Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I always seem to be on forums, websites etc. that are about authors. What I want is to communicate with readers (or should I say "potential readers"?). My website will tell you a lot about me: a traditionally published author, established and now, like many other authors, putting my back-list on Amazon etc. If you like story telling that skirts around a particular genre, but touches most bases like mystery, crime, action, thriller etc., why not pop over to my website at http://www.michaelparkerbooks.com? You might be surprised and delighted. I am planning to launch a campaign once I get the hang of MailChimp and marketing, but that's the hard bit.

Hi,
I too am new to this group and don't really know what to put where! My first novel is out which i'm quite excited about. It's a vampire thriller/romance called The Revelation. You can get a better idea from my website, http://www.cjhunterbooks.com I would love to gain some insights especially in the areas of marketing and promotion.Also, how to use this site effectively. Feel free to say hi! :-)

Hi Michael,

I'm glad i'm not the only one who struggles with marketing! Where does one start and where does one end! I think i've read almost every ebook on the subject and at the end of the day, all i seem to have achieved is reading an awful lot of material but getting nowhere! The joys of writing i suppose - getting one's name out there and finding that connection with other readers and writers :-)

This probably doesn't answer many of your questions about promoting but I'm a book blogger and I've helped many authors get the word out about their new book release. Im a teen and so I usually will have them send me bookmarks, posters, and more to pass out around the school and get so many kids reading their book. I also have a blog that I'll post stuff about the book an have a countdown posted too! Many other blogs will do this stuff too! :)

If your interested in me helping you out you can email me at [email protected] .

You can check out my site at www.bookblogs4you.com

Thanks!
-Riley

Another newbie here with a newly published novel.

Like Tim Dorsey or Carl Hiassen?

Then take a peek at Another Vanishing Act, a hard luck tale about poor decisions, unpaid debts, and the old folks that populate the Excelsior Senior Apartments.

Get ready for explosions, vermin and the oddest chili restaurant you've ever seen in this story populated by more than its share of crazies.

If that wasn't enough, somebody's cashing in on some untimely deaths -- and using an oddball scheme to transport the corpses.

Get the scoop at https://anothervanishingact.wordpress...

Thanks!
- Pasquale

Hello everyone, hope I've got this in the right place.

My first novel, a light mystery with humor called Death of a Bride and Groom, will be released by Five Star (Cengage) May 20. Five Star is a small press and I’m trying to get the book a little attention. I have ARCs available now, or a PDQ file, whichever you prefer, and I'd love a review. Here’s the blurb:

When the body of writer Iris Morland is discovered in full bridal array atop a giant wedding cake parade float, the little resort town of Honeymoon Falls is left reeling. Not only is its reputation as "the Romance Capital of the World" at risk, its very survival is threatened. Murder, it seems, has a chilling effect on those considering venues for potential nuptials.

Suspects include Iris's husband, Kenneth, enraged after discovering her liaison with television host Arnold Reifel. Arnold's wife, Marjorie, was seething because Iris had turned Marjorie's interior decoration schemes into a very public humiliation. Then there's haughty French film auteur, Pierre Blondin, in town filming Iris's novel. Did Iris trigger his murderous wrath by opposing a nude scene featuring ninety-five-year-old actress Hermione Hopkins?

Captain Will Halsey, head of Honeymoon Falls' three-person police force, struggles to find the killer while coping with small-town politics, feuding among his subordinates, and the ferocious attentions of the media.

Hello everyone! Relatively new to Goodreads and I thought this sounded like a cool group. I'm a fantasy writer that dabbles in a world I call Splatter Elf. Think weird fantasy fiction mixed with dark comedy mixed with over-the-top bloody 80s action movies and a touch of Lovecraft. In any case, my first story "The Unicorn-Eater" is now available. It features a bounty hunter named Katzia and her mission to figure out what is eating all the local unicorns.

Linkage here: http://amzn.to/1JoPZnr

Hi, New to the group. I'm writing my first serious book so I am learning a lot. Is it only finished books that people write about here, or can individual chapters be posted? What I'm writing doesn't go from point A to Point B but is about different issues within our prison system that most people are unaware of, so not reading chapter 3 doesn't mean you wouldn't understand chapter 4. I'm learning that promoting what's being written while it's being written is important. I also have a book blog - so maybe that is a way to promote it here?

Hi Vincent,

Could you adda a category named "Job Search" or books about interviewing, networking, resumes, etc.

Thanks,

Tom

Sonni wrote: "Hi, New to the group. I'm writing my first serious book so I am learning a lot. Is it only finished books that people write about here, or can individual chapters be posted? What I'm writing doesn..."


I know someone who is posting individual chapters. I'm not entirely sure how she does it, but I do know that it is possible.

Here's here GR page that links to the chapters:

https://www.goodreads.com/story/list/...

Hope this helps, Sonni!

John wrote: "Wayne wrote: "So I recently learned that self-published authors are selling less and less books today. The reason is that more and more people are becoming authors. Even giving away their book for ..."

@John,

It's about a multi-level approach. Unfortunately, there is no one fits all solution any longer. In the late eighties authors did very well with interviews on talk-radio. Then came, satelite radio and pod casts....

Maybe you'd like to read my blog:

Do NOT hire a publicist to get on TV - You can do this Yourself!
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

This works on many levels because you reach audiences via TV, you can pull a picture for your website, if you can get on TV often enough you can become an expert speaker. Companies love to hire people, who have been on TV. And, yes, it works for fiction too.

Once you are an expert speaker, you don't need to sell books, because you'll get for speaking engagements. :))

C.J. wrote: "Hi Michael,

I'm glad i'm not the only one who struggles with marketing! Where does one start and where does one end! I think i've read almost every ebook on the subject and at the end of the day, ..."

I'm with you, C.J. I've had some success with Facebook, and a little with Goodreads. I'm just now trying to work with Linkedin. I've also done book-signings and have tried Fiverr for a little exposure. Without trying to sound self-serving, I'm a good writer, and people like my style and story-telling ability, but reaching the mainstream is not easy. I really think a lot of it is pure luck; reaching the right person (or place) to get your book(s) exposed and into the arena.
Sure, you could invest heavily, hire a publicist and agent, and with a good book, it would probably work; but even that is a bit of a gamble.
I think I'll just continue to plod along, hope that my visibility on Amazon, Goodreads, Linkedin, and Facebook will continue to sell a few books.

Got a question because I don't want to post to the wrong forum.
I'm looking for a street team... people who will help me with publicity in exchange for free reads. Where do I post that request?

Quite a few excellent writers here. I am new to the group, with some reading to catch up on.

Hi, I'm new here. I have five books on Amazon and they've all gotten good reviews although not very many. My latest one is "Blue's Point." I love to write, but I don't like trying to self-promote. I think the best I can do is give some of the reviews. They give a feeling for the book and for the reactions of the readers.

"What a pleasant surprise! The book sounded intriguing - white guy fresh out of jail for murdering a black man meets angry black reporter in a dangerously racist part of the South - and it totally delivered on its promise. No-holds barred writing and great, complex characters. It pulled me along to the thrilling finish. This would make a great movie."

"It's rare in the world of self-publishing to find a first-rate novel. BLUE'S POINT by Richard Ferguson is that rare exception.

Blue's Point, Louisiana, is like the town that time and progress forgot: a place where racial hatred and murder of Black Americans remain a cherished way of life. Into this maelstrom comes Steve Cox, fresh out of state prison for a murder of a black man he didn't commit. At the same time, a black journalist, Mykeisha Ali – "Mike" - arrives in town to investigate numerous murders involving Afro-American men. Their paths soon collide, when Steve is strong-armed by the local good old boy tyrant, Jim Blue, into working for the town newspaper where Mike begins her investigation.

After being roughed up the by locals, Mike is doubly suspicious, even fearful, of Steve – son of a former KKK grand wizard on top of having been imprisoned for killing a Black man – but she's gradually won over as Steve shows his true colors and risks his own life to get her the information she needs.

Ferguson writes uncompromisingly about the hearts and minds of his characters, never shying from describing ugliness and violence, but not dwelling on it, either. The story flowed like a movie in my mind – I could barely turn the virtual pages on my Kindle fast enough. Richard Ferguson's novel is both a meditation on what stirs men and women's souls and a thrill-ride – a rare combination, in my experience. At times, I was reminded of Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD."

http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Point-Ric...

John wrote: "No thank you, Not my sort of book. I am nearly 70, SO A BIT LATE FOR ME.
I am always interested in action adventure books, current time, spy, crime, Andy McNab Chris Ryan and early Cussler sort of ..."

Hi John,
You might checkout my new book, a novel entitled 'Five Weeks to Jamaica'. It's an ocean adventure, not a Cussler style of main character, but a young man with an affinity for the sea and a flare for the dramatic. It can be found on Amazon, both e-book and printed versions. It's starting to receive some good reviews on Amazon. Thanks, and enjoy the journey!

My name is Michelle and I'm relatively new to Goodreads and have no idea what I'm really doing.
I am getting used to being a co-author of Prompted to Write which came out last year. Now I am getting ready to put out an inspirational romance this Sep./Oct. I am trying to read up on marketing and my brain is filled with ideas. I am always learning something!

Hi Michelle, welcome to the club; those of us who have no idea what we're really doing!
I've been on Goodreads for about two-months, trying to expose myself, so to speak, by joining groups such as Goodreads, Linkedin, and other social media sites.
I've published two books in the past year and a half, using one of the online publishing company's. My books have done well in a sense (I've at least broken-even) with my investments to date. I've not really seen any concrete results from becoming active on sites such as this, but I have seen that at least a few people have discovered, purchased, and enjoyed my books on Goodreads, and particularly on Facebook.
One thing you can do is to attach a link for 'Promted' to these posts (you should not do it more than once a week, according to the guidelines), but it does give your book exposure to at least those members that use this site. I think it probably extends beyond here once you figure out how to add to your posts, and link to other sites.
Good luck, and keep learning!

Hi Doug! Thanks for your welcome. I didn't think about adding the link, that would be logical...I am so untechy and frustrated with trying to keep up with all this stuff. If I start to make any money (when!) I'll have to hire a teenager to do this other stuff so I can keep writing.

Anyway, good luck to you and keep writing!

Yep, Michelle. For those of us that went through school writing with pencils and dialing our friends on a wall phone with numbered holes that you spin around, this new era of the world being at your fingertips on a screen the size of a pack of Marlboro's is kind of intimidating. It is a good thing there are youngsters out there to help us out!

Hi, Is this where I introduce myself and my book?
My name is Susanne Leist. I'm a former Financial Analyst who has a written a paranormal mystery/suspense with vampires, human vampires, and vampire derivatives.
It's called The Dead Game.
Kindle
http://amzn.to/1lKvMrP
Nook
http://bit.ly/1lFdqNj

Hello. My name is Effie Kammenou.
I have been on Goodreads a while but now I am listing myself as an author. My debut novel will be released this week on amazon in print and on kindle. Read the synopsis below:


In the year 1956, Anastacia Fotopoulos finds herself pregnant and betrayed, fleeing from a bad marriage. With the love and support of her dear friends Stavros and Soula Papadakis, Ana is able to face the challenges of single motherhood. Left with emotional wounds, she resists her growing affection for Alexandros Giannakos, an old acquaintance. But his persistence and unconditional love for Ana and her child is eventually rewarded and his love is returned. In a misguided, but well-intentioned effort to protect the ones they love, both Ana and Alex keep secrets - ones that could threaten the delicate balance of their family.

The story continues in the 1970’s as Dean and Demi Papadakis, and Sophia Giannakos attempt to negotiate between two cultures. Now Greek-American teenagers, Sophia and Dean,
who have shared a special connection since childhood, become lovers. Sophia is shattered when Dean rebels against the pressure his father places on him to uphold his Greek heritage and hides his feelings for her. When he pulls away from his family, culture and ultimately his love for her, Sophia is left with no choice but to find a life different from the one she’d hoped for.

EVANTHIA’S GIFT is a multigenerational love story spanning fifty years and crossing two continents, chronicling the lives that unify two families.

Very confused, so hope this is the right place. I'm Charlie Garratt and my novel, A Shadowed Livery was published by Grey Cells Press in April 2015. It is a classic mystery set in 1938 in Warwickshire, England.

Amazon reviews include:
'A very well crafted first novel. A traditional who dunnit which keeps you guessing 'til the end.'
'Really enjoyed this novel. Loads of twists and turns and an exciting page turner.'

I looked at my books and other author's books as rivals, not that much, but it was one of the factors that caused me to have a case of serious writer's block. Now I know I'm good, and there are many as good or better that me. I'm okay with it now because the more I read them, a better author I become.

Know the feeling! Lol

Know the feeling! Lol

I thought I had joined this group, but after scrolling through the postings, I do not see my entry.
I'm Doug Oudin, and I have published two books; my memoir, 'Between Two Harbors, Reflections of a Catalina Island Harbormaster', and a novel, 'Five Weeks to Jamaica'. Both books are on Amazon, and other sites, and both have received very good reviews.
My passion (beyond my family), is the ocean, and both of my books convey my love, knowledge, and affinity with the sea, while telling a compelling tale of my own life, and creating a colorful and entertaining seafaring saga.
I'd love to hear from those who have discovered my work, and hope that others might check them out.
Thanks for letting me be a part of this forum.
Doug Oudin
Between Two Harbors: Reflections of a Catalina Island Harbormaster
Five Weeks to Jamaica