Being An Author Isn't For the Faint-hearted

Alvin from Chip-wrecked

Is it me or does everyone expect to be an instant success at this self-publishing independent authoring thing. I've been doing it for the last couple years and I can honestly tell you it is not for the faint-hearted. It takes discipline and the courage to keep at it each and every day. There is no baby crying allowed. You don't like how the words fall together then change them. Stop worrying about what others think. If you know in your heart it is the best you can do to capture what your characters are trying to tell you then listen to them. Sure they may try to steer you into a whole new direction... let them. Unless they are like Alvin of the Chipmunks then maybe you need to keep a watchful eye and re-direct them from time to time. 

I'm not saying don't let others view your work and make suggestions. I'm saying that if you have a legitimate reason for what you are doing then let it stand. Take the lumps if they come but don't compromise the big picture. 

Once you have the book written, proofread, formatted for different versions, and published it, you can't stop there. You have to take it to places where it can be seen. I recently discovered Bublish as a new way for readers and authors to connect. It is definitely different. As usual, I had a bit of trouble... you see they currently only take e-pub files. I figured out a solution to my problem.  I remembered I have our book on Smashwords premium. So I downloaded our books as an e-pub and then went to the download section of my computer when it was time to attach them. 

Don't forget about Goodreads. Once upon a time, I think the books actually drifted over from Amazon but that wasn't the case with our two latest books. So I had to enter them manually. Most important thing to have here is an ISBN. That's where Smashwords was most helpful. When I published our books there I requested a free ISBN. Simple now when I need to find our ISBN for other things, I  go to the ISBN manager from our Dashboard. 

I'm still in the process of getting all our books out there to be seen. I also put together a website for Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Wings of Eagles) and one for myself to feature all of our books, current and future. I even created a new Facebook fan page. I will also be at a book signing event with several of my fellow indie authors. So be looking out for the details on that.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
co-author to the Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series with David McKoy.
co-owner of Call Sign: Wrecking Crew LLC

Smashwords

I don't believe Smashwords is a household name like Amazon or Barnes and Noble but it should be. They give buyers an opportunity to download to Kindle, nook, Sony, Diesel, Apple, and Kobo devices. You can even buy the book once and download it to several different devices.

Smashwords logo

Smashwords has awesome deals especially during the month of July and one week in March. Authors can sell their books for a discount or totally free while availing themselves of monetary sales from other vendors. 

If you are an author and have heard horror stories like it's hard to get on board. That can be true. It is difficult but not impossible, you just have to play by their rules. Once you do, your book is available for multiple devices.

If you're a reader, I highly recommend you go there for the awesome deals on multiple genres. Now is a great time to go there because there are so many FREE books.

In case you are wondering, yes Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) and Many Is the Dream are both on there. Coming soon will be Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Wings of Eagles) which picks up where Storm Warning left off. Hint, hint, if you've wanted to get Storm Warning now is the time and the price. You'll definitely need to read it before Wings of Eagles.

Another great thing about Smashwords is they support Operation eBook Drop for our troops overseas. We are participating members of that wonderful organization as well. 

Hope I've helped make your day a little better. Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks

co-author to David McKoy

co-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

I Love Indie Authors

I really do love independent authors because I never know what to expect. I'm serious there is a lot of talent and imagination out there. Don't get me wrong I also love reading my favorite authors who are traditionally published as well. It's just that in the last couple of years I've read more indie than non indie authors. 

This may stem from the fact that I'm a poor, but thankfully not starving, indie author myself. I freely admit that I do get free books whenever possible.  I do fully intend to write reviews on all that I have read and will read as soon as I possibly can. That being said, whenever I get a gift card now, instead of going for the more expensive traditionally published authors, I prefer to support my fellow indie authors. 

I've read books by indie authors that have made me laugh, cry, mad, and/or sad in all the right places. There have even been  books where I stayed up almost all night reading. In the process I've learned that there is no really wrong way to tell a story. On the other hand, formatting issues including multiple typos or incorrect word use etc. are very distracting to me as a reader. I'm sure it is true for other readers as well.  So if you, the indie author, discover that you have formatting issues then be kind, fix the issues, and then update it on Smashwords or Amazon.  

Let me tell you what I know about updating on Amazon from experience both as an author and a reader. As an author, when I've updated our book, I make sure to let them know. They send me an e-mail saying that they will review the update. If they deem it major changes, they'll push out updates to all customers who bought the problematic one. Now as a reader, I'll get an e-mail, (maybe) to tell me about the updates. E-mail or not, all I have to do is go to Manage My Kindle and follow the simple instructions for Updates. If you don't know already you can access Manage My Kindle by going to Your Account (under your name) on the upper right hand side when signed into Amazon. 

One more thing I've recently discovered, the Kindle version of our book does have the Tweet that you've read... and Rate... this book. That makes me think that Amazon does that with all the books processed by them. What I don't know is if it goes in their data banks or only on twitter. Many moons ago when I discovered that other books had this option, I began to use it. It serves a three-fold purpose, one to let the author know that I've read their works and how I felt about it. Two, I let others know about a book they may not have known about. Three, I can access it to remember when I finished the books. You know some review places like to know that information. 

Did I mention I love indie authors! Because of this I love to help them too. Hope I've been of help to someone today.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks
author of the Short Story, Many Is The Dream
co-author of the Call Sign: Wrecking Crew series with David McKoy
co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew LLC

Have eBook Will Travel

For those that may have missed it, I broke my thumb back in December. It was a silly accident with long term negative consequences including many trips to the VA Medical Center. There was a benefit to this though.

Amazon Kindle Keyboard 3G

Let me back up a minute to explain. June 2012, several generous people got together and sent me a Kindle for my birthday. I love it very much. It contains over 400 books, mainly independent authors. I learned about the books and some great bargains through some form of social media. 

As you can see, Kindles are lightweight, and great when you have a cast on your hand. It has dual page controls which means you can flip from either your left or right thumb. Considering my right thumb was incapacitated for a while that was a wonderful thing. 

An eBook means you don't have to lug around several books in case you finish your current one. This is very helpful, especially on the long train rides to and from the VA. It meant when I finished one body of work, I could quickly switch to another. Let me tell you something, that's very convenient when you have to wait over an hour for an x-ray or to see the doctor. There were times when I had nothing protecting my thumb and thus it was difficult for me to lift heavy things.

The books oftentimes helped to transport me to other places watching other people in more desperate situations than my own. When reality came back into focus, I counted my blessings instead of tears. 

The downside was, I didn't always have time to do my book reviews before starting another book. Yesterday, I finally caught up with all my reviews on Goodreads. That was when I noticed that Smashwords was having their annual Read An eBook Week.  I took a moment and put Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) in the mix. Later on, I got some great bargains for myself and my Godson. 

So fellow readers, if you have an e Reader that could use a few more books, please take a moment to check out Smashwords and see if you can help change the world around you. 

For my fellow authors, if your book is on Smashwords, and you haven't already done so, go to the Read an eBook section and follow the instructions for authors on the left hand side. A few clicks and a decision later, your book can be available to transport people to your world. 

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks

co-author of Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)

co-owner of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

What's Going On Here!

First I just wanted to say a huge Thank You to everyone who helped out with the July Free Book Event.  Charity Parkerson said that the special link that she set up had over 7000 hits total.  That is really great to hear.  I can't speak for any of the other authors' books, but I do know that Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) had 27 total downloads during the event.  I hope those who "purchased" it, love the book enough to tell others about it either my word of mouth or reviews on Smashwords. 

During this past week it came to my attention that our Book Trailer was no longer available to be seen by the public.  This has now been corrected.  If you haven't had the opportunity to view it, please take a couple moments to look it over.





There is a somewhat delicate matter, I'd like to present to our followers. What in the world is going on with those darn twitter imps.  They seem to "unfollow" tweeps without rhyme or reason.  Having reached the twitter limits of 2000, I quickly discovered that CSWCLynn was following over 500 tweeps who were not following back. Many of these are loyal followers, so how does one say "hey you aren't following me anymore" to all the loyal followers without unfollowing them?  Seriously does anyone know the answer?

Coming up on 26 July 2012, I will be assisting with another Book Push for fellow authors.  Would you all be dears and help me help these authors out.  It looks to be a really great sale! I also hear tell there are even some nice incentives. The post should be available soon after midnight EST. So look it over either before you go to sleep or when you wake up. If you can then purchase one, two or even all nine books. Then tell a friend or two about your great bargains. However, if your budget won't allow you to purchase books maybe you can take a moment or two on that day to help spread the word (no pun intended). 


  
Have a great one!


Lynn Hallbrooks
co-author to David McKoy
co-owners of Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC
co-members of RABMAD and #amwriting

Being Part of a Whole

Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning)

When we first started out writing our book, Call Sign: Wrecking Crew (Storm Warning) we were basically alone.  We had no idea of the actual steps that needed to be taken. No platform set up or even an inkling of an idea what was really needed in the marketing world. 

As I began taking our book to the virtual streets, I met a myriad of kind and generous fellow authors. Many of whom I call friends, because we share with and care about one another. We support each other using whatever means we have at our disposal.  It may be technical knowledge, writing experience or just simply getting the word out about the latest book, blog or whatever is needed to help out. 

Operation E-Book Drop

Recently, my friend, Charity Parkerson, and I did a little brainstorming. The result was her sponsoring the July Free Book Event.  Usually this means free through Amazon KDP Select program. I saw one major problem for us, we're part of Operation E-Book Drop via Smashwords.  Meaning we don't wish to put our book into the Amazon KDP Select program. Charity had the solution. She is allowing us the opportunity to use our Smashwords discount code to offer our book for free.  The catch is that you have to visit Charity's page any time between July 12th through 16th 2012 to find the code to download our book. While you are their you'll discover other great books of different genres available via Amazon.  

Smashwords

The advantage to those who visit our Smashwords site is they won't have to only download to a Kindle app. They can also pick from Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, Apple iTunes, or Sony devices...all in one place. 

If you don't have an account, might I suggest getting one. As I recall, it was pretty simple to set up a Smashwords account. Smashwords is home to many Independent authors plus they have some really great sales throughout the year.  Right now it's the Summer/Winter Sale where some books are discounted, anywhere from 25 to 100% off the normal price. 

Thought for the day: As anyone who has read our book knows, the 'Wrecking Crew' is more than a team, they are family. Members of a team and/or family know, life is so much better when you work together as part of the whole. Otherwise you are like a solitary person in a small boat out in the big ocean...you go nowhere very fast while getting very tired in the process.

Have a great one!

Lynn Hallbrooks

co-author to David McKoy

co-owners Call Sign Wrecking Crew, LLC

members of RABMAD