Publicity and Promotion Issues with Free Books

madhu_bookworm · Post by **madhu_bookworm** » 26 Sep 2015, 13:17

zeldas_lullaby wrote:Thank you, Madhu, and I love your avatar!

I hate being at her mercy. That's a conflict right there. If I complain bitterly, it's going to hurt ME, not her.

BUT... there will come a time when I don't think I have much to lose, if it becomes blatantly obvious that she's never going to write up my book. At that time, I may try to take her down with me. (OK, that sounds bad, but it equates to my ratting her out for accepting books and then not reviewing them at all.) Until then, I'd regret that if, say, my book really is slated to be reviewed next week, or whatever! AARGH!!

Thank you for the avatar comment. I was just contemplating of changing it to be more reflective of me but that requires me to think about what part of me I want to portray. Lol.

As for the rest of it... I don't know you that well but just from the posts I get the feeling that you are not the revengeful type. Don't do anything that is totally against your personality just for the sake of doing it. It's not worth it to lose yourself.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 13:22

HA HA HA! No, don't worry. I seriously used to be incredibly revenge-oriented. (Not with book reviewers particularly, but in a broader sense.) Fortunately, I have finally gotten a handle on that to a very large extent. It took years of effort on my part.

Also, I can promise you that if I were to have vendettas on anyone, it would be people who have done far worse to me than this!!

I loved your phrase about her sinking into her ineptitude. HA HA HA HA. Now I'm really hoping she never stumbles upon this forum!!

-- September 26th, 2015, 2:23 pm --

madhu_bookworm wrote:
zeldas_lullaby wrote:Thank you, Madhu, and I love your avatar!

I hate being at her mercy. That's a conflict right there. If I complain bitterly, it's going to hurt ME, not her.

BUT... there will come a time when I don't think I have much to lose, if it becomes blatantly obvious that she's never going to write up my book. At that time, I may try to take her down with me. (OK, that sounds bad, but it equates to my ratting her out for accepting books and then not reviewing them at all.) Until then, I'd regret that if, say, my book really is slated to be reviewed next week, or whatever! AARGH!!
Thank you for the avatar comment. I was just contemplating of changing it to be more reflective of me but that requires me to think about what part of me I want to portray. Lol.

As for the rest of it... I don't know you that well but just from the posts I get the feeling that you are not the revengeful type. Don't do anything that is totally against your personality just for the sake of doing it. It's not worth it to lose yourself.

Oops, I posted before turning the page.

Oh, thank you! See? I have succeeded in overcoming my vengeful ways if you think I'm not the vengeful type! OK, I promise everyone that I won't go off the deep end over this.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 13:58

I may have told this story before but when I was living in El Paso I was writing occasional spotwork (another unapproved compound word!) and I wrote a fairly harsh review about a mystery book based in Dallas by a newbie Dallas writer. The book was really bad.

Well, the author phoned my paper and threatened to drive to El Paso and kick my butt. The paper told him that making threats was pretty stupid and that if they happened again they'd file charges of harassment. My own opinion of course was to tell him to "come on down" but my editor dissuaded me from that tactic.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 14:02

AARGH! You all are acting like I threatened to do something awful! All I said was that I'd rat her out for taking books and then not reviewing them! Read my parenthetical! That doesn't break any laws! I'm not some kind of awful criminal, really!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 14:19

We know the real truth, Zelda. A proud revolutionary you are and ready to go to the wall for the cause. ha ha

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 14:28

HA HA HA... WUA HA HA HA HA HA.... BUA HA HA HA HA.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 15:43

By the way and back on subject, I've now got to work on sending my newly published book to the local newspaper and journals here, and try to find some good reviews to post.

Mebbe I can secretly review my own book on Amazon? Yeah, right.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 15:58

Oh no, ModernTimes, you'll open a Pandora's box if you threaten to review your own book!

HA HA!

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 17:33

I know about all that. I cannot think of anything more idiotic than someone trying to do that.

Speaking of Pandora, I'm sure you notice the irony which is lost on many folks who aren't the slightest bit literate. For example, there's a well known brand of makeup named "Pandora". And how about that Caribbean casino named "Atlantis" -- doesn't anyone know what supposedly happened to that place? Like naming a restaurant "Cholera", right? Duh.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 17:47

OK, he was just kidding, everyone. He's not going to review his own book. Move along, there's nothing here to see...

HA HA! Interesting points. We have a local lawyer here in Louisville named Mr. Crooks. And then my mechanic's name is Mr. Conn. Of course, you can't choose your birthname, but it's still funny.

HA HA! The name "Cholera" might work for a very exclusive night club.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 17:49

A nightclub Cholera? Hmm... you can enter but you cannot leave? (naw, sounds too much like rock lyrics)

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 17:52

HA HA HA! Yeah, just like the Hotel California, it's a lovely place.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 26 Sep 2015, 17:54

Been there, too. At least I seem to remember being there way back in the 60s.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 26 Sep 2015, 18:07

Awesome!

melodiesandroses · Post by **melodiesandroses** » 27 Sep 2015, 12:24

What upsets me the most is that this journalist is a fellow writer. Maybe she doesn't write novels and 500-paged books, but she is still a fellow writer. I imagine she would understand the struggles that come with that, the financial difficulties, etc. I would be peeved just because of that. In my opinion, y'all were having a long-stretched conversation. She said she would review your book, you said great-here's my book, and now you're waiting for her reply. That is how these things work. I would give it some time. Maybe a couple of days to wait for her reply, and then email her again and professionally state how you feel and why you are upset. That is what I would do. As for free books, who doesn't love the opportunity to have a good free read?