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I don't think I've ever started reading anything I couldn't finish. Even if I am bored, I will still trudge through it to see how it all turns out. I think the only book I've never finished was '50 Shades of Grey', I was bored after 4 or 5 pages and since I already knew how it ends, there was no point in trudging through it. Haven't even bothered to open the other two in the series, doubt they are much better than the first.

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Looks interesting, but they don't accept electronic submissions - might be a bit difficult for some to get a printed manuscript to them.

Absolutely! I think that writing is different for everyone. For some of us it can be an addiction. I know that I feel off kilter if I've not written anything for an entire day. There are times when I merely sit and tinker about with works in progress, not being able to think of a single new word to add, but it still helps me feel relaxed just to open the document and fiddle about with every intention of writing something. At times I just sit down and rant away about things that bother me, even if no one but me will ever read it. So yes, for me it is an addiction, one I enjoy indulging.

I agree. That isn't fair to the writer, the 7 day returns policy should not apply to books and music.

It's no secret that I'm not a huge fan of Amazon for book sales, so this is shocking news - thought I'd share it here for those of you promoting your work on Goodreads.

Hi - Jonathan here

To my shock, I've just seen that Amazon is buying book-review
site 'Goodreads' with its 16 million members.

But when I consider that Amazon dominates book sales online,
and Goodreads members have written over 23 million book reviews,
I can see that the marriage was almost inevitable.

This may have a substantial impact on your book sales,
although the reason why is hidden.

I've revealed all in my latest blog post.

http://bestsellerlabs.com/amazon-buys-goodreads-the-impact-on-authors


All the best,

Jonathan Gunson

BestsellerLabs.com
jonathan@bestsellerlabs.com

Sounds interesting. I look forward to reading your story, Ms Rascal.

Oh don't get me wrong, I wasn't pointing fingers at anyone in particular. I was merely offering an opinion on writing about hot-topics like these. I think that more writers should tackle controversial topics, it just needs to be approached with sensitivity. I enjoy reading about things that make me think and feel deeply - whether those thoughts and feelings are good or bad ones.

I have to admit that the first time Bill tried to submit this story a few years ago, I was against having it on our site. He was very gracious about trying to understand our viewpoint - which to my recollection based on use of the 'N' word, but I stand corrected, as my memory is fuzzy at the best of times. Now, after having read it a few times after he's done the necessary revisions, I find nothing offensive about the story. It is a humour piece and should be judged as that. In my opinion, the disclaimer at the start of the story is what keeps this from being a story that glorifies racism in any way - the author clearly warns people what the story is about, which gives them the opportunity to decide whether or not they should read it.

I live in a country where racism was the order of the day up until a few years ago and racism in any form riles me to the point of distraction, yet I am able to see the humour in this piece. Over here, in a country that is still busy healing from the atrocities of apartheid, we find comedic relief in artists like Leon Schuster, Riyaad Moosa, Trevor Noah, etc. - all of them comedians for whom every second punchline is racist, but only if you're watching it with that frame of mind. They don't have any disclaimers at the start of a show and they make no apologies, because the intention is to entertain and they are using material that their audiences are familiar with - things that are relevant.

So yes, as a human being, I find any reference to the KKK offensive. I would never condone anything that glorifies their actions.

However, as a writer, I shudder at the thought of any person's right to express themselves being stifled. There is nothing more frustrating to a writer than to be told what they may or may not write about.

“Do it.” Her voice, while quiet, terrified him. “I… I need a… give me a minute…” Even if she had failed to notice the way his hand was trembling, there was no doubt in his mind that his stammer betrayed his anxiety. “We don’t have a minute. Do it now.” Nothing scared him more than how calm she sounded. How could she be calm? Sometimes he wondered if she was even human. His hand...

Added 15 Apr 2013 | Category Flash Fiction | Votes 8 | Avg Score 5 | Views 87 | 8 Comments

Note from the Author This book was written as a Valentine’s Day gift to all of my readers as proof that romance is still alive in our hearts. Thank you for your support. Please note that the songs in here are pretty darn awful - mostly because they are intended to be that way and likely also because it's my first attempt at writing romance.  *** The bar was packed...

Added 14 Apr 2013 | Category Romance | Votes 10 | Avg Score 5 | Views 87 | 10 Comments

The Tale of Pip the Slippery Mouse Once upon a lonely hill there stood a little house. All day long the little house buzzed with busyness, just like all little houses do, for the family living inside were a busy kind of folk. There was cooking and baking and cleaning and rustling and bustling and a whole lot of other hullabaloo that busy folk have to do. But late at night, when all...

Added 04 Apr 2013 | Category Childrens | Votes 14 | Avg Score 5 | Views 93 | 8 Comments

Words slice like a double-edged knife; my heart cannot endure So watch me bleed, tainted blood pouring from my soul  I tried to save you, but it was all in vain  You cut me down, to ease your own pain  Now here I stand, wounded, broken and alone… Here I stand, yearning, bleeding; I've come undone…  Broken mirror on the wall, watches me tumble as I fall Refracted...

Added 11 Mar 2013 | Category Poetry | Votes 22 | Avg Score 4.85 | Views 144 | 10 Comments

Please note that this is a teaching story for children. I have included some xhosa words, so they can learn both facts and a new language in a fun way that helps them understand rather than merely memorise.  Ilanga - Sun Imvula - Rain Umoya - Wind  In a deep forest not too far from here, there stood a little oak tree. His name was Oakley....

Added 23 Jan 2013 | Category Childrens | Votes 17 | Avg Score 5 | Views 252 | 11 Comments

Our eyes met across the smoky room, Smoldering gazes locking intimately. Your unspoken words stroking me in an Ethereal tongue only our souls could understand. Moving toward you as if in a dream, My hungry heart could be plainly seen. As I looked up into your eyes, You saw desire that was hard to hide. How could one glance have said so much? Our hearts spoke silently ...

Added 01 Jan 2013 | Category Poetry | Votes 15 | Avg Score 4.93 | Views 187 | 15 Comments

It was the night before New Year's Eve 2011... For weeks there had been a “Coming Soon” sign up on the blank billboard outside of my apartment building. Over the years, it had become a ritual for a few of the residents to sit out on the rooftop every Friday night and unwind after a long week. The rooftop of the building on Black Velvet Boulevard was the place you could come to if you...

Added 31 Dec 2012 | Category Memoirs | Votes 15 | Avg Score 5 | Views 220 | 12 Comments

Night rolls in thick as molasses, In the womb of darkness, evil stirs. The beast is hungry and needs to feed, And so each silent prowl begins. Surveying our realm from Hell’s dark gate With anxious muscles tightly coiled. He sniffs the air in search of her scent, Watching and waiting impatiently. His dreams laced with thoughts of her, Flow of her blood music to his ears, Smell of...

Added 01 Nov 2012 | Category Poetry | Votes 10 | Avg Score 4.8 | Views 132 | 7 Comments

A house on rocky shores it was, A broken-hearted place; Stone walls etched with memories, That time cannot erase. Where once there was a glowing hearth Of warmth and billowing smoke, Now all that's left are cold and dust, No one its fires to stoke. As wind blows through its rafters On quiet nights like these, You'll hear its timbers’ sad lament ...

Added 11 Aug 2012 | Category Poetry | Votes 14 | Avg Score 4.93 | Views 244 | 11 Comments

Looking out across the ocean I sit alone, Cool sand sifting between my toes. Soft sprays of salty air blown against my skin As blue green waters rush toward shore. Glorious rays of sun in all their splendor Dance like golden stars across tranquil waters. Brilliant hues mirror the skies above In dazzling shades from light to deeper blue. Gale force winds sweeping over land and sea Cause...

Added 02 May 2012 | Category Poetry | Votes 22 | Avg Score 5 | Views 284 | 13 Comments