I've just finished writing the first of a three book of the young adult fantasy and am now in a quandary about what to do with it. In order to send it to a mainstream publisher I need to acquire an agent and they are as difficult to find as a publisher.
This leaves me with two alternatives: one - self publish or two - offer it to a digital first publisher.
I decided to investigate both routes in my usual haphazard, nonscientific way. My research is as follows.
There are very few digital first publishers still running a young adult line. The ones that do I checked the Amazon rankings of their books and they were all far higher than for my Regency romances. This puzzled me - I thought teenagers were buying more books and that YA was a growing market.
I browsed various forums and message boards and to my astonishment most seem to be saying that teenagers, in fact, have not embraced the digital reader. They prefer to read print books and Smart phones/iPad etc are used for communication and game play - not reading. It is adults that are reading on the Kindle not teenagers.
I also read in many places that those that are buying for digital readers in this genre are mostly adults who like reading crossover fiction.
I know that Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter and Amanda Hockings's books have sold in their millions but they seem to be the exceptions.
The general consensus of opinion is that YA digital fiction is not selling well enough for the publishers to continue stocking them.
If this is true then I might as well self publish or put the book to one side until things improve.
What do you think? Do teenagers prefer print books to digital? Are the main buyers for YA e-books adults?
Looking forward to hearing your opinion.
Fenella
Monday, 21 May 2012
Monday, 14 May 2012
Should negative reviews be published?
I have just finished reading an excellent historical novel that I shall be reviewing for the Historical Novel Society later this month. I've also just read one that I think shouldn't have been published. This made think about the reviews I've received for my books as well as the reviews I've written for other people.
I always review a novel honestly. I try and avoid doing any for friends and people I know just in case I can't give them a five-star, glowing report. If a book is excellent then I say so, if it's good then I say that, but also mention what, in my opinion, could have made it even better. With a poorly written book it's much more difficult.
I had a bad review and a five-star review for the same title on the same day. Reviewing is subjective and the comments should make that clear. What can be enjoyable to one person is another's worst read. One person may like the subject/style of writing another might not. That said - a badly written/edited book is just that.
As a writer I know how hard it is to finish a manuscript. If a publisher has put this book out, then they must have believed it was as good as it could be. I don't enjoy being negative about someone's efforts, but there would be no point in having reviews if the only ones that were ever written were positive.
However, I make sure my comments are never directed at the author but the book. I've never forgotten the critique I received when I was an unpublished writer which told me I was ridiculous. I can also honestly say that I've only received a very few downright bad reviews. I could quote what was said in all of them - and by whom. I've had many glowing accolades and 5* reviews and although they were all a delight to get, I don't remember what was actually written.
Which brings me back to whether anyone should ever write and publish a bad review knowing the potential damage it can do to an author's well-being. I'm not talking about self-published books -these are another thing entirely.
What do you think?
Would it be better if the bad reviews were not published? The writer would know the reviewer didn't like their book by the absence of a review.
Until next time
best wishes
Fenella
I always review a novel honestly. I try and avoid doing any for friends and people I know just in case I can't give them a five-star, glowing report. If a book is excellent then I say so, if it's good then I say that, but also mention what, in my opinion, could have made it even better. With a poorly written book it's much more difficult.
I had a bad review and a five-star review for the same title on the same day. Reviewing is subjective and the comments should make that clear. What can be enjoyable to one person is another's worst read. One person may like the subject/style of writing another might not. That said - a badly written/edited book is just that.
As a writer I know how hard it is to finish a manuscript. If a publisher has put this book out, then they must have believed it was as good as it could be. I don't enjoy being negative about someone's efforts, but there would be no point in having reviews if the only ones that were ever written were positive.
However, I make sure my comments are never directed at the author but the book. I've never forgotten the critique I received when I was an unpublished writer which told me I was ridiculous. I can also honestly say that I've only received a very few downright bad reviews. I could quote what was said in all of them - and by whom. I've had many glowing accolades and 5* reviews and although they were all a delight to get, I don't remember what was actually written.
Which brings me back to whether anyone should ever write and publish a bad review knowing the potential damage it can do to an author's well-being. I'm not talking about self-published books -these are another thing entirely.
What do you think?
Would it be better if the bad reviews were not published? The writer would know the reviewer didn't like their book by the absence of a review.
Until next time
best wishes
Fenella
Friday, 27 April 2012
Maureen Lee - After the War is Over
Today I'm thrilled to have a post from Maureen Lee. Her new book 'After the War is over' is due out on May 10th. Maureen told me why she wrote this novel.
"I wrote this novel because so many of my books are centred around the Second World War. I had originally intended to carry the story on until the end of the century and the start of the new, but it seemed to finish naturally long before then."
Here is short blurb from her new cover. I can't wait to read this latest book form a master story teller.
‘Bestseller Maureen Lee returns to Bootle in this heart-warming
tale set between Liverpool and London in
the post-war years.
Liverpool, 1945. Three women, strong friends, return home
from the war trying to fit back into their old lives after they’ve been
demobbed. They’ve been thrown together by the war and shared all sorts of
good and bad times. Now their old lives seem dull in comparison, but not
for long…
The younger women, Maggie and Nell, are both twenty-one and are
full of hope and excitement; Iris, on the other hand, is feeling apprehensive
about returning to civilian life. At the age of thirty her only wish in life is
to have a baby, but sadly this wish has yet to come true.
When one of the women falls pregnant, there begins a dramatic
sequence of events so wide-reaching that the three friends’ lives will become
more intricately interwoven than they could ever have imagined.
Over the next quarter of a century this story of three
remarkable – and very different – women unfolds into an uplifting tale of how
three ordinary families become extraordinary.’
Wednesday, 11 April 2012
A Dissembler - regencyreads -e-book
I'm delighted to tell you that another of my OAP Hale books is now available as an e-book on www.regencyreads.com. This book is set in the house of friends in Frating and also in Great Bentley - which has the biggest village green in England. This story is one of my personal favourites.
April 2012 — Current Releases
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Welcome Wendy Soliman
Today I'm delighted to welcome my good friend Wendy Soliman to my blog. She has two books out this week and is here to tell you all abut herself and her wonderful books.Over to you Wendy.
The Perfect Impostor
I’m a British author, now dividing my time between Andorra and the West Coast of Florida. I write both historical and contemporary romance, which works well until I get two books releasing at the same time, which is the situation I’m in right now. Nice work if you can get it!
When not writing I lavish love and attention on my adored rescued dog, spend a lot of time walking and cycling and also do more than my fair share of drinking wine!
The Perfect Impostor, my latest Regency romance is published by Carina Press April 2nd. I’m delighted with the cover. Carina artists do awesome work and I haven’t had a cover yet that doesn’t beautifully encapsulate the mood of the entire book. If readers do actually judge a book by its cover then I have high hopes for my little impostor.
What do you think?
Katrina Sinclair, recently widowed, is struggling to make a name for herself as a modiste. Her childhood friend, now a marchioness, could well make that happen when she asks Katrina to design her wardrobe for an upcoming society house party. One small snag though, Julia wants Katrina to swap places with her for the duration of that party. They did it often enough as children. No one could tell them apart then and can’t now.
Against her better judgement, Katrina agrees. What harm can come of it?
Plenty, as it happens. For starters, Julia’s husband, equerry to the prince regent, puts in a surprise appearance, expecting to spend the night with his wife. Katrina will do much to protect Julia, but sleeping with her husband is several steps above and beyond the call of friendship. How will she get out of that one?
Worse, Lord Leo Kincade turns up as well, supposedly on his way home from France. In actual fact, he’s been assigned to look into jewel thefts that are occurring at society gatherings such as the one Katrina’s attending. The proceeds from those thefts turn up in Napoleon’s coffers, making the lady behind the scheme a traitor to her country. Julia is a prime suspect.
Leo was once engaged to Julia but knows almost at once that the woman he meets at Lady Marshall’s isn’t Julia Dupont. But who is she? Why is she pretending to be Julia? Why is he drawn to her in a way that he never was to Julia? And what does she have to do with the thefts?
To add to Katrina’s woes, her late husband’s brother tracks her down to the house party too. He blames her for his brother’s death and is set on revenge…
The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman available from Carina Press and all good ebook stores from April 2nd 2012 http://amzn.to/GEGuhy $4.79
With my contemporary hat on, The Name of the Game has just been released by SirenBookStrand and is my first effort at writing romantic suspense solely from the heroine’s point of view.
Ashley believes her boss when he says his marriage if over. They enter into a steamy affair and Ashley works her butt off to prepare the company for amalgamation with a rival so that she and Matt can go public with their relationship. But the bottom abruptly falls out of her world when Matt’s ‘estranged’ wife appears at the office, heavily pregnant.
Ashley breaks off the affair but Matt won’t let up on her. He convinces her that he isn’t the father of the baby but must stand by Eve until the amalgamation goes through because she owns a vital five per cent of the company’s shares that could swing the deal in either direction.
Someone is trying to sabotage the amalgamation. Ashley delves into the Templeton family’s affairs, uncovering deeply buried secrets that someone will go to any lengths—even murder—to protect. As she fights to save the man she loves from the brink of ruin, Ashley finds that she’s placed her own life on the line…
The Name of the Game by Wendy Soliman – Available now from SirenBookStrand $3.39 http://www.bookstrand.com/the-name-of-the-game
I’m on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wendy.soliman.author
Or follow me on twitter @wendyswriter
Thanks for having me here. It’s been a blast.
Wendy
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Friday, 23 March 2012
Miss Shaw & The Doctor
Miss Shaw & The Doctor has finally arrived. After a troubled start when it was trapped at Aspen Mountain Press for a few months Musa/Aurora has now released it on the world. I'm delighted with the finished result which is a combination of hard work from my editor, the art and the marketing department and, of course, myself. Many thanks to Tamara, Coreen, Kelly and Dominique for their input.
I now have to decide whether to continue writing Regency romances or move onto something else. I have written more than 28 titles in the past six years and am worried I will eventually start repeating myself.
I have already written a Victorian family saga and three books set in World War II so might decide to set my next romance in a different era. If I do that I will no longer be part of Aurora, and I do enjoy being part of this dynamic team.
At the moment I have three books with a large print publisher and then waiting for a reply: two partials with the new historical fiction publisher: and the first of a young adult fantasy series waiting to be sent to either an editor or agent. I'll let you know the outcome of these submissions - they could very well decide in which direction my career is now going to go.
That said, I somehow think I'll never entirely abandon the romantic world of the Regency.
Sarah Shaw is delighted to secure an excellent post as governess to four little girls and is sure she can be successful. However, the children are not as biddable as she expected and she discovers, Lord Fenwick, her employer, is not the man she thought him to be. In her opinion, the interference of the local physician, Adam Moorcroft, does not improve matters. When tragedy strikes Sarah is obliged to make a promise she later regrets. Can she reconcile her conscience and find happiness with the man she loves?
Ebook Price: $4.99
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-260-3
Friday, 2 March 2012
Miss Shaw & The Doctor
 |
| Miss Shaw & The Doctor out 23rd March 2012 |
Ebook Price: $4.99
Ebook ISBN13: 978-1-61937-260-3
Excerpt:At the sound of rapidly approaching hooves Sarah pushed herself upright. How kind of the squire to send someone out to look for her. She had fully expected to wait until the morning to be collected. She picked up her valise and withdrew her handkerchief from her reticule to wipe some of the grime from her hands.
The gig, travelling at a spanking trot, showed no sign of pulling up. The driver could not have seen her. Leaning forward, she waved her handkerchief furiously. The beast shied and the vehicle slewed sideways. The unfortunate driver slipped from his perch and vanished into the hedge.
“Oh, my goodness! What have I done?”
The horse, having recovered from its fright, now waited a few yards away as if nothing untoward had happened. The outline of the gig was clearly discernible in the welcome light of the lanterns. It appeared undamaged–indeed not even the traces were tangled. Only the driver had suffered a mishap. She was most concerned about him.
The head and shoulders of the missing man emerged through a gap in the hedge. He was covered in twigs, his hair awry, and his smart topcoat sadly mired. She was relieved to see he had not injured himself. Apparently, the hedge had made a soft landing.
This was no servant – oh, dear! She had made a grave error of judgement and would never have attempted to wave down the gig if she’s realised. The gentleman did not look at all pleased to see her. In fact he looked furious.
“I do beg your pardon,” she said. “I thought you were a servant from the manor come to collect me.”
He drew himself up to his full height, which must be two yards in his stocking feet. Every inch quivered with rage. “Are you mad? Only an imbecile would wave her handkerchief at a horse as you did. You are lucky we were not killed by your stupidity.”
Sarah bristled. How could she have known the silly animal would tip its master over the hedge? She had already apologised. There was no need for him to be so unpleasant.
“If I had not done so, you might not have seen me. As a gentleman, I’m sure you would not wish me to be marooned here on my own for the rest of the night.”
She risked moving closer and curtsied politely. “I am Miss Sarah Shaw, the new governess for Lady Fenwick. I have been sitting here for over two hours.”
“Dr. Adam Moorcroft.” He barely nodded.
“I should be most grateful if you would assist me, Dr. Moorcroft.”
“I suppose I shall have to give you a lift as I am going to the manor myself.” He viewed her large trunk with disfavour. “That will have to remain where it is until tomorrow. Bring your valise. Let us hope, Miss Shaw, that my horse is not lame after your foolishness.”
“All that I possess is in that trunk. If you will not put it in your vehicle, then I shall remain behind with it. Please, do not let me delay you. No doubt you are on your way to deliver Lady Fenwick’s child.”
The gig, travelling at a spanking trot, showed no sign of pulling up. The driver could not have seen her. Leaning forward, she waved her handkerchief furiously. The beast shied and the vehicle slewed sideways. The unfortunate driver slipped from his perch and vanished into the hedge.
“Oh, my goodness! What have I done?”
The horse, having recovered from its fright, now waited a few yards away as if nothing untoward had happened. The outline of the gig was clearly discernible in the welcome light of the lanterns. It appeared undamaged–indeed not even the traces were tangled. Only the driver had suffered a mishap. She was most concerned about him.
The head and shoulders of the missing man emerged through a gap in the hedge. He was covered in twigs, his hair awry, and his smart topcoat sadly mired. She was relieved to see he had not injured himself. Apparently, the hedge had made a soft landing.
This was no servant – oh, dear! She had made a grave error of judgement and would never have attempted to wave down the gig if she’s realised. The gentleman did not look at all pleased to see her. In fact he looked furious.
“I do beg your pardon,” she said. “I thought you were a servant from the manor come to collect me.”
He drew himself up to his full height, which must be two yards in his stocking feet. Every inch quivered with rage. “Are you mad? Only an imbecile would wave her handkerchief at a horse as you did. You are lucky we were not killed by your stupidity.”
Sarah bristled. How could she have known the silly animal would tip its master over the hedge? She had already apologised. There was no need for him to be so unpleasant.
“If I had not done so, you might not have seen me. As a gentleman, I’m sure you would not wish me to be marooned here on my own for the rest of the night.”
She risked moving closer and curtsied politely. “I am Miss Sarah Shaw, the new governess for Lady Fenwick. I have been sitting here for over two hours.”
“Dr. Adam Moorcroft.” He barely nodded.
“I should be most grateful if you would assist me, Dr. Moorcroft.”
“I suppose I shall have to give you a lift as I am going to the manor myself.” He viewed her large trunk with disfavour. “That will have to remain where it is until tomorrow. Bring your valise. Let us hope, Miss Shaw, that my horse is not lame after your foolishness.”
“All that I possess is in that trunk. If you will not put it in your vehicle, then I shall remain behind with it. Please, do not let me delay you. No doubt you are on your way to deliver Lady Fenwick’s child.”
Miss Bannerman & The Duke is Best Book on Longandshortreviews.blog - please vote for it this weekend if you have time.
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