Some authors pay for reviews. Probably more than just some. I would say a lot of authors do. And you can bet those reviews are terrific, even if the reviewer didn't read the book. Why should he/she? The author certainly isn't paying for his/her book to be bashed. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Except readers. Readers get a skewed opinion about a book.
I've mentioned before that I don't do that. I don't pay for reviews. I've solicited some. And those precious few reviews I have received for Killer of Killers and The Vase have been good reviews. Mostly. I cut and pasted an excerpt from one of those reviews to the right of this post. It's from Melissa Ratel of the Writer's Union of Canada. She read and reviewed both books. I would describe her reviews as critiques, like we used to do in art classes at San Jose State University. She cited the positives and followed with the negatives. Just like those art critiques.
Mostly her negatives for both books centered around a lack of emotional expression in my main characters. That's okay, because what she said regarding positives, especially for Killer of Killers, more than made up for it. You can see in the excerpt underneath the Killer of Killers image that she thinks Killer of Killers would make a "spectacular" film. Well, I certainly agree with that.
When I look up other books, say on Amazon, I see hundreds of reviews. I'm thinking how do those authors get so many reviews, and then I remember. They solicit them, and they pay for them.
I'm told that reviews are one of the best methods of promotion for books. So those authors probably believe that paying for reviews is like an investment, like when companies pay for commercials on TV. Of course the commercials will only present the attractiveness of their products. Thus, the paid for review is nothing more than a commercial for a book.
As for me, I've got this blog, which I know people from all around the world visit every day. How many of those people actually buy one of my books, I couldn't say. Still, I'll never pay for a review. There's something dishonest about that. And I won't go there. Hopefully, word of mouth can be a beneficial thing for my books. If you've read one, and liked it, but aren't inclined to write a review, tell your friends about it. Here's to hoping that a movie director reads Melissa Ratel's review and takes her up on her recommendation. Because I didn't pay for that review. Or any others.
Friday, October 30, 2015
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Popular Stories Abound
When considering what's become a hit in the novel, TV, and movie world, it seems the genres are quite diverse. Often the story becomes popular as a book, and then adapted into a movie or TV show. Even if the writing is suspect, as Stephen King suggested about Twilight, the story was popular enough as a book to become a series of movies. Ditto with Harry Potter, Maze Runner and now Hunger Games.
Interestingly, those novels were MG/YA. But one story was not MG/YA and became movies that even I liked a lot. I'm talking about the Jason Bourne franchise. They started as novels, became movies, and they were terrific. Heck, even the iconic James Bond movies had their start as novels back in the day.
But what does it take to become so popular? You would think the vampire genre was tired by now. What with all the Dracula movies and countless vampire spinoffs, like Dark Shadows, etc. but no. Twilight found an audience somehow, and so did the movies. Who would have guessed a boy wizard at a wizard school playing a type of wizard football game would be so popular? But it was. And what a cash cow it became for the author. I understand she's a billionaire now.
A movie about kids killing other kids, you would think would be a despicable concept. But no. Hunger Games became popular and now it's a movie chain, too. Really? A game where kids go kill other kids, with a video audience following the events. A rather degenerate idea, if you think about it.
But the Jason Bourne franchise--I'm on board with that one. A secret government organization training assassins to do the government's dirty work. No kids killing anyone. No kids getting killed. That's better. Kids should not be killing anyone, let alone other kids.
To me, it's always been about a great character. First and foremost. Then, of course a great story in which that great character can display his/her greatness. That's what made stories great. To me. James Bond was a great character. So was Conan. Captain Kirk. Then of course you have the superheroes, Bat Man, Superman, Spider-man, etc. Great characters in great stories.
Enter Trent Smith. Influenced, perhaps by the likes of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, etc. A great martial artist in a great story. Read Killer of Killers. You'll see.
Interestingly, those novels were MG/YA. But one story was not MG/YA and became movies that even I liked a lot. I'm talking about the Jason Bourne franchise. They started as novels, became movies, and they were terrific. Heck, even the iconic James Bond movies had their start as novels back in the day.
But what does it take to become so popular? You would think the vampire genre was tired by now. What with all the Dracula movies and countless vampire spinoffs, like Dark Shadows, etc. but no. Twilight found an audience somehow, and so did the movies. Who would have guessed a boy wizard at a wizard school playing a type of wizard football game would be so popular? But it was. And what a cash cow it became for the author. I understand she's a billionaire now.
A movie about kids killing other kids, you would think would be a despicable concept. But no. Hunger Games became popular and now it's a movie chain, too. Really? A game where kids go kill other kids, with a video audience following the events. A rather degenerate idea, if you think about it.
But the Jason Bourne franchise--I'm on board with that one. A secret government organization training assassins to do the government's dirty work. No kids killing anyone. No kids getting killed. That's better. Kids should not be killing anyone, let alone other kids.
To me, it's always been about a great character. First and foremost. Then, of course a great story in which that great character can display his/her greatness. That's what made stories great. To me. James Bond was a great character. So was Conan. Captain Kirk. Then of course you have the superheroes, Bat Man, Superman, Spider-man, etc. Great characters in great stories.
Enter Trent Smith. Influenced, perhaps by the likes of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, etc. A great martial artist in a great story. Read Killer of Killers. You'll see.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Multinational Blog
I cut and pasted the countries reading the blog this week from my blog's stats page. I did not include the United States, because I expect readers from my own country. But the following countries are curious to me. How do they know about this blog? I welcome everyone, of course, so if you live in another country, that's great. Drop on by anytime, and try out one of my books. I think you'll enjoy reading it. If you do, let me know, and thanks.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Glenn Is Not Dead
In the latest episode of The Walking Dead, it appeared that one of the main characters, Glenn, was killed. But after taking in the chatter on the Internet, I'm convinced he is not dead. It was another body being torn apart and devoured. A body that was on top of him. Of course, the director had the actor who portrays Glenn screaming as if it was him being torn apart, but that was a ploy to trick the audience. And it was a successful ploy, as even I thought he was dead at first.
But like I said, it was the other guy's body being devoured. Glenn is not dead. That's because Glenn, along with Rick, Carl, the baby Judith, (whose aging process seems to have stopped at six months), Michonne, Maggie, Darryl, and Carol will never get killed. At least not until the final season or even the final episode. They are the core characters, and they will last for the duration of the show.
At least that's how I would write it. As for the last episode of the show, anything can happen. And that's because there will be no more shows. Like Russell Crowe in Gladiator. He died at the end, and it was okay, because the movie was over at that point.
You follow a story for one main reason. You are following the character(s), and the above characters are who the audience is following. So you don' kill them off or you lose the following. If that happens the ratings drop and the show gets canceled. It's as simple as two plus two. So, if any of them die, it will be when there's no more shows to watch. That's all.
But like I said, it was the other guy's body being devoured. Glenn is not dead. That's because Glenn, along with Rick, Carl, the baby Judith, (whose aging process seems to have stopped at six months), Michonne, Maggie, Darryl, and Carol will never get killed. At least not until the final season or even the final episode. They are the core characters, and they will last for the duration of the show.
At least that's how I would write it. As for the last episode of the show, anything can happen. And that's because there will be no more shows. Like Russell Crowe in Gladiator. He died at the end, and it was okay, because the movie was over at that point.
You follow a story for one main reason. You are following the character(s), and the above characters are who the audience is following. So you don' kill them off or you lose the following. If that happens the ratings drop and the show gets canceled. It's as simple as two plus two. So, if any of them die, it will be when there's no more shows to watch. That's all.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Hatred for Guns Projected into my Stories
Guns, guns, guns. It seems like a lot of, or most of the action stories, be they novels, movies, or TV shows, use guns. A lot of guns. It seems that most, if not all the action heroes use guns, unless their stories take place in an era before guns were invented, of course.
There's a couple shows, Bunraku, for instance, where the action takes place with no guns. That's because, in Bunraku, guns are outlawed. And now there's a new TV show coming soon, called Into the Badlands, where, like in Bunraku, guns are outlawed.
But in the real world, guns are prevalent. More than prevalent, actually, and society is surely paying the price for that prevalence. Movies, novels, and TV shows are reflecting that prevalence, often focusing on the price for that prevalence.
I hate the price that's being paid for that prevalence, although, fortunately, that price has not affected me personally, and I hope that remains true. Nevertheless, I have projected my own personal hatred for guns onto the main character in my Killer Series.
In Book One, Killer of Killers, Trent Smith never uses a gun. He is a deadly martial artist who can kill with his bare hands. He makes one comment in the story when he disarms a bad guy, and tosses the gun and knife away. "Guns and knives...weapons of cowards." That was the only allusion to his feelings about guns in the entire book, other than the fact that he never uses one.
In Book Two, I don't think Trent makes any comments about guns, but he still never uses a gun. He is forced to use a katana, however, and he just happens to be an expert. Being trained in Japan, that is a very realistic development. He's a master at Kendo, which is the art of using a katana. The fact that Trent Smith holds the rank of Judan automatically suggests he's a master with a katana, and he most certainly is.
But when it comes to guns, in Book Three, which is a WIP right now, I do put in there that Trent wishes guns had never been invented. Now I'm not so extreme in that belief, personally, but I do wish guns were limited to the military and police. I don't think 'Johnny Average' needs a gun. I don't believe in hunting, either, btw. I don't recognize the "sport" in shooting an animal that's grazing, and/or minding its own business in an area where it's at home. But the world is the way it is, and all I can do about it is write great stories. And that's all I'll ever be able to do.
There's a couple shows, Bunraku, for instance, where the action takes place with no guns. That's because, in Bunraku, guns are outlawed. And now there's a new TV show coming soon, called Into the Badlands, where, like in Bunraku, guns are outlawed.
But in the real world, guns are prevalent. More than prevalent, actually, and society is surely paying the price for that prevalence. Movies, novels, and TV shows are reflecting that prevalence, often focusing on the price for that prevalence.
I hate the price that's being paid for that prevalence, although, fortunately, that price has not affected me personally, and I hope that remains true. Nevertheless, I have projected my own personal hatred for guns onto the main character in my Killer Series.
In Book One, Killer of Killers, Trent Smith never uses a gun. He is a deadly martial artist who can kill with his bare hands. He makes one comment in the story when he disarms a bad guy, and tosses the gun and knife away. "Guns and knives...weapons of cowards." That was the only allusion to his feelings about guns in the entire book, other than the fact that he never uses one.
In Book Two, I don't think Trent makes any comments about guns, but he still never uses a gun. He is forced to use a katana, however, and he just happens to be an expert. Being trained in Japan, that is a very realistic development. He's a master at Kendo, which is the art of using a katana. The fact that Trent Smith holds the rank of Judan automatically suggests he's a master with a katana, and he most certainly is.
But when it comes to guns, in Book Three, which is a WIP right now, I do put in there that Trent wishes guns had never been invented. Now I'm not so extreme in that belief, personally, but I do wish guns were limited to the military and police. I don't think 'Johnny Average' needs a gun. I don't believe in hunting, either, btw. I don't recognize the "sport" in shooting an animal that's grazing, and/or minding its own business in an area where it's at home. But the world is the way it is, and all I can do about it is write great stories. And that's all I'll ever be able to do.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Killer Eyes Release Imminent
Killer Eyes' release is imminent. However, I found the last four typos yesterday, and Nancy, the ever vigilant Melange publisher, said she would get them fixed. I must have found those typos at the last possible minute, because I had received pre-order links last night, and was afraid it might have been too late. But Nancy's on it, and proving herself once again to be the most author friendly publisher in the world.
A publisher concerned for quality, like Nancy, is an author's dream. All Melange Books can be counted on to be error free. And if they're not, you can't blame the publisher. Nancy has proven to me time and again that she will go out of her way to keep her author's happy, and if the author is happy, you can bet the readers will be happy, too.
No readers want to read books that have typos or other errors, and that's where Melange scores big. And that's why Melange is a great publisher. Check them out. If you've already bought my Killer of Killers book, you can get Book Two soon. And check out some of the other titles, too. Knowing what I know about Melange, you won't be disappointed!
Update: It seems a digital release is going to happen on MOBI and Kindle on Halloween, but Nancy is going to confirm all typos are gone before the print version is released. Stay tuned.
A publisher concerned for quality, like Nancy, is an author's dream. All Melange Books can be counted on to be error free. And if they're not, you can't blame the publisher. Nancy has proven to me time and again that she will go out of her way to keep her author's happy, and if the author is happy, you can bet the readers will be happy, too.
No readers want to read books that have typos or other errors, and that's where Melange scores big. And that's why Melange is a great publisher. Check them out. If you've already bought my Killer of Killers book, you can get Book Two soon. And check out some of the other titles, too. Knowing what I know about Melange, you won't be disappointed!
Update: It seems a digital release is going to happen on MOBI and Kindle on Halloween, but Nancy is going to confirm all typos are gone before the print version is released. Stay tuned.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Inside the Outhouse over 16,000 Words
Over 16,000 words on my MG/YA novel Inside the Outhouse. On another note, I'm trying to see what happens by soliciting a few literary agents for Second Chance. I'm calling it a YA novel, too, because it's not violent, there's no sex, and the MC is only 24 years old. It has a lot of teenaged high schoolers in it, and the story centers around a high school football team. So I figure that qualifies it at least as a YA novel, if not an MG/YA novel, but whatever. I don't expect anyone to answer. I've learned that lesson already. Still, you have to try. Sometimes the impossible happens.
And if it does, I'll have an avenue to the big time. Meaning the top level publishers. I'm currently at level three with my Killer Series and The Vase. John Dunn had been accepted by a level 2 publisher, meaning print runs, hard bound copies, and placement in bookstores. The prospect is exciting, and I can't wait. So if Second Chance is published by KRP, that will be fine, but why not take another shot at a level 1 publisher? I've learned MG/YA novels have a better chance, so yeah.
As for Inside the Outhouse? I'll give that a shot at an agent, too. Gotta finish it first. Then we'll see.
And if it does, I'll have an avenue to the big time. Meaning the top level publishers. I'm currently at level three with my Killer Series and The Vase. John Dunn had been accepted by a level 2 publisher, meaning print runs, hard bound copies, and placement in bookstores. The prospect is exciting, and I can't wait. So if Second Chance is published by KRP, that will be fine, but why not take another shot at a level 1 publisher? I've learned MG/YA novels have a better chance, so yeah.
As for Inside the Outhouse? I'll give that a shot at an agent, too. Gotta finish it first. Then we'll see.
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