Comments on: Writers in a Gilded Cage–Only Art Can Set Us Free

By: A New Way to Study Writing: Watching Too Much Television | Chris Devlin's Blog

Sat, 12 May 2012 06:46:08 +0000

[...] Social media guru Kristen Lamb’s incisive lament. [...]

By: Kevin McLaughlin (@KOMcLaughlin)

Kevin McLaughlin (@KOMcLaughlin) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:16:41 +0000

Kindle samples are 10% of the book. *Generally*, I think one can tell if a book is an absolute stinker after reading 5-10 thousand words of the story.

On the off chance that you get a book that has 5000 words of great story, followed by two hundred pages of goobledygook, you CAN return Kindle books for several days after buying them for a full refund.

Also – and this is key – most indie writers have one or more works at a low price, 99 cents or so, which is a “loss leader” to let new readers try a book out at a low price. Not every reader will like every writer. I know I don’t like every writer’s work – even some writers I know are outstanding at their craft simply aren’t my style. So trying out a 99 cent story is sort of a lower investment way to check a new-to-you author out.

But I always sample folks before I buy a book from them. That’s your first and best line of defense against dreck. I will often browse the “popularity” list for the genres I read, scan the first several pages for anything that looks fun, and grab samples for each. When I have time, later, I read a sample. If the book grabbed me enough that I just have to read the rest by the end of the sample, I buy it. Otherwise, I delete it.

By: danisidhe

danisidhe — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:08:49 +0000

Very true, writing-wise, but how do I find something to read that will be good all the way through? Since Kindle is the easiest way for me to get books, living in Bangkok, for the time being I am searching in the printed books section and hope for a kindle edition, it’s working so far. I know I’m missing some good, self published, ebook only stuff but I’m not ready to get burned again, yet!

By: Yvette

Yvette — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:31:24 +0000

I say keep learning and striving. At the end of the day you’ve got to live with who you see in the mirror!
Yvette Carol

By: Danielle Beith Ruschena

Danielle Beith Ruschena — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:26:43 +0000

The problem is, social media IS selling bad books. Lots of them. I’ve bought them. Again and again, I’ve been attracted by a blurb, and read a sample which shows promise and a decent writing style, but the STORY falls apart after the opening. The characters don’t have the depth that seemed to be there, there is no structure, no emotional roller coaster (which is not the same as action) for the reader. More often than not it turns out that the book is a “series” with some “cliff hanger” ending which should, frankly, have been the second, or perhaps third turning point in a single novel.
It’s almost as though people are only taking the courses on loglines/blurbs/queries and carefully writing and re-writing their beginnings and then not caring about the rest of the book. The cynic in me suspects that they are deliberately working on what is needed to con readers into buying a book – it can’t be returned, so why not?
And yet, they sell. Sometimes very well. It’s disheartening to a writer who is really doing their best to be good at their craft, before they submit each time. I’m often told not to hold myself to such high standards, but I don’t think I do – I’m just trying to be good, not great. How do you even hold yourself to less than what you think of as good, anyway?

By: Char

Char — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:18:53 +0000

What a shame those folks didn’t take advantage of your expertise! I feel lucky to be in a critique group that offers me guidance on plotting, character, etc. I know I’ve grown tremendously the last 3 years because of my little cohort (and my first novel may still suck!), but how do others find GOOD teachers of the craft of writing? Where else can you go to get good critiques? Should authors pay for editing – and if yes, how do you know who is good or bad?

By: Author Kristen Lamb

Author Kristen Lamb — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:24:57 +0000

But the wonderful part about Amazon is it is the ARTIST who compromises for the 99 cents…not the publisher . Food for thought.

By: Does Publishing Support the Writer-Artist? « Kristen Lamb's Blog

Does Publishing Support the Writer-Artist? « Kristen Lamb's Blog — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:13:05 +0000

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By: David St. Albans

David St. Albans — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:05:25 +0000

I am a published author. And by that I mean I have been published in many forms over the years. I started in the world of paper however. I have this friend who keeps writing wonderful stuff and it keeps showing up on Kindle for 99 cents. I sell hardly any of my massive 760 page Dracula novel at 24.99, but I am a stickler for ART over insubstantial garbage. In a way, if you offer it for 99 cents, whatever you write is insubstantial garbage in an existential way. It ruins your soul. I can’t write “just to sell.” It’s like this. I am an artist as well. My mother once asked me: “Why don’t you paint sad clowns? You’d make so much money painting sad clowns!” I went to my bedroom and drew two of the most angry, maniacal clowns ever! I still sell the prints now and then. I hate clowns. And I felt, even at 16, I would never sully my talents by pandering to what the public felt it was willing to pay for. I will go to my grave not being famous. But I know this. I have written brilliantly. When the world catches up, they may find me on some dusty bookshelf, just like found Poe and Verne and Lovecraft…And I will smile in my grave. I choose art. But I still buy my friend’s books at 99 cents, so he knows I love him.

By: Hildie McQueen

Hildie McQueen — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:02:38 +0000

I am so overwhelmed by the changes in the few years I’ve started writing. I hear so many different opinions about the constantly changing writer’s world and I think to myself– Do you really want to stay on the train? And if so, why? Because I love writing, I want to learn and be the best writer, so that my stories will be better. I’m saddened to hear about your class ending. IMHO everyone wants to do it fast, take shortcuts and not put in the work that takes to polish the art of writing. Even if none but my friends read my books, I will keep writing and learning. Thank you for your dedication to us.