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VanessaFinaughty
Over 90 days ago
South Africa
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Advanced Wordsmith
Great idea 
You can find me on:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/VanessaFinaughty
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vanessa-finaughty
Sony: http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/vanessa-finaughty_247887
Twitter: @VanessaFin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002564510869&sk=wall
VFB social network/forums - future book distributor: http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php/en/
You can find me on:
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/VanessaFinaughty
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vanessa-finaughty
Sony: http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/vanessa-finaughty_247887
Twitter: @VanessaFin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002564510869&sk=wall
VFB social network/forums - future book distributor: http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php/en/
Advanced Wordsmith
I can't remember what the first book I ever read was, but the first really good one made me want to write the way that author did. I was lost in their world and so disappointed when the book ended, and I had this urge to draw people into another world that just never went away. Plus, there are too many ideas in my head trying to dig their way out. I'd go mad if I didn't write, quite literally, and it's been that way for as long as I can remember.
Advanced Wordsmith
Great thread! Wish I'd thought of it first for my site 
"This is the thing I've learned: even with a gun to my head, I am capable of being convulsed with laughter." - Dean Koontz, Relentless
"This is the thing I've learned: even with a gun to my head, I am capable of being convulsed with laughter." - Dean Koontz, Relentless
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by dade30
As reader I do prefer the ones that were broken down into short chapters because my eyes won’t get tires of reading. But sometimes if the story is interesting a don’t care whether its long or short as long as it eats up my curiosity and my excitement is boost.
When you don't care how long it is, it's a sign of a good story. I believe that if a reader grows bored or tired of a story 'because it's too long', the real problem isn't that it's too long, but that it isn't interesting or well-written enough - at least, not according to that reader's tastes.
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by standingbear
I think that there should be a category for novels, maybe even subdivided into genre. The chapters could be posted separately on the main page and in order starting with chapter one on the novel page. For longer short stories I would rather have the whole story posted together.
I like this idea. It might be a good idea to add it to the suggestions board too?
Advanced Wordsmith
Most of my books/stories don't include a love affair of any sort, because I'm just not into all that soppy Mills & Boon type stuff. Someone told me a long time ago to write the type of stories I enjoy reading, as those always turn out better, with more passion behind them. Over the years, I've found that to be excellent advice. So if you feel like including romance, include it; if you don't feel like it, don't include it.
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by DirtyMartiniQuote by VanessaFinaughty
I'm not sure what the rights are here, so please double check this with them before entering - don't ever sign your rights away completely (that's my advice, anyway).
Don't ever sign your life away...great advice...and thanks for sharing this with us...
I found a detailed post about that a while ago, now that I think about it. This is some great advice: http://www.epublishabook.com/2012/04/23/3-nasty-tricks-to-look-for-to-avoid-being-conned-by-writing-contests/#axzz1t2ul1BxK
Advanced Wordsmith
If it's a novel, I'd rather have it all at once - it frustrates me to no end if I don't have the rest of something I'm enjoying, so I probably wouldn't read anything that wasn't shared in its entirety. I enjoy short stories too, though.
Advanced Wordsmith
I'm not sure what the rights are here, so please double check this with them before entering - don't ever sign your rights away completely (that's my advice, anyway).
--->
International call for entries - writers from all around the world are welcome.
1st PRIZE: $300 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
2nd PRIZE: $100 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
3rd PRIZE: $50 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
TOP 15: IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
TOP 40: NAME AND SHORT STORY'S TITLE POSTED ON WEBSITE
EVERY PARTICIPANT: BRIEF COMMENT AND EVALUATION TABLE (altogether about 1 to 2 pages)
--->
International call for entries - writers from all around the world are welcome.
1st PRIZE: $300 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
2nd PRIZE: $100 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
3rd PRIZE: $50 + IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
TOP 15: IN-DEPTH FEEDBACK
TOP 40: NAME AND SHORT STORY'S TITLE POSTED ON WEBSITE
EVERY PARTICIPANT: BRIEF COMMENT AND EVALUATION TABLE (altogether about 1 to 2 pages)
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by fifafan
Thanks for the advice! I took a quick peek at a preview of Genesis, and that is exactly the format I am after. I will definitely keep working on this story!
FF
Glad to have helped
Advanced Wordsmith
Personally, I wouldn't read a book/story with only conversation, particularly if there are no dialogue tags. There are very few writers who could pull that off so it isn't totally confusing and/or boring (and for me personally, no action is generally boring), so I'd only read something like that if it was recommended by someone whose opinion mattered or if I had read other work by that writer and enjoyed it (or if it was for work).
My advice to you is to write it the way you want to, then ask a few people to beta read it (before you share it in public) and let them tell you if they think you pulled it off and why/why not. You never know... you may just be one of the few who can write this type of story well, but you will never know unless you try.
If you want to read an example of someone who pulled it off excellently, IMHO, I recommend [url=http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=15&id=2877&Itemid=172&lang=en][i]Genesis [/url]by Bernard Beckett.
My advice to you is to write it the way you want to, then ask a few people to beta read it (before you share it in public) and let them tell you if they think you pulled it off and why/why not. You never know... you may just be one of the few who can write this type of story well, but you will never know unless you try.
If you want to read an example of someone who pulled it off excellently, IMHO, I recommend [url=http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=15&id=2877&Itemid=172&lang=en][i]Genesis [/url]by Bernard Beckett.
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by dade30
I am thinking of this new story I wish to write. It’s all about a teenage girl, a nerd one, who would gain new power. What do you think would be the coolest type of power fitted to her?
Thanks for your ideas! It would be a great help!
Telekenesis
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by DirtyMartiniQuote by mhend90
Indie publishing seems to be what I'm leaning towards, as it gives me a chance to get out there first and show my colors. I've heard several people in my college writing circle have had success with indie publishing, as did my girlfriend.
Btw, there is sort of an alternative between indie and traditional I've seen a few people attempt these days...since indie still has a bit of a "bad rep" in some circles, what some people are doing is getting together a few writers who are planning to go indie and starting their own publishing company...
Since it's really not that hard to start a publishing company these days, with the advent of Kindle Direct and CreateSpace and the like, the only real difference between indie and starting a publishing company would possibly be the creation of a website...something you'd want to consider anyway...
Something else to think about...
LOL that's still self-publishing, though ;-)
Advanced Wordsmith
You're welcome A good friend of mine is actually making a living off indie publishing! The trick is to write series and lots of them, then give the first book in each series away for free. I'm trying that at the moment, and Book 2 in my series is already my second best-selling book, after being published for only 5 days. Granted, it's still not enough for me to quit my dayjob, but it's a start, and it does make it seem as if this 'marketing method' works.
I'm also a control freak, so having full control over my books works rather well for me
Oh, and if you need an editor...
I'll give the same discount to SS members that I offer VFB members, which you can find here: http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=17&id=13&Itemid=172&lang=en This link won't work until next week, unfortunately, as we've put our site offline to install extra security and make some changes after being hacked.
A good friend of mine is actually making a living off indie publishing! The trick is to write series and lots of them, then give the first book in each series away for free. I'm trying that at the moment, and Book 2 in my series is already my second best-selling book, after being published for only 5 days. Granted, it's still not enough for me to quit my dayjob, but it's a start, and it does make it seem as if this 'marketing method' works.I'm also a control freak, so having full control over my books works rather well for me
Oh, and if you need an editor...
I'll give the same discount to SS members that I offer VFB members, which you can find here: http://www.vanessafinaughtybooks.co.za/index.php?option=com_kunena&func=view&catid=17&id=13&Itemid=172&lang=en This link won't work until next week, unfortunately, as we've put our site offline to install extra security and make some changes after being hacked.
Advanced Wordsmith
Congrats! Nothing beats the high of being published, except selling copies, of course
Advanced Wordsmith
If you want to go indie, I recommend Smashwords, simply because you can get your work in with so many distributors just by submitting to one, which is a huge time saver. So far, Smashwords is the only place I know of that does this. So you'd upload your book to Smashwords, they convert it into all the popular ebook formats for you (for free). It's then available for purchase immediately, and takes another two to three weeks for them to manually check your book to make sure there are no formatting errors that will make it look ugly. After that, they send it to Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple and a few more distributors. It's all free, by the way, but be sure to download their formatting guide if you decide to use them, because it's important to get this right to avoid rejection, and it's necessary due to the automated conversion they offer (if it wasn't automated, they'd make us pay, I assume).
You can also publish your books with Amazon, and if you want them in print, the cheapest place I've found (for me in South Africa, at any rate) is Amazon's CreateSpace. Another print on demand publisher that seems popular is Lulu.com, though I've never used them.
You should never submit your manuscript anywhere if it isn't finished, unless it's a critique group and you want feedback or advice. An indie publisher (self-publisher) will remove it for being incomplete work, and traditional publishers will send it straight to the bin if it isn't already complete. If you're self-publishing, you should also have your book edited and formatted before you submit, and have the cover and back cover text ready. If you go traditional, the publisher will organise those things for you.
Smashwords and some other distributors don't mind authors submitting short stories or very short works, though I recommend that you make those free if they're too short, to give potential fans a taste of your writing.
As far as resources go, this website is a pretty good resource, and when mine's been hacker-proofed, we have some good resources there too.
Just shout if you need to know anything else, and good luck! It's hard work self-publishing, but I've found it to be well worth the effort.
You can also publish your books with Amazon, and if you want them in print, the cheapest place I've found (for me in South Africa, at any rate) is Amazon's CreateSpace. Another print on demand publisher that seems popular is Lulu.com, though I've never used them.
You should never submit your manuscript anywhere if it isn't finished, unless it's a critique group and you want feedback or advice. An indie publisher (self-publisher) will remove it for being incomplete work, and traditional publishers will send it straight to the bin if it isn't already complete. If you're self-publishing, you should also have your book edited and formatted before you submit, and have the cover and back cover text ready. If you go traditional, the publisher will organise those things for you.
Smashwords and some other distributors don't mind authors submitting short stories or very short works, though I recommend that you make those free if they're too short, to give potential fans a taste of your writing.
As far as resources go, this website is a pretty good resource, and when mine's been hacker-proofed, we have some good resources there too.
Just shout if you need to know anything else, and good luck! It's hard work self-publishing, but I've found it to be well worth the effort.
Advanced Wordsmith
Thanks Lisa Glad you like the cover; I must say it's one of my favourite out of all my covers :)
Glad you like the cover; I must say it's one of my favourite out of all my covers :)
Advanced Wordsmith
This is a great idea to encourage readers to comment on the stories they read. It's always nice to hear what your readers are thinking after reading your work. (Well, most of the time, lol)
Advanced Wordsmith
Hey all,
I've just published Book 2 in my sci-fi fantasy series on Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/168084
I've posted the entire Chapter 1 on Stories Space
I've just published Book 2 in my sci-fi fantasy series on Smashwords. https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/168084
I've posted the entire Chapter 1 on Stories Space
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by DirtyMartini
Here you go Vanessa...someone just posted this over on FB...
Self-Publishing Statistics: Women fare better than men at making money from self-publishing
http://www.epublishabook.com/2012/05/28/self-publishing-statistics-women-fare-better-than-men-at-making-money-from-self-publishing/#axzz1w9Hc6lql[/quote]
How can they tell us to come back on Wednesday?LOL Thanks for that, Al. If you happen to spot the Wednesday post, would you mind sharing it with me too?
I think the male/female stats are vloek (chance) lol. A secret? Write series and make the first book in each series free. That's a money maker - if readers enjoy your stories and characters, they'll want more even after the book is finished. Give them a Book 2 with those same characters and even some who usually only download free books might buy the rest of the series. That's how it's worked for a few of my friends - I'll let you know if it works for me too, since I'm almost ready to publish Book 2 in my first series
Argh, I was hoping for more votes, though I think I've made my decision based on comments I received so far between our two forums. I'll wait till both polls close to set it in stone, though, just in case.
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by DirtyMartini
Interesting, it seems they are available for free almost everywhere except the U.S....
How To Get A Free Canadian ISBN Number
http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2011/07/how-to-get-free-canadian-isbn-number.html
But yeah, if you go through CreateSpace or whatever, they'll give you the number...and it is important to have, btw...I've heard stories of people publishing without one...the problem with that, is you won't be able to actually sell the book anywhere...
The good news for US writers is that any traditional publisher will organise the ISBN for you, and if you decide to go indie, Smashwords, Amazon and any other major distributor will give you one for free, so you can guys can still get them for free from all the main sellers
Advanced Wordsmith
This is a great idea. Is everyone posting their work in a separate group, or should work be posted on this forum board?
I'd like to help out critiquing when I'm able (author and professional editor, at your service). I'm more likely to have time to read mostly flash fiction, and I can read more people's work if they're shorter pieces, so would you mind adding me to the flash fiction group? IF the flash fiction is split into categories, you can put me down for horror, thriller, sci fi, supernatural, fantasy and humour. If not, that's cool - I'll read almost anything.
Thanks a mill
I'd like to help out critiquing when I'm able (author and professional editor, at your service). I'm more likely to have time to read mostly flash fiction, and I can read more people's work if they're shorter pieces, so would you mind adding me to the flash fiction group? IF the flash fiction is split into categories, you can put me down for horror, thriller, sci fi, supernatural, fantasy and humour. If not, that's cool - I'll read almost anything.
Thanks a mill
Advanced Wordsmith
Quote by MissAdventure
It's a complicated question as there are so many different things in that list.
Would I pay someone to proofread my work, even if I'd learned how to do it myself? If I could afford to, yes, because I will always miss mistakes in my own work, no matter how much teaching I receive.
Would I pay someone to sort out ISBN numbers for me? No, since all I have to do is go to ISBN, buy a batch of 10 and register the details. Can I afford ten ISBN numbers? No. So would I pay a premium to buy a smaller quantity through a third party? Maybe.
Book cover design requires a completely different skill set, talent and level of effort from setting up an account on Smashwords.
So I can't answer for everything. On average though, I'd probably say I'd pay someone for a professional service if I could afford it, but at the moment I can't. But I would not pay someone to do what I consider to be my work for me.
Thanks for voting and replying
Your detailed answer is helpful and exactly the type I'm hoping for from everyone. :)I agree 100% on your proofreading comment. There are always some things that professionals do better, and if one wants to stand out from the millions of indie authors out there, one has to have an excellent product.
I've heard of people buying ISBN numbers before, but as far as I know, all authors can get these for free. Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and Amazon give them for free, and in South Africa, we can also ask for an ISBN from the national library, and that's free (you just have to fill out a lot of looooooong forms and give them a free copy of your book in whatever form it's published in).
Advanced Wordsmith
I hope this is in the right place.
My full question is: if a company offered the following paid services, but was willing to teach you - for free - how to do these things yourself or find someone to help you at no charge:
Manuscript edits | Manuscript proofreads | Manuscript critique | Book cover design | ISBNs | Author interviews | Character interviews | Book promotion & marketing | Ready made author websites | website banner creation | other website graphics | Press releases (writing and/or editing of) | Back cover blurbs (editing only) | Media kits | Personalised novels | Ghost writing novels | Ghost writing author blogs | Editing/proofreading author blogs | Creating social media accounts for you at: Twitter & Facebook | Creating distributor accounts for you so you can sell your books at: Smashwords & CreateSpace | Manuscript formatting for print novels and ebooks | Audio books
...would you still hire the company for paid work (or would you choose to do all these things yourself to save money)?
My full question is: if a company offered the following paid services, but was willing to teach you - for free - how to do these things yourself or find someone to help you at no charge:
Manuscript edits | Manuscript proofreads | Manuscript critique | Book cover design | ISBNs | Author interviews | Character interviews | Book promotion & marketing | Ready made author websites | website banner creation | other website graphics | Press releases (writing and/or editing of) | Back cover blurbs (editing only) | Media kits | Personalised novels | Ghost writing novels | Ghost writing author blogs | Editing/proofreading author blogs | Creating social media accounts for you at: Twitter & Facebook | Creating distributor accounts for you so you can sell your books at: Smashwords & CreateSpace | Manuscript formatting for print novels and ebooks | Audio books
...would you still hire the company for paid work (or would you choose to do all these things yourself to save money)?