I'm curious about what those who are coming to this blog would like to see more of.
Do you want to analyze books differently? More commentary from me upfront?
Less?
Different genres?
Something from further down the sales chart?
Would you like me to do side-by-side comparisons of a good selling book with one not selling as well?
Please let me know in the comments, since I'm getting a lot of readers and less comments. I feel like there is interest, but perhaps those coming here are looking for something different. Thus, they are not giving as much input into the discussion as we could be having...
Feel free to let me know. Criticism and input is how I improve!
10 comments:
Could I suggest we either move to once a week or specific genres on specific days? I'd like to participate, but everyday is too much. If I KNOW Sunday is why the book sells day" I can make sure to pop in to contribute.
I agree with Elizabeth's suggestion. A particular day of the week would make it a thing that I do on a Sunday (or whenever) and I can take the time to have a little noodle around on Amazon to look at the book in the store etc. I wouldn't get round to that every day.
Side by side comparisons are inherently interesting and raise questions.
Voting?
I like the idea of side by side comparisons. Comparing and contrasting well-selling titles with badly-selling titles has a good chance of being highly interesting and educational.
Side by side comparisons are a great idea. I like to read your comments up front. I understand people only want to check in once a week but I think it was a good idea to put a few posts up in quick succession to generate interest and get feedback.
I've not commented a) because I've only just clicked through to your blog and b) because I've nothing new to add - others have made good and valid comments. You may be getting a lot of reads with less comments purely for the right reasons - because people are wanting to learn.
I think comparisons are a good idea, but will it be difficult to stay positive if one is a poor-seller? Perhaps better to use 2 in the top 20 of a category but with differing qualities?
It might be interesting if we could somehow get the author involved, to answer some of the questions or clarify some points?
I agree with once a week postings. Rotate the genre. Side by side comparisons would be good once in awhile. Thanks for this blog. I have been reading, but not commenting because I am unpublished at this time and don't have much new to add from my limited experience. I hope to be more active and vocal in the future!
You need to do this with first-time authors who are successful, not established writers with a fanbase.
For example, trying to divine why Heppner's book works is so stupid. It doesn't matter what he writes in the blurb or what the cover looks like; it's the third book of a successful series. He could just write, "Book 3" and the ones who already bought Books 1 and 2 will buy it. DUH. You're picking at low-hanging fruit here.
The same for the chick with the bad boy book. It has an audience and that audience doesn't exactly care about quality, they just want something to read between the PTA meetings, while the baby's asleep, and until hubby comes home from work. They want to pretend they're getting banged by the hunky alpha dude in the meantime. That's why it works. Assembly line writing. Read the actual book. Or just skim the Look Inside. Horrendous high school level writing. If she did more than a single draft, I'd be shocked. "Cameron gave Ahmad a single nod of his head." No kidding, Sherlock. What else would he "nod" if not "his head"?
And the Illene book. Well, she's got a fanbase and she stuck to the genre, that's why it's selling.
I'm just saying, if you want this exercise in "Let's see what's working and why" to be taken seriously, at least put some effort into picking your examples.
Hi Gorvnice,
I'm really sorry to hear you aren't going to be using Kboards much anymore. I've gone through [i]every[/i] post you ever made on Kboards because I felt you had so much to offer. I'm really disappointed you aren't going to be posting anymore.
I know a forum of that size is difficult. I don't tend to post much here, but I've learned a great deal.
Please tell me I can find you somewhere else? Google plus? Facebook? I know you set up this blog to look at how successful books worked, and I found it really helpful, but I realise you need to focus on your own writing and the blog is a time suck. It's a great deal of work for you with not much feedback. Maybe we could form a G+ group where people post successful books and we could all comment, so it's not so much work for you, and it's easier to comment.
I'm in the pulp speeders group on G+ but I'd love to find other groups where people actively target to market and write fast. I have a few pen names, and I'm lucky enough to be earning a living wage with most of them (I have to admit to one that bombed spectacularly!) Writing can be a solitary occupation, and it can be hard to find people who look at things the same way, so if you frequent any other groups or forums please let me know.
All the best,
Carrie
Hi Carrie, Thanks for your lovely comment! Luckily, there IS a place you can come and find me, a place I'm going to be spending a lot of time hanging out. It's a brand new message board for indies, and I'm the moderator and admin!
http://indiepubclub.com
Come swing by and join the club!
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