Down and Out
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Facebook or not to Facebook
Topic: Self-Publish

Only gave a way one ebook this week - I don't seem to be having too much success with this.  I'm not sure how else to market it.  I've added it to another site on Facebook, but I don't particularly like Facebook.  Maybe I'm just old, but I'm not big on socializing via the computer.

My nephew was watching South Park the other night and the episode was called "you have 0 friends".  I related quite a bit to the character that didn't want a Facebook account. I really didn't want one either, but it was mentioned on an ebook marketing blog that it is good to have it.  So I started one, but I mostly get advertisements from music and tv shows I said that I liked.  I would like to advertise my ebook on Facebook, but that costs money, so that's not likely to happen.

 Maybe I just don't know how to use Facebook that well. Oh, well, I guess I should try to do some more marketing on my ebook.

Ebook Giveaway
Mood:  not sure
Now Playing: Not sure....
Topic: Self-Publish

So I am offering my ebook for free for the the first twenty-five people who ask. I only got six takers so far.  I still have nineteen to go - I even have it offered on "Musings of the Mistress of the Dark Path" site and I still dont' have any takers.  I literally cannot give the book away!  Not a good sign. But I have to keep telling myself that I am new at this publicity thing and it may just take people time to look up my stuff.

 My other book "Which Way to the Manor?" only had the three book giveaway (because I'm charging 2.99 for that one, and it went right away. I guess I just need to get my name out there more.

 I am considering putting my ebook into print format, but I'm not sure if it would help get it out there more or if I would just be wasting my time. I'm leaning towards doing it, since many of the reviewers I find have no interest in reviewing works in electronic form.  I just don't want to spend a lot of money doing it.

Who's story is it anyway, part 2
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Mad Scientist mode?
Topic: contemplative

So, the only response I got from any of those essay web sites is that one of them wants me to purchase an essay from them.  There was not response to my emails, and I fear they probably just ignored me, or worse, probably stealing more of my short stories for their essay web sites.

So I'm thinking about something I have wanted to do for a long time and become a mad scientist and do crazy stuff to these people - no not really, but I'm thinking, in this case "What would Pearl Forester do?" You know, the female mad scientist on MST3K. Boy, had I been a few years younger watching MST3K, I can't help thinking what an influence she would've been on me.

My whole outlook on life as well as what career path I took, could've been influenced by her. I would've paid more attention in my science classes and came away with a B.S. degree from college (instead of a B.A.). I might be working for NASA (I worked for a contractor for them briefly). I might of ... well, maybe my life wouldn't have changed all that much. MAYBE... I'm more like Pearl Forester than I want to admit! Maybe, deep down inside, I AM a mad scientist, and just don't realize it. Weird....

So, I'm not sure what to do with the essay web sites - perhaps, most of them have been abandoned and just haven't been taken down. I suppose mentioning them is a bad idea since they will just get more promotion. I just think that if you are taking other people's work and putting your name on it, there is a special place at the DMV for you. (After all, it is the gateway to hell, isn't it?)

Damn you, Joseph Levins!!!! (as I shake my clenched fist)

From now on, my motto will be "WWPFD?"

Mood:  happy
Now Playing: sold my first ebooks!!!!
Topic: Self-Publish

Looked at my sales profile last night and found out I sold two of my ebooks - which is kinda weird since I'm giving away 25 for free.  However, I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm very happy! Woo-hoo - my first  70 cents!

Whose Is it anyway?
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: Charlie's Problem
Topic: Self-Publish

One of the problems I am finding with the posting my stories to the internet is that certain individuals seem to think they can get away with posting them as their own creation.

 Charlie's Problem, my first venture into posting one of my short stories on the internet is a good example.

 It was originally published on "Jeanne Hedge's Short Story Page" which is now just called "Short Story Page." I asked her to post it on her page since I couldn't get it published the traditional route and though I got no money for it, it was awesome to see something I had written published.

However, I found out a few years later that my story appeared elsewhere. Particularly on free essay cites.  Not only was this published without my permission but it was under the name of Joseph Levins.

When I first found out about this, I went to the websites and asked them to either remove the story, or put my name on it. I got an email apologizing but then nothing happened. 

 I just recently did another search again and found the name still on that story on those webpages.

So I emailed all of them to see if they would remove the short story from their web pages. I will post what I find out in a few weeks. Needless to say, I'm not happy that this person did this, and that he is plastering my short story all over this essay websites.

Doing an ebook Giveaway
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: A Paranormal Menagerie
Topic: Self-Publish

I'm giving away 25 ebooks just to get someone to look at my book. Seems this marketing thing is a lot harder than one thinks.

Trying to get people to even look at my ebook (especially since I'm not known) is the trick.

 I guess I should take a course in marketing.

Just starting with ebooks
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Self-Publish
I just posted  book of my short stories on Kindle and Nook - I've had trouble going the traditional publishing route with my books and stories. In most cases, I was a sucker for publishing houses that wanted me to pay for publishing costs. Even some literary agents tried to charge an upfront fee.  I finally got a hold of a good website "Predators and Editors" that display the more questionable publishing practices of some publishing houses and literary agencies.