A Life of Crime and Chocolate - Page 38

MysteryRiter · 03-21-2012, 06:49 AM

I feel weird not to have posted in this thread at all in 2012... Wow.

Well, about a month ago I put a horror short story on Amazon just so I could get a feel for the process and I'm pretty pleased with the $7 I've made.

It's more than I've made in the past for writing!

Putting a short story up on Amazon doesn't strip you of your "debut novelist" title, right, because it isn't a novel? Just checking.

HistorySleuth · 03-21-2012, 08:45 AM

I pondered that myself MW. I have a local history type book I'm working on now that I will be doing createspace and maybe the ebooks. I've researched/written so much on local history I was thinking of putting some test shorts up too, just to get a feel for the process, so I understand it all before I put my book up.

Zelenka · 03-21-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

So very quiet! How's everyone?

I've been buying books today. My credit card is currently whimpering under the couch.

And John Hart's new book, Iron Horse, is selling cheaper in hardback than ebook. Explain it to me all you want, I will never understand ebook pricing.

I am mildly exhausted and fed up. Dad has been in Prague for the last couple of days and decided to come on my tours. So first of all he was exceedingly rude to the staff at our office, shouting at them when they tried to offer him information because 'why would he need it, his daughter had told him everything' (I wasn't there at that time), and then ruined so far three tours. First two he interrupted all the way through, making stupid comments and basically making fun of me and the tour all the way. Worst thing was both tours only had two people, him and another bloke, which can be quite awkward anyway. Then the third one, he went into a sulk because I mentioned that he'd been rude to my boss and to me. He insisted he hadn't said anything and that I was being unreasonable, but at least during the last tour he stayed quiet.

He's also not speaking to me particularly because of the possible move to Canada. Bad enough I moved to Prague, which girls are not supposed to do, girls are meant to stay two doors down from their parents, married to someone they went to school with and having loads of grandkids, but Canada? Tried to explain that it's probably my best chance at getting the career I want in TV writing, or at the very least will be a great experience and let me make lots of contacts in the industry that might get me back into technical behind the scenes work, but no.

However, despite that I had an amazing time in Germany with my all time favourite actor, my muse

and will actually be seeing him again at a convention in Italy this weekend. This one though is actually for fantasy and SF writers as well as actors so it's going to be doubly interesting. Then it looks like I'm going to France next month for a weekend too, which is exciting. So that's making up for the rottenness of the last few days. Only thing is, being so busy, I've had very little time for the WIP, but I'm hoping I'll get a chance in Italy, then things will calm down a bit for a couple of weeks.

heyjude · 03-21-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBrown

That is, a new author looking for exposure will need to sell their books cheaper than one who already has an established audience.

But I got Hart's hardback brand-new book for $10. And he's not super new.

I know it's complicated, I just wish it made sense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysteryRiter

Putting a short story up on Amazon doesn't strip you of your "debut novelist" title, right, because it isn't a novel? Just checking.

Congrats on the sales! I'm not sure how I missed your story before, but I shall rectify that this morning! And no, you'd still be a debut novelist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistorySleuth

I pondered that myself MW. I have a local history type book I'm working on now that I will be doing createspace and maybe the ebooks. I've researched/written so much on local history I was thinking of putting some test shorts up too, just to get a feel for the process, so I understand it all before I put my book up.

Do it! Do it! Do it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zelenka

I am mildly exhausted and fed up. Dad has been in Prague for the last couple of days and decided to come on my tours. So first of all he was exceedingly rude to the staff at our office, shouting at them when they tried to offer him information because 'why would he need it, his daughter had told him everything' (I wasn't there at that time), and then ruined so far three tours. First two he interrupted all the way through, making stupid comments and basically making fun of me and the tour all the way. Worst thing was both tours only had two people, him and another bloke, which can be quite awkward anyway. Then the third one, he went into a sulk because I mentioned that he'd been rude to my boss and to me. He insisted he hadn't said anything and that I was being unreasonable, but at least during the last tour he stayed quiet.

He's also not speaking to me particularly because of the possible move to Canada. Bad enough I moved to Prague, which girls are not supposed to do, girls are meant to stay two doors down from their parents, married to someone they went to school with and having loads of grandkids, but Canada? Tried to explain that it's probably my best chance at getting the career I want in TV writing, or at the very least will be a great experience and let me make lots of contacts in the industry that might get me back into technical behind the scenes work, but no.

However, despite that I had an amazing time in Germany with my all time favourite actor, my muse

and will actually be seeing him again at a convention in Italy this weekend. This one though is actually for fantasy and SF writers as well as actors so it's going to be doubly interesting. Then it looks like I'm going to France next month for a weekend too, which is exciting. So that's making up for the rottenness of the last few days. Only thing is, being so busy, I've had very little time for the WIP, but I'm hoping I'll get a chance in Italy, then things will calm down a bit for a couple of weeks.

My goodness. I'm sorry things are tough with your dad. That sounds very frustrating indeed!

So I woke up this morning to an email that made my brain explode into itty bitty pieces. It's going to be one of those days.

GailD · 03-21-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

So I woke up this morning to an email that made my brain explode into itty bitty pieces. It's going to be one of those days.

DocBrown · 03-21-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

But I got Hart's hardback brand-new book for $10. And he's not super new.

I know it's complicated, I just wish it made sense.

It does make sense.

Hart's "new" book came out last July, which means they are dumping the last of the hard covers because he'll have a new book out soon.

Also, this book will likely come out in paperback soon if it hasn't already.

The ebook price remains the same, because, in theory, if you were going to buy it in ebook rather than hardcover, you'll still buy it as an ebook. And as I said, he has the audience to command that ebook price.

Likely, the ebook price will drop a couple of bucks when the assumed new book comes out. Or maybe not, maybe he'll still be able to command that ebook price.

The lucky bastid...

heyjude · 03-21-2012, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GailD

Thank you!

A second one just rolled in in the same vein. Forget it; I'm going shopping. Grocery shopping, true, but whatever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocBrown

It does make sense.

Hart's "new" book came out last July, which means they are dumping the last of the hard covers because he'll have a new book out soon.

Also, this book will likely come out in paperback soon if it hasn't already.

The ebook price remains the same, because, in theory, if you were going to buy it in ebook rather than hardcover, you'll still buy it as an ebook. And as I said, he has the audience to command that ebook price.

Likely, the ebook price will drop a couple of bucks when the assumed new book comes out. Or maybe not, maybe he'll still be able to command that ebook price.

The lucky bastid...

Ah! For some reason I thought this was brand-new. But we're still seeing brand-new books where the eprice is higher than the hardback (Amazon, I'm looking at you).

Nope, I will not pay more for an ebook than a hardback. And I'd much rather read an ebook, but it has its downsides. And ebook prices are going up, not down. So...

And Hart? Not lucky. Incredibly gifted. Bastid.

DocBrown · 03-21-2012, 06:25 PM

Ebook prices started out much too low.

In the rush to get their work out there and compete, a lot of self-pubbed authors practically gave (are still giving away) their work for the sake of reaching an audience. I think things are starting to self correct in the supply/demand dept.

I've noticed novels have crept up to the $2.99 - $4.99 price, allowing short stories and novellas to utilize the $.99 price tag. I find this to be a much more equitable range for pricing.

And if you want those famous talented people, then go ahead and pay $9.99 - $15.99.

MysteryRiter · 03-21-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

Congrats on the sales! I'm not sure how I missed your story before, but I shall rectify that this morning! And no, you'd still be a debut novelist.

Haha, thanks! I was 99% sure I was, but it's good to hear it from someone else.

Quote:

So I woke up this morning to an email that made my brain explode into itty bitty pieces. It's going to be one of those days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GailD

^This.

Oh and a little of this, too:

As they don't say, a little chocolate a day keeps the doctor away.

ETA: That chocolate is dangerously delicious-looking.

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Eat. Chocolate.

heyjude · 03-21-2012, 11:56 PM

Now that's a lot of chocolate!

muse · 03-22-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

He's also not speaking to me particularly because of the possible move to Canada. Bad enough I moved to Prague, which girls are not supposed to do, girls are meant to stay two doors down from their parents, married to someone they went to school with and having loads of grandkids,

You've just described my life!

Sorry you had such a bad time with your dad, Zelenka.

I think we both need some of MystryRiter's chocolate, if HJ will share?

heyjude · 03-22-2012, 12:57 AM

Always. And extra

for both of you.

MysteryRiter · 03-22-2012, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

Now that's a lot of chocolate!

Hey, that's mine! *takes back chocolate*

*grin*

heyjude · 03-22-2012, 01:15 AM

::fights MysteryRiter for chocolate::

MysteryRiter · 03-22-2012, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

::fights MysteryRiter for chocolate::

*chocolate starts to fall and Mystery jumps to save it*
*grabs chocolate and runs, leaving only a small portion for Jude*

Heh. You know, you can have a little, but the rest is mine.

heyjude · 03-22-2012, 02:07 AM

::jude sits back and pretends to be chagrined, but really chuckles over the Evil Secret Plan::

MysteryRiter · 03-22-2012, 02:28 AM

Uh-oh.

*pretends to be scared, but the smileys shall show the real chain of events:*

*the blood is not Jude's--it belongs to the chocolate-maker Mystery killed to get more secret chocolate, all to himself*

heyjude · 03-22-2012, 05:11 AM

I want in on this plan. I haz ideas.

We should pool our resources together!

MysteryRiter · 03-22-2012, 06:00 AM

No. My plan! Grrr....

I have my one ideas and they're great. Take note:

HistorySleuth · 03-22-2012, 09:07 AM

Zelenka, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's got issues. I just don't get why some parents feel thy have to denigrate their kids like that. I think it is insecurity on their part, or jealously. Move to Canada--send a post card after you get there.

heyjude · 03-22-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysteryRiter

No. My plan! Grrr....

I have my one ideas and they're great. Take note:

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistorySleuth

Zelenka, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's got issues. I just don't get why some parents feel thy have to denigrate their kids like that. I think it is insecurity on their part, or jealously. Move to Canada--send a post card after you get there.

+1

MysteryRiter · 03-22-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heyjude

I hope you know that is an act of war.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistorySleuth

Zelenka, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's got issues. I just don't get why some parents feel thy have to denigrate their kids like that. I think it is insecurity on their part, or jealously. Move to Canada--send a post card after you get there.

+2

Hope it gets better for you and your dad, Zelenka!

Namatu · 03-22-2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistorySleuth

Zelenka, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's got issues. I just don't get why some parents feel thy have to denigrate their kids like that. I think it is insecurity on their part, or jealously. Move to Canada--send a post card after you get there.

+3

Maybe your dad's just worried and it's manifesting poorly. Either way, follow your instincts/heart/desire, eh?

DocBrown · 03-22-2012, 09:09 PM

Robert Bly wrote a book about the Baby Boomers having a tendency toward having a sibling rivalry with their own kids.

It's called "Sibling Society". I found it interesting. It went a long way toward explaining my father's relationship with me.

Not sure if it applies to your father Zelenka, but this conversation reminded me of that book.

Shakesbear · 03-23-2012, 02:36 PM

I have a day off! I've been working with children who have special educational needs which is rewarding but exhausting. I cannot write when I teach - punctuation, grammar, spelling and tense all go out the window! And vocabulary - in one class a little lad started to misbehave and another lad sitting at the front of the class looked at me and said "He can't help it miss, he is acoustic."

The journey to work yesterday was fun! I was about nine miles from the school when the traffic came to a standstill - we all had to turn round and go back the way we came as there had been a four car collision. It took me about an hour to drive five and a half miles. The alternative route was all fouled up as there had been an accident in the town centre. Instead of driving thirty two miles to work I drove nearly seventy. Blech.

Zelenka go to Canada. I hope you achieve success there and that your father realizes he has an incredibly talented daughter.

HJ and MW fighting over chocolate? There really is no point as whilst you were squabbling I took it all! muahahahahahaha!

03-21-2012, 08:45 AM	#927
HistorySleuth Researching History's Mysteries Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western New York State Posts: 3,343	I pondered that myself MW. I have a local history type book I'm working on now that I will be doing createspace and maybe the ebooks. I've researched/written so much on local history I was thinking of putting some test shorts up too, just to get a feel for the process, so I understand it all before I put my book up. __________________ Blog Twitter @HistorySleuth1 Bread & Butter:The Murders of Polly Frisch on Amazon RIGHT OF THE SOIL (Editing) An Abstractor's View of Indian Land Title in NY

03-21-2012, 06:25 PM	#933
DocBrown Hopes to one day write for food. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In the foothills of nowhere... Posts: 1,430	Ebook prices started out much too low. In the rush to get their work out there and compete, a lot of self-pubbed authors practically gave (are still giving away) their work for the sake of reaching an audience. I think things are starting to self correct in the supply/demand dept. I've noticed novels have crept up to the $2.99 - $4.99 price, allowing short stories and novellas to utilize the $.99 price tag. I find this to be a much more equitable range for pricing. And if you want those famous talented people, then go ahead and pay $9.99 - $15.99. __________________ Dim Speak, available on Amazon and SmashWords. The Obligatory Blog: http://trickbrown.com

03-22-2012, 09:07 AM	#945
HistorySleuth Researching History's Mysteries Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western New York State Posts: 3,343	Zelenka, I'm sorry to hear about your dad's got issues. I just don't get why some parents feel thy have to denigrate their kids like that. I think it is insecurity on their part, or jealously. Move to Canada--send a post card after you get there. __________________ Blog Twitter @HistorySleuth1 Bread & Butter:The Murders of Polly Frisch on Amazon RIGHT OF THE SOIL (Editing) An Abstractor's View of Indian Land Title in NY

03-22-2012, 09:09 PM	#949
DocBrown Hopes to one day write for food. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In the foothills of nowhere... Posts: 1,430	Robert Bly wrote a book about the Baby Boomers having a tendency toward having a sibling rivalry with their own kids. It's called "Sibling Society". I found it interesting. It went a long way toward explaining my father's relationship with me. Not sure if it applies to your father Zelenka, but this conversation reminded me of that book. __________________ Dim Speak, available on Amazon and SmashWords. The Obligatory Blog: http://trickbrown.com

03-23-2012, 02:36 PM	#950
Shakesbear knows a hawk from a handsaw Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Elsinore Posts: 3,208	I have a day off! I've been working with children who have special educational needs which is rewarding but exhausting. I cannot write when I teach - punctuation, grammar, spelling and tense all go out the window! And vocabulary - in one class a little lad started to misbehave and another lad sitting at the front of the class looked at me and said "He can't help it miss, he is acoustic." The journey to work yesterday was fun! I was about nine miles from the school when the traffic came to a standstill - we all had to turn round and go back the way we came as there had been a four car collision. It took me about an hour to drive five and a half miles. The alternative route was all fouled up as there had been an accident in the town centre. Instead of driving thirty two miles to work I drove nearly seventy. Blech. Zelenka go to Canada. I hope you achieve success there and that your father realizes he has an incredibly talented daughter. HJ and MW fighting over chocolate? There really is no point as whilst you were squabbling I took it all! muahahahahahaha! __________________ And my large kingdom for a little grave, A little little grave, an obscure grave . . .

03-21-2012, 06:49 AM	#926
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	I feel weird not to have posted in this thread at all in 2012... Wow. Well, about a month ago I put a horror short story on Amazon just so I could get a feel for the process and I'm pretty pleased with the $7 I've made. It's more than I've made in the past for writing! Putting a short story up on Amazon doesn't strip you of your "debut novelist" title, right, because it isn't a novel? Just checking.

03-21-2012, 11:56 PM	#935
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 14,085	Now that's a lot of chocolate!

03-22-2012, 12:57 AM	#937
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 14,085	Always. And extra for both of you.

03-22-2012, 01:15 AM	#939
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 14,085	::fights MysteryRiter for chocolate::

03-22-2012, 02:07 AM	#941
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 14,085	::jude sits back and pretends to be chagrined, but really chuckles over the Evil Secret Plan::

03-22-2012, 02:28 AM	#942
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	Uh-oh. pretends to be scared, but the smileys shall show the real chain of events: the blood is not Jude's--it belongs to the chocolate-maker Mystery killed to get more secret chocolate, all to himself

03-22-2012, 05:11 AM	#943
heyjude Making my own sunshine AW Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gulf coast of FL Posts: 14,085	I want in on this plan. I haz ideas. We should pool our resources together!

03-22-2012, 06:00 AM	#944
MysteryRiter Murder isn't so bad... Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Oh, I wish I knew... Posts: 1,720	No. My plan! Grrr.... I have my one ideas and they're great. Take note:

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