100 sites for fiction writers: #24 - KindleBoards

This is an ongoing series looking at websites that can be of help to fiction writers with their craft and career.

KindleBoards

This is not a site just for writers. KindleBoards is an online community for those who love the Kindle, Amazon's dedicated e-reader device. That being said, if you are interested in promoting your work as a fiction writer, KindleBoards is a place you need to be, especially if you are selling your fiction in e-books for the Kindle.

Why do I suggest this? Because there is a growing number of traditionally-published authors as well as self-published indie authors who hang out regularly at KindleBoards, especially in the Writers' Cafe forum. Here you can catch some advice from long-time pros and up-and-comers, as well as pick up some news concerning writing and publishing.

If you just want to talk books, you can always check out The Book Corner. Or maybe you have a Kindle, in which case you might want to look into the Kindle Accessories forum, or the Let's Talk Kindle! forum. There are also Book Klubs, Reviews of Kindle devices, and plenty more.

Also, don't forget to check out the Blog for news and information about the Kindle and Kindle-related products.

Don't forget you need to Register if you want to become a member and leave comments.

Yes, KindleBoards is basically a forum site, but it is a popular one and continues to grow. A fiction writer interested in promoting his or her own work could do a lot worse than hanging out on these forums.

Let me add here that if you join the folks over at KindleBoards, please do not go in there all gangbusters and start promoting your e-books and other writings all over the place. That is considered spamming, and it is rude. If you look around the various forums, you will find a handful of posts where it is appropriate to market your works, but doing nothing but talking about your books is likely to bore and tick off others. Think about it: How often do you really like someone bombarding you with advertising? Most of us don't like it. Go ahead and promote in the places at KindleBoards where it is appropriate, but otherwise, take it easy. The best way to promote your work is to be yourself and become an active part of the KindleBoards community. Ask questions, provide answers, chat it up. Make some friends. If you are an accessible person to others, they will begin to notice. And when people begin to notice you, your e-book sales will improve.

Sometimes you get lucky ... with The Beatles

Recently I was visiting a city about an hour from where I'm currently staying, and visited a thrift store. From time to time I go into such stores to look at the selection of old books, and I've been fortunate enough to come across some great finds.

But this time I didn't walk about with any books. Instead, I found these six beauties:

Yep, six Beatles singles, all originals from Capitol Records from the 1960s. All with the sleeves, and all in at least very good condition.

Am I the biggest Beatles fan in the world? No, but I do like them. And I count myself fortunate with this find at a thrift store.

What am I going to do with these six 45s? To be honest, I'm not sure. I might keep them, or I might not. I might sell them on eBay, because I'm sure I could at least double the $60 it cost for these albums.

I just knew I could not pass them up when they came along.

And I heard a rumor from one of the thrift store clerks they have some Monkees 45s on the way and possibly some more Beatles singles.. I'm not much of a Monkees fan, though they had a few decent songs, but maybe this means the store will have more 45s in the future. I'm keeping my eyes out for some Beach Boys, and I'll be visiting this store again very soon.

Review of "More Than Kin"

I did not realize this until recently, but fellow writer and longtime pal Clark Goble reviewed my Appalachian literary novel More Than Kin a while back. Check out the review at this link.

100 sites for fiction writers: #23 - Writer Beware

This is an ongoing series looking at websites that can be of help to fiction writers with their craft and career.

Writer Beware

Technically speaking, Writer Beware is not a website in and of itself. What it is is a watchdog organization that lets writers and others know about scams and scam artist. Sometimes the scams exposed are a vague, general sort of thing that's going on in the industry, but most often the scams are pinpointed to certain individuals or groups.

But if one is worried about scams, how can you know to even trust the folks behind Writer Beware? Well, for one thing, this organization is backed by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America association. Writer Beware is also currently headed up by novelist A.C. Crispin, who also looks into writer-related schemes and scams at her blog.

What can Writer Beware do for you as a fiction writer?

Well, for one thing it can simply make you aware of current scams by offering Alerts for Writers. There is also extensive information explaining how Independent Editors and Independent Electronic Publishers work, and what to watch for if you believe one such service might be trying to pull a fast one on you. You can also learn about Literary Agents and Contests, and various things to look for when dealing with agents and awards.

If you need to learn the basics concerning Copyright law, that information is also available.

If you find yourself in a bind, thinking you might need an attorney and/or legal advice, Writer Beware tells you where to go for Legal Recourse. There is also a Recommended Reading section to help smarten you up as a fiction writer.

Protect yourself, be smart, and check out Writer Beware.

100 sites for fiction writers: #22 - Kristine Kathryn Rusch

This is an ongoing series looking at websites that can be of help to fiction writers with their craft and career.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch

A lot of writers out there have a blog, usually with a few writing tips and maybe a touch of news. A lot of writers also have a staid website that features their books.

Then you have the website for Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

Yes, here too you will find some tips about the writing craft, and yes, you will find some news related to writing and publishing. But you will also find much, much more.

Like what?

How about, an education in writing that you are not likely to learn anywhere else?

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is a professional fiction author, having been writing for decades. She also used to be the editor of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and she was once an owner and operator ofPulphouse Publishing press, along with her husband Dean Wesley Smith, also a known name in the fiction field.

If that's not enough to make you believe you need to check out this author's site, check this out: the Freelancer's Survival Guide. Yes, Kristine Kathryn Rusch provides extensive information on how a modern freelance writer can not only survive in today's tumultuous publishing world, but how a writer can find success. Best yet, she offers all this information for free. Within the online Freelancer's Survival Guide, you will find chapters on such subjects as Priorities, Insurance, Discipline, and so much more. Here you won't find pie-in-the-sky philosophical talk about writing, but actual down-to-earth advice from a professional who has been there and continues to be there.

Also at this site, check out the Business Rusch section to learn even more about the business end of writing, especially fiction writing.

If you are in the mood for some quality fiction, you might look into the Bookstore on this site, but before that you can sample some of Rusch's writing through her available Novel Excerpts. And take note that Rusch writes under several different pen names, one name for various genres.

100 sites for fiction writers: #21 - IndieReader.com

This is an ongoing series looking at websites that can be of help to fiction writers with their craft and career.

IndieReader.com

Whether you are an indie author, one of the growing number of modern self-published writers, or you just like to read books that are out of the accepted ordinary (meaning: only approved by a major print publisher), the website IndieReader.com is for you.

Specifically, what is available at the site?

Right off the bat, you've got News about indie authors and independently-published books. Why is this important? If you're an indie writer, it can pay to keep up with the news in your field. If you are an indie reader, you can find out about new authors, new books, and what's going on with your favorite writers. In case you still think keeping up with news about indie authors isn't important, how about such news as "John Locke First Indie Author to Hit 1 Million Mark on Kindle?" Or what about news that famed indie author Amanda Hocking has a three-page article about her in the New York Times? If those two offerings aren't enough to convince you as a reader or writer that you need to keep up with indie news, then nothing will.

But news isn't all you will find at IndieReader.com. There are also plenty of Columns by professionals and others with vested interests in independent books. For example, authors such as Scott Nicholson have a regular column on IndieReader.com.

Also, if you are a beginning indie author or are considering taking the plunge to publish your own works, you might want to check out the IndieJourney section. Here you can read about various authors and their adventures in self publishing.

If you happen to be a writer in need of an editor, cover designer or of other related services, you might consider the Publishing Services offered by IndieReader.com.

Even if you are not a writer, you still can find much of interest at this site, especially in the Book Reviews section. You'll find all genres represented here in these reviews of indie books, from Fantasy to Erotica to Nonfiction, books for Kids, and more.

There is so much to be found at IndieReader.com, do yourself a favor and spend some time perusing the site.

Books read in 2011: No. 33 - First Draft in 30 Days

by Karen S. Wiesner

Started: June 27
Finished: July 4

Notes: I really need to ramp up my speed at writing and my discipline. To that end, I decided to check out this book once I had read a little about the author. Wiesner seems to write mostly romance fiction, which does not hold much interest for me, but she does appear to be quite prolific, and that definitely interests me. Hopefully I will pick up some ideas for disciplining myself and remain motivated.

Mini review: I can sum up the basics of this book in one word: Outlining. And there's nothing wrong with that. Some authors outline, some don't Wiesner outlines to extremes, in my opinion, but hey ... whatever works, right? I did not receive any major epiphanies from this book, though it did suggest to me a few little tricks and ideas, stuff I hadn't thought of before, so I'm glad I gave it a whirl.