Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Happy Making Reviews

This is topic Happy Making Reviews in forum Hatrack Writers - Publications & Reviews at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Chris Northern (Member # 9280) on :

Hi,

Tired of rejects that I was confident had little or nothing to do with quality, I finally convinced myself that self-publication was the way to go. Very glad I did. I used smashwords which is effectively functions as an ebook distributor. Two of these three fantasy novels have recieved a few nice reviews at Barnes & Noble and the smashwords site and consistent 4 and 5 Star ratings, which is nice. The new covers are visible in some outlets, not others. I recommend smashwords.com for downloads. POP is free, TLKA and TKTTG are not but 25% can be read to decide like/don't like.

Prison of Power - this one is free (I'd love to get some feedback, so far people are reading it but not commenting - I only made it free because I did not intend to support it with other volumes, not because I thought it was b*a*d...)

Still, I am much happier with these, the first two in a longer fantasy sequence; and they are getting some attention.

The Last King's Amulet
The Key To The grave
(Third volume due in march/april).

Chris Northern

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

I have thought about using smashmouth, even though I dislike that name, if I ever go the epub route. I rejected it when I first heard of the site because of the name but someone recommended it and I checked it out.

I had decided to do a ebook of my most rejected stories-I'm out of markets for most of them-but I need to find the time to edit them or better yet find someone who can do a better job of finding nitpicks and bad grammar than I do, even if I had to pay something to them. I'm not that worried about how good-bad-neutral the writing is in them at this stage.

Novels and my newer tales are another story. Pardon the pun.

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

BYW, How long is POP and what is it about?

Depending on the answer to the second I might consider reading it to comment. Except that right now I would have to rad it only on my computer Plus it would take me a month or two depending on the answer to the first question.

If I decide to get a ereader I would be able to take it with me.

Still having an internal debate if I really want one. I have the money... I have the technology to put him back together,

Ooops wrong show.

Posted by Chris Northern (Member # 9280) on :

LDWriter2 asked "BYW, How long is POP and what is it about?" Thanks for the interest LD - many people are taking copies but for some reason not a single review or rating anywhere.

POP is about 250K wds, more or less. It is far more a classic fantasy than TLKA etc. The High King is long dead and the Unbound Enchanters (once in thrall to the High King) control lands surrounding the former capital controlled by the Yhar-Sharem (also once his tools). An heir taking the throne would inherit the High King's powers; he himself was a powerful mage, but since the High King's death his heirs have been being systematically killed. The Yhar-Sharem seek them, others hunt them.

The action kicks off at a point where Castal, a minor ruler, is in conflict with the Unbound Enchanter known as the Eyeless King who covets the "gate" that Castal's mage has created.

Clavis, a mercenary with secret history; Grylantha, a spy; Abathia, a retired general; Regeret Yhar'Sharem, and others become embroiled in the consequences of the conflcit.

:0) That is an example of why Blurb writing is a specialist skill.

It's kin-of a dense book; many characters.

Posted by honu (Member # 8277) on :

That's interesting, Chris. I am in the process of formatting a novella for smashwords for the premium thingie.

I'd be interested in how things are coming together for you in terms of sales, pricing, how much is getting distributed.

You can e-mail me if you have time to chat about it.

Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :

Hmm, the novel does sound interesting but it's also a bit long like two novels instead of one. I forget if I said this to you or someone else but it could take me a few months to read it. Especially if I have to use only my home computer and/or laptop.

I don't mind reading it especially if you only want an overall review, but it would take me a while like I said.

And I forget if you said it here or elsewhere but how did you handle the editing?

Posted by Chris Northern (Member # 9280) on :

Hi, bit of a delay in commenting I know; sorry about that, was away/working (the horror) and too tired to do much now. But briefly, editing - there are two aspects, proof-reading and getting suggestions on changes. I conned a friend into handling it - and I still find errors when I'm checking facts for book three; and most of the suggestions were ignored as I have a good idea what I am trying to achieve.

Honu, I'll get to you on figures as soon as I've had some sleep. :0)

[This message has been edited by Chris Northern (edited January 18, 2011).]