Yours and Ringo's Dreams
So You Wanna be a Paperback Writer?!44 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
I couldn't help but laugh. I have gone through all of that and got so frustrated my son had to retrieve my computer from the garbage can. For real!!! I now hire somebody to do it for me. It's expensive, but not as expensive as repeatedly buying a new computer. Also, be careful, Amazon at their own digression likes to charge ZERO dollars for kindle books. It repeatedly happened to me so I quit doing E-books. Also because books need to be printed they don't qualify for free delivery. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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I couldn't help but laugh. I have gone through all of that and got so frustrated my son had to retrieve my computer from the garbage can. For real!!! I now hire somebody to do it for me. It's expensive, but not as expensive as repeatedly buying a new computer. Also, be careful, Amazon at their own digression likes to charge ZERO dollars for kindle books. It repeatedly happened to me so I quit doing E-books. Also because books need to be printed they don't qualify for free delivery. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Thank you, Barbara. I may be talking to you later about your publishing adventure! Thank you for reading this and your kindness. Please keep your eyes open for link to the freebie tomorrow. I'm hoping to create a buzz for my eBook with the free give away. So, tell your friends and relatives.
Jay
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I sure will.
Comment from Mary Shifman
Well, it sounds like you had a horrific experience. Fortunately for me, mine was a breeze because I had an experienced friend who publishes on Amazon regularly. He guided me and told me about Premade Covers on Facebook that could be purchased. Some are quite expensive, but some aren't. The cool bit was once I told them how many pages my book was, they were able to fit the cover. Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be and it looks great. They will also make special order covers but those are more expensive. The cover I got is in my portfolio: The Endless Song if you want to take a look. I wish you well in your endeavor and will certainly look for your book.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Well, it sounds like you had a horrific experience. Fortunately for me, mine was a breeze because I had an experienced friend who publishes on Amazon regularly. He guided me and told me about Premade Covers on Facebook that could be purchased. Some are quite expensive, but some aren't. The cool bit was once I told them how many pages my book was, they were able to fit the cover. Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be and it looks great. They will also make special order covers but those are more expensive. The cover I got is in my portfolio: The Endless Song if you want to take a look. I wish you well in your endeavor and will certainly look for your book.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Awww, Mary, thank you for your support. I will definitely check out your cover. I'll be posting the Yellow Cover thingy tomorrow with the link for the freebie. I hope you'll be helping me create the buzzzzz.
Blessings, Jay
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You are welcome.
Comment from Annmuma
What a delightful rant, well written picture of the Amazon book-publishing experience! I enjoyed the story from the opening -- through my mid-story break for snacks-- all the way to the final word. I will certainly be checking out the publications.
I had a book on Amazon - no longer available. However, I was told by a fellow fanstorian that it is not even listed under my name anymore. That seems a bit unimportant since it is not really available anyway. I had originally published it via PublishAmerica -- also now defunct!
Enjoyed the post. Thanks for sharing. ann
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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What a delightful rant, well written picture of the Amazon book-publishing experience! I enjoyed the story from the opening -- through my mid-story break for snacks-- all the way to the final word. I will certainly be checking out the publications.
I had a book on Amazon - no longer available. However, I was told by a fellow fanstorian that it is not even listed under my name anymore. That seems a bit unimportant since it is not really available anyway. I had originally published it via PublishAmerica -- also now defunct!
Enjoyed the post. Thanks for sharing. ann
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Oh, we could spend hours, I'm sure, on our experiences with Publish America! They published my first book which I hawked "door to door" and in two local bookstores. I still have a nice stack of them gathering dust on my bookshelf! Ann, thank you for your continual support! I hope you keep the buzz alive about my freebie. I'll be posting its link tomorrow. Look for the yellow book cover! LOL
Jay
Comment from Sally Law
Thank you for sharing this. Amazon and Amazon Audible has been like going to the Amazon rainforest without a guide, map, and a machete. Thankfully, I'm married to a genius who has helped me navigate the world of self publishing and the newest level of mind-numbing things to work through called Audible. You think Amazon books is tough? just wait until you delve into Audible. My goodness!
The amount I spent on one audio book was less than I first expected until I found Fiver, but still expensive nonetheless. A voice actor is approximately $500 and I tipped her generously. I am very happy with my voice actor though, and found her to be first class. Also, she sounds like me. How fun is that?
The cover art of my five published books were created by my husband and I, so we saved a boat load of money there. Approximately $17.00 for the template.
I, too, had a couple of print runs and eventually worked out the major issues. The chapters in one of my books were all out of sync too. Sigh. It happens to us all, so don't be discouraged, surprised or shocked. I'm blind as you know and errors can happen when I exit the page while in edit. Thank God for my two sighted copy editors and Reedsy editor.
I am looking forward to your book but don't mind paying at all. I will get the Kindle version. ;))
Looking forward to more of your great news and writing journey. Please contact me here on FS if I can help.
Blessings to you and yours always,
Sal :)) xo
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Thank you for sharing this. Amazon and Amazon Audible has been like going to the Amazon rainforest without a guide, map, and a machete. Thankfully, I'm married to a genius who has helped me navigate the world of self publishing and the newest level of mind-numbing things to work through called Audible. You think Amazon books is tough? just wait until you delve into Audible. My goodness!
The amount I spent on one audio book was less than I first expected until I found Fiver, but still expensive nonetheless. A voice actor is approximately $500 and I tipped her generously. I am very happy with my voice actor though, and found her to be first class. Also, she sounds like me. How fun is that?
The cover art of my five published books were created by my husband and I, so we saved a boat load of money there. Approximately $17.00 for the template.
I, too, had a couple of print runs and eventually worked out the major issues. The chapters in one of my books were all out of sync too. Sigh. It happens to us all, so don't be discouraged, surprised or shocked. I'm blind as you know and errors can happen when I exit the page while in edit. Thank God for my two sighted copy editors and Reedsy editor.
I am looking forward to your book but don't mind paying at all. I will get the Kindle version. ;))
Looking forward to more of your great news and writing journey. Please contact me here on FS if I can help.
Blessings to you and yours always,
Sal :)) xo
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Awwww, Sally, you've done my heart good. So genuine and supportive! Count your lucky stars in having such a loving workhorse in your hubby. Thank you so much for your personal experiences. Reedsy ... someone else recommended them to me. I had no idea that Audible would cost so dearly. I don't have any aspirations in that publishing area. When I was younger, I used the free "Audacity" to record and export to my then-existent blog all my short stories. But my voice is one of the many things that went south. My goodness, though, Sally, you needn't have awarded my self-flagellation with a six. But I thank you for it ... you may regret volunteering your future help. You will be doing so much just by grabbing my freebie on the 20th-24th and thereby helping to created the buzz. Thank you, dear Sally!
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Most welcome and SO deserved! Blessings,
Sal :))
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The yellow book cover piece posts in half an hour. The window opens 3 1/2 hours. So excited.
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Okay!!
Comment from Wayne Fowler
I love it - yeah, yeah, yeah!
"Your Book is live", and you allow your eyes to rove - I agree with your punctuation. Don't listen to the criticism. All you're doing with the quotes is emphasizing the words, not speaking them. The end quote does not belong outside the punctuation. If FanStory was friendlier you could italicize those words. What then, "critics"?
a blub - a blurb?
I know exactly of what you speak!
Good luck.
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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I love it - yeah, yeah, yeah!
"Your Book is live", and you allow your eyes to rove - I agree with your punctuation. Don't listen to the criticism. All you're doing with the quotes is emphasizing the words, not speaking them. The end quote does not belong outside the punctuation. If FanStory was friendlier you could italicize those words. What then, "critics"?
a blub - a blurb?
I know exactly of what you speak!
Good luck.
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Thank you hahahha my friend. I suppose I could have gotten along well without the punctuation outside the quote mark. I need to brush up on that aspect of grammar. I thought if you were isolating something in quotes (much as you would by using parentheses), as opposed to dialogue quotation, that the punctuation went outside, where, I've got to say, the little commas and periods DO seem so all alone, pounding their little fists on the quote mark, crying to get inside. Thank you, Wayne, for the sixer. And I do hope you help to keep the buzz alive by getting my freebie.
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Already got it. I hope there's an opportunity to offer a review.
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What?! You didn't wait! You stinker, you! A review on Amazon would flat blow me away. My God, I can't get over that announcement.
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I waited. It's already free!
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Better check your bank account. The Uneven Zen of Time (I just checked) isn't free until 12:01 AM PST tomorrow morning. Now Amazon does say it doesn't cost anything if you have their "Kindle Unlimited".
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I have Unlimited. But I'm OK with you gettin' your 13 cents!
(smiley face here)
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Good! Then you knew what you were doing. I'm just so afraid that others might not realize how Amazon starts off with the free offer and maybe find out too late that they have to have unlimited ... then give up! I'd be horrified to have the readers think I was trying to take advantage of them.
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I agree.
The Australian members have to jump through hoops to get it, but it's possible.
Comment from Jim Wile
I loved this, Jay. So funny and so familiar in many ways.
I, too, have published two books on Amazon: Lucky 1 and Lucky Eddie which you have already read much of. I wrote a third to complete the 3-volume trilogy (duh) called Abby's Luck, but I never published it and decided to take the three of them and turn them into one book: Some Call It Luck that you read on FS.
I am trying to go the traditional route with that one by finding an agent to represent it, but so far only passes. I may end up self-publishing it on Amazon, but I'm not sure yet, as I have only earned about $70 in royalties from the first two, and it seems hardly worth the effort. Most people that I care about I've already sent it to free, so I doubt there would be many new sales for the new one.
Finding them is next to impossible unless you enter "Lucky 1 Jim Wile" or "Lucky Eddie Jim Wile" into the search engine. E-book versions only. Check them out to see the covers and blurbs if you care to. My daughter did the cover for Lucky 1, and I used a freebie from Amazon for Lucky Eddie. I wouldn't purchase them, though, even though the price has dropped to $1.49. They aren't as good as Lucky 1, with far less character development. I learned a lot about writing as I wrote them, and each one, I think, has gotten progressively better, though still probably not good enough for acceptance by an agent.
As with you, I found the experience of self-publishing quite enjoyable--at least the ebook part. I never decided to go the paperback route, and now I'm glad I didn't, hearing your story. What a nightmare you presented, but in a very humorous way. As far as your novelette goes, I bought it, baby! No free copy for me. You're going to earn some actual scratch from that sale! The blurb sounds great.
I wish you great luck with the success of your story, Jay. I'm thankful for the entire experience and for learning so much about the book publishing industry in the process of publishing. It's a competitive world and takes a combination of skill, some luck, and some great marketing to have a successful book published. But I still think the most joy comes from the actual writing and editing and being pleased with your result. No one can take that from you. Jim
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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I loved this, Jay. So funny and so familiar in many ways.
I, too, have published two books on Amazon: Lucky 1 and Lucky Eddie which you have already read much of. I wrote a third to complete the 3-volume trilogy (duh) called Abby's Luck, but I never published it and decided to take the three of them and turn them into one book: Some Call It Luck that you read on FS.
I am trying to go the traditional route with that one by finding an agent to represent it, but so far only passes. I may end up self-publishing it on Amazon, but I'm not sure yet, as I have only earned about $70 in royalties from the first two, and it seems hardly worth the effort. Most people that I care about I've already sent it to free, so I doubt there would be many new sales for the new one.
Finding them is next to impossible unless you enter "Lucky 1 Jim Wile" or "Lucky Eddie Jim Wile" into the search engine. E-book versions only. Check them out to see the covers and blurbs if you care to. My daughter did the cover for Lucky 1, and I used a freebie from Amazon for Lucky Eddie. I wouldn't purchase them, though, even though the price has dropped to $1.49. They aren't as good as Lucky 1, with far less character development. I learned a lot about writing as I wrote them, and each one, I think, has gotten progressively better, though still probably not good enough for acceptance by an agent.
As with you, I found the experience of self-publishing quite enjoyable--at least the ebook part. I never decided to go the paperback route, and now I'm glad I didn't, hearing your story. What a nightmare you presented, but in a very humorous way. As far as your novelette goes, I bought it, baby! No free copy for me. You're going to earn some actual scratch from that sale! The blurb sounds great.
I wish you great luck with the success of your story, Jay. I'm thankful for the entire experience and for learning so much about the book publishing industry in the process of publishing. It's a competitive world and takes a combination of skill, some luck, and some great marketing to have a successful book published. But I still think the most joy comes from the actual writing and editing and being pleased with your result. No one can take that from you. Jim
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Oh man! Jim! You've made this old geezer dribble coffee down his chin, drinking while reading your lovely words about buying "The Uneven Zen of Time". I really can't thank you enough for that. I worked so hard crafting that one that I can humbly say I think you'll enjoy your read, even at $2.99! I'm going to try again, though. Thank you, Bud! You do have my curiosity up about the cover your daughter created for you. I'm going to take a look at that now. (Just did! And I give your daughter a big hand! That smudgy golf ball is so telling! And drawing in enough happy readers to elicit 12 reviews! Whoa! That's some accomplishment, Jim. Katharine even bought it as a gift for her husband.)
Now, you listen to me, Jim! Don't let my experience making a paperback on Amazon discourage you. It was all part of a learning curve that you younger guys can easily climb. Please do get yourself a paperback for Lucky One. You can use snippets from some of its reviews for your back cover. Do that for yourself. By the way, I stumbled onto a new tool, called Kindle Create which is a free download on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. You can also use Kindle Create for your future eBook publishing. So I highly suggest you use that. Let me know if you need some navigating tips for using it for your paperback, okay?
So thank you for this, Jim, and of course for your unexpected purchase of The Uneven Zen of Time. I hope you'll read enough of it before the 20th (the start of the 4-day open window for the freebie) to urge your family and friends to download the free one!
Man, you are too much!
Jay
Comment from Pam Lonsdale
I used to think that publishing on Amazon must be so much easier than finding an editor, agent, publisher, etc. Perhaps I was wrong! I don't have the patience you seem to, and I like to hire people to do the work for me in a lot of things - especially those things that deal with computers.
I must say that I giggled through most of this - although I would love to have heard your "demonic laughter." At least your sense of humor is still intact (or not).
I will look forward to reading 'The Uneven Zen of Time' - the title intrigues me.
Thanks for sharing the pain (and hopefully the pleasure that will come from people buying your trilogy) of publishing with us. Now we know it just ain't that easy! Did you actually ever get all of this sorted out and ready for purchase?
Best wishes!
Pam
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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I used to think that publishing on Amazon must be so much easier than finding an editor, agent, publisher, etc. Perhaps I was wrong! I don't have the patience you seem to, and I like to hire people to do the work for me in a lot of things - especially those things that deal with computers.
I must say that I giggled through most of this - although I would love to have heard your "demonic laughter." At least your sense of humor is still intact (or not).
I will look forward to reading 'The Uneven Zen of Time' - the title intrigues me.
Thanks for sharing the pain (and hopefully the pleasure that will come from people buying your trilogy) of publishing with us. Now we know it just ain't that easy! Did you actually ever get all of this sorted out and ready for purchase?
Best wishes!
Pam
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Yes, dear Pam. I did manage to get everything up and ready to go, both the Kindle eBooks and the paperbacks. I hope you can read enough of your free copy of "The Uneven Zen of Time" to be comfortable about recommending it's free read for all your friends and relatives. I really want it to create a buzz.
Until tomorrow's opening, then, thank you so much, Dear Pam!
Jay
Comment from Wendy G
Six stars for your most engaging writing of this "horror" story, written with skill and humour, as well as warning. That's exactly why I can't face doing anything much with my writing. I just have to enjoy the journey, not the destination.
But the chapters without numbers, and the Table of contents shemozzle - are kindergarten kids running the show? That's unbelievable!!
Typo: "a blub you've composed about why the world should read your novel." (blurb)
Wendy
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Six stars for your most engaging writing of this "horror" story, written with skill and humour, as well as warning. That's exactly why I can't face doing anything much with my writing. I just have to enjoy the journey, not the destination.
But the chapters without numbers, and the Table of contents shemozzle - are kindergarten kids running the show? That's unbelievable!!
Typo: "a blub you've composed about why the world should read your novel." (blurb)
Wendy
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Thank you, Wendy for pointing out my nit! It is corrected, thank you. I hate it when I flurb up like that! LOL, Wendy, thank you for your six stars. I wasn't expecting that!
Jay
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It was honest and authentic, witty and understanding, and you took a horrid and frustrating series of events into a fun but awful story. My style of writing. Lol. That's what I did with my lost phone and neglected dogs saga, and it helped me to cope! Lol. I enjoyed it a lot.
W
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You are toooooo funny, Wendy!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
Oh dear, Jay, you should write a book about the horrors of self publishing, it will encourage other would be published writers that it isn't they they are doing it wrong, but that many people do. Perseverance is the key, but sometimes we drop the key down the drain! Once you get one right, it gets easier, but, it is still a challenge. You'll do it, Jay, I have no doubt about it. You are not the type to throw in the towel. I'll go and look for your 'Yellow brick road' book (LOL) and tell all my friends. Good luck, dear friend. Sandra xxx
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Oh dear, Jay, you should write a book about the horrors of self publishing, it will encourage other would be published writers that it isn't they they are doing it wrong, but that many people do. Perseverance is the key, but sometimes we drop the key down the drain! Once you get one right, it gets easier, but, it is still a challenge. You'll do it, Jay, I have no doubt about it. You are not the type to throw in the towel. I'll go and look for your 'Yellow brick road' book (LOL) and tell all my friends. Good luck, dear friend. Sandra xxx
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Sandra, you dear! I already knew you'd be the one to keep the buzz going about my book. That's just who your are! By the way, what helped turn the corner for me was downloading "Kindle Create". It is an Amazing tool, and a free download, and though it has its own learning curve, it creates a professional-looking product. Do check it out if you haven't already. Again, thank you, Sandra for being with me on this journey.
Jay
Comment from K.I. Betancur
Dear Jay,
You are a trip!
As if your story wasn't outlandish enough, you went ahead and started referencing The Wizard of Oz!
Sarcasm aside, I wondered how "easy" it would be to publish on Amazon...so I consider this essay to be the reason I do NOT go down that path. At least, for the time being.
Signed,
Thankful that I don't have a book written yet to publish, in Florida
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Dear Jay,
You are a trip!
As if your story wasn't outlandish enough, you went ahead and started referencing The Wizard of Oz!
Sarcasm aside, I wondered how "easy" it would be to publish on Amazon...so I consider this essay to be the reason I do NOT go down that path. At least, for the time being.
Signed,
Thankful that I don't have a book written yet to publish, in Florida
Comment Written 19-Apr-2023
reply by the author on 19-Apr-2023
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Except that I did manage to get it all together! So don't give up on your dreams, K. Really. Try it when you're ready and feel free to contact me if I can smooth out some of the splintery edges. Don't give up.
Jay
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That's true! I appreciate it, thank you!
I may just go the more "traditional" route of finding a publisher/agent/etc., if I feel I'm at that point. Though, I will consider Amazon Publishing should the occasion arise.