Tag: ebooks

BookTokked — John Dyer Writes

In a few days, after I receive my Logitech Litra Glow Premium LED Streaming Light, I’ll recite the script for my latest video. Those who’ve been following my essays know what this is about — I’m trying to hook an audience for my novels. Come now BookTok, BookTube, and Bookstagram. I sure hope it’s worth the trouble.

And who knows but there might be a more productive outcome if people start sharing these posts. Just mentioning it, in case there’s a button under your finger that could make that happen, and thank you.

Here’s the script. Feedback invited.

Continue reading “BookTokked — John Dyer Writes” →
0

Marathoned — John Dyer Writes

On October 4th and 5th, someone read my novel Elbert on Kindle Unlimited, most of it on the second day. Woo! Exciting, right?

Wait, it gets better. On October 8th, someone started reading The Anye Legacy Complete Collection. Non-stop. Going through it like a woodchipper, for a grand total of one-thousand-eight-hundred-six pages so far. Only about a hundred-forty to go.

It’s right after a new book launch. It has to be the same person, discovering my material for the first time. If whoever it is starts reading Silken Thread next, I’ll pop a gasket.

Let this be an example. This could be you, having a great time in your easy chair, hooked on unexpectedly intriguing literature. Click here to visit my Amazon catalog. Wonder awaits!

By the way, not everything I publish on these pages is self-promotion. There's something here for everyone. Please consider subscribing.

2

Juvenated — John Dyer Writes

My wife has for some time recommended that I classify my novels in a Young Adult category on Amazon. This morning, I read up on the topic and it’s starting to sound like a good idea.

I do not write with that audience in mind. However, the launch of my latest novel motivates me to examine who my readers might be.

In his essay ‘The 3 golden rules of writing a young adult novel’, author Robert Wood describes juvenile literature as ‘a gateway into sincere reflection on (adult-themed) topics’ and ‘a tool a YA reader can use for introspection and interrogation of the world around them.’

The Anye Universe books are literary science fiction — action, adventure and family drama against a sci-fi landscape. Content is generally wholesome in nature. I wouldn’t object if someone called them morality plays.

Even my novel Silken Thread, which contains a spicy passage or two, might pass muster for endorsing good character as a strategy for creating a successful life.

It’s a new train of thought for me. Feedback welcome. Find my catalog on my Amazon author page.

Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

9

Validated — John Dyer Writes

My novel Elbert: AjJivadi – Book 1 launched on a Monday. The next day, according to KDP Reports, 45 pages were read on Kindle Unlimited. Wednesday, 462 pages were read, making 507 total, which is the length of the book. So, more than likely, these stats refer to a single customer.

I made other sales, but page count on KU is the only odometer on the dashboard. I was excited to witness a reader finishing the book in essentially one sitting. It’s a good omen.

Even though I’ve been wallpapering the Internet for the past several days, the chances of that person seeing this essay are slim. However, if you’re reading these words and thinking “Yep, that was me” — I want to say, Thank You. I am now validated.

#1 on Amazon — if tens of thousands of people buy the book! Get your copy today!

0

Story Branded — John Dyer Writes

If one is to succeed as an author he must say words that will inspire readers to buy books. If this can be accomplished in one or two sentences, the author will have discovered his story brand.

So, I’ve been pestering everyone who’s read my work to wax eloquent, such that keywords might be extracted. To my surprise, a fellow author said my novel Elbert is sentimental.

I tend to agree. The storyline, set in the late 1920s, is nostalgia-inducing by default. That said, it didn’t feel like an idea I could use to describe the entire catalog.

A review of synonyms ensued. I dithered over ‘old-fashioned’ and ‘homely’. I wrote a ream of ad copy. Nothing clicked. I kept coming back to ‘sentimental’, a longing for the good old days, when everything was better, or at least seemed like it.

Even though most of my books are Science Fiction, I have to admit the word ‘sentimental’ covers a lot of ground. I’ll hold onto it for a while. In other news …

Continue reading “Story Branded — John Dyer Writes” →
0

Animated — John Dyer Writes

I assembled a book trailer video, which you may peruse via the link below. All of the art was created by others, except the script, which is only ‘art’ in the sense that I strained myself writing it and now cannot bear to read it without editing.

Composed in DaVinci Resolve. A testament, of sorts, to what a person can learn from YouTube tutorials.

Book Trailer — Elbert: AjJivadi Book One

1

Plugola — John Dyer Writes

This coming October I’ll publish, I hope, a breakout novel. ‘Elbert’ is action, adventure, and family drama — a fusion you don’t often see in Science Fiction. It’s a fun ride across an unlikely landscape, a moving tale with a positive vibe.

I’m staking out my own territory with original and intelligent stories, written for thoughtful readers. ‘Elbert’ isn’t rocket ships and ray guns. It’s about challenges we face creating successful lives, a noble existence, a hopeful future.

I’m shopping for word-of-mouth publicity. If you like the pitch, follow the link. If you like what you see, please tell your followers.

Regards,

John G Dyer

0

Undecided — John Dyer Writes

I’m wearing a mouth guard again, after grinding my teeth with sufficient force to break a molar, on account of I don’t like my new job.

I’m not talking about the writing. That’s an activity. This is about promoting myself as an author. That’s a job. The mission, if I choose to pursue it, is selling thirty thousand books a year, minimum. If I was a younger man, trying to make a living as a novelist, that would be one thing.

But I’m retired, and disinclined to seek approval. My motivation to advertise is nothing more than a nagging sense the work itself, not the author, might deserve attention. I assure you; this is not a case of superficial humility. I’m sincere.

In the grand scheme of things, there are few endeavors that really matter. Producing entertainment is not on the list. That’s one vote against shouting my name from the rooftops.

Works of fiction flow out of an author’s perspective. Stories have the power to elevate the spirit, educate, inform, inspire, and provoke thought. My books might offer some of these qualities. One vote in favor.

Publishing is a tough game. I don’t want to go back to work. If struck by illness, I won’t say, “I’m glad I spent my last days trying to sell books.” Is that three votes against? I think it is.

I write optimistic stories about places you’ll never go, people you’ll never meet, things you’ll never see. That these stories are constructive in nature is almost accidental, a reflection of what I believe, and my observations of the many ways in which individuals go about creating successful lives.

Does that make the material different enough to stand out? I don’t know. I’ve been chatting with a publicist, to whom I said, “Someone will have to convince me (the work) is remarkable”. Upon reflection, I realize that’s too much to expect. Besides, there’s no objective way to determine if my books deserve an audience, other than the option of allowing the marketplace to decide.

Oh, yeah. That’s the conundrum I’m fussing about, right now.

If you’re curious, click here. If you’re looking for a punchline, I don’t have one, else I’d already know what to do. One thing I do know is that worrying isn’t good for me. I have a sore jaw to tell me that.

2

To India and Beyond — John Dyer Writes

On Sunday, August 28, I will be an honored guest on Books Charming, India’s Top Book Blog. It’s kind of an accident, arranged by a promotion service, but curiously apt — my Science Fiction books are replete with allusions to South Asian culture. I actually have followers in that part of the world, although I don’t know how it happened.

It’s not as if I posted, “SciFi for readers in India.” or, “Sanskrit spoken here.” or “Look for Devanagari script on the cover of ‘Resilient’.”

The latter may be found below a neon sign, made in the image of a coffee cup. The word is, ‘Kaphi.’

Anyway, I’m running an eBook promotion, starting the same day. The Illusion of Gravity. Free for three days. Sunday, August 28. You might also read the interview, thus motivating you to read the book, which you will get for free, that same day, or for two days thereafter, as stipulated above.

In other news, I’ve been publishing a serial memoir about the expat life, 1950s Philippines and forward. Relative to my other essays, it’s been exceptionally well-received. Check it out.

0

Camera Familia #12 — John Dyer Writes

Manila, Philippines. July, 1956. Electric companies are among the largest of all industrial enterprises. The product is manufactured by the Generation division. Delivery is carried out by Transmission and Distribution. Alan Razovsky’s job was Manager of T & D. Draw a box around the power plant. Assign someone to be in charge of everything else. Mission. Apparatus. Logistics. Staffing. The big part. The spread-out part. For workers, the dangerous part.

Linemen were paying the price for inadequate tools. Dad’s assignment was to build out the infrastructure. His personal mission would be to serve the workforce, and in doing so, save their lives. By the end of Dad’s tenure, Meralco would be a reliable power utility, operating with first-class line service equipment and a model safety program. In this photo, Alan Razovsky and his colleagues, about to roll up their sleeves and get it done.

If you’re enjoying these essays, please subscribe to receive notification of new content.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑