tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post8966018600723900881..comments2024-03-13T09:21:04.273-07:00Comments on StrangePegs: The Problem of SupportAndrew Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-51131122146479199972013-06-05T10:04:10.745-07:002013-06-05T10:04:10.745-07:00Sarah A: I think there's a significant differe...Sarah A: I think there's a significant difference between a cover reveal from a publisher and a cover reveal from a person. From a publisher, they are trying to generate excitement. From a person, s/he is excited.<br />And there's nothing wrong with being excited, but, you know, the book should be finished, first.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-20705059113306847112013-06-04T12:42:09.036-07:002013-06-04T12:42:09.036-07:00well, FWIW, I don't think it makes you hard, I...well, FWIW, I don't think it makes you hard, I think it just makes you cautious after being burned one too many times.<br /><br />And thanks for expanding on the cover reveal thing. I guess the majority of the reveals or book announcements I've done have been for traditionally pubbed books, or indie pubbed, so there's already a contract and it's not just up to the author. Though I have some self pub friends, too. But all their books are available for purchase.Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-1691544030950052792013-06-04T11:45:34.284-07:002013-06-04T11:45:34.284-07:00When I first started blogging and was less discrim...When I first started blogging and was less discriminating in whom I followed, there was a flurry of cover reveals for books that were supposedly imminent. Then, there were posts, "Oh, I know this is supposed to be out, now, but it's still not finished. But, look, here's my cover again!" Most of those books never actually materialized. From that, my attitude became, "I want you to announce your book, not your cover." Because, really, I don't care about the cover. The cover is completely unrelated to the book, and, if you're a writer, sell me on your book, not its cover.<br /><br />And why I don't just promote books. Again, going back to when I first started blogging, I bought some of these books that people promoted (because I trusted the particular blogger (at the time)) but had never read, and most of them were... less than good. I no longer pay attention to anything those bloggers promote, even if it is something they've read, because I just ignore the promotion all together. I know longer trust those bloggers to be promoting books worth reading.<br /><br />In the end, I'd much rather say, "Hey, I read this, and I liked it. Here's why I liked it," or "I read this and I didn't like it, and here's why." I don't want to be that guy saying "hey, my buddy wrote a book! Everyone go buy it!"<br /><br />And that's nothing against anyone that does do that, because, hey, I get it, but that's not me.<br />As my wife can probably attest to, she's not even guaranteed a promotion from me when she finishes her book. (Except my wife is a good writer, and we talk about what she's doing in her stuff often enough that I know I'm going to like it, BUT, it's not a guarantee. There will be no, "Hey, my wife wrote a book! Go buy it!"<br /><br />Yeah, I know that makes me hard.<br /><br />Elise: Thanks!Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-38421763315378049912013-06-04T11:05:50.827-07:002013-06-04T11:05:50.827-07:00What Sarah said.
And Andrew, for what it's w...What Sarah said. <br /><br />And Andrew, for what it's worth, I think your idea of featuring a story at the end of your books is a great idea and very awesome of you.<br />Elise Fallsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14734537117333738468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-72665770180898575182013-06-04T10:53:20.637-07:002013-06-04T10:53:20.637-07:00I heard there's popcorn over in this corner of...I heard there's popcorn over in this corner of the internet. God I hope it's cheese popcorn!<br /><br />Until these comments, I'd never heard of a cover reveal that wasn't for a real book. Like, that actually happens? Are they just covers that people make up for their WIPs or something? I need more explanation so I can understand this.<br /><br />I've done cover reveals, a few here and there. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe only a handful over the years. But they're always for real books you can, you know, buy and stuff.<br /><br />Ii do do the occasional shout out for a new book (have one coming up this month) And since they're for new books, I think it's understood I haven't read the book yet. It's brand new. I read over 60 books a year but even I can't read that fast. But I guess I don't ever say on my blog YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK.<br />What I do say, is, this is what the book is about. This is what it looks like. This is the author. If you like the sound of the book, maybe buy it.<br />I think that's completely fair, and hell, I've found a crap ton of great books on other people's blogs that I would have never found or read otherwise if they hadn't done the exact same thing.<br /><br />BUT! Definitely a thoughtful review is worth a lot. I'm only good at reviewing books I don't like, so if I like your book or love it, its hard for me to express in a constructive manner why I liked it, you know? And also, I have friends who write genres that I just don't like, so reviewing their book instead of promoting it on my blog is not a fair deal for them, you know? I know I won't like their book, but some of my readers might, so I'd rather just give it a shout out in case someone's looking for a book like that.<br /><br />My thoughts anyway. Sarah Ahiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795455714801965956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-63054725423421367582013-06-04T10:24:23.932-07:002013-06-04T10:24:23.932-07:00I haven't seen Kids in the Hall in a long time...I haven't seen Kids in the Hall in a long time. I've dealt with kids like that.<br /><br />PT: My specific issue with cover reveals is that too many of them never turn into actual books, so that makes me reluctant to say yes to something like that. More of them are incredibly delayed from when the author says the book will be available, which makes me even more reluctant to say yes. And then there's the part where I don't want to be telling someone else that they ought to try something I haven't tried yet. It's like being at a potluck and goading someone else in to trying some dish to get their reaction before you're willing to taste it. I don't want to be that guy.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-15964231298429496422013-06-04T07:28:39.358-07:002013-06-04T07:28:39.358-07:00You really are a one-trick pony Beer. "You&#...You really are a one-trick pony Beer. "You're stupid! I'm greater than you!" Get some new material, dude. Or are you hoping if you say it enough times in enough different ways it will become true?<br /><br />Final thought: if you don't want to help people then just say that. Don't try to dress it up as some great moral issue, because it's not. A cover reveal or another kind of announcement isn't a review or an endoresement and it's certainly not lying on your part.<br /><br />Nuff said.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-56585448068378076692013-06-03T19:18:54.801-07:002013-06-03T19:18:54.801-07:00http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-QOPmJuzU
http:/...<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-QOPmJuzU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni-QOPmJuzU</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Teacher-Couldnt-Read-ebook/dp/B0036FDQ8E/" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/The-Teacher-Couldnt-Read-ebook/dp/B0036FDQ8E/</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Read-Book-Touchstone-book-ebook/dp/B004PYDAPE/" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Read-Book-Touchstone-book-ebook/dp/B004PYDAPE/</a>A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-86277958487248779242013-06-03T18:47:34.818-07:002013-06-03T18:47:34.818-07:00BTW, this entry of mine contains a cover reveal (h...BTW, this entry of mine contains a cover reveal (http://www.ptdilloway.com/2013/04/gimme-lights-camera-and-action-heros.html) I'd love to hear you and Andrew explain how I compromised my integrity by posting this.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-52633555722559653982013-06-03T18:37:46.817-07:002013-06-03T18:37:46.817-07:00"You remember the part where I said we won..."You remember the part where I said we won't promote anything unless we love it? That means that we WOULD happily promote something we love, but will NOT promote something that's garbage. So, say it with me now..."<br /><br />Maybe you need to learn to read since you actually said:<br /><br />"All I'm going to say is this - I hold more respect for Andrew keeping with his integrity and only promoting stuff he believes in than I do for someone who's peddling something that's not good just for the sake of being nice."<br /><br />See where you mention someone and Andrew and not YOU? Or maybe you're that self-centered you can't think of anyone else. How do you know if I promote something on MY site that it's not good and I'm just being nice? I guess anything you haven't read and signed off on must be crap.<br /><br />Anyway, as far as cover reveals go, first as I've said before there's no endorsement implied unless you want to add one. Second, why not let the reader decide? Surely not even your entire legion of fans all has the same exact tastes. What's the harm in letting them go to the book's website and decide if they want to read it? Really with most cover reveals it's the author talking about the book, not you; you're just giving them a forum. Really, what's the harm in that? Why be such a dick about it?PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-8327392983325743932013-06-03T16:55:24.716-07:002013-06-03T16:55:24.716-07:00Alex: I hope you put it in something that won'...Alex: I hope you put it in something that won't leak!<br /><br />Rusty: Now, you know how Han felt. I have my own lightsaber, now, too.<br /><br />And that's all I have for the moment.Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-17235278402429215212013-06-03T16:02:36.359-07:002013-06-03T16:02:36.359-07:00Holy crap. I'm gone for a week or so and the w...Holy crap. I'm gone for a week or so and the world descends into chaos. Thanks for the mention today. Rusty Carlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887821877521181811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-2184885293939060202013-06-03T15:47:54.273-07:002013-06-03T15:47:54.273-07:00I know I said I was done, but that previous commen...I know I said I was done, but that previous comment was so utterly brainless I actually had to come back to reply. So congratulations. That takes some real skill.<br /><br />You remember the part where I said we won't promote anything unless we love it? That means that we WOULD happily promote something we love, but will NOT promote something that's garbage. So, say it with me now...<br /><br /><i>I hold more respect for Andrew keeping with his integrity and only promoting stuff he believes in than I do for someone who's peddling something that's not good just for the sake of being nice.</i><br /><br />In layman's terms (because apparently my big words just aren't small enough for you) that means that I applaud Andrew for not promoting a book that he doesn't like and telling the world it's good JUST TO BE NICE. That would be LYING. Also, there is no assuming. If he's read it, or even read a sample of it, and he thinks it's BAD, then to him it's BAD. There is no ASSUMING.<br /><br />That's a simple enough concept, right? I don't think I can make my words any smaller.<br /><br />So please, I'm begging you, PLEASE learn how to read. Especially if you're trying to be a writer. It just makes you look really stupid to anyone else who's reading this.A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-51838876772177762172013-06-03T15:09:21.481-07:002013-06-03T15:09:21.481-07:00"All I'm going to say is this - I hold mo..."All I'm going to say is this - I hold more respect for Andrew keeping with his integrity and only promoting stuff he believes in than I do for someone who's peddling something that's not good just for the sake of being nice."<br /><br />I find it interesting you naturally assume it's crap considering how you said previously people shouldn't assume self-published books are crap. Hypocrisy alert! PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-65581571437957303882013-06-03T15:02:41.082-07:002013-06-03T15:02:41.082-07:00Andrew, your ice cream is in the mail. With the ch...Andrew, your ice cream is in the mail. With the chocolate. Careful when opening the box.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-50293744168137984052013-06-03T14:28:38.948-07:002013-06-03T14:28:38.948-07:00Oh! And where's my ice cream?! I didn't ge...Oh! And where's my ice cream?! I didn't get any ice cream! This is my blog; why didn't I get some ice cream?Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-80611732205461950212013-06-03T14:27:13.597-07:002013-06-03T14:27:13.597-07:00Briane: I don't mind plugging an author that I...Briane: I don't mind plugging an author that I like if that author has already proved him/herself to me. Like, you know, if Neil Gaiman called me up and said, "Hey, would you run a promo on my upcoming book The Ocean At the End of the Lane," I would get right on that, because I haven't read anything by him that I thought was bad. (There are indie authors I'd go out on a limb like that for, too, but I'm choosing Gaiman for my example, because I've read all of his novels.) In general, though, I'm more inclined to wait until I've read the book to say anything, because I think that makes for a better recommendation anyway.<br /><br />L.G.: In all fairness to myself, I did tell him I would send it to him along with his copy of Shadow Spinner. I had just expected to be finished with that before now, I guess.<br /><br />Jo: Thanks! No one gave me any chocolate, either :(<br /><br />Maurice: Yeah, I have that issue, too. I did ask people to vote for my book on a list, once, but I asked it in the context of only voting for it if they'd read it and felt it deserved the vote.<br /><br />General Response:<br />The thing is, PT, I don't ask people to do that kind of stuff for me specifically because I'm not willing to do it. It would be hypocritical for me to ask people to promote my stuff when I'm not willing to do the same. Not for stuff I haven't read.<br /><br />Having said that, I did ask Alex to list a couple of chapters of Spinner on his blog, but that was because I was actually doing an experiment and wanted to see the results of it. Alex promotes so many books, I didn't think he would mind, and I did tell him it was because I wanted to compare some numbers. Beyond that, I've never asked anyone to list any of my stuff as any kind of promotion or anything related to that.<br /><br />That said, I'm completely cognizant of the fact that I'm not selling 20,000 copies of anything, but that does make me willing to promote something I haven't read.<br /><br />And, Bryan, if y'all are selling 20,000 copies, you're going to have give up that "penniless writer" thing you have going. :P I haven't even given away 20,000 things. heh<br /><br />Anyway, I do get that my unwillingness to plug books and covers and stuff may hamper me in some ways, but I think the benefits I get from stance outweigh those. Sure, I could be wrong about that, but, at the moment, that's the way things are.<br /><br />You are not the only person I've said "no" to, PT. On the other hand, I've frequently found that when requested to scratch someone's back that, later, when it's his turn to scratch mine, it doesn't happen. (Like that time I went out at 1am to change a flat on my cousin's car because he couldn't do it, but, the next week, when I needed a ride to a place we were both going to, he wouldn't come by and pick me up. And that was my cousin.)Andrew Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13964775673414653644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-31901209567044980102013-06-03T13:56:31.608-07:002013-06-03T13:56:31.608-07:00I'm not asking you to marry me, just help me s...<i>I'm not asking you to marry me, just help me sell my book.</i><br /><br />Okay, but no kissing on the mouth and no first names.<br /><br />All I'm going to say is this - I hold more respect for Andrew keeping with his integrity and only promoting stuff he believes in than I do for someone who's peddling something that's not good just for the sake of being nice.<br /><br />Those are the same standards we upheld when we were getting 10 hits a day and thanking God someone other than our parents read it. And we never suffered because of it.<br /><br />You'd be surprised. People appreciate integrity.<br /><br />Beer out.<br /><br />*drops microphone*<br /><br />(...I'll come back and pick that up later. And sorry if it scratched your wood floor. I'll buff out the scratch. I just wanted a dramatic exit...)A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-7700960063157251522013-06-03T13:26:02.443-07:002013-06-03T13:26:02.443-07:00"Just don't expect us to do it for someth..."Just don't expect us to do it for something we don't absolutely love."<br /><br />Gawd, you sound like every agent website out there with that. I'm not asking you to marry me, just help me sell my book.<br /><br />Since I guess you missed it the first time: My whole point is simply that if you turn down doing favors for people, don't be surprised when other people won't help you. I suppose someone so big and important doesn't need that, but someone like Andrew who didn't sell 20,000 books last year should be more cognizant of that fact.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-49845275964969599312013-06-03T13:13:25.791-07:002013-06-03T13:13:25.791-07:00Now that you mention it, ice cream sounds great.Now that you mention it, ice cream sounds great.Brianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01616494058636881575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-69088564654341201692013-06-03T13:13:04.176-07:002013-06-03T13:13:04.176-07:00And now, for no reason at all, a dancing cat.
\\...And now, for no reason at all, a dancing cat.<br /> \\ Λ_Λ.<br /> \( ˇωˇ) <br /> > ⌒ヽ<br /> / へ\.<br /> / / \\<br /> レ ノ ヽ_つ.<br /> / /<br /> / /|<br /> ( (ヽ<br /> | |、\<br /> | 丿 \ ⌒).<br /> | | ) /.<br />`ノ ) LノA Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-52829925294190889722013-06-03T13:09:15.712-07:002013-06-03T13:09:15.712-07:00Hey, things are sounding a bit more civil now. I&#...Hey, things are sounding a bit more civil now. I'm down with that. As a comedian, I think of Mr. Burgundy as a compliment. So thank you. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.<br /><br />If people want to do cover reveals and book reviews, that's awesome. Good for them. Just don't expect us to do it for something we don't absolutely love. After all, it's our blog, not yours. Don't tell me what to put on mine, and I won't tell you what to put on yours. Seems easy enough, right?<br /><br />Besides, we all have our readers and our niches. Our readers don't want to come to our site to see covers and hear about our friends' super cool new books. They want to read our writing and see our comics.<br /><br />We've turned down people before, even before we were 'big,' and the ones who were real fans and real friends always came back. The ones who didn't weren't worth our time anyway.<br /><br /><i>Get your facts straight.</i><br /><br />Yeah, no kidding! See, I never claimed to be big, but when you throw around know-it-all nonsense like "you think you can charge $6.99 for a self-published book lol" then I have to defend myself and my books and put you in your place. You get that, right? You do understand why I did that?<br /><br />So then tell me, what is it? What's your final stance? If I charge $6 and DON'T sell books then I'm a greedy fool. But if I charge $6 and DO sell books then I'm an arrogant jerk who thinks he's a big deal. Apparently there is just no pleasing you, Mr. Powers. :(<br /><br />Also, I have to throw this out there - self-published doesn't always equal crap. We had an agent, and an editor, but they weren't working hard enough for us. We realized we could do it ourselves and get more slice of the pie and we could sell more books through our blog and blah blah blah you're not listening anyway and you think I'm just bragging so why does it matter? Look, a hilarious cat picture on the Internet! Meow!<br /><br />DING DING!<br /><br />*That's not a boxing ring bell. That's just the ice cream truck. Ice cream, anyone?A Beer for the Showerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17029139745335325356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-16429068847763481772013-06-03T13:04:02.325-07:002013-06-03T13:04:02.325-07:00I have the same problem with people asking me to r...I have the same problem with people asking me to review or vote for their books on Amazon or Good Reads. I'm always happy to help, but not lie. That is a great idea having bonus content!Maurice Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15338165486757095191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-37056941411831734292013-06-03T13:02:58.307-07:002013-06-03T13:02:58.307-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Maurice Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15338165486757095191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7658526372996117205.post-22248047410656768292013-06-03T12:37:11.810-07:002013-06-03T12:37:11.810-07:00Incidentally, Mr. Burgundy, by your logic the fact...Incidentally, Mr. Burgundy, by your logic the fact I sold more books than Andrew last year means I'm righter than he is.<br /><br />Also, if I never read Andrew's blog, I'd have never heard of you, which is why it's so important for bloggers to help each other spread the word about their books. And again, something like a cover reveal isn't a big deal. All you have to do is cut and paste some text and drop a graphic in. No one expects more of you than that. You're not sticking your neck out for them. And nothing says you can't review the book later.<br /><br />I did one last week for a book I haven't read (it isn't out yet) and I don't think any endorsement was implied on my behalf. And no I didn't do it expecting something in return. It's just good karma.<br /><br />My whole point is simply that if you turn down doing favors for people, don't be surprised when other people won't help you. I suppose someone so big and important doesn't need that, but someone like Andrew who didn't sell 20,000 books last year should be more cognizant of that fact.PT Dillowayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394481476862013009noreply@blogger.com