Talking Shop: The Responsibilities of Editors

I’ve heard it said here and there that, “The best thing about self-publishing is that anyone can do it. And the worst thing about self-publishing is that anyone can do it.”

There’s a lot of criticism out there for self-published and Indie authors, based on the opinion that a good deal of self-published and indie material is simply not good. Poorly written, poorly researched, poorly edited...there are dozens of different components that go into publishing a good book worth paying money for, and with the freedom afforded by all the new self-pub services we have to choose from, the quality control of all these components can get by as largely unchecked.

Talking Shop: Breaking the Rules of Romance

Last week we discussed Redefining the Romance Genre with Maggie’s Song, a novel featuring an African-American lead struggling with identity and self-esteem as a “plus-size” woman in the music industry. And I think it’s safe to say that, as writers and readers, we’re excited to see a story told from the point of view of a POC main character who isn’t runway-model flawless. By that token, I think Maggie’s Song deserves it's applause. It's actually not wholly alone, though...

So what is redefining the genre, really? For many of us in the genre, we struggle against more than the pre-conditions by editors and readers expecting our characters to be perfect white women with all the ideal beauty traits and a totally winning personality to boot. In fact, while those certainly are some frustrating expectations of the genre, I’d say they are less predominant in recent years, and less binding than some of the Sacred Commandments that truly limit us.

Talking Shop: Braving the Amazon Trail

Imagine for a moment that you work the pro shop at the gym.

You like working at the gym. Exercise and training is your passion. You know everything there is to know about the fitness equipment, nutritional supplements, and workout gear in your pro shop, and how your customers can best enjoy their workouts. You love working with the people who come to the gym. You enjoy being available to them and talking with them about equipment, exercise regimens...

Look, you really like working at this gym, okay?

Self-Published Short: Equinox

He is the only mate she will ever want...

Sara can only change shape into a human body once a year, on the night of Ostara when the Goddess is said to return to her maidenhood—on that night and that night only, Sara will finally have the chance to be one with the man she loves.

 

A new $.99 Fantasy Short Story by Brantwijn Serrah

 

Available at:

Amazon KDP Select

 

Also on GoodReads

Self-Published Short: Right Where I Want You

Holy priceless crystal statue! 

In the search for a missing museum treasure, Clarion City's Midnight Defender finds himself in the clutches of his arch-rival, the sultry villainess codenamed The Mink. She'll give him the chance to win back the artifact and his freedom...but only if he gives her everything she wants.

 

A new $.99 BDSM Short Story by Brantwijn Serrah

 

Available at:

Amazon KDP Select

 

Also on GoodReads