Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

When I was 16, I started to write in my notebook. My friend shared my passion so she joined me to write together. The story was about relationships, school days, jealousy and adulting. We were writing together few years. After we wrote four books together, we parted ways. These books were never published. Old notebooks collected dust in the bottom of the drawer. One day I was cleaning my closet and found the manuscript with two different handwriting styles. Yellow pages, letters written with a pencil. It was like a ghost visited me. Looking like a tourist who visited a cave, I felt strange.  I lived in the age without technology. I was born in the time without cell phones and Internet. Co-writing was the way of spending time, because I was not skilled in sport games. I was not socialized.  Comparing these two styles of writing, I see mine was very different. One of my peers asked me then:"Why don't you write alone?" Many years after I found an article in Internet portal, ...

Some of my books are based on my real experiences. "I will kill you in my dream", "The guy from another league", "Seduced by illusions" and "The Seller of Sins" are inspired by real events.  Those were times when I felt betrayed and down. I was alone with my keyboard. Writing about this traumas helped me to recover.  I was using some real elements to bring message to readers how to avoid similar experiences. I made a structure to create a plot and not hurt anyone. These elements were: Names of characters are changed. Ex boyfriends, ex friends are described but names are fictional.  Names of places are changed.  Actions are described with different details, adjusted to genre.  Villains have characteristics of people I don't like in real life. There is a sentence which annoyed me. "Are you writing about me?" Some random people asked me that like they are important to me. They were not. Shaping my characters, I described people who fas...

Some misunderstanding about my books are in word count. My books are approximately 20 000 until 30 000 word count. Some readers marked is as short story, which is not true. Short story is 1000 or more word count. Novelette is under 17000 word count. A novel is over 18.000 word count. The paradox in reading is when readers talk about short books, but when I write sequel, it doesn't get reviews. The point of book is not only in the lenght. I can write a story about 50 000 word count and make useless details and descriptions. I don't like to read slow burn books, neither I like to write in such style.  If I write a story about a woman who likes to kill, I will focus at her actions. I  don't need details about her clothing, a backside story and her family.  Sometimes when I read stories I wondered where some characters went. Until I wait the plot moves forward, I wonder what happened with a rest of the story.  In my books, I want everything looks logical. Readers must fi...

  If you are fan of audio books, The random patient is available on Amazon and Audible. A medical fiction plots around Erasemed, an experimental cure for deleting bad memories. Side effects are unknown. The cure became a tool for a personal revenge. The blurb: Life coach Travis Saunders leads a workshop promoting a new tool for controlling memory. Blue pills named Erasemed are produced by the pharmaceutical company Sofycline. Greg Parker, an ambitious civil officer, takes a job with Sofycline, on the recommendation of his future father-in-law. After discovering some suspicious documents, he vows to learn more about the sinister secrets of the pharmaceutical business. Meanwhile, three British female tourists are on vacation in Makarska, Croatia. Each of these women has problems: Rebecca is going through a breakup, Kate is being bullied, and Lisa's ex-boyfriend did not handle a breakup well. He is stalking her and plotting revenge. After the women meet Travis Saunders, a series of un...

  Amazon is deleting verified reviews, so I introduce it here. While their algorithms tolerate AI reviews, they remove reviews by real readers. Everyone who buys a book has right to write the review.  An opposite, someone who did not read a book  has no right to rate it or review it.  Amazon has a problem when author write reviews for other author, but many authors are readers too. Why we could not read other's work? Goodreads allows people who never read books to rate it, which damages authors. Impersonating indie authors became a tool for revenge. You want to make someone feeling down? Spit on his book.  Allowing trolls to express their opinions is a kind of virtual inquisition and it should not be allowed. Don't make a censorship for creators, make it for trolls. When Amazon deletes reviews, it does always with 5 or 4 stars. It never does with 1 star reviews. Ratings without explanations are not critics, this is trolling focused to ruin author's book.  S...

  It is time to preorder my new science fiction thriller. The release date will be 17th August 2026. The blurb:  After a devastating ankle injury during a summer holiday in Antalya, British footballer Cynthia Swanson faces the unthinkable—the possible end of her career. While recovering in hospital, she meets Selim Aydin, a quiet and enigmatic Turkish caregiver who will soon change the course of her life. Their connection continues online, where Selim introduces her to a groundbreaking AI project: an experimental implant designed to help people with disabilities. Cynthia refuses at first—but desperation and her relentless ambition to return to the field push her to reconsider. Under the guidance of controversial Dr. Myra Hurley, Cynthia agrees to undergo the procedure, hoping not just to recover, but to become stronger than ever before. But as the line between human and machine begins to blur, Cynthia is forced to confront a terrifying question: how much of herself is she will...

I understand someone can be disappointed with a book. It is like I was disapointed with my trousers online and returned it. What makes a difference, my trousers were 40 euros. The book was 2.49 cents. This makes return funny, because what can you do with this money? Some readers don't understand story behind the refund. The author will get minus royalties. - 0.13 c in my Kindle report, that will vanish when someone else buy the book. The situation happens. Someone accidentaly clicked and bought a book. A random customer wants a refund. Maybe it was not a random move. Maybe the customer clicked, bought and did not like the book. When you don't like the book choose another options, instead of damaging authors. Write a negative review. Write negative one star rating. Don't purchase another books from this author. Or, maybe to reconsider and read it, again? If you write negative reviews or rate it with 1 or 2 stars, you are making a favor to authors. You are moving algorithms i...

I got two new reviews for my books. I did not hope, because I stopped asking for reviews. Respecting everyone's time and effort, I can only let things flow. Reviews are awesome things. It alerts you what you missed in books, what to correct and what to avoid. It motivates you to write more. Negative reviews also have effects: it give cold showers for author. That will also question your ability. Am I that bad? Maybe I overrated myself.  When someone praises you, it gives you wind in your back. Indie authors are people who are not world wide recognized, so reviews means a lot. Someone in Netherlands buy my books. Someone in USA reads my books. Awesome, isn't it? If you can get this level of adrenaline, everything is worthy. Ratings from trolls are not reviews. Don't make reviews a bad name. Someone who randomly rates books with one star is not a reader.  When you are raised in community where people are not readers, it is hard to explain your passion. Some people discovered ...

Recently I had a discussion in my social media about negative ratings. There was a situation in Goodreads, where I got two negative reviews on my two books. The point was in the way how the ratings were set up. First rating for my book "Body in the waves" was placed under 5-star review from another reviewer. While the reviewer praising my book, the troll came under to say "This is really bad book." Second rating was described as " Poor author needs writing lessons." Both reviews broke standards of reviewing, because there is no visible evidence that book was downloaded in Kindle unlimited or purchased. It was a clear troll act from a new page, without a profile photo and with a nickname. I reported this to Goodreads and they responded me they are processing this. Meanwhile, I heard from other authors that Goodreads failed to do anything about trolling.  In these terms, Goodreads should delete such profiles and forbid the access because of breaking rules. T...

Many scammers will advice you about a book marketing, trying to pull your attention. As I am cleaning my inbox from annoying emails, deleting without reading it, I came to the conclusion. These emails have something in common: I did not accept this neither I asked for this. When it happens I sell the book, it is usually on two ways: doing ads or talking to people. The truth is, nobody wants to feel like a tool for buying books. Respect every reader and talk to them as your time let it.  To buy a book, people must know you in a way they want to know what they are buying. What kind of product you are selling?  People like to refer on their lives in your book, so they expect to find a comfort, advice or adrenaline in your books. What is in your book to makes people feel better? This is what my books bring to reader: The fact things can change for better. I write about relationships and my story has a message: don't let someone treat you like a thing. Fight for your status even ev...

Recently Goodreads made a new category in reading books. DNF or did not finish is a real status of many books. I have it on my TBR too. I like reading books, but if it takes too much time and I got bored, this will be the end of my reading. When this happens? The plot is expanded. It covers few stories in one, new characters appear, random, unimportant details prolong the story. I got lost in the content and it is not clear, where is the main point? The genre is mixed . If I want to read thriller, I chose a book marked as a thriller. Sometimes, it interfere with love story, horror and other genres in a way that it losts the identity of the book. I don't want to read about marriage and children of two main characters if this is not a romance. Side characters became main characters . If a protagonist died and side characters are in the focus, this is not the same story. The plot has no connection with a reality. I love fiction, but if the book is fantasy, filled with monsters and v...

Kate Trinity brings a storyteller’s instinct to every corner of the site. Film coverage is shaped by a love of atmosphere, character, and the emotional threads that hold a story together. Creative projects sit alongside reviews, offering a wider look at the worlds being built behind the scenes. Readers will also come across the names   Catherine Hewitt   and   KT McQueen , each representing a different branch of the same creative tree — screenwriting, fiction, and the shared fascination with stories that linger long after the credits roll.  I’ve always been obsessed with movies -from watching weekend TV screenings with my Nana to asking people what their favourite film is just to see what it reveals about them. My all‑time favourite is Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze, and I will happily talk about it at length. It fascinates me how people connect through the films they watch, how opinions can be wildly polarising, and how stories shape the way we see the world. So it’s...

Many times is possible to see a title under author's profile, a bestseller author. This mark is not true in many cases, because bestseller author should sell million copies.  Scammers do abuse when they copy profiles of bestseller authors and bother people in their inbox, pretending they are experts who can help you. The last case I saw was the copy of author's profile who wrote a book "The White noise".  Scammers will talk about your books and offer you promo for big prices. The only thing you will get is an empty wallet. Some indie authors can't face with reality. Yes, you will sell books if you advertise it, but this will be a small ammount. Random sharing links with books is not effective, you can be suspended for spamming pages. For a good marketing, you need a trustful agent or influencer who will represent you. This one doesn't come in your inbox filter. This person is hard to find, you need recommendations from other authors. Pretending to be a bestsel...

This question made me thinking. Do I need to promote myself or my books? To be genuine, people don't know who am I. I am swimming in the sea of unknown, indie authors. Recently I watched "The housemaid", the movie based on the book Freida Mc Fadden. She is a bestseller author. As much I like the movie, there was something that missed in this story. I watched, a movie about cult, "Manodrome", and I liked it more.  My point is: I watched many independent movies, based on stories by people who are unknown to public. I don't look who made is, I look for the story. But, I have a feeling, when a bunch of readers scroll on Amazon, they look who is the author. And when they see I am anonymus author, they don't want to give a chance to my books.  For example, I got 100,000 impression on Amazon ads and 89 clicks on my books. The sale is zero. If I was Freida, it would be blast.  It tells me something about a human nature. While you are not successful and famous n...

People love to judge books accord prices. If your book is priced 0.99c they think it is not valuable. It reminds them on free books on book fairs.  The marketing trick which many authors use is to set up 0.99c price temporary, on few days. You can compare it with clothes. If you see a skirt that costs 50 euro and next day is 50% lower price, you will grab it until the price lasts. Making a lower price for books means to capture reader's interests. I recently sold 12 books by this price. Royalties are low in this case, but visibility is spotted on.  If you want new customers, you must offer them something from time to time. If they like your offer, they will buy more. The problem is because this benefit works for authors who sell many books. It is not the same if you sell 100 books by 0.99c price, or if you sell 10 books.  This kind of price works out the best with book in series: first is priced 0.99c, and the sequel is 3.49c or reverse.  This way you show respect to...

Iwan Ross is a multi-genre author with a passion for weaving tales oozing with romance and supernatural intrigue. Raised by a mother figure, he quickly found solace in the local library, where his love for reading took root. It was there, as a junior staff member, that he had a strange encounter with a fellow reader. A book tumbled to the floor, its pages rustling as if unseen fingers were flipping through them. Wide-eyed, he let out a primal scream and bolted to the librarian. She simply adjusted her glasses and said in her signature German accent, “Ah, you’ve met Julia.” Since that fateful day, Iwan has had a best friend who shares tales spanning centuries. His love for Paranormal Romance was born, and he has spent years trying to reunite his otherworldly companion with her long-lost family. When not conjuring up supernatural stories, Iwan is a keen recipe designer. Married to a former chef, he spends countless hours in the kitchen making a mess and perfecting recipes inspired by fla...

Inspired by a lot of messages I got on Instagram from authors, I wish to make difference between amateurs and professional authors. It is clearly that you can't come in inbox with your link and asking for a review or purchase. This show egocentrism, bad manners and a lack of knowledge about promotions.  What makes confussion to some new authors? The act of following. If I follow you, it doesn't mean I will automatically read your books. I will not.  Your likes or comments. If I like your book cover, I will not automatically buy the book. I do it from courtesy or I return the like. The view on stories. If I view your story, I will not buy the book. The fact is, I am the author. This means I write my books, I have daily job, I make promotion for my books. Yes, I have TBR list but this is about 30 books per year, that is made at the start of this year and it will not update soon. A professional author will not brag about lack of followers. He will not brag about many followers, t...

Everyone talks about AI because this is a topic you can't avoid . What you knew about books and writing could be forgotten when you talk about AI. I start to write when I was sixteen. I was writing in my notebook. Soon I had a bunch of notebooks, and many pencils. Some of that manuscripts stayed on my shelf, never published. The pages of notebook are yellow and full of dust. After this, I was writing on a typing machine. It was unpractical work . My hands got  dirty from black color of printer toner and I had many of typing errors that wasted my time.  With the age of computer, my work progressed. 2017 I was publishing my first book in Amazon Kindle. Today, I have cell phones, tablet and laptop, I can pick where to write. What did not change is my desire to write. I have this narrative instinct inside of me.  When I hear people talk about AI covers and AI books, I froze. It looks, anyone can write with a help of AI. That is gross. I remember guys from my high school who w...

As someone who is not a native English speaker, I face with opinions about book editing. I worked with few editors, but nobody is perfect and almighty. Errors are something that is a part of the book. Even famous authors have errors in their books, but readers are not complaining. If you are indie author, you need to be perfect, your books must be polished because you are not famous. It is good to warn readers about bad editing if a book is not readable. What is not fair, is when you based your review only on editing errors. When you wrote: "A book needs a work of editor. " "A book would be benefited with American or English editor", you are making a bad marketing for the author. The author might have small errors that are not noticeable, but for someone who is thinking about to buy the book, this could be a reason to give up. Besides, the book can be lost in a translation, when you have some phrases in your language, that doesn't sound the same in English versi...

I f you post about books in social media, your images and links will get unnoticed. You will not get a big engagement. In average, you can get 10-20 views in Threads, 20 likes in Instagram and few reposts in Bluesky. X is worse, you can get few reposts and likes. Facebook will give you few shares and likes, if you post in author's groups you might get more.  You Tube will give you in average 200 visits and few likes, and the same situation is with Tik Tok. The conclusion is: people are not interested for book posts of indie author, because you are not Emily Henry, Freida Mc Fadden or Stephen King. When people see indie authors posts, they think how anyone could write and publish. If you try to get attention with personal photos, funny videos or concerts, even if you review movies and other books, situation is different. For video from the party I got 1.730 views, that is more than good. When I posted about Pisces Zodiac and tranzit of Saturn, I got 77 likes.  Algorythms are me...