50 before 40

There are plenty of challenges most indie authors face. Sales, time management, motivation, relevance, but one of the most intense struggles we have is to get reviews. This isn’t the first time I write about this though I’d love for it to be the last (crossing fingers). 

Here’s the thing, being an indie author I don’t have a team of people courting influences, bloggers, book reviewers, BookTubers, and bookstagrammers. I’m a one human army in the pursuit of my dreams in relation to plenty of things, reviews included. This means I depend on people like you and anyone kind enough to drop a review. You might be wondering on the title of this post and if you’re wondering what the relevance of the number 50 is, it’s the magic number on Amazon that opens a couple more doors to more readers. If we hit 50 reviews on Amazon, our books start appearing in more searches. Simple enough, right? Not so much.

Still… that’s what I’m aiming for in regards to any of my books: 50 reviews. 

For some context, take into account that I published Only Human in 2013 digitally and have been selling physical copies since 2014. In that time, I’ve sold around 300-400 copies online in total. Might be more, but not sure. From all those sales, I’ve gotten 30 reviews and that’s actually a great percentage. Still, I do my best to earn those extra 20 reviews, even if they’re bad, because I know every review helps. I write about it once in a while, but I try not to pester because people have enough on their plates with their day-to-day lives. I also ask, because I’ve made it a habit to review everything I read. I do that for a couple of reasons. First off, to help others. Secondly, because it helps with retention and reading a review I can remember a LOT of what I’ve read. 

When it comes to music, I may enjoy listening to things online, but I also share videos and tell people about new music, and when I really like something I buy the album, even in this age of streaming. The same with restaurants and I’m pending to write a lot of reviews to help out the places I love once this Corona Times pass. For me, it’s all about sharing the things I enjoy and giving a heads up about the good and the not so good. Some people write reviews just to be catty and nasty and although I see the entertainment value, I’ve only dropped one scathing review of one book because I had it recommended constantly at Borders, in Barnes & Noble, and other websites and when I read it, it was pretty awful. Since then, it’s not to say I haven’t left bad reviews, but I’ve desisted from spilling the tea for entertainment’s sake. It’s not to say you shouldn’t do this, but I’ve stopped seeing value in that approach.

Still, beyond sharing the wealth, I know the difference a review can make. I’ve known to be having a horrendous day only to be greeted with the wonderful surprise of a review, or someone who shared one of my vids or random posts on social media, or a comment, or a thank you note, or a picture with an Estrada Crate, or a shout out, or a mention, or an invitation to a podcast or live panel, or countless other generous things and I feel the need to pay it forward and to also show people I care about their work, their passions, and their dreams. 

Does a review take much time? It actually totally depends on you. Want to dive in depth to the next level? Bring it. Want to leave a one-line review? That also works. Do you think the book sucked? Then give it a 1-star review. Seriously, don’t feel bad and let her rip because if you do, even if it brings the average down, it brings the total review count up and in some way, it still helps. As for the 40… I’ll be turning forty this coming August 13^th and a boy can always dream, can’t he? So what say you, care to share a dream even in these peculiar times? 

As always, a pleasure to have you in this nook of my hyperactive mind.

Peace, love, and maki rolls

Ps: here's the link to Only Human. Cheers

https://smile.amazon.com/Only-Human-Cycle-Book-ebook/dp/B00COMVDY4/

#MarchOfTheWriters

During the month of February, I have to say that I’ve had a blast doing Dahlia Adler’s #AuthorLifeMonth2020 prompts. They were varied and fun and in case you missed it (or her for that matter), check out @MissDahlELama on Twitter and Instagram or check out my Instagram account for several of the posts I shared. 

Since it was so fun for me I said, why not keep the party going? So here’s my humble contribution to the Writing Community: #MarchOfTheWriters. In case this is your first time doing one of these, here’s how it works: Every day there’s a prompt. You take a picture and share on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and use the hashtag #MarchOfTheWriters. 

As for the prompts, below I’ll offer some brief explanations to each prompt, but keep an eye out on my Instagram for brief videos talking about each prompt. If you have any question, by all means, ask in the comment section or write me in your preferred social media platform.

1. Hello, my name is: This is your introduction to fellow authors and future readers. Do it in picture, book, or video form. 

2. Writing Nook: Do you have a writing desk or a preferred writing spot? Share it with us!

3. If you were a car…: What is a car that you think represents you? It could be real or fictional. 

4. Business card: do you have a business card? Pimp it out. Need advice or feedback on your card? Share it and let’s help each other out. 

5. Your published works: you can go all bookstagram or just hold up your book for us to see. 

6. How does writing feel? Describe how writing makes you feel. It could be empowered, worried, in a rush, or whatever. 

7. Home is…: What is your home town? What does home feel like to you?

8. Boxing ring walk song: If you were in a huge boxing, MMA, or wrestling match, what song would you enter the ring with to get you in the zone?

9. Writing Influences: Who do you look up to and why?

10. Pet peeves: what are things that get on your nerves from writing or life in general.

11. Upcoming events: Will you be at an event with your books? Are you going to a writer workshop or retreat? Meeting your favorite author? Share the wealth!

12. Creature comforts: What are things that make your life and your writing easier and more comfortable?

13. Five books in your TBR: Be it in your shelf, on the nightstand, or along with you, show us what you’ll be reading in 2020. 

14. Claim to fame: It can be one or several things you’re known for. Let us know, what’s your jam?

15. Behind the Pen Name: Sometimes people writer under their real name… other times they use a pen name, and quite often there’s a story behind your pen name. Share the story behind your name.

16. Writing playlists: Some people (like moi) enjoy writing while listening to some tunes. What are some songs in your writing list? Do you have a list on Spotify, Soundcloud, or YouTube that you’d like to share? Then go for it.

17. Writer quirks: What are random things you know are random and not really necessary but that you always do when you’re writing.

18. First job: What was the first way you earned a pay check on your road to making a living off your writing?

19. Things that make you happy: Pretty self-explanatory. What brings that smile to the surface?

20. What’s in your cup? It could be coffee, tea, soup, or other! Share what’s in your cuppa.

21. Fandoms: Your inner geek has these fandoms tattooed on the face. Geek out.

22. Binge worthy: what shows would you recommend to people?

23. Currently writing: What’s your WIP and how’s it shaping up?

24. Hidden talents: Some people can cook, others do street magic or busk. What’s your hidden talent? 

25. Last movie you saw: Could be at home or at the movies. 

26. Proud moments: Pride can be defined in SO many ways. Show us some of yours. 

27. Best place to read: Reading is a treat on its own, but when you do it here… #ChefsKiss

28. Bookmarks: Do you have quirky bookmarks? Do you use a 3-year-old receipt? Whatever it is, let us see what you use to press pause on a book.

29. Childhood memory: What’s a fond childhood memory you wish you could share with people.

30. Friends of a feather: As writers, we get to meet a LOT of people online. Who are some of those people you’d like to meet in real life?

31. Keep in touch: What social media platforms do you frequent? 

And that’s pretty much it. Hope you join in and happy writing!

Peace, Love, and Maki Rolls