Where Did Things Go So Wrong?!?

[Brit Albritton]

Hi everyone,

I'd like to thank Steven for starting this interesting thread. I'm sorry he's no longer participating in it. I suppose, though, that this frees us to consider his example clinically and without fear of offense - for the offense has already been taken.

I agree with many of you; while I admire Steven's tenacity, I'm not convinced that I would enjoy his taste. His book covers aren't particularly appealing, and his blurbs don't grab me. I agree that "ONUISSANCE" is a bit off-putting; as it's not really Latin it seems a tad pretentious.

I downloaded the Onuissance Cells, and found the first few paragraphs a little bit clumsy. Were the book written by a known author, or recommended by a trusted friend, I'd probably plow ahead. Perhaps I'd be rewarded. I'll most likely never know. With thousands of books on my reading list, I'm inclined to make a snap judgement.

Is this fair to Steven? Probably not. But there are too many authors out there to be fair to all of them.

If Steven were a dear friend, and I could find an artful and affirming way to communicate this, here's what I'd suggest to him:

1) Thicken your skin. Rejection is an essential part of the game.
2) Choose one book to give away. Work on it with an editor, writing group or teacher until you are convinced it's at least as good as Heinlein. And if you are modest about it in public, make sure we know it's false modesty.
3) Get a website and a cover makeover.
4) Thicken your skin. Rejection is an essential part of the game.
5) Rewrite your blurbs until you yourself are curious to reread the books they're selling.
6) Make sure, whatever you may post about on this forum, that your posts are beguiling, charming, well-written, funny, clever, etc. Use a pen name when you can't resist being banal or argumentative. A movie star always looks good in public; an author should always be compelling. Think of Stephen King writing into the New York Times or New Yorker....
7) Thicken your skin. Rejection is an essential part of the game.

What do all of you think? Do you agree?

One final and perhaps vague thought about the entire enterprise - I've a friend who is a conductor. His mantra is that "the music will save you every time." He repeats this to himself whenever he's nervous about performing, or realizes he has just made a mistake. And when he can let go of his ego and appreciate the art, everything comes together.

I think something similar is true wherever there is craft, be it in writing, or graphic design, or woodworking, or public speaking, or even athletics. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called it "flow," but I'm inclined to call it "grace." It's what I'm looking for when I seek out art. It's what I hope for when I try to create it. I've no illusions that it's easy to find, but I'm heartened by the millions of people trying.

Those that find it are worthy of my attention and my dime. All the rest have my compassion and my best wishes.

[iReaderReview]

Against my better judgement here are some thoughts.

1) Your beliefs and the way you view the world are what's stopping you from success. Not necessarily the piracy thing. Things at a deeper level.

a) You're interpreting everything negatively. That's the single biggest thing. If you can replace that with a filter where you assume everyone has positive intentions in what they say that in itself will guarantee you success.

b) You're focusing on getting value more than providing value.

************************************
Consider what you wrote:

**Nevertheless, my plight has caught the interest of a few good MR members (and some who are, let's say, not so sympathetic), and resulted in various and sundry bits of advice meant to show me a way out of the tunnel. (I am choosing to ignore the advice designed to lead me headlong into an oncoming train... but only just.)

**************************************

Anyone who's writing in response to you is sympathetic. If they weren't they'd ignore you.

You're pre-filtering. So instead of evaluating the advice, you are only taking the things that you think are good advice.

However, that means you're just repeating what you were doing.

If you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting.

***********************************

Take marketing. Every single thing you've mentioned (especially Facebook) is a waste.

Not only are these weak channels my guess would be you're doing marketing without specializing in any of the channels. There's a ton of work that goes into making your dollars work out. It's not just buying a slot.

Have you kept statistics? Have you kept a record of how many sales you see each day for each book from each site and what might have caused that sale?

Without that data marketing is pointless.

************************************************** **

At this point you can take snippets from what I've written and assume they are meant to attack you and shut things off.

OR you can think seriously about how you interpret things and your beliefs.

Your interpretation and your beliefs are causing you to fail.

You have to change them. Things like improving the quality of books are fine. However, all of that won't help if your beliefs and your thoughts invite failure and negativity.

*************************************************

I don't know what to write because you're looking for something extrinsic when the solution is intrinsic and perhaps it would be too uncomfortable and too much effort to change your beliefs and the way you view readers and the world and the exchange of value.

[iReaderReview]

*********

Here's an exercise you should try.

List down every single thing you think works against you and do each of those.

List down every single thing you think helps you and stop doing those.

So ->

1) Interpret everything positively.
2) Give away all your books for free.
3) Encourage piracy.
4) Start focusing 100% on what value you provide to readers.
5) Stop focusing on how much money you can make.
6) Don't look for advice from anyone.
7) Be 100% focused on the opportunity ebooks provide.
8) Study the authors who succeeded and do everything they did. Including offering books for free.
9) Think about why people have the beliefs they have + exchange all your current beliefs for beliefs that readers have and beliefs that successful authors have.

That's just a few.

If you really do some introspection you'll find a lot of really, really core things which you could NEVER imagine changing - reverse all of those.

Basically, try your best NOT to make money and to encourage piracy and to think of writing books that last forever.

[dadioflex]

I'd say point 6 is golden, Steven.

Have you looked into getting an agent? If you can persuade an agent to take an interest in one of your books, it probably has broader appeal. If you can't and you aren't selling erotica or paranormal romance, it probably will never sell particularly well and no amount of promotion is going to make a difference.

[NVash]

Originally Posted by Brit Albritton

Hi everyone,

I'd like to thank Steven for starting this interesting thread. I'm sorry he's no longer participating in it. I suppose, though, that this frees us to consider his example clinically and without fear of offense - for the offense has already been taken.

I agree with many of you; while I admire Steven's tenacity, I'm not convinced that I would enjoy his taste. His book covers aren't particularly appealing, and his blurbs don't grab me. I agree that "ONUISSANCE" is a bit off-putting; as it's not really Latin it seems a tad pretentious.

Mr Jordan, I must admit. I havent checked out your books nor do I intend to. Its already been said that your attitude is rather off putting. Also, the books are a might more than Im willing to pay. I like to get them for .99. $3 isnt much, this is true, but for another dollar I could buy something to eat. Times are tough, $3 just isnt an impulse buy to me. I do spend more money on books but that is seldom and Im usually familiar with the author. Not only that, I dont read serious sci-fi, which is what I get from your book covers and descriptions. I prefer comedic sci-fi such as 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'.

This said, many people have offered advice and you do seem to turn it down often. I drop in here from time to time and it seems youre often on the defensive or saying why you cant do something. Why even bother? I remember the old phrase 'Where theres a will theres a way'. Surely you can find some editor somewhere and explain the situation to them. Maybe theyll work with you. Maybe youll need to cut some other things you like to do out of the equation for a short period of time so that you can pay them off. If you play games, guess you cant get those next few you preordered because the man needs his payment. This is just an example but Im sure you get my point. If you really want this you have to find a way to try your best to make it happen. Maybe somebody will see you trying and meet you halfway. Who knows? The same can be said for an agent, though, honestly I wasnt aware authors had agents.

About the covers, theyre bad. Im sorry, theres no other way to say it. Theyre immediately off putting and I lose interest when I look at them. Not only the design but also your name. Is it really necessary to have it written so large and take up so much space?

The title, 'Onuissance' is it? What in the World is that? I read in this thread once that you explained it but I cant seem to find that post. So instead Ill go by what Brit Albritton said. It does sound slightly pretentious. How does one pronounce that? 'OH-NUISANCE'? This is just a rough guess and I wouldnt be surprised if Im wrong. Im pretty sure your average Joe might not get that pronunciation right and might just give up. Must the title be such a complicated word? I understand you have a vision and dont want to change it but this is ridiculous.

Originally Posted by Brit Albritton

I downloaded the Onuissance Cells, and found the first few paragraphs a little bit clumsy. Were the book written by a known author, or recommended by a trusted friend, I'd probably plow ahead. Perhaps I'd be rewarded. I'll most likely never know. With thousands of books on my reading list, I'm inclined to make a snap judgement.

Is this fair to Steven? Probably not. But there are too many authors out there to be fair to all of them.

I read this and thought 'Wow, a few paragraphs?' Usually when I pick up a book and dont like it I try to give it a few chapters to get good. However that could be just me. I also have a ton of 'To-Read' books and, since I havent read a book in quite some time, that list is only getting longer. I can relate and understand that some people dont have that kind of time. Maybe Ill consider dropping it down to a few paragraphs sometime.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by NVash

I wasn't aware authors had agents.

This may be changing with the rise of self- and independent ebook publishing, but for decades, having an agent was a near-absolute prerequisite for getting a traditional publishing deal.
Publishers would only accept manuscripts from agents. Part of the gate-keeping process.

ApK

[catsittingstill]

Nobody has mentioned The Three Micahs yet. I only just came across it last week myself. She posts about the business of making a living off art (not just art-art but stuff like writing and music too.)

I have been enjoying her posts a lot and I think she has some good ideas. Mr Jordan (or other people reading this thread) might find some of them useful. And if nothing else, I love the illustrations.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by ApK

Publishers would only accept manuscripts from agents. Part of the gate-keeping process.

Getting an agent is more difficult than finding a publisher and more important in ensuring the book will be read. I know writers who have never found agents despite their published books' receiving rave reviews. I also know kids who have never finished writing a single book and already have them.

William T. Vollmann is a famous example of a writer who refused to use an agent. His method was to go to another country, write a book, and use the profits from its sale to go to another country and write another book. He looked like such a solid enterprise that agents lined up, but he didn't choose to use one.

[BillSmithBooks]

Steve:

Even though I know you've opted out of this thread, I feel that I want to address this...because no matter what happens, don't give up.

Why do we write? Because we want to, have to, need to.

And part of writing is rejection. Lots of rejection.

Writing is an extremely personal expression...just like being a singer/songwriter. Even singers and actors have the out of "well, it's just someone else's words, not mine." But writing...for better or worse, it's us up there on the page, it's very personal and so rejection and criticism stings. But it's the nature of the beast.

And for everyone that dislikes our work, there is the potential of finding people who love your work.

Not every author is to every reader's taste. People love Hemingway...I think he was a pompous bully. I am a huge fan of Bradbury, Gaiman, King, Mike Stackpole, Jim Butcher...and yet sci-fi stalwarts like Brunner, Sturgeon, Pohl, and Moorcock do nothing for me.

It's not "good" or "bad" (as some people have commented, although quality does affect readers' perceptions naturally) but a matter of connecting with the people who "get you" and your work.

Consider this--look at the people on this thread who say they hadn't heard of you. I know you've been quoted in the NY Times, I know you were an advocate for ebooks long before it was cool...I know you were an early adopter before this Kindle fad came along.

And there's two ways you can look at this:

1) All this work and no one knows who I am. Oh, bother.

2) Hey, that means there are lots and lots of new people coming to this site--and ebooks--who never paid any attention to this industry before. That means there are lots and lots of new potential readers to reach out to...

Ebooks are in their infancy. The market is going to grow and grow as more and more of the world embraces the tech and it becomes cheaper and more accessible. Ride the wave...because, remember, you only need to hit one home run and you have a great career.

So get up to bat again...and again...and again. Because eventually...if you keep at it...you will get where you want to be. There are no guarantees, there is no deadline (boy, if I'm not successful by this date, it's OVER)...the Long Tail is Forever...but if you have enough books, if you reach out over and over again and persevere through the tough times, I believe things do come together for the people determined to make it.

I am a believer in the Gospel of Konrath, not because he tells me things I want to hear, but because it is common sense:

* Publish lots of books. (You have that already.) Write GREAT books. Have GREAT covers.

* Keep working at it...judging by Kindle sales figures, sometimes ebooks don't take off for a year or two...and then boom, they just explode. Your books have only been on Amazon's Kindle store since Oct 2010 (if the dates are correct in the listings)...

Remember, the Long Tail is forever. Your books may trundle along in relative obscurity for...well, for a long time...but then somebody may read it, may Tweet or blog about it and get others to take a look and then the avalanche starts. Amanda Hocking and Joe Konrath and many more authors have seen it in action...and if you have enough books out there, it can happen to you.

The more books you have, they more chances your book may appear in the "Readers who bought this book also bought" Amazon recommendations, giving you increased visibility.

* This is a numbers game...and the numbers are in the authors' favor.

There are over a billion English speakers on the planet--all you need is a few thousand supporters to make this worth your time and effort in the traditional business sense (aside from the personal satisfaction of crafting a great yarn).

Think of this: In all the world, are there not most likely a few thousand people who would enjoy your books enough to spend a dollar or two on them? I'm sure there are...now, the mission is to find them...and enable them to let their friends know about your stories. And let it grow and grow over time.

I know my life would be a lot less rich if I didn't write. And I'd like to think that there are a few...enough...people out there that will enjoy my work.

Now, some observations:

* Glad to see that you've added a link to your site in your signature. Good move. Do that on every other community your participate in.

* I don't hate the covers; I actually kind of like the design but I can see why others aren't enthusiastic about it. If you're going to stick with the sideways name, leave more colored margin around the name so the name doesn't bleed up right to the top and bottom edge; the current design makes it hard to read. Honestly, I've seen professional houses with far less appealing covers IMO.

* Not a big fan of the word "Onuissance"...just really difficult. Difficult in a title is not good. It actively works against the book being read.

* Kestral Voyages looks very interesting.

* I'd reactivate "SteveJordanBooks.com"

RightBrane.com is not a name that somebody is just going to stumble across; they have to know you and your books before finding it.

Also, by working SteveJordanBooks.com, it is more likely to move your name up in the search rankings--there are quite a few Steve Jordans out there who are not you...by linking your site and your name, you can hopefully get to the front page of Google. Because the fact is, when people hear about you, they are going to search for you by your name. If you don't come up on the first page of results, they likely think they got it wrong or you're not "for real" and give up.

(Having a common name can really be no fun at all. Trust me, I know...on the other hand, a common name is easy to remember. Maybe try out SteveJordanSciFi, AuthorSteveJordan, or some other easy to remember combination...domain names are $10 at NameCheap.com with free URL forwarding.)

You could also feature more of your short stories in your blog.

Get a blog on blogspot.com and connect with other community members.

Be active on StumbleUpon, Delicious, the various Kindle blogs, etc.

The key is to contribute helpful content, not just sell, sell, sell...which I know you know, but sometimes you feel obligated to point out the obvious. Oh, hey, don't put your finger in the socket either.

* Work the sci-fi blogs and sites, where your potential readers are likely to be. You don't need to promote yourself -- just engage in the conversations, contribute to the community with your books and your website in your signature line.

When you make comments that people appreciate, they will check out your site and your blog...in time. This is a long-term process...but this will also make you an on-line friend with the community members who are potentially your biggest supporters. And you can get a lot of personal satisfaction out of interacting with some really cool people.

Yes, some sites (and people) are elitist in their attitude towards indie authors. That's their problem. Don't waste your time arguing with them or trying to convince them--just be thoughtful, passionate, articulate...be cool online...and in time, you will convince enough people to give you a chance.

Remember, Cory Doctorow didn't start off as "Cory Doctorow, world famous science fiction writer who gives away his books online and everybody online knows who he is." He started off as an online blogger (BoingBoing.net) who was intelligent, thoughtful, opionated and engaging who aspired to be a science fiction author...and he leveraged it into a pretty good career and online presence over many years.

Likewise, when Randall Munroe started XKCD, he was a basically unknown cartoonist. But by crafting clever, engaging content that was easy to find, he became "Internet famous" and has developed a great strip and a loyal following.

Use short, easily accessible stories posted on your site, your blog, on Facebook, etc. to create that clever, engaging content that directs readers to your books.

* Put up one or two novels on Feedbooks, ManyBooks, Wattpad, Project Gutenburg, Scribd, etc. Creative Commons license a book so it can be freely shared and passed around, include your catalog and site links (you, Amazon, Smashwords).

Be active in Library Thing, Good Reads, etc. Engage in the community, talking about the books you love and with links to your work -- the people who love what you love are more likely to enjoy your books because presumably you are writing something you love and therefore something that shares a lineage, a connection to the works you loved to read.

* As for the online persona, I know that it is hard to be upbeat sometimes. And I don't advocate being dishonest with people. But at the same time, how you choose your words can dramatically affect how people interpret your persona online. Remember that...you will be judged and remembered by everything you say. Few of us can indulge in Harlan Ellison level crankiness until we've achieved what Harlan has.

(Not to say that you are cranky, but how how controversial one can get away with being is generally directly related to how famous and successful you are. When Harlan or Ray Bradbury rants, it's endearing and charming because most of us respect and admire their work and accomplishments...when Jessie Slaughter (I think that was her name?) posted a vulgarity-laced diatribe online, 4Chan went after her.)

You never lose people by being funny, witty, graceful under pressure, willing to admit mistakes and learn from them, willing to respectfully disagree with people, etc. You can have strong opinions you really defend as long as you don't appear dismissive or defensive to those who disagree with you.

You can lose a lot of people who are otherwise inclined to support you by appearing angry and frustrated and lashing out.

And there has been a lot of negativity and venom in this thread, it is not just your imagination. There has also been a lot of very helpful constructive criticism. Take some time, cool off, and sort out what's useful and what's not.

Worst case scenario, if somebody really gets under your skin...take the high road and ignore them. Just move along to something else--something worthy of your time and effort--instead of getting drawn into a flame war.

Don't let them get the best of you.

* Trolls, pirates and torrents. Ignore them. It is as simple as that.

Yes, people can say things that are hurtful, yes seeing your books on torrents and pirate sites is infuriating.

But there is NOTHING you can do about it.

So you have three choices:

1) Rant about it...which may make you feel better but will not help the situation and may create unfavorable opinions among the people you are hoping to convince to read your books and send you money.

2) Take your ball and go home. As a writer, I'm certain you would find that unsatisfying...writers need to write, writers need to publish. It's in our nature. I'm sure it's in yours.

3) Persevere, ignore the people that get on your nerves, and keep on doing what your heart tells you to do. Carry on, keep up the good fight and don't bother to give the trolls and pirates any attention or thought whatsoever. Because, in the end, focusing your attention on the negative people and aspects only hurts yourself and diminishes energies that could be better spent promoting your work and writing.

How you respond to the dilemma is your choice of course and speaks volumes about one's particular worldview.

But me, I'm going to be an optimist and keep at it...because the other scenarios are too depressing to contemplate.

Keep at it, good luck and hope to see you on the best-seller lists!

-- Bill Smith

One last comment to ardeegee: I don't believe the Steve argues that replicators are undesirable in the real world. That would be a great future to live in.

But for interesting storytelling, you need conflict. Replicator technology prettymuch eliminates a lot of good storylines. Of course, I'm predisposed to dislike replicators because of it's clear connection to Star Trek: Next Gen, which I've long considered the most prettily adorned distopia that's ever been commercially popular.

[neilmarr]

There's an old saying in the game (I first heard it from a wise old editor in my first week earning the daily bread as a pro writer forty-six years ago): "If you can discourage anyone from writing, it's your duty to do so."

Think about the real meaning of that by concentrating on the first three words": If you can ..." Because if you can't, the wannabe will be. And s/he's the one to encourage to the hilt. Bestests. Neil

[Worldwalker]

Originally Posted by neilmarr

Think about the real meaning of that by concentrating on the first three words": If you can ..." Because if you can't, the wannabe will be. And s/he's the one to encourage to the hilt. Bestests. Neil

Writers don't do it because they can write -- they do it because they can't not write. Come to think of it, writers and readers have a lot in common that way.

[neilmarr]

Spot on, WorldWalker. My point exactly. And you're right that there's a beautifully matched passion on the part of the avid reader. The only real difference between the two compulsions is that not all readers feel the need to write, but ALL authors feel the need to read. Bestests and karma to ya. Neil

[Andrew Ashling]

Originally Posted by BillSmithBooks

Steve:

Why do we write? Because we want to, have to, need to.

I think the answer lies basically there (and I agree with most of the rest in this post as well).

I you were independently wealthy, would you

• still write?
• still write exactly the same books?

If the answer is yes to both questions, all the rest is of secondary importance. That doesn't mean all other considerations are unimportant.

It helps if you are your own worst critic.

[V.W. Singer]

I actually downloaded The Onuissance Cells and had a quick look at it, the same kind of look I would give any book when browsing a bookshop.

I don't consider myself qualified to say if the book is good or bad, but I think it is inappropriate as a marketing tool.

It totally lacks a hook or hooks, and begins with a long piece of economic and political text which makes very clear the author's slant on these subjects, without giving a potential reader who doesn't already share these views, any reason to continue reading.

There was no suggestion at all of a mystery, a threat, an adventure, or a promising romance. Generally, no reason to keep reading or to buy one of his books.

The right reader might indeed find it fascinating, but The Onuissance Cells makes it really hard for a casual browser to discover if he or she is indeed such a person.

[BillSmithBooks]

Originally Posted by Andrew Ashling

I think the answer lies basically there (and I agree with most of the rest in this post as well).

I you were independently wealthy, would you

• still write?
• still write exactly the same books?

If the answer is yes to both questions, all the rest is of secondary importance. That doesn't mean all other considerations are unimportant.

It helps if you are your own worst critic.

In my case, yes and yes.

Why? It's not just what I do, but "a writer" is what I am. Nothing's ever going to change that.

The dilemma is "a writer who can write full-time" or "a writer who works a day job to support his writing habit."

Space opera is my first love and I do not see myself ever tiring of it.