What's old is new again. That pertains to just about everything. So, when it comes to a subject near and dear to my heart, I consider myself somewhat of an expert. Therefore, allow me to throw a few lessons learned at you if you're someone contemplating on writing a book or if you have written a book and aren't sure what to do next. Take these words to heart, because I won't steer you wrong. I'll help you get into this with your eyes wide open.
I could go on, but this has run long enough. I do business as Hen House Publishing, and I offer freelance services in writing (ghostwriting), editing, and book design. I don't offer cover design or marketing, because those are not forte. If you have a story in mind but not the time, skill, or inclination to write it, then contact me at henhousepublishing@gmail.com to write it. If you have drafted a manuscript that you want to publish, contact me to editing it at henhousepublishing@gmail.com. If you have an edited manuscript ready to be formatted for publication, contact me for book design at henhousepublishing@gmail.com. I took a break, as often happens, from the current work-in-progress (WIP) because I wrote my protagonist into a corner and needed to ponder how I'd get him out of that predicament without erasing and rewriting a substantial portion of the manuscript. I think I've figured that out. Strangely enough, it was the character's father who provided me with that inspiration. So, once again, I've resumed plugging away at the keyboard to push the story along. I need to keep at it, because I've slated this book--Champion of the Twin Moons, Book 5 in the Twin Moons Saga—for release in June (or earlier if I can swing it). There's a whole lot to do yet!
In the hopper ... Meanwhile, I've got more books simmering on the back burners of my mind and which I hope to produce yet this year:
Will there be more books? Of course! I just don't know what they are yet. Don't despair if you prefer those one-off stories. I'll produce more of them. Those stories keep my mind fresh. On the freelance front ... With regard to business as usual, there's the freelancing aspect of my livelihood that cannot be ignored. I have come up with a package deal for ghostwriting I call the Rapid Release Program. This package is based on the favorable algorithms Amazon uses for new releases. An author who releases a lot of books frequently benefits from those algorithms through enhanced placement, better promotion, and increased sales. Here's how it works:
The price of the package is $1,500 per month. Make sure you get a copy ... Finally, I'll be attending several events throughout the year in the capacities of author, artist, and freelance writer/editor. To each of these events I bring a limited selection of my books. (Bringing copies of every title just isn't feasible.) However, it's come to my attention that some folks want to make sure I have copies of certain titles available. Therefore, I have created a pre-order form. Use this pre-order form to let me know which event you'll be attending and which title(s) you want me to reserve for you. I'll make sure to keep copies of those books on hand for you. All pre-orders must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the event. If you want a copy of a book that is not listed on the pre-order form, purchase it from Amazon and bring it to the event where I'll be happy to autograph it for you. It's true that no matter what you write, someone won't like it. This is one reason why we have genres: readers will more likely find what they enjoy than what they don't.
Readers everywhere, regardless of genre preferences, have pet peeves. These can be categorized into trends or themes of things readers don't like. The Washington Post offers some insights with this article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/08/book-pet-peeves/ Since editor and authors are also readers, I'll start with this list of my pet peeves:
Larger peeves come in the form of some common tropes and/or archetypes. Since I read (and write) mainly romance, I'm all too familiar with these tropes and wonder about their enduring popularity in the genre.
Sometimes the characters in my own books cross those lines (although I've yet to write a secret baby story) that can take a plot beyond building tension and delicious conflict to face-palmed disgust. There are no hard borders with most of these pet peeves; they're more a matter of degree. When it comes to some stories and/or some readers, that degree hits the boiling point sooner than others. The best a writer can do it tread the line between just enough and too much. As readers, what are your pet peeves? |
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