From BookBaby: We just learned that our friends at Amazon’s CreateSpace are getting out of the author services business. That means writers need to go elsewhere for vital author services, including editing, cover design, book formatting, [and marketing].
2,301 2018-01-26 00:13:21
Topic: Createspace discontinues professional editing/design/marketing service (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
2,302 2018-01-22 01:15:43
Re: Much to be thankful for (41 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Ryan received a $500K donation from the Koch Brothers a few days after passing tax reform.
2,303 2018-01-22 01:13:59
Re: The Shred Group (55 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Another way to give feedback is through the forums. A number of us have each created a single running thread for our works-in-progress that are used for continuing discussions, often involving more than just the latest review(s). We also use them for brainstorming with other members. Currently, our threads are located in the Medieval/Fantasy Magic group even though not all of them are fantasy. That's due to the site limit of 10 groups per member. We needed a place to go without maxing out on groups. Stop by and have a look if you like. I could never have written my current book without the collective brainstorming and added feedback of other members there.
2,304 2018-01-21 03:10:23
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Oh, look at that. Peace in our time.
2,305 2018-01-19 23:31:53
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
If you get reviews that you find offensive or unhelpful, tell them so in the reply and don't reciprocate. Unless they're really bored, they'll stop reading your stuff.
2,306 2018-01-19 22:17:12
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Clark, you have fourteen reviews of three chapters in your book. Also, I know I reviewed at least one of your chapters. If you haven't already, post a new thread in Premium asking for reviewers with whom you can reciprocate. Include a description of your story and the kind of feedback you're looking for. If there are particular genres you like to read, mention that too, although that may limit who reads your book.
2,307 2018-01-18 22:16:16
Re: Something odd happening with the review window (1 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I haven't noticed that, but then I don't go back to check the comment windows after I close them.
However, I have noticed that people's avatars are partially blocking their review comments when I switch to x-line view. I think that's a new problem as well.
2,308 2018-01-18 17:24:38
Re: 20 Forgotten Words (8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
They forgot 'bigly'.
2,309 2018-01-18 01:29:17
Re: Voting is over (9 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Congratulations, Janet. Will you be serving a glass of ale to all who voted?
2,310 2018-01-17 20:02:20
Re: Best Captain contest (3 replies, posted in Science Fiction, Steampunk, and Space Opera)
How about Admiral St. James, Lady Kay, and Leonardo? St. James can blow herself up on cue, Lady Kay unleashes poisons that cause people's intestines to expand at the speed of sound, and Leonardo can bring down whole buildings with just a taxi cab.
2,311 2018-01-17 15:39:49
Re: Hope you're sitting down (if you still remember me!) (36 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Done.
2,312 2018-01-17 06:38:26
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
I toyed with Into the Mind as well, but the book summary immediately drags you back to God and religion. I can't figure out who my target audience is. Galaxy Tales is the series title, concluding with a book set in 7329 AD, where Joseph's religious fanatics get the ultimate revenge for the destruction of New Bethlehem.
2,313 2018-01-17 04:33:24
Topic: Amazon cutting your book prices? (0 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
See this article for a story about Amazon cutting your set book prices.
http://writersweekly.com/ask-the-expert … iced-price
2,314 2018-01-17 04:18:39
Re: The Galaxy Tales - Dirk B. (1,217 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
My latest chapter, Imperial Riots, is up. It's just minor edits, mostly from the v2 reviews. I'm not incorporating Nero into Apollo's head at this time, nor am I using Aussie or Acme in the chapters that remain, unless it's an easy change. I've decided to put further major edits of Galaxy Tales on hold indefinitely. My next book series about the Antichrist will primarily target a Christian/Catholic audience (along with supernatural thriller readers), whereas Galaxy Tales treats Christianity somewhat irreverently, in spite of Joseph's serious attitude toward it in the first two acts. As a result, I can't market these books under one pen name, requiring two marketing campaigns, which is too much. Also, I've been told by several people that they have avoided Galaxy Tales on the site because they thought it was a Christian book, whereas serious Christian readers would probably be put off by it. That makes me wonder if there is an audience for this book in its current form. I'm going to finish minor edits (12 chapters to go), then shelve it.
2,315 2018-01-15 22:48:57
Re: Acts/ Dictates/ Mandates/ Mantle - Amy's Thread (1,905 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
njc wrote:
For the connoisseur of calamities: A car driven into the second story of an office building: https://pjmedia.com/instapundit/285946/
From the Darwin Awards website:
The Arizona Highway Patrol were mystified when they came upon a pile of smoldering wreckage embedded in the side of a cliff rising above the road at the apex of a curve. The metal debris resembled the site of an airplane crash, but it turned out to be the vaporized remains of an automobile. The make of the vehicle was unidentifiable at the scene.
The folks in the lab finally figured out what it was, and pieced together the events that led up to its demise.
It seems that a former Air Force sergeant had somehow got hold of a JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off) unit. JATO units are solid fuel rockets used to give heavy military transport airplanes an extra push for take-off from short airfields.
Dried desert lakebeds are the location of choice for breaking the world ground vehicle speed record. The sergeant took the JATO unit into the Arizona desert and found a long, straight stretch of road. He attached the JATO unit to his car, jumped in, accelerated to a high speed, and fired off the rocket.
The facts, as best as could be determined, are as follows:
The operator was driving a 1967 Chevy Impala. He ignited the JATO unit approximately 3.9 miles from the crash site. This was established by the location of a prominently scorched and melted strip of asphalt. The vehicle quickly reached a speed of between 250 and 300 mph and continued at that speed, under full power, for an additional 20-25 seconds. The soon-to-be pilot experienced G-forces usually reserved for dog-fighting F-14 jocks under full afterburners.
The Chevy remained on the straight highway for approximately 2.6 miles (15-20 seconds) before the driver applied the brakes, completely melting them, blowing the tires, and leaving thick rubber marks on the road surface. The vehicle then became airborne for an additional 1.3 miles, impacted the cliff face at a height of 125 feet, and left a blackened crater 3 feet deep in the rock.
Most of the driver's remains were not recovered; however, small fragments of bone, teeth, and hair were extracted from the crater, and fingernail and bone shards were removed from a piece of debris believed to be a portion of the steering wheel.
Ironically a still-legible bumper sticker was found, reading
"How do you like my driving? Dial 1-800-EAT-SHIT."
Fortunately for the sergeant, this story is listed as an urban legend, although it lives on among conspiracy theorists.
2,316 2018-01-15 19:33:40
Re: Hope you're sitting down (if you still remember me!) (36 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Force projection.
2,317 2018-01-15 05:21:26
Re: A Slow Death (44 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Sol, I've suggested this before: post a release note on a regular basis (doesn't need to be detailed) about what you're working on or have implemented. It helps to know you're actively working on the site. Makes it feel less lonely since barely anyone is posting in the forums right now. I was really surprised to see that the Mysteries & Thrillers forum has never been used. I talk up the site on Facebook when I can in the writing groups. A short post from you per week would raise interest. You could also elicit feedback about what your plans/priorities are.
2,318 2018-01-15 04:14:44
Re: Hope you're sitting down (if you still remember me!) (36 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Did anyone take any pictures?
2,319 2018-01-13 23:28:30
Re: Old and New (2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
eynarawolf wrote:
...so here I am, contemplating reviewing and posting my own work again.
Do or do not. There is no contemplate. :-)
Welcome back.
2,320 2018-01-13 05:03:38
Re: Grammarly fee structure? (5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thank you both.
2,321 2018-01-11 22:41:02
Re: Maiden and other stuff (52 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
"teach" should have been "reach" - I should have taken typing 20 and 30 in high school, rather than henpecking keystrokes in my old age.
2,322 2018-01-11 15:50:34
Re: Maiden and other stuff (52 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Cool. Now I can reach my whole audience of three remaining reviewers when I post in this forum. :-)
2,323 2018-01-10 04:30:31
Re: Grammarly fee structure? (5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
Thanks, Bill. Do you use Pro Writing Aid with MS-Word?
2,324 2018-01-10 03:48:31
Topic: Grammarly fee structure? (5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)
I'm considering signing up for premium grammarly. However, I can't pay $30/mo - $140/yr for an ongoing subscription. Does anyone use this on a short-term basis (e.g., pay $30 for 1 month to polish a complete draft of a novel, then allow it to lapse until the next time I need to polish another book)? Can I download the report(s) it creates to continue to edit offline after my subscription lapses?
Thanks
Dirk
2,325 2018-01-08 16:31:17
Re: Hope you're sitting down (if you still remember me!) (36 replies, posted in Fantasy/Magic & Sci-Fi)
Janet (AJ) Reid wrote:
I'm on my way at the moment
Be sure to wear your robopilot outfit, Aussie. Available at any Acme, Inc. location near you. Mama's Little Shipping can have it at Dr. Ess's house by the time you get there.
