COMMENTS ON: Authors, Check Your Ego at the Door…and You Just Might Sell Some Books!
I had this issue when I started, but have grown a thicker skin. I pulled my book because even though it was edited, it had many mistakes. I have never picked it up since, but I suppose I should at some point and decide whether or not to fix it. It’s funny because I edit other’s work, but I find it difficult with my own writing…I’m too caught up in it.
– Lorelei Nettles
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Who in their right mind would ever turn down a “free” professional punctuation edit? “Hurt and annoyed,” should have been “Pleased and grateful.”
– Pamela Allegretto, author
Bridge of Sighs and Dreams
Two women clash in World War 2 Nazi-occupied Rome.
~~~
Indeed the author was’nt (sic) thankful and who can be a better witness of that rather than me whose work was “rejected” for the same reason. I wondered whose ego was that which stopped respected Madam Angela Hoy to undertake some correction work for me. I was outright asked to find some other publisher.
– Tanveer Md Masood
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UG! There is no room for ‘hurt feelings.’ Bend a little and get a lot in return.
– Wendy Jones, author
Highlander Imagine: Beyond Infinity
Duncan MacLeod must fight a South American Immortal at Teotihuacan.
~~~
In 2007, I self-published a children’s book with Amazon. They charged me up the wazoo (https://writersweekly.com/angela-desk/more-createspace-complaints-part-iii-thinking-of-using-createspace-to-publish-your-book-you-might-want-to-read-these-authors-complaints-first) for everything, including a “professional” synopsis of my book that was clearly written by some hack for a penny a word, and “marketing” that was two banner ads I never actually got to see. Not that it mattered since at $18 the paperback was priced out of the market. Seems like little has changed, but at least self-publishers have more options now. I’m thinking of writing a second children’s book so I’ll definitely keep you in mind (https://publishing.booklocker.com/), Angela!
– DanaSan
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You dodged a bullet with that author. She would have continued to feel like a special snowflake and continued to give you problems.
– Debra Holland
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I just don’t understand authors who are so bleeping sensitive about getting honest, helpful, constructive critique. It’s as if the only reason they write a book is to get validation from everyone who reads it. Anyone who is less than enamored with her writing or finds one little typo or makes a suggestion for improvement is seen as someone who hates that writer, or at least makes the writer seem like she’s a failure. Grow up, sweetie. (That advice goes for men, too. We aren’t immune to being overly sensitive.)
Angela’s right. That author should have thanked her profusely for a free copy edit! What a deal. Where do I sign up?
In my genre, I’m competing against the likes of Baldacci, Child, Connelly, Sandford, Patterson, Crais, et al. I will take every iota of helpful advice, free editing or critiquing, and constructive, useful criticism I can get!
– Chris Norbury, author
CASTLE DANGER
Suspense novel set in rugged, beautiful northern Minnesota’s brutal winter.
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I have a small traditional publishing house, but I get the same type hurt feelings from authors who don’t have to pay one penny for all we do for them.
– Vivian Zabel
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Copy editing is the worst. I can read my own stuff over and over and still miss typos. I wrote a short business book recently, read it three times, then paid a professional. I then read it again but there were still errors after publication. As far as being hurt, I am my most severe critic. In fact, complements generally seem patronizing to me. I know that’s not a healthy attitude but well reasoned criticism is so much more helpful.
– Tony Barone
Read More Letters and Comments
90+ DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE: Your Book's Daily Marketing Plan by Angela Hoy and Richard Hoy
Promoting your book online should be considered at least a part-time job. Highly successful authors spend more time promoting a book than they do writing it - a lot more.
We know what you're thinking. You're an author, not a marketer. Not to worry! We have more than a decade of successful online book selling experience under our belts and we're going to teach you how to promote your book effectively online...and almost all of our techniques are FREE!
Online book promotion is not only simple but, if you have a step-by-step, day-to-day marketing plan (this book!), it can also be a very artistic endeavor, which makes it fun for creative folks like you!
Yes, online book promoting can be EASY and FUN! Let us show you how, from Day 1 through Day 90...and beyond!
90+ DAYS OF PROMOTING YOUR BOOK ONLINE: Your Book's Daily Marketing Plan by Angela Hoy and Richard Hoy
Promoting your book online should be considered at least a part-time job. Highly successful authors spend more time promoting a book than they do writing it - a lot more.
We know what you're thinking. You're an author, not a marketer. Not to worry! We have more than a decade of successful online book selling experience under our belts and we're going to teach you how to promote your book effectively online...and almost all of our techniques are FREE!
Online book promotion is not only simple but, if you have a step-by-step, day-to-day marketing plan (this book!), it can also be a very artistic endeavor, which makes it fun for creative folks like you!
Yes, online book promoting can be EASY and FUN! Let us show you how, from Day 1 through Day 90...and beyond!