Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

Many times you will hear in social media about how indie authors are supportive to each other. This is only partly true and behind that statement is a false background. As an author, I have many followers in social media, but my interaction is not big. If I post a personal photo I will get some likes, less likes for my book covers and even less for my review notifications or book blurbs. Sometimes, when someone follows me, I got a personal message to support that person. This message is in the form "vote for me", or "can you review my book." Such people don't even read about me section to see that I am author who needs readers. Sometimes, authors are rude to each other. Once author asked me in public can I read his books. When I said I am busy he called me an arrogant person.  It is not rarity that authors offer their editing services when they hear on how I am not a native English speaker.  So, if you are doing all the things above, you consider me as your comp...

Inspired by Instagram, I am writing this post. Many authors want to get followers there using the option follow to follow. How much is this kind of following honest and why does it look like a manipulation? Imagine you are going shopping. The vendor says: "If you buy this, I will buy something from you." This is not how things work, isn't it? The same is with social engagement. If you want to follow someone, you will do because this profile is something that attracted your attention. Some authors need to be more informed about what the author's profile should be like. A basic belief about the author's profile: Book links. Book covers. Book presentations. No profile photos, no selfies, or memes. If you have a photo, let it be professional. Now, I found some links that want to earn by photographing authors.  Authors are people. It means we have our emotions, reactions, and imagination. The primary task of every author is to represent himself to readers. Here is what...

  Today I am featuring awesome author Ben Christian. I read his book "Deep wounds". It was the first time I read Christian's thriller. Ben was born and raised in the small and quiet town of Silsbee, Texas. Crunching numbers by day as a formally trained accountant, Ben has written several short stories through the years and has begun fulfilling his lifelong interest in storytelling through adrenaline-filled novels based upon people that you know and see every day.  He firmly believes that behind every smile, every laugh, and every tear, there is a story. Understanding the power of passion and will, Ben applies this philosophy to his own aspirations, believing that anything is possible with faith. When not behind the pen, Ben is an avid car fanatic and enjoys attending car shows/races with his wife, traveling to new places, and enjoying new life experiences that can be incorporated into his work. His Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Ben-Christian/e/B084TWWD7V/ref=dp_byli...

What do you expect from the internet? Is it a place where you will meet the love of your life or earn money? Or do you just want to have fun or talk to someone, because you are feeling lonely? If you promote yourself on social media, one of your basic problems or obstacles is people who are following and unfollowing you. This is an unhealthy balance and fake support because one day your number of followers is lower when you realize some of them were unfollowing you. It is especially visible on Instagram. As someone who has an Instagram account, my number of followers is decreasing and increasing, depending on the circumstances. Why your followers are unfollowing you? Ego burst. They think they are famous, good-looking, and rich and you are not their match. Sad, but true, many people on Instagram do that to make others feel important in the eyes of the public. Expectations. People expect you will give them your free time, to pay attention to them, talk or open the camera. When this does...

Today I am introducing an awesome indie author Eve Koguce. Her novel “Neglected Merge” - book one in the Neglected Merge trilogy - is a fantasy futuristic romance set in a utopian-style world.  She has  a confession to make. She doesn’t read fantasy. The main reason for that is that books in this genre tend to be rather grim, but since life has shown her all its faces, not only light and carefree, she seeks additional emotional stirring neither in literature nor in movies/TV series. The Neglected Merge trilogy explores the challenges of universal happiness rather than those hardships we envisage to befall us after some kind of apocalyptic event. Limitations are always suffocating, even if they’re intended to limit your choices to make you miserable. She has been in love with books for as long as she remembers. The typewriter her first attempts at writing had been made at still sits proudly on its shelf in the basement, and when she goes down there, she always has an urge to sa...

Recently one author on Twitter says how he would be pleased to get 3 stars rating for his books. It is a rare statement and shows maturity because it is not easy to be objective about your books. Three obstacles to your success in writing are: Ego. You are persuaded that your books are good. Inability to receive critics. It is hard to digest critics, but it is a way to progress. Passivity. If you just sit and wait for someone to buy your books, you will not have success. There is a saying that an author must have thick nerves and a good stomach. I remember when a woman says to my book "sounds like a horrible book with a horrible title." I had no idea why she said this because she did not read it, she saw it in the group and I don't know who she was. That was my first test and I lost nerves and insulted her because I felt hurt. A professional writer must stay calm, even with trolls. We must know that some people are frustrated and they will do everything to spoil someone...

If you are an author, you have dreams about your books. Watching movies about famous authors in childhood results in fantasies. What would you do if you become famous? Let's see your potential bucket list. The book was adapted into a movie. Your book is a bestseller. Your fans are young girls (if you are a man) who adore you. You don't need to work, you are living from money earned from your books. You don't even need to write more, because offers for your work, public reading and interviews are everywhere. Now, let's wake up. An average indie author has a daily, regular job. He can only dream about a book adapted to a movie. The money author earns he will invest in the promotion. He must pay for interviews if he wants to have a public appearance on television or in a newspaper. You don't have fans, you have some readers or authors who also want their books to be read. You are surrounded by trolls who leave negative ratings on your books because the world is full of...

  Today I am introducing awesome author Eva Pasco. She is the author of romance, drama, and contemporary women's fiction. Midlife restlessness prompted a retired elementary education teacher to rekindle her passion for storytelling. Although Eva Pasco has published Nonfiction, she prefers writing in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction. Het award-winning “lit with grit” is distinguished for its character -driven plots featuring female protagonists propelled by the nuances of their human condition . Whenever Eva can break away, she enjoys day tripping along Rhode Island’s coastline where her favorite pastime is walking the shore at any season or time of day. In particular, scavenging for sea glass on pebbly beaches with lots of rocks. CONTEMPORARY WOMEN’S FICTION: UNDERLYING NOTES: https://amzn.com/B00HX364DY AN ENLIGHTENING QUICHE: https://amzn.com/B01LX9UXWV MR. WIZARDO: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SGZ63ZF   NONFICTION COLLECTION:   100 WILD MU...

Do you want to write in the English language, but that is not your native language? Is it possible, to touch the magic stick and your imagination turn into reality? This is not fiction, nor a start of a fairy tale. This is a true story, about me and my books. In the year 2017, I got an email from my blog follower. She asked for a review on Amazon, for her first self-published book. I did not know that is possible to publish books on Amazon with a help of Kindle. She inspired me to try my idea, so I made a collection of my blog stories and published my first short book guide, "Lost in the virtual world." That is how my story begins. Since that, more than three years have passed, and I have 12 published books on Amazon. What I did do? I hired the editor. I paid for some covers. I found a reader's community. I got about 160 reviews on Amazon. I have read 100 books from indie authors for three years. I am a writer from Croatia. Writing in a language that is not my native lang...

Booklovers are people who love to spend their time reading books. It is great to spread your view and knowledge by reading, you can travel to places you never been and find out things you never supposed to exist. As an indie author, I am looking for my readers, I am willing to spread my circle, but people are of various kinds. Not every reader is suitable for every author. Accord my experience, here are 7 types of readers: Fake reader . He will give you a review, but he is not indeed interested to read your books. He just wishes to do a favor but your book is not his choice. Santa Claus reader. This is a person who will take your free book, promise a review, and then vanish. You will never get your review, and this reader is real as Santa Claus. Picky reader. This is an honest person who will immediately say "I am not interested" or "I will read your book. You can get reviews very fast from this reader, he knows what he wishes. Reciprocate reader. This is a person who...

When I started to write, I met many interesting people who are reading and writing. I got some advice, various kinds. Some advice was useless and ego-bursting, and some were good for my progress. I also realized that is a dangerous world of competition and some people are like vultures, ready to remove you from their path or to ask for money to fill their pockets. So, what kind of indie authors you might face? Smartass. The one who offers you editing for a suitable fee even though you did not ask for it. Also, he will lecture you on how you must work on your books and read other writers.  The snitch . He will report you if you have bad formatting, a title that is provoking, or content that damaged his moral standards. For example, my title "Seduce her with a fist" is a metaphor title, a book is against violence, this is an example story. But, the indie author reported it as violent and abusive. Luckily, social media did not pay attention to it. The beggar. That is the kind o...

Stereotypes about indie authors are the main obstacle to their success. If you ask an average man about indie authors, he will say: " They are not real authors, because they are not publishing in a traditional way. " If you go with questions further, there are some myths: Indie authors should give their books free to readers. They are not professionals. They should make the price of books lower.  Such things I heard so many times. Don't expect your friends will support you if you are on the way to becoming an indie author. They will say: "If she can write, I can write too. What do I have because she is an author? Why should I buy her books, she is not famous!" So, in short, when an indie author publishes his book, he will pay for the cover, formatting, editor, beta reader, and sometimes for book promotion. If you want your product to look good for buyers, you must hire professionals, and it will cost you. After all this, you will meet people who are not willing ...

If you are an indie author, you will publish independently your books. Probably you have no experience with traditional publishing, or you are rejected by publishers.  You will build your reader's base and promote your books. You will make your book cover by yourself, or you will hire professional cover designers. You will pay an editor. After your book will be published, you will ask for reviews. There are millions of indie authors around the world. Many will not sell more than a few books and your investment will not be effective. Some authors will give up, others will follow their passion. In your path to success, you will fall into some traps. I know that from my experience. Aware of the next traps: Fake promises . Some authors will offer you a review swap. It is punished by Amazon, by deleting these reviews. Also, even if you review other's author's books and expect the same, it is not guaranteed that the author will review your book as reciprocity. Unwanted advice. S...

I started as an indie author a year ago. Like every writer, I met with various kinds of people. Many of them supported my work, and I am very grateful to them. Also, some authors underestimated me, in a way “you need to learn a lot, to read more books from other authors, don’t rush with your stories. “ Every author needs a review. In this way, a book will get free marketing, because readers will grab a book that is recommended . Which was the movie you last saw in the cinema, and why? For sure, it was the one that the media recommended. Later you decide did you like it or not. The same is with books, you wish to see why people brag about a book, what is so special there? Impressions are very important. I read and review about 22 books. My intention was to expand my knowledge, improve my English, and help authors dear to me. I chose them by myself because I am allergic to recommendations like: “Read and review my book. Purchase it.” This reminds me of sellers door to door. Thos...