Dear Future authors of America

As an author, I have made many choices in publishing books. Now that I've learned a few things, let me pass this advise to the future writers of America.
One thing I've noticed for sure is that self publishing is a little complicated for first term people. Some simple things that I've learned, (and maybe you already know) is that:
Title is most likely used for book series, chances are the Subtitle is where you place the title of the story for the series. So keep that in mind.
I think the hardest part about making a book is fixing the cover. From what I've experienced there are two choices to making a cover. 1Make it yourself or 2 Use their cover choices (which leads to an image cover or just a title cover) My best advise is go for their choice in covers ONLY if you're unskilled to make your own.
What's hard about making your own cover is fixing the proper size and that everything placed satisfies the company. I've worked with KPD before, They have unusual covers that may or may not work for you. The back must mostly include a description, bio and self picture. For image covers  it doesn't need the title and author name because they are placed for editing for you.
Now another company I tried was Lulu. They want everything in PDF fonts matter, size matters, and you also can create the cover. I quit working with them when they upgraded everything. Too complicated!  I sent in the manuscript 20 times and each time it was not accepted by lulu, because of DPI, font embedding, and proper size in PDF (oh brother!)
The best company so far is Barnes and Nobles Press, which reminds me. With KDP books will be published in Amazons around the country, they use to do more... Lulu will send copies to their book shop, ingram and Barnes and Noble (I think) But ONLY if you order a copy for yourself! Barnes and Noble Press will just do Barnes and Noble, I believe.

I do want to announce that the best audiobook publisher to go it in author's republic site. The only down side is you'll have to do the reading yourself, That is unless you work with audible where you can hire a narrator. You can either share the royal or pay up to $300. (I share the royal)
Think your ready to be an author? Have a better idea in what your looking for? Did my advice help any at all? Comment below.
BTW marketing, you're on your own!

Let's Meet an Author: Shana

How's it going my fans? Since it's May it's time to meet another author. I haven't met her in person but I can tell she has a heart for people.
Meet:
Shana W. Gourdine

she wrote the book "The Mask Behind The Mask"


You can find that book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1796017639/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_XnsHEb5EA5XCF


She enjoys writing, cooking, movies, going to different restaurants, spending time with her family and dancing

Learn more about her at Shana Gourdine Author on Facebook


She enjoys reading Romance, poetry and writes Poetry

Be on the lookout for more author interviews from AJ Hard! I haven't heard from anyone yet, but there's still time to spear.

2020 Quarantine Message- Stay Positive

What's the result?

 So let me tell you what's planned for this summer. Shiver and Fears is publishing their last book! With this stupid virus being a fake hazard The bookaversary party will be hosted live video and Shiver and Fears is taking the last breaths.
 Books have been selling, but still at a slow rate. If I were living off the sales of these books. My office would be the library and I'd be living in a box on the street. (Kind of depressing huh?) Well, it's come to the conclusion Shiver and Fears don't need to be sold if they are even made for money. Which is good, because they aren't making any anyway.
So this is what's happening to Audiobooks  We're posted samples of them on Youtube, book 31- will be posted on Wattpad for now on, no more contests, events, fewer comments and attention grabbers. Free audiobooks will only be given to the first 5 birthdays of each month until 2021 then free audiobooks will be no longer e offered.
It might sound like Shiver and Fears is closing, but that's not what's happening. What's going on is we're taking out the time and effort to produce and promote it.
You might have questions, and I'm willing to answer. It might help you understand what's going on.

Changes for Shiver and Fears

  Ever since Shiver and Fears started it was always because I wanted to make a real actual book. After one was published I got caught in a few things. I wanted the royalty checks, I wanted the fame, I wanted to be all over the network.

   Long story short- Why did I write these books? To have my written story out in public. That all. It wasn't for fame, it wasn't for the money. Just to have a book published from me and in the hands of others. The question is, do I have that? The answer is with Shiver and Fears at the library, online book stores, multiple websites, so yes. 

   So what does this mean for Shiver and Fears books? No more? Not with all these new story ideas in my head, not to mention, I wouldn't want to leave everyone hanging with Magical Times. As of now Shiver and Fears will publish the 30thbook later this year and then the rest will be posted at Wattpad.

Why this sudden change? What's wrong? Let me just say this, There are people in life who thing being a writ is pointless, and without a thought of encouragement, they will say things to make you feel worthless. Now I have over 200 fans who wouldn't want to stop reading a Shiver and Fears book for nothing, so why is this one critic getting to me?

   Well, it's not really the critic, it's more of his reason. My own cash has gone to dozen of marketers who know the skills to get the word out about people's work. But spending money and not getting anything back out of it, but more views, I guess is pointless. I mean what would you want 1000 people who know your name? Or 1000 who enjoy your work? Because 1000 people who know your work means you say AJ Hard and you know about his work, But 1000 people who know your work means they've seen what you've done and want more from you.

   I don't really have that, and no one knows how to have that, not even me! So why work so hard to become famous if all everyone is going to say is "AJ Hard writes books" and not "I loved his story, can't wait for the next one."? But if you're still receiving "Keep writing, you love it" and of course it's true should you really throw all your work away? NO of course not! 

   Maybe in ten years, when I learn the steps of R.L. Stine I might go back to publishing my work. For right now I've done what I wanted to do. And I just have to remember that!

Let's Meet an Author

We're doing a thing where we take a moment to give attention to other authors. Many authors would like recognization and some people don't consider that. Well, this author wants to give notice to an author at least once a month.

So meet:

Tabatha Smith Waybright

Her book is called On Mystic Mountain

You can get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2VOT4dG

She enjoys reading, writes, sews and cares for my Grandkids!

learn more about this author at Tabathaswaybright.com

She writes fantasy but enjoys reading faith-based books, fantasy, and Sci-Fi

check out our next author in May!

Think Positive

So I was thinking about everyone and how they may be a little bummed this month. Well, I chatted with my new friend Issac Brown and we came up with an idea to send a positive message to those around us. This is what we put together:

We are sending this video to what I like to call the 3 F's: family, friends, and fans! We want to be sure that everyone doesn't look at this as a bad thing. Those with overhead schedules, can now finally relax. Those who get distracted by friends can finally focus on their school work, and those who feel like there's nothing else to do can learn something new.

For me, I've decided to run on a schedule. With me being at home all day, I 've come to notice I live a repetitive life when I' at home. So why not make it into a daily routine? 

For those of you who don't know, Shiver and Fears is working on another book: The Happiest Show Ever. It's pretty ironic, I got the idea when watching Jimmy Neutron. When you hear about it, you think it's kind of awkward for a horror fiction book to include being happy, but like many horror fiction storytellers, we know how to make even the happiest story have a grey dark side to it!

Want more? Check out Facebook! and remember, just tell those grey skies turn around, and look over that mountain! (watch this)