#Updates #SciFi #IndieAuthor #IndieBooks #SocialMedia #Petition #AmazonReviews #Newsletter
overview
September is shaping up to be a busy month for me; revisions on books two and three are picking up again, I’ve agreed to put together a large-scale, gallery exhibition for next summer, and I’m in the process of completing two separate illustration commissions. I’m also gathering material and images for the first issue of my quarterly newsletter/zine. All of this abundance, and I have the privilege of participating in a month long promotion with fourteen fantastic indie authors.
For more information, click on the image.
a worthy petition
Back in June, a petition requesting that Amazon reconsider its heavy-handed method of removing reviews was circulated. I signed it then, but I thought it would be a good time to bring it back into the light in case some of you missed it. There are only a couple of hundred signatures needed to send it off.
The following is what I had to say at the time:
“Dear Amazon,
I review the books I’ve enjoyed and ‘following’ the Authors on social media is the best way to stay current with the material they produce – especially when they are Indie Authors.If reviews are going to be taken down because of this, it not only wastes the reviewers time and energy but demonstrates that you are guilty of pushing a bias/agenda of your own – one that favors the large publishing houses over the self-published. Is it only about the money? You are a company, you’re there to make money, and ‘The Big 5’ have large advertising budgets. What about providing service? Indie Authors require the reviews to become visible on Amazon. By following my favorites, the only prejudice I’m showing is my preference in reading material and style. This strong-arm method you’ve deployed not only prevents the new author from finding a place in the market via your algorithms, but it also keeps them from improving through constructive critique.
I’m sure there are reviews out there that are done by well-meaning family members or purchased via book sites, but I dare say it’s not the norm. Credit us, the purchasers, with some intelligence; most of us are smart enough to recognize a proud grandma or a bot. We’re certainly capable of spotting trolls.
Amazon, leave the reviews alone.
Thank you for your time.
Cheers,
Jenn Rogers, aka ‘Mythspinner'”
“TAMYRH QUARTERLY” – THE FANS OF THE 942 SERIES NEWSLETTER
As you can see, I finally picked a name. Now for the results from the “I want to see – First Story” Poll for the newsletter/zine. (Insert drum-roll)
- Something from ‘The Seep’ – 5 votes – WINNER
- Something about ‘Clan Destine’ – 4 votes
- An early Nash or Davis story – 3 votes
- Something about ‘Roz and Nash’s Family’ – 3 votes
FEATURES – I’ll reiterate for those of you who can’t read the micro-print on the cover.
- Protocol 9
A short story set four years before the beginning of The Korpes File.
Length: >4200 Words
A base-camp goes silent, deep inside the boundaries of the fetid jungle known as ‘The Seep’. Colonel Kael Sunder and his crew are deployed to find out what happened, and, if necessary terminate all survivors. - Aldus Interviews
A Chief Inspector with Korlune Internal Security, gifted with unusual intuitive abilities, ‘interviews’ other characters from the series. This issue’s subject is Ashley Harlo, primary med-tech assigned to the Armatus Project and heiress to the Harlo fortune. - From The Desk Of
Royce Malvyne, retired KMR&D comptroller, shares some of his caricatures of his fellow characters. - Newsfeed
Home to links, polls, and other interactive material. Feedback is welcome.
Thank you, everyone, who voted (especially those of you who tried to do it twice).
SOCIAL MEDIA SELF-HELP ARTICLES
When it comes to understanding and learning to use social media to promote your books/art, there is a lot of information to wade through. Everyone and their sacred goat seems to have books, blogs, videos offering up their hard-earned wisdom. Sadly, there isn’t enough time in the day to go through it all, so I’ve picked two of the best I’ve found in the last few weeks.
10 Essential Tips to Avoid Being Blocked by Facebook and being sent to “Facebook Jail”… and don’t fall asleep reading the fine print rules.
Por Eugenia Skaf | Blogger at Postcron.com
I’ve done enough ‘liking’ to have spent time in Facebook jail on more than one occasion. The linked article below is the most comprehensive one I’ve seen on how to avoid it
Thanks, S. A. Gibson, for sending this to me while you were experiencing the blue-thumb ban. Click on the image to open the article.
25 Ways to Get the Most Out of Twitter
By Pamela DeLoatch on April 19, 2015, @pameladel
Twitter appears to be something you either love or hate. This article provides a solid concept on how to tackle the 140 character barriers and connect with your followers. I noted there were other topics of interest on this site, but I haven’t had a chance to check them out, yet. Click on the image to open the article.
That’s it for now.
Cheers,
J. I. Rogers
