tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post8651086295592943303..comments2023-10-09T04:41:15.843-06:00Comments on Chantel Rhondeau: Are Indie Authors Ruining the Publishing Industry?Chantel Rhondeauhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-86262557004086823442012-10-27T20:14:44.767-06:002012-10-27T20:14:44.767-06:00Well, as far as the reviews being deleted... I don...Well, as far as the reviews being deleted... I don't think it is really that subjective of a study that they actually know the reviews are faked. I mean, I don't know everything they look at, but the cases I've heard about sound odd. Still, I do understand why they are doing it, which was my whole point. <br /><br />It's not fair to only have the good put up about books that aren't well written. That is my problem with only giving reviews on positive books, but I also don't want to hurt another writer who may not know they need help. Then again, I find that sending them an email to try to help them rarely helps. They don't want to hear what you have to say unless it is positive. <br /><br />Good luck with your writing and reviewing! Thanks for the comment!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-10229782456354940552012-10-27T20:08:23.350-06:002012-10-27T20:08:23.350-06:00So glad you read the samples! I do think this is t...So glad you read the samples! I do think this is the answer!<br /><br />Sorry to hear you had a few reviews go away. I've known several authors who have had this happen. And as I did state above, it seems to be from people totally unknown to the author, so they would have no reason to write a fake review. No rhyme or reason is exactly what I've seen. <br /><br />Happy reading and writing, J.L.!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-80307879181012656242012-10-27T18:55:37.366-06:002012-10-27T18:55:37.366-06:00Hi, Chantel,
I definitely agree that a sample wil...Hi, Chantel, <br />I definitely agree that a sample will tell if the book is any good. I do that for every book I buy off Amazon. Saves me a lot of expense and grief. <br /><br />As to deleted reviews, I've had my share. I'm not sure of the rhyme or reason though as the ones that disappeared are from people I haven't met online or off. Go figure. I know a couple of mine did a disappearing act again this past week.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-75040537992355059092012-10-27T18:44:52.031-06:002012-10-27T18:44:52.031-06:00I have not read any bad Indie e-books. This is pro...I have not read any bad Indie e-books. This is probably because before reading them I check the author's website and gauge the seriousness of his/her work and presence in the social media scene. I also read books reviewed by fellow writers who I know are competent.<br /><br />As to the appropriateness of Amazon deleting reviews I guess it depends on their nature. Were these reviews written by people using accounts created before a given book was published and then abandoned reviewing nothing else? Do the people using these accounts review only the work of one author? There are ways to identify the accounts used for fake reviews. I am sure that occasionally Amazon will make a mistake and toss out the baby with the bathwater but that may be the price we have to pay to keep reviews honest.<br /><br />I mostly write, but I also review books and I don't give out bad reviews. If the book has problems I prefer to put together a list of comments and send it to the author. I think this is better for the author than a bad review.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00460041148306849079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-2973059686010146532012-10-27T15:45:56.157-06:002012-10-27T15:45:56.157-06:00I feel your pain, Alan. I don't think any of u...I feel your pain, Alan. I don't think any of us commenting here have an unlimited supply of money. It was a big choice for me to SP, partly because I couldn't afford to pay a lot of money for cover art and an editor. I worked a lot of overtime to afford these things. I also did my own formatting to save money, by reading all the instructions I could find and also looking up some help on blogs. I don't have a table of contents, which bugs me, and I'm hoping I can figure out how to do that in the future.<br /><br />I bargain shop for editors who don't charge exorbitant fees. There is no shame in even asking around at a college for an English Major. Someone might want to edit your novel to have that on their resume and would do it for free. <br /><br />I too am begging favors for editing this time around. My beta readers all know I'm sending them my finalized version and part of the deal is they will look for any remaining errors after its been edited (since I found some in my already edited novel last time, but not until after I had published it). There is no shame in asking for help. <br /><br />However, if you have only made $5 in 8 months you might need to look at the quality of your work, or your cover art, or your blurb, or maybe change your price. Play around and find out what's wrong because something isn't working on your novel. I'm not selling a huge amount, by any means, but I've almost made enough to recover the cost of my cover art in the 2-1/2 months my book has been published. <br /><br />Good luck, Alan. Trust me, I'm not against you. I'm on your side and want you to succeed. I have no clue what quality your book is. Some of us are better at grammar and such than others. Maybe your book doesn't need as much help as others. I do transcription work for a living, so have a basic understanding of the rules of language and think I do pretty good. But you've probably spotted errors on my blog. I still need more eyes on things to have them publication ready. <br /><br />Thanks for reading and commenting. Good luck to you! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-15908481939353392962012-10-27T15:33:00.150-06:002012-10-27T15:33:00.150-06:00I do think the FREE game is a major problem. I kno...I do think the FREE game is a major problem. I know it works for some, but you do have the problem of masses of people downloading books they aren't really interested in. When I hear someone doesn't want to read a sample, that tells me they are a book hoarder, not actually my target audience. I personally have made the decision to not do free. First off, I get quite a few sales through B&N. Second, I don't know that its the best way to reach my readers. I've put my book on sale for 99c to get a start (though that price will raise in November) instead of doing free. <br /><br />As far as horrible NYT books, there is often not much that's fair in business, I suppose. Everyone is trying to make money. However, long term, I think the best plan is to keep writing quality books. I hope readers who do find me will like what I've written and refer me to their friends. That's the best I can hope for. Blogging, twitter, triberr and a few ads to get my name out there. Wish I had the budget of a big author to advertise, but I don't. So, I'll write quality and be patient. <br /><br />Good luck with your new release, BTW! I hope it does great! And thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate you taking the time to comment! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-2571120618512525372012-10-27T14:43:08.799-06:002012-10-27T14:43:08.799-06:00You make valid points apart from a few MAJOR error...You make valid points apart from a few MAJOR errors.<br />I have made only $5 in 8 months-how do I pay for an editor at $1-$2 a page.<br />As an Indie, I have to weigh outlay V income, which is why I self pub. Also I like the fact that I can control my book. <br />I have to beg favours of friends for covers and editing, these I cannot pay back and that hurts me.<br /><br />ALL you writers forget that we are not all rich enough to afford an editorAlan Placehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18130182828401844802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-32281534563328151642012-10-26T17:41:12.367-06:002012-10-26T17:41:12.367-06:00I agree, Chantel. Between all the reviewers who pu...I agree, Chantel. Between all the reviewers who purposely gang up on specific books/authors (see the Amazon chat threads) and the poorly written books I've tried to read, you couldn't have spoken more truthfully. I used to be published with a small press where I learned to NEVER buy a small-press publication without reading an excerpt first. That's harsh but the reality of my first publishing venture. Now for Indie books, it's an even more significant mantra. I have grabbed plenty of free books in the genres I read/write only to delete them before completing the opening chapter. <br /><br />Mind you, I get plenty of negative reviews about my own work because people don't understand why I write the POV I write (my second publisher had me change something and it became habit that works for lots of readers). <br /><br />You're so right about the free sample at Amazon (Nook too). I just don't know why people don't read samples. ??? I imagine it's more along the lines of the dreaded FREE game. Just like reviewers, readers can grab FREE books and have their way with them unless they're completely repulsed, and then they opt to have their way with free books via reviews! I give up to 3500 copies of a previously-published book away through the Free game at Amazon. How many people keep buying my (99-cent) books? LOTS. How many people leave me reviews? A handful. What are the odds the people leaving reviews are going to have been the people who normally pick the sub-genres I write? LOW. Well, you see how the snowball is rolling--downhill. Publishing is a crap shoot like reviews. I wish there were more sensible reviewers out there like you. I edit reviews for one with your same attitude. She doesn't post reviews rated beneath a 3. Seriously, I think sites like Amazon should only allow comment reviews or the rating system. Both together make no sense when most people say awesome things about a story but give it a 3. HUH???? That drives me nuts. <br /><br />And I think it's funny how NY publishers can MAKE an author who writes horribly but it's a kiss of death to an Indie author. Is that a strange irony or what?<br /><br />Sorry, as you can see, this is one of those things that's been rubbing me wrong lately. I have the very same discussion with the reviewer I edit for! Hang in there and stand behind your reviewing guidelines. People who purchase books based on your reviews are relying on your system to guide them through the cataracts of Book River! ;PSkhye Moncriefhttp://skhyemoncrief.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-916315535648707732012-10-26T13:10:07.400-06:002012-10-26T13:10:07.400-06:00Good point. I'm sure people were very against ...Good point. I'm sure people were very against automobiles in the beginning, and look at the fears of the oil industry not wanting solar cars to take over. It all comes down to money, really, and who's losing it or gaining it. <br /><br />And, like I said, Amazon guarantees a reader can't be cheated by poor writing if the reader just takes time to read the sample first. So, really, I see no problem that way. <br /><br />Good luck with your stories, Sevastian! Thanks for the comment.Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-12451514445183305582012-10-26T13:07:09.796-06:002012-10-26T13:07:09.796-06:00haha - me either. Typos? What's that? LOL But ...haha - me either. Typos? What's that? LOL But yes, I think it is important to have more than one person looking over your stuff. As I mentioned in a comment above, my editor missed things. Thank goodness for two friends who raced through the book to find errors so I could fix it. Totally embarrassing to me, but a good lesson. <br /><br />I really agree with the enjoyment factor. You have to love what you are writing if you expect readers too. Even then, all tastes are different so not everyone will love the things I love to write. <br /><br />Good luck with your brand and publishing company, Charles ;-) Sounds like you are doing things the best way possible for the reader to have a great experience with your work! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-28841055645699860842012-10-26T12:29:11.845-06:002012-10-26T12:29:11.845-06:00The automobile killed the horse and buggy industry...The automobile killed the horse and buggy industry but did amazing things for the transportation industry. Lumping Indie authors in the same ball is like claiming all cars are the same or that all doctors are equally skilled. I don't sell indie books. I sell stories and information by Sevastian Winters. No one else can do that. Authors need to spend less time worrying about the actions of other authors and more working on their own business. Just my 2 cents. Sevastian Wintershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05514973505475425406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-84482554510440006622012-10-25T14:04:21.485-06:002012-10-25T14:04:21.485-06:00I never make tpyos and my grammar are perfect... t...I never make tpyos and my grammar are perfect... thank God I found a couple of beta readers who point out errors in my books (I have 15)As for editing.. I've been through 2 paid eiditors and they were horrible.. so my insight to add to your blog is.. be sure you hire a professional editor. Check them out.. check out their work. I've been burned too many times. At present I have my 3rd paid edit in progress as we speak and she is only on book 1.<br /><br />As for reading enjoyment and what an author can do? I have fun when I'm writing and that normally means my readers will have fun as well. Not everyone is going to love my writing style and I accept that as part of the trade. I don't ask for reviews either.<br /><br />Last of all, I actually sell more books from sellers outside Amazon. (Thank God I didn't go KDP select when that started last year).. whew.. but that's just my personal choice. If you use KDP select with success then that's great.. <br /><br />Great blog Chantel.. and keep up the great work<br /><br />Charles Wells<br />http://www.wellstonpublishing.com (yes. my own brand name publishing company.. ) HA<br />Charles E. Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04303453201322750359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-7810035764562901312012-10-25T09:53:09.664-06:002012-10-25T09:53:09.664-06:00haha - okay, Riley. You have a very good point. I ...haha - okay, Riley. You have a very good point. I haven't read it, but I've heard you either love it for it's steamy content or hate it for the horrible writing. Still, they are selling a ton of that book, so if your content is interesting enough I guess, in theory, you don't need a good editor. I'm not willing to take that chance with my work, but I am impressed by the success of 50 Shades. No matter what you think about it, secretly, we ALL wish it was us who wrote it ;-) Thanks for the comment!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-27343848317716545372012-10-24T23:27:50.483-06:002012-10-24T23:27:50.483-06:00Great article. Might have to borrow some of your r...Great article. Might have to borrow some of your rules on books I review but in all fairness one of the worst edited books I've seen was 50 Shades - and look how popular that's been! Riley Bankshttp://www.rileybanks.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-14458915882030180862012-10-24T22:47:01.050-06:002012-10-24T22:47:01.050-06:00Thanks for reading, Chuck. Yeah, I had a crit part...Thanks for reading, Chuck. Yeah, I had a crit partner of mine urging me not to self-pub because he said the same thing, my book was so good he could see it as a movie and really wanted me to push for a trad deal. Thing is, I love the control I have as SP. I think it is hard to get noticed regardless of the way you publish. Then again, I can always try to go Traditional with a different book if I change my mind. <br /><br />It is hard to stand out, but I don't know if traditional would be any better or not as far as chances of standing out in the crowd. Many trad books fail too. It is a good idea for hard to classify books. Even though they don't fit into neat little boxes, that doesn't mean some books shouldn't be published... just that trad publishers don't want to take a chance on them.<br /><br />Good luck with whatever you do! Thanks so much for commenting!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-75974734791864252002012-10-24T22:27:46.525-06:002012-10-24T22:27:46.525-06:00Oh - thank you so much! You know, I really expecte...Oh - thank you so much! You know, I really expected someone to blast me for this post. So far, you are all just terrific. It is so wonderful to me. Every time I get frustrated and reach out to the writing community, I see such positive outcomes. I am so happy to be surrounded with people who care about their work, care about being honest, and care about the person who really matters in all of this - the reader. <br /><br />Buyer beware, indeed. That is the best point of this post and I didn't really make it clear. Thanks for that. People don't buy a car and totally trust the salesman that it is in perfect condition and rides like a dream... they take it out, test it, make sure that person is honest. There will always be people only interested in making money... heck, I want to make money. But I want to do it because I am selling something of value that people want. <br /><br />I agree with you - good writing can't guarantee someone will like our books, but at least they are getting quality merchandise. Good luck with your historical fiction. It certainly sounds like you have a solid background. I'm fairly new, having only been taking classes and writing fiction seriously the last six years, but it is a fun and exciting world, isn't it? Good luck! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-29062239296747305262012-10-24T22:24:35.827-06:002012-10-24T22:24:35.827-06:00Wonderful article! I've critted some books my...Wonderful article! I've critted some books myself in which I've thought 'what a piece of crap', then shuddered when I learned the authors planned to self publish that novel. But then, I've also critted a few good novels which I thought were some of the best stuff I've ever read. I was disappointed when I learned the authors of those novels intended to self publish them on Amazon. I thought they would be competitive with traditional publishers.<br /><br />I think the problem is, while you can find anything on Amazon you could ever want to read, there's no way to seperate the wheat from the chaff. Just because a book has a nice cover picture and catchy title doesn't mean it's any good. I've considered self publishing some of my harder to classify works on Amazon, but I hate the idea they might get lost in a sea of not so good works.Chuck Robertsonhttp://chuckster112.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-71468894785948775022012-10-24T22:19:16.283-06:002012-10-24T22:19:16.283-06:00See, you went through the exact process I did with...See, you went through the exact process I did with this struggle. Marketing is done whether you are indie or trad. A lot of trad authors do not get big advances or even very good contracts.<br /><br />And creative control became a big deal for me. I apparently have some romance no-nos according to my editor, that just don't do in traditional romance novels. But, a few of my crit partners threatened to come on and give me BAD reviews if I took out one of the scenes my editor was most against. Since it was actually my favorite scene out of the entire book and I was self-publishing, it stayed. <br /><br />Congrats, Kenra, on your decision to self-pub. Keep putting out quality and let your characters have as much sex, live or die, or do whatever your imagination dictates! I wish you lots of luck!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-56570287727539568162012-10-24T22:13:56.255-06:002012-10-24T22:13:56.255-06:00I couldn't agree with you more, Greta! Thanks ...I couldn't agree with you more, Greta! Thanks for posting. Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-28044831150028204342012-10-24T22:13:08.730-06:002012-10-24T22:13:08.730-06:00That's a very good point, Annalise. Just becau...That's a very good point, Annalise. Just because the review isn't Amazon verified doesn't mean it isn't a real review. I do think people look at this more now though, and make a decision whether they think it is real or not. <br /><br />I just received a wonderful review from Satin Sheets Romance. I gave them the book free for review. It's a real review, no less valid because the reviewer didn't pay for the book. <br /><br />I do agree with you that fake reviews likely happen on either side of the issue. As does paying for reviews (although I do know some people who have paid for reviews that aren't for a 5-star review - they are for an honest review, but paying the reviewer for their time - apparently this is a no-no now). <br /><br />I think things will settle down. All we can do is keep writing quality books, and word of mouth will sell our books even if a few reviews get deleted. Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-44367748166712811552012-10-24T22:08:50.129-06:002012-10-24T22:08:50.129-06:00That is the real thing, there are WONDERFUL indie ...That is the real thing, there are WONDERFUL indie authors. I associate with many of you often. And I love getting the opportunity to read your books, love them, give great reviews. That is what I wanted to do on my blog. Just the great books that I really enjoy. But not just Indies, I do trad books and SP. I have so many authors I admire. There are a lot of great books in the world, and I love reading. <br /><br />But, yeah, I'm no longer taking the time to figure out who is speaking or decipher sentences that do not make any sense. I can forgive a slight amount of these things in any book, but not the entire thing. <br /><br />Thanks for the comment, Michele! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-1662779861604171432012-10-24T22:05:16.949-06:002012-10-24T22:05:16.949-06:00Well, and I'm so afraid that perhaps they real...Well, and I'm so afraid that perhaps they really don't know the books have problems. Then what? I think it will crush me if I do ever have to post some really bad reviews. Hopefully this post helps those that really don't know they should be hiring editors and getting outside help with their writing to see what needs to be done. <br /><br />Thanks for commenting, Shane! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-2836140479539542942012-10-24T22:02:08.608-06:002012-10-24T22:02:08.608-06:00Honestly, sometimes one stars can be more of a mot...Honestly, sometimes one stars can be more of a motivation for me to download a sample than a five star. What is so horrible about this that only one person gave it a one star? LOL<br /><br />And everyone's tastes are so different. That's why I sometimes have a hard time giving up on a book I'm reviewing. If so many other people gave a book five stars, is there something wrong with me that I can't see it? But, since I've become so busy with my blog, editing a book for a friend, and still trying to do my own writing (not to mention my day job and, oh yeah, seeing my family once in a while), I'm becoming a bit more guarded with where I spend my time. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing your process! Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-80533039356190166702012-10-24T21:57:57.761-06:002012-10-24T21:57:57.761-06:00Thanks, delicious! It's nice to know I'm n...Thanks, delicious! It's nice to know I'm not the only person reading samples and seeing that as the solution. I've heard people complain (on some kindle boards) that they don't want to wade through the samples so they are mad at the supposed "fake" reviews. This confuses me. If you don't want to take the trouble to read the sample... are you reading the book? What's going on there? Why buy any books if you don't want to... ummm... read?<br /><br />I hadn't heard of the kindle swiping and such. That would definitely be a problem. And the unfair paying practices would also be concerning. I've no experience with either of those things, thank goodness. <br /><br />Happy sample reading! Thanks so much for taking the time to tell me your thoughts. Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4122429893154975427.post-16432207915050380652012-10-24T21:53:28.466-06:002012-10-24T21:53:28.466-06:00Well, so far no one is saying I'm The Black Fi...Well, so far no one is saying I'm The Black Fiendess... I'm really not trying to be unfair or anything. It's a problem that I don't think will ever sort itself out. <br /><br />I guess my main hope is any Indie who isn't using critique groups and editors who happen across this post will think twice about it and change themselves for the better. I really do want everyone to succeed, but once in a while I get a little grouchy ;-) Thanks for the comment!Chantel Rhondeauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12796339007150166408noreply@blogger.com