Tag Archives: blogger
IS SELF-PUBLISHING RIGHT FOR EVERYBODY?
The book publishing world has gone through a revolution in recent years that is similar to the one that happened in music ten years ago when it became easy for bands to publish their own music and have their fans download it, instead of dealing with the middlemen – the record companies. With the rise of e-books it’s easy for authors to self-publish, rather than go through the laborious process of trying to get a book contract with a mainstream publisher.
But is it worth it? There are many pros and cons to self-publishing, and if you’re thinking of doing it, these are the questions you should ask.
How long am I willing to wait to get published?
If you have a story or idea that is just gnawing at you and you feel compelled to publish it, you’ll definitely get it into your readers’ hands a lot quicker if you self-publish. The traditional publishing route can take years, from the time when you send out your first manuscript to when the book actually gets on the market. If you self-publish an e-book it will be a matter of months from the time you write it to when you can publish it.
Am I willing to promote and market my book, or do I want somebody else to do that?
Traditional publishers do a lot of the marketing for their books, which takes pressure off the authors. If you self-publish, the marketing begins and ends with you.
Do I want to do all the editing, cover design, formatting, etc. myself, or do I want somebody else to do that?
Again, traditional publishers have the manpower to do the jobs involved in the book’s presentation. If you self-publish, you’re responsible for all that.
How much of a royalty do I want?
Self-publishers get to keep up to 70 percent of their book’s income. The royalty offered by publishers is usually in the single digits. Self-publishing is a viable option for some authors, but for others, it’s not as attractive as going the traditional publishing route. It’s a question you need to research and think about, to determine if it’s right for you.
R. Lynn Archie
www.rlynnarchie.com
Suggestions on How to Get Out of a Writing Rut
Has there ever been a time when you wanted to get essential thoughts down on paper but just could not get yourself moving to do so? Whether you are a writer, student, or simply someone wanting to inscribe a thank you note, it can happen. The magic question is what can be done to get out of the rut?
Helpful Suggestions
Think about what you are trying to write about in the first place. Start by focusing on the task at hand and then begin mentally de-cluttering your mind of everything else.
Put your thoughts down on something tangible like paper or a computer. If you are anything like me, as soon as a great inspiration pops into my head I have to immediately write it down. When you have a busy schedule, it’s very easy to forget things. With this method, you then have the option to go back to your notes later on. It’s a helpful way to kick-start your creative juices to get it flowing again.
Select a means to push your productivity. This can be a special room, a selective piece of furniture like a bed or chair, a special music playlist, or even something straightforward as a change of scenery like sitting in the park or going to a coffee shop. Whatever you decide to do it should be something that is refreshing, and will give you the ability to concentrate.
All it takes is the decision to get started, and as long as you stay motivated and passionate you have the foundation to work through getting out of a rut.
R. Lynn Archie
Website: www.rlynnarchie.com
One Way Trip to Mars
This isn’t my everyday topic, but it involved reading so I wanted to share my thoughts on the one way trip to Mars that so many people had signed up for. Out of 200,000 applicants for this non-return expedition to Mars (Red Planet), the selection has been narrowed down to one hundred—50 men and 50 women.
It amazed me that so many people happily volunteered knowing they can never return to Earth. In addition, they’re leaving their families, significant others, friends, and everything else precious in their lives to be marked into the history books forever; yet, it’s at such a huge sacrifice.
Sonia Nicole Van Meter, 36, is a D.C.-area political consultant and one of the 100 finalists. She was interviewed about the possibility of being picked as one of the twenty-four for the trip to Mars, and her answers mimicked other interviews I’ve read from a few of the other finalists. To sum it up, they have the same inspirations about making this journey.
The plan is that Mars One will be the first group to make the initial travel, and the first launch is planned for 2024, to land in 2025. Ultimately, 24 people will be selected to make up six crews of four, which Mars One says they hope to launch to the Red Planet every two years from 2024, with the aim of starting a colony there.
I can’t even imagine traveling for that length of time in an unknown space. Even with the seven or eight years worth of pre-training for the final recruits, you really have to ask is it enough? I mean you’re talking about regular people, who are being trained to endure space travel and residence on a planet with an atmosphere that is unlivable without the proper aids to help them do so. Just the thought of that makes me appreciate the necessities that are taken for granted every day like water to drink and air to breathe.
What I do know is find this topic interesting. When 2024 finally arrives, I wish the expedition group and groups to come after them, the very best, and applaud them in their choices to take such a giant step in history.
R. Lynn Archie
Website: www.rlynnarchie.com
Just a quick Update
Sunday was a busy day, but I made time to work on Trial of Marriage 3. Slowly but surely, I’m making progress. Since this is the final book of the series, it’s kind of sad to have the story ending because I’ve really enjoyed the characters. Nevertheless, I’m striving to make sure that all loose ends are cleared up and thoroughly explained. I really wanted to have the book ready by Mother’s Day; however, I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. But, I’ll keep you updated, and I’ll have a better feel about the release date around the middle of May.
The fact that someone other than myself enjoys reading my books means a lot, so thank you for your support. Oh before I forget, I wanted to mention that you should sign up for my website mailing list at www.rlynnarchie.com. I plan on doing spontaneous giveaways and freebie stuff for my mailing list participants.
Talk soon, and enjoy your day!
R. Lynn
FREE 4/16-4/18 ~ Trial of Marriage (Interracial Romance eBook)
Click Here & Get Your Copy Today
Trey Moretti has it all, dream job, loving wife Angelique, and finally a baby on the way. What he does not plan on is his past sneaking up on him. Gradually things start to unravel as Trey fight to keep his family intact. But when that last big skeleton is finally out of the closet will it mean the end for Trey and Angelique?
**Warning, story contains profanity and scenes of sexual content. Intended for mature readers only.**
The Effect Duplicate Titles Can Have on an Authors KDP Select Bookshelf
Do you know the protocol of having duplicate books on your Amazon KDP Select bookshelf? I didn’t before, but I do now. First off, as much as I would like to keep my bookshelf tidy by deleting unwanted things, unfortunately, there is no option to take that action. Maybe there is a way internally through KDP, I’m not sure, but what I am certain of is an author is not able to make it happen.
The alternative solution is to change your active book to an unpublished draft. And, if you want to start off fresh still using the same book title, but not wanting the baggage that goes along with it (e.g. reviews, editorials, etc.) you would then use the option “Add a New Book” to create a new book with the same title but under a different ASIN. To be frank, my thinking was the old, unpublished draft would be closed and obsolete, however, that wasn’t the case.
What I came to learn was if you have the same title book their detail pages automatically link within 48 hours after an additional edition or version is published as long as the content, title, and contributors are exactly the same. The only way to avoid this automatic action in the future is to change a small detail in the title by adding a subtitle or a change to the form in which the author’s name is written as desired. You might perform this with the unpublished draft so the system doesn’t feed and match details for similarities.
Though in my case, since it had already happened, it took a few times going back and forth in correspondence with KDP representatives to get things corrected. Things ended well, but it was a headache getting to that point. Hopefully my experience prevents you from making the same error.
R. Lynn
Website: http://www.rlynnarchie.com
Now Available – Love vs. Career
Coming Soon ~ Love vs. Career (Second Edition) plus a Giveaway
Love vs. Career (Second Edition)
Giveaway
(10) Kindle copies and (2) $10 Amazon Gift Certificates
CLICK HERE TO ENTER RAFFLECOPTER
Book Description:
Marissa Andrews thinks her life is on target after graduating from college summa cum laude and landing her first successful marketing job. She feels happy with her dream job, along with caramel hunk James, her older boyfriend “slash” boss. Things for her are not looking too shabby. Unfortunately, everything praiseworthy does not always stay that way. And, when James’s freshly college graduated daughter Becky steps into the picture and starts working for her dad, with her comes nothing but trouble, topped off by a nasty attitude.
The strong woman that Marissa is factors into a decision to walk away from a job that she loves because the drama isn’t worth it. It is a move that brings unexpected consequences into her life. If there is one thing that she has learned from her partnership with James, it is that work and personal relationships entwined are bad karma, and definitely should not be combined. A rule that she vows to live by from here on out. Only, the one thing she doesn’t know is that entrepreneur Roaman Stuart is about to make her acquaintance and put that promise to a test.
Love vs. Career (Second Edition)
This is the re-edited copy of Love vs. Career (Second Edition). It will be released Friday, April 3, 2015. If this title looks familiar to you, then you are correct because the first edition was released July 2013. I chose to re-edit and do a second edition because I kept feeling the novel wasn’t quite right. I cringe at how much work it was redoing it; however, I went through it page by page analyzing and adding more “creative love” into the writing. In the new version, I also made some minor changes in the storyline that I feel make it a stronger and sensual read. I wasn’t able to do it today, but I’ll have a teaser from the book for you in a day or two.
R. Lynn Archie
15 Grammar Goofs
In visiting Copyblogger.com, I came across the article about 15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly. It’s a list of words that seem relatively easy, but can cause confusion if used the wrong way. Unfortunately, even I am guilty of making a few of these blunders at one time or another. However, since I am all about sharing information, I’m passing it along to you, complements of Copyblogger.com.
I hope that it will be a helpful reference guide.
R. Lynn
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R. Lynn Archie, Romance Author 