Okay...so DARK CAPTIVE has now been out for a full day in both print and digital form, and I can relax...almost. At least I could until I heard from both my editor and my agent regarding NetGalley and reviews, and I figured relaxing wasn't going to happen.
I had no idea there were rules for this part of the biz, but I guess there are, so I have a request for any of you who are reading or planning to read DARK CAPTIVE in the next few days. If you're a reader who would normally post a review even if you don't care for the book (and please, always be honest when you post a review), if you could do it within the first couple of weeks after the book releases, that would really help.
Reviews used to be something we (authors) all looked forward to. We got depressed over the bad ones, (though if the bad reviews make good points for change, I know I take them seriously and, if possible, try to fix what that particular reviewer didn't like) and we madly celebrate the good ones. Whenever possible, where there's a short snippet that translates well for clip on the website, we get that posted asap! Now, though, with so many writers publishing and readers overwhelmed by choices, the only way to sell books is if there are enough reviews to raise the book's ranking on the various online sellers.
I haven't really paid close enough attention to this part of the business--and that's what this is: a business--and I should have been over the years. I absolutely hate asking for reviews, but I guess that's really hurting me in the long run, because people don't even know the books exist unless they follow me online via my newsletter, Facebook, or Twitter. Or, if they go to their favorite bookseller and see what books are trending.
So, that is my request for you if you commonly leave a starred ranking on Goodreads or Amazon or any of the others, that you try and get it posted by the end of May. And to those of you who are part of my street team and get your copies from NetGalley, if you have been rejected for a copy of my book, please send me an email and I will contact my editor and get you added back in. I didn't realize that if you get a free NetGalley copy and don't review or leave any feedback anywhere, your name is purged from our list at some point. And no, I don't know what point that is.
My next project will be getting Dark Wolf proofed and formatted for release, and than Dark Moon so we can get the two Kensington titles back up. That's where the Spirit Wild series began, but I now have the rights back and need to bring them out myself.
I had no idea there were rules for this part of the biz, but I guess there are, so I have a request for any of you who are reading or planning to read DARK CAPTIVE in the next few days. If you're a reader who would normally post a review even if you don't care for the book (and please, always be honest when you post a review), if you could do it within the first couple of weeks after the book releases, that would really help.
Reviews used to be something we (authors) all looked forward to. We got depressed over the bad ones, (though if the bad reviews make good points for change, I know I take them seriously and, if possible, try to fix what that particular reviewer didn't like) and we madly celebrate the good ones. Whenever possible, where there's a short snippet that translates well for clip on the website, we get that posted asap! Now, though, with so many writers publishing and readers overwhelmed by choices, the only way to sell books is if there are enough reviews to raise the book's ranking on the various online sellers.
I haven't really paid close enough attention to this part of the business--and that's what this is: a business--and I should have been over the years. I absolutely hate asking for reviews, but I guess that's really hurting me in the long run, because people don't even know the books exist unless they follow me online via my newsletter, Facebook, or Twitter. Or, if they go to their favorite bookseller and see what books are trending.
So, that is my request for you if you commonly leave a starred ranking on Goodreads or Amazon or any of the others, that you try and get it posted by the end of May. And to those of you who are part of my street team and get your copies from NetGalley, if you have been rejected for a copy of my book, please send me an email and I will contact my editor and get you added back in. I didn't realize that if you get a free NetGalley copy and don't review or leave any feedback anywhere, your name is purged from our list at some point. And no, I don't know what point that is.
My next project will be getting Dark Wolf proofed and formatted for release, and than Dark Moon so we can get the two Kensington titles back up. That's where the Spirit Wild series began, but I now have the rights back and need to bring them out myself.
On the home front:
Still haven't sold the house, so we're sort of in a holding pattern here with the move. Of course, it didn't help that the day we put ours up for sale, when there was nothing else in town at our price range, about five other homes went on the market at the same price! Hopefully, one of these days something will happen and we can get ourselves settled far away from town.
My husband is finally recovering from his surgery, but it's been a long six months for a really active guy who's been limping around with a cane or relying on a knee scooter to cover any distance. Of course, he can still ride his bike! I think he could be at Death's Door and still ride his bike. And yes, that's a very good thing. Keeps both of us sane. Or as sane as we're able to be!
I'm still dealing with the stomach ulcer issue, but must admit I got the giggles -- and I am NOT a giggler -- when my doctor suggested cutting stress out of my life! I've already cut out alcohol and caffeine, and I'm a hardcore coffee drinker, and you all know how I love my wine! But stress? That IS my life!
He's obviously never been a mom/wife/grandmother/author/cook/nurse/ in the middle of trying to sell her house and move across the state.
On that note, I have to get the house straightened up in case we need to show it, and go back to work on Dark Wolf. I do hope you enjoy Dark Captive. I'm looking forward to the next story following the same thread where the Chanku are actively searching out Berserkers still trapped in their animal forms. There are more out there than they ever realized, all of them waiting for the moment they can taste those almost mythical grasses from the Tibetan plateau and the lower regions of the Himalayas. Taste them and discover the human side they know is hidden within.
Still haven't sold the house, so we're sort of in a holding pattern here with the move. Of course, it didn't help that the day we put ours up for sale, when there was nothing else in town at our price range, about five other homes went on the market at the same price! Hopefully, one of these days something will happen and we can get ourselves settled far away from town.
My husband is finally recovering from his surgery, but it's been a long six months for a really active guy who's been limping around with a cane or relying on a knee scooter to cover any distance. Of course, he can still ride his bike! I think he could be at Death's Door and still ride his bike. And yes, that's a very good thing. Keeps both of us sane. Or as sane as we're able to be!
I'm still dealing with the stomach ulcer issue, but must admit I got the giggles -- and I am NOT a giggler -- when my doctor suggested cutting stress out of my life! I've already cut out alcohol and caffeine, and I'm a hardcore coffee drinker, and you all know how I love my wine! But stress? That IS my life!
He's obviously never been a mom/wife/grandmother/author/cook/nurse/ in the middle of trying to sell her house and move across the state.
On that note, I have to get the house straightened up in case we need to show it, and go back to work on Dark Wolf. I do hope you enjoy Dark Captive. I'm looking forward to the next story following the same thread where the Chanku are actively searching out Berserkers still trapped in their animal forms. There are more out there than they ever realized, all of them waiting for the moment they can taste those almost mythical grasses from the Tibetan plateau and the lower regions of the Himalayas. Taste them and discover the human side they know is hidden within.
Also, I am hoping to get back to contests as soon as we get settled. Right now ALL of my books are packed. Everything. My office is bare and so clean it makes me twitchy. I am NOT a competent housekeeper. If there's a choice between writing and cleaning, I'd rather be in my office. Now, if the choice is writing and gardening or writing and cooking, I'd have to think about it a bit longer.
Take care, be well, and stay safe. Decent weather is not really something we can count on anymore, and I don't want any of you hurt by weather systems that are definitely not welcome where you live.
All the best,
Kate
Take care, be well, and stay safe. Decent weather is not really something we can count on anymore, and I don't want any of you hurt by weather systems that are definitely not welcome where you live.
All the best,
Kate
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