your book?

The writers I know in this area start once their manuscript is complete. To me, that is getting on this way too late. I mean, once your book is complete and you tell your friends and family, then what?

I started on my social platform brand once I had my first draft of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series. By the time the drafts, edits, cover, and more, I had grown a following of people engaged in me as I was in them. I had people to shout out to saying, “Finally, my book is done.”

If you wait until the end of your book, you are shouting into the wind in hopes someone will take an interest.

Your book deserves more than that. You deserve better than that.

And one more thing. When submitting my first book to publishers, they always asked where I was. It meant what is your social platform?

Fortunately, I was able to point to where I am at. If I had not done the work, I am unsure if the publishers would have picked up the book.

It does take time. You do a quick search online, which will show you the various platforms. Not all will work for you. Take one platform at a time. Put the work in. If it does not feel right, dump it and try another.

Some of these platforms allow you to schedule the posts, which helps since this frees up time.

Start slow as you build your social platform, your brand, and a gateway for you to shout to a larger audience once your book is complete and not only full but complete and published.

A blog about the topics of writing, Topics on writing

Do you support other authors?

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Do you support other authors? Whether it is someone you know or not, do they get that from you?

I have seen both ends of the stick with people only concerned with their book journeys to those who support other authors by buying their books, giving them a shout-out on social media, or attending any event they might be hosting.

I have always had the mindset of supporting authors, especially those who have helped me or been with me on my writing journey. Those are the ones I will lend my support to.

It doesn’t have to be off a mountain with a bullhorn telling people how great your book and you are. That would be nice. But to have people in your corner along the way are those you want to support back.

My thought is simple. I didn’t get to where I am alone. I had people off of Twitter help me with my query letters. I have had people in line to do classes about writing at the library. I even have an editor who doesn’t charge me for her work.

I have no problem shouting out people’s names, referring others, and giving reviews here and there. It is my way of paying back those before me who helped me.

Writing is mostly a solitary profession. You can meet with your writing group in real life or online. But even then, you are doing the majority of your creation alone. Finding a fellow author who I can feed off is a golden nugget.

So, I don’t get why writers go alone on their own. Hey, if it works for you, good. It is something I have not tried and prefer to not do so.