Respect Your Readers

Writers will read the title of this post, and a zillion translations will zip through a zillion minds.

- But I change my story with every critique!

- But I hold contests and give them lots of freebies!

- But I throw parties at all the readers events I attend!

And so on . . .

That's not what I'm talking about. I mean when a single reader approaches you and says, "Oh, my gosh! I loved Galactic Sluts!"

Your writer group has put you down for that book. Or a critic gave you zero stars and called the worst piece of trash of the century. Or your parents sniff and say you had a nervous breakdown when people ask what you're doing these days.

So, the defensiveness you've built up over the time you've been writing spills out of you, and you say something like, "Uh, that's the worst thing I ever wrote."

Seriously, folks. I've seen best selling authors do exactly that. To me. As a reader.

And guess what? We've screwed up the courage to approach you, and what you just said makes us readers feel like shit. You've told us we have piss-poor taste. You've told us we're idiots for liking your work.

Look, I know that defensiveness, that self-deprecation comes from the insecurities deep inside all of us writers. Art of any kind is not respected in our society.

But that's no reason to piss on someone else. Especially since you have no idea what's going on in someone's life. Let me give you a couple of personal examples.

In February of 1998, I was living in a new city 1200 miles from my hometown where I knew very few people. I was going to law school full-time. And DH was literally half a world away for the entire month. Needless to say, I was stressed out and sad despite our dogs' best efforts to cheer me up. This was back when Harlequin novels were sold in the check-out lanes of grocery stores.

So, yeah, I'm in Gerland's, and Harlequin has recently launched their Love & Laughter line. I picked up Irresistible? by Stephanie Bond. Thank goodness it was Friday. I was up most of the night, laughing so hard I cried. And I did something I'd never done with a writer before. I sent her a fan letter. And to my surprise, I received a lovely thank you note from her.

A few years later, I attended a book signing by Sherrilyn McQueen (nee' Kenyon). Once again, I was in a rough place. I'd learned I wouldn't be able to have anymore kids after GK. I'd lost my law practice thanks to 9/11 and the two stock crashes of 2001. Frankly, I was struggling to keep my shit together.

I honestly can't remember the exact conversation I had with her when it was my turn to get my book signed. The thing that sticks in my mind was how she made me feel at the time. She's one of those people who really listens to you. She thanked me for buying her books, and she hoped I enjoyed the signed one she handed back to me.

And that's what I say to any reader who tells me they liked my book. Any one of my books.

To all my readers, thank you for buying my books. I really do hope they give you a chuckle and some hope in this crazy world.

With the End of the Pandemic, Entertainment Sales Fall

It's spring, Dr. Anthony Fauci says the pandemic is over*, and Americans are suffering from a major case of cabin fever after two years of limited in-person social contact. So people are out doing the things they've missed--sporting events, graduation parties, barbeques with neighbors, etc.

Toss in the current inflation spike which is a long term effect of the pandemic plus the invasion of Ukraine. People no longer buying a lot of indoor entertainment.

Netflix stock dropped by almost 50%  last week after thousands of subscribers eliminated the service. The other streaming services are starting to see similar results.

Movie theaters haven't recovered. New releases are lucky to break eight-figures on their opening weekend, much less the nine or ten figures some of these movies would have made prior to the pandemic.

Now, both trad and indie publishing are seeing a loss of sales. And writers are panicking. "We aren't making as much as we did in <name the year>."

I'm really confused by everyone's surprise at this. First, the pandemic growth simply wasn't sustainable. People are no longer trapped at home with limited entertainment choices. Heck, even I'm getting outside of the house. DH and I went to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant in town last night. It's been two and half years since I sat down INSIDE this place. And damn was it delicious!

Second, it doesn't mean everybody has quit reading (or watching) forever. This is a a short-term lull. Why do I believe that?

If an introvert like me is getting out, my readers are too. And you know something? That's okay. I'll have new books ready for them when winter rolls back around and we're stuck at home because of ice and snow.

*Don't take either me or  Dr. Fauci wrong, COVID-19 is still a dangerous disease, but the U.S. is no longer suffering from millions of infections per day and most of our hospitals have normal capacity again.

Why Do Businesses Chase New Customers...

...instead of nurturing their current customers? I googled the question because I see so many different industries do this, not just publishing.

It seems to come down to our cultural obsession with growth. Bigger is better! You must have the most followers on social media! You must have the largest mailing list! You must have the most widget sales!

And I see my fellow indies making the same damn mistakes that the big corporations are making. Throwing all kinds of money at attracting new customers, i.e. readers, instead of serving the customers/readers they've already cultivated.

Seriously, what's the point of trying to sell your book to folks that aren't interested? And spending gobs of moola on advertising when you're getting a piss-poor return on your investment (ROI)?

Even better, why aren't you delivering new product to the people you've already attracted?

Any time I've asked that of most indie acquaintances who are bemoaning how much they spend on ads, they look at me like I've grown a second head. Then they tell me they are afraid to stop advertising because when they do, their rank on Amazon falls.

That's their fear talking. They want to stay afloat when maybe they should be deep-diving for more treasure.

You know what reader acquaintances tell me? Some get pissed off when a writer they love stops putting out books in the middle of a series. Others tell me they won't touch a series until the writer completes it.

*facepalm*

So what do you do about this catch-22 situation?

Here's my two cents: write a trilogy with a solid ending on the third story but a possibility to keep going. Don't release them until all three books are completed.

Think I'm joking? The first four books of the Bloodlines series were written before I decided to go indie, and I put them out in pretty rapid succession between May of 2011 and April of 2012. I was having a ton of sales at the time.

Then everything went to hell in a hand basket in my personal life. My writing suffered. And I lost a good number of readers because Blood Sacrifice didn't come out until October of 2013.

Nurture the readers that already love you! Let them tell their friend how great your books are. The best way to grow your readership is organically.

Nor am I saying don't advertise at all, but don't do it willy-nilly either. Have a plan.

For example, I'm sticking the 888-555-HERO series in Kindle Select at first, which means it will be exclusive to Amazon. I plan to set Hero De Facto to free when Hero De Novo comes out, and then advertise on a couple of places that specialize in the fantasy genre.

On the other hand, don't be a afraid to pivot. I put out a teaser on FB last year, just a post with the cover of Hero De Facto with the series tagline, "The only thing more dangerous than a superhero is his attorney."

An attorney friend shared the post, and I got 600+ hits from OTHER ATTORNEYS! Not my usual fantasy readers.

So be prepared to adjust your advertising if needed. Be ready to pivot if your assumptions aren't working. Be willing to try outside-of-the-box techniques.

But most of all, be writing that next book.

P.S. I'll report back here later this summer about which plans of mine worked and which didn't. Just remember there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution in the publishing industry!

Other Writers and Fan-girly Squeals

Once upon a time, I had the privilege of meeting George Takei at a Star Trek convention. I was so nervous I literally couldn't talk. Uncle George was terribly sweet, but he gave me an odd look. As in, "Is she just shy, or should I call security?"

I managed to say "Nice to meet you" or "Thank you". Seriously, I was that nervous, I don't remember what I said. I do remember my voice sounded like Beaker's from the Muppets.

I don't always act that shell-shocked around someone I admire. Well, except for last Saturday night. My friend Jo introduced me to someone whose work I admire very much, and I squealed like a little girl. I'm pretty sure I embarrassed the hell out of the writer, too, not just myself.

*sigh*

So why am I bringing this all up?

I've had the opportunity to watch professional writers interact with their readers over the years, and I've noted four typical reactions in writers. Three of these reactions will lose you readers, but there are ways to compensate.

First of all, if you EVER feel in danger from a fan, get help! Grab a friend, get security at an event, or call the police. Trust that little niggle in your hindbrain. There's a big difference between that feeling and butterflies in your stomach.

Now on to the types...

1) The Cold Fish
It's never easy meeting total strangers. Even the most gregarious person has a little trepidation in a new situation. These writers fail to make eye contact with their readers much less say hello. This behavior can come across as being too good to talk to the hoi polloi when in fact, it's the opposite problem.

I'll tell you a secret. The best at the meet-and-greet are simply better at hiding their fear. Stand up, walk around that signing table, and be pleasant and polite. It will make the encounter easier for both of you. Something to remember is that your readers are probably more nervous about meeting you than vice versa, too.


2) The Hot Potato
The opposite of The Cold Fish, these writers not only come out from behind their tables, they attack people in the aisles and try to force their books on the public. Few people like the hard sell. (And if you know one, I'd like to meet him or her.)

Coming across as a crazy used car salesperson will only get you shunned and rejected. Take a step back, tone down the sales pitch, and take an interest in the person, not the sales prospect.


3) The Negative Nellie
These writers don't feel they deserve their success, or their fragile self-esteem can't handle criticism, so they try to beat you to the punch with self-flagellation. This behavior can turn off a potential reader. If the writer doesn't think their book is good enough, then why would the reader want to take a chance on it? And if the reader already read your work, it sounds to them like the writer is criticizing the reader's choices.

If adulation throws you for a loop, stick with simple phrases. "I hope you enjoy it." "Thank you." "I appreciate your comments."

On the other hand, those phrases work pretty damn good if a psycho reader slams you, too.


4) The Best Response
The writers I've seen handle the public best are Sherrilyn Kenyon and the late L.A. Banks. Both ladies come across genuinely interested in fans. They say how glad they are to meet you. These writers are comfortable with themselves and love the career they've chosen.

It's damn hard to achieve that level of confidence in yourself and in your work. Part of it is knowing your own comfort level with the public. For example, Sherrilyn's a touchy-feely person. She grabs a reader's hand and acts like they are her favorite cousin that she hasn't seen in forever. For her, this is a genuine response.

I know I'm not a touchy-feely person. Sherrilyn's way wouldn't work for me. Heck, even getting an e-mail from reader makes me freak out.

But my own issues don't mean I can't behave myself, be pleasant and say "Thanks!" Yep, that's right. I take elements from the solutions for The Cold Fish and The Negative Nellies. I remind myself that my writing affected a person enough for them to reach out.

And in the end, that's all I really want. To entertain someone for a little while and let them forget their problems.

The least I can do when a reader reaches out to me is to reach back with a heartfelt, "Thanks for reading my work."

I Have the Coolest Readers!

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, cheers me up like getting a note from a reader. No awards, no acknowledgement from some industry giant, not even large numbers in my bank account matches. Whether it's over the multiple social media accounts I possess or a private e-mail, a message from a reader gives me warm fuzzies.

One message I received yesterday was from a fan of Alter Ego's, letting her know he spent his Apple lawsuit settlement money on her books.

(Which by the way, check your ebook accounts. The money would have been deposited as a credit in your account with the retailer, like Amazon. I didn't get any settlement money because I didn't any price-fixed Big 6 books between 2010 and 2012. LOL)

The other message was from a reader who had literally finished A Question of Balance in one day and is, as she put it, waiting patiently for A Modicum of Truth to come out.

That's probably what affected me the most. She'd been reading my blogs and knew the multitude of overlapping life rolls Murphy had been pitching at me for nearly three years.

And she was patiently waiting...

That's the kind of loyalty that hits a writer right in the feels.

Thank You

With all the hoopla going on as King Kong and Godzilla continue their battle, the incredible Jason Gurley reminded me of who was really important in this world.

The Readers.

Yep, it’s definitely about the readers. They’re the ones that find and love you (or not) and recommend you to their friends (or not). Agents, editors, consultants, publishers, they all are outraged by their loss of power. They blame Amazon, Bezos, indie writers, but it’s the readers that ultimately make or break this industry.

So to all of the readers who've taken a chance on my books...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Three Stupid Things Writers Do or Why Are Writers So Insane?

I admit I was already insane before I began this strange journey I'm on so I'm by no means excluding myself from the group.

Albert Einstein once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Here's a list of the insane things I see indie writers doing. (And yes, I have been guilty of some of these on occasion.)

1) Refusing to Change Our Methods

I see writers write the same story over and over again (just change the names, location and hair/eye color) and wonder why people stop buying their work. Or they don't find the right people who can help them with points where they are weak. Or the use the same marketing techniques as everyone else--and wonder why they don't work.

Sometimes, you have to step outside of your comfort zone. What works for everyone else may not work for you, and vice versa. There isn't a ONE, TRUE WAY to success. Sorry, but there just isn't.

Don't be afraid to experiment, whether it be a new genre, a different price, or a redesigned cover.


2) Marketing to the Wrong People

Several times a day, I get a Twitter or Facebook alert from a new follower or friend advertising their book. Once in a while isn't bad, but fifty times a day every day?

What's even worse are the people who aren't paying attention to who I am. Why are you targeting another writer? Furthermore, why are you pimping your sweet Christian romance to a Wiccan fantasy/erotica author? Talk about mismatch of product!


3) Believing Readers Are Beneath Us

In the cases where a writer has gotten the first two points right, they slip up and rudely dismiss their readers. Readers are the ones paying for your book, i.e. paying your bills. Readers are the ones who tell their friends about your book when they've fallen in love with the hero. Treat those readers with respect. I've seen too many writers lately who think that readers owe them something.

Guess what? Readers don't owe us a damn thing other than a few bucks for our product. And even then, if you don't give them the experience they are paying for, they can and will return your book. Frankly, they have every right to, especially if you treat them like shit. ALWAYS treat your readers with respect.


To me, these three items will carry you farther than learning how to format or catching every little typo.*

* And some idiot will now spread the rumor across the internet that I said you can leave typos in your manuscript. No, that's not what I said. Odds are the idiot spreading the rumor is one of several who got miffed when I didn't follow him/her back within two seconds of them following me on Twitter. That's because my full-time job is writing, not consoling their ego.

You Can't Fuck Over Your Audience

When it comes to indie writers, there are two major gripes by readers:

1) The story is too short.
2) They are getting ripped off.

Frankly, the readers have valid complaints, but what most writers aren't understanding is that this isn't two different problems. It is the same problem; readers are not getting a COMPLETE story.

Much of the writers' confusion stems from from a couple of misconceptions:

1) Short stories don't sell.
2) Readers love series.

In regards to short stories, a single short is not economical to print. So trad publishers would bundle them into one volume, and then not market the book. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In regards to series, yes, readers go bonkers about them because they enjoy spending time with characters they love. But in a series, each individual tome needs a complete story.

For a story to be complete, it has to have a definitive arc. A beginning, a middle and an end. Stopping in the middle of the story is like stopping in the middle of sex. It's just not satisfying.

Then there's the promise of the genre itself. For example, in erotica, the protagonist's sexual journey changes her. In romance, the heroine and hero find their HEA, or at the very least their HFN. But if an indie writer advertises her story as an erotic romance, she needs to deliver on both promises.

I read a story that was novella length and was advertised as an erotic romance where the heroine was changed by her experience, but she left the hero at the end of the book. The writer received a large number of one-star ratings complaining that the story was too short. The writer believed the readers wanted a novel-length book. What they really wanted was the hero and heroine together at the end.

Our audience is not stupid. As long as you've set up the premise properly and deliver on your promise, they will generally accept your complete story no matter the actual wordcount.

Example 1
Brie's First Day of Submissive Training by Red Phoenix, 47 pages, first book in a nine-book series.

Red's best-selling series is a perfect example of short works combining into a cohesive whole. In the first volume, Brie makes a decision to attend a submissive training school, follows through on that decision, and learns something about herself in the process. This story is perma-free with sexually explicit content, but I strongly suggest downloading it to study Brie's character arc.

Example 2
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, 720 pages, first book in a seven-book series.

Another best seller at the opposite end of the spectrum--the epic fantasy. Reader complaints about George don't include the "It's too short" wail. While the character arcs for the other POV characters are just as complete, Daenerys Targaryen deserves special mention. Her storyline was sliced out of the main book and put together as a Hugo-award-winning novella, Blood of a Dragon.

Example 3
Se7en, (1995) starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey, directed by David Fincher, written by Andrew Kevin Walker.

I include this because Andrew's story and script is so gut-wrenching, yet makes perfect sense. Pitt, Fincher and Walker battled the studio to keep the original ending, and they did the right thing. When the detectives are chasing a serial killer so perverse that sadism should be renamed to "doe-ism," giving the movie a Mary Sunshine ending would have pissed the audience off more. This is a prime example of a not-so-happy ending completing the story. Spacey's Doe, who has been pulling the strings from the first minute of the film, manipulates Pitt's Detective Mills into committing his final murder.

Example 4
The shortest story ever has been attributed to Ernest Hemingway: "Baby shoes for sale. Never worn."

Is this a complete story? You betcha. The entire arc, beginning-middle-end, is there.

The Final Take
Your story can be any length. One of the great things about e-publishing is that writers don't have to worry about the physical limitations or expenses of print. Your story can be as short or as long as it needs to be. Just make sure your story is COMPLETE, the full story arc without any filler.

And don't insult your audience's intelligence by selling them one incomplete snippet at a time. They will know and they will not be pleased.

Thoughts on Reviews

It's starting to happen. I'm getting reviews on my books by total strangers. I'd steeled myself against 1-star, "This sucks!" reviews. That stuff is a part of writing life.

Yes, I'm aware of the rule that I shouldn't contact the reviewer, no matter what their opinion is. And I know I  DEFINITELY should not do a Tom-Cruise-bat-shit-crazy-interview-with-Matt-Lauer type of response. I can honestly say I have not communicated with a reviewer that I didn't already know in person.

But I wasn't prepared for and what shocks me are the "I'm surprised how good this is" opinions. The "you haven't been properly vetted, so this can't be entertaining and/or grammatically correct, but it is" feedback. Or the latest "I'm a little pissed that I like an indie book."

Okay, I'm reading between the lines, but that last one is pretty much the gist of one review. The reviewer HAD to give it 4 stars because the story was shockingly decent.

Sometimes, readers' impressions of a writer's work throw the author on her keister. As long as I don't get the same reader that my friend, Colleen Thompson got. The one who marched up to Colleen at a book signing and told her that she hated Colleen's book. And the lady read it four times to make sure she hated it.

I'm sorry. My good writer manners would dissolve in the face of such excellent snark material.