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Something I notice from my so called fans. They see it and like it, but do they really click it? The answer is no!! Don't think I don...

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Keep Writing Simple

I was chatting with a youtube subscriber about Shiver and Fears books. Unlike most critics, he used kind words. One thing he said was how as an author my writing needs editing. And although he made a good point, I had to decline his suggestion. Here's why:
What makes a good story isn't just the grammar and spelling, for example:
now I didn't write this, this was written by some young kid. Now Even though words like "witches, home, corn, stories" are spelled wrong, you can still read it well enough to understand what it's talking about. Here's another:
this is another story some kid wrote, this one isn't better, in fact, you can even see some backward letters. But once again you get pretty much get the idea of the story.
Now here's my point: I don't write like this, nor do I ever mean to write like this. You might read a Shiver and Fears book and see grammar used poorly and words spelled wrong. So you sit and think "Why doesn't this guy check his work?" True is, I do. I double-check it with Grammarly and Microsoft Word autocorrect. So where do these mistakes come from? Well, when typing I might mistype a word that still makes a work EX: "she gets typed as he" or "lots becomes lits" and sentences like "There's lots of room" becomes "There's lits of room" Grammarly doesn't even catch that mistake! But a simple person can read it and understand easily.
Now there are two reasons why I don't hire someone to edit for me:
1. I did some research, Editing sites are mostly charging for word and my chapter books come around 9000 words per chapter book and they cost about $200-$300. Your cheapest choice would be Fiverr which comes to $45 per chapter book. 
Now at this point, I have 30 books, so that would cost me a total of $1350 spent. and paying for a book each month would take 2 years and 6 months. Which might mean a pause in writing any new books. Which means less work for my unpaid partners. TOO MUCH STRUGGLE!
2. Next, understand, I'm working to get young writers like these:
 to have the power to make a real book without the thought of perfection writing. Most kids aren't concerned about 100% perfection in writing. Just the story. Now before you start thinking I encouraging bad grammar let me start by saying, I'm not! Kids aren't always perfect with their grammar and spelling, so does that mean they shouldn't write a books themselves? I grew up thinking books were only published by companies, and you had to contact them and ask for their approval. That's why I started my own book series, to make my own rules in writing and start encouraging the young generation to see the joy of writing not the stress of how to do it right!
Now with that said, you might not like Shiver and Fears books... that's ok because I feel you might be older than what I'm aiming for. Shiver and Fears are targeting juvenile chapter book readers. (That's about 3rd to 5th grade) Then why do I reach for adults on social media? I'll explain that on Friday!
😉

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Kyle Massey in the House!


2 months ago, Shiver and Fears published their audiobook starring Kyle Massey. Let me start by introducing Cory with this video:

So in honor of this occasion we placed him in our book No Body Park. Kyle Massey visits his aunt for a few days and noticed an empty park. If there's a park then where are the kids who play on it, it's a mystery Kyle wants to solve, but is he ready for the truth?
Think it's an interesting story? Want to read it? Well after waiting all these months you finally can. For the next two months we are giving away audiobook codes for audio copies of No Body Park. Our narrator Diontae Black was excited not only that he gets to read a Shiver and Fears book, but also one that stars Cory in the House, Kyle Massey.
If you want one, this give-a-way starts now! Comment why you want a Shiver and Fears audiobook and we'll send you one, while supplies last.

BTW: we also have a special guest coming this spring. Let's just say he's a friend of Creeps...

Friday, February 7, 2020

"Love" Horror Fiction

Shiver and Fears are sending love to many fans in different ways. One way we are doing this is by having a giveaway. Fans are commenting "Love That Book" and are receiving audiobook codes. You can get your audiobook code by commenting "Love that book" on the blog.
We are also giving codes to the first 5 birthdays on Facebook. So far we've given over 11 codes so far.
Another way we are sending love to our fans is by having them meet Creeps. Who is Creeps? If you really don't know Creeps, you're really behind. He's our pet mascot, for the 10,000th time:
< This is Creeps!
He's Shiver and Fears mascot, we found him. He may look a little mean, but he's nice.
especially when you give him a Valentine!
This Valentine's Day we are passing out Creeps' cards to a bunch of children at a public school. Shiver and Fears actually will be making a few appearances to a lot of kids for St. Valentine's Day.
Now, you might think Shiver and Fears isn't very scary if the author is celebrating Valentine's Day because Valentine's Day isn't scary. If that's the case, you haven't read: "The Dangers of Love" a valentine favorite from Shiver and Fears <click here
Word of advice, you should wish Creeps a Happy Valentine's Day on social media, He doesn't like feeling alone for Valentine's Day and might go on a rampage if he feels left out. I mean just because he's an ice monster doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings. I mean, he does love his fans... especially for dinner!!!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday, January 26, 2020

New audiobook

Publishing audiobooks can be complicated. No Body Park was supposed to be ready January 10th, but there's always an issue that puts your work on pause. I was starting to think Shiver and Fears 28th book wouldn't be ready until February. That's when I saw this: No Body Park< (click here).
Now the question is when will it be ready on Amazon and Itunes? Truth is, now. January 10 I was messaged that I had to resend in the files and wait up to 14 days for the book to be published... it's been 16!! And I'm still not seeing any progress.
So then what do I have here?^^^ Well, I work with another audiobook company that not only publishes to more audio companies but doesn't have authors and their illustrating partners waiting. I've emailed the company and let them know I want an answer on why my work is being kept hostage.
My thoughts are ACX isn't very helpful. So far it's the only audiobook site that you can hire a person to read your book just with the share of royals. Other sites, such as Fiver cost 0.05₵ per word for narration, and then there are sites that just request files of narration. So you have to do it yourself.
Being an author is a difficult job, but after years of work you get used to the traffics of a task and find a few short cuts along the way.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

1st Grand Appearance

I have made many appearances: schools, talent shows, tennis courts, and states. This year, in 2020 I'll be making a huge appearance at the OKC MLK JP. Also known as the Oklahoma City Martain Luther King Jr. Parade.
Tomorrow at 2p.m. I'll be inline with a bunch of bands, scouts, governers, and pageant queens as Shiver and Fears books author.

Want to know the best part? So you know how I have a partner, Randon? Well, he is going to be in the parade with me. You ill finally meet the new artist of Shiver and Fears! If this goes as planned Shiver and Fears will be live streaming this parade, if not then we will post pictures and videos on social media. Live streaming will be posted on Instagram, but pictures and videos will be posted on Facebook and Instagram. If you plan on going, be on the lookout for Shiver and Fears, author and illustrator. In fact, if you see us take a picture and hashtag Shiver and Fears ( #shiverandfears ) or tag Shiver and Fears on Instagram or Facebook( @shiverandfears ). I promise, if we find it, we'll like it and even give a prize for your post.
If you read this and it's too late at least post a picture of you at the parade and hashtag Shiverandfears ( #shiverandfears) F.Y.I That's 2 S's, one to begin Shiver and one to end Fears.

It's like I always say, one shiver, tons of fears!

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

First Post, New Decade

Happy New Year to the next decade of fans. Shiver and Fears has been growing lately, and I know it's because of the partners I have. That includes cousins, my illustrator, Randon, my voice narrator partner, Deontae my promotor, Tina, My support group on facebook, and my reliable friends.
Because of these people: books have been selling, more fans have favored AJ Hard, books and songs have been listed to places like iTunes, Walmart, libraries, Spotify, and still is growing over time.
In fact, Pier88 has AJ Hard labeled on their wall:

 

Not quite sure what's in store for Shiver and Fears this year, but one thing is for sure The work pays off. and maybe one day my work will reach something like 31K, but for now I'm just glad it's making progress.
You know they say I'm not famous because I'm not on tv, or because I'm not nationwide with fans, or even because I don't know a lot of celebrities. My thoughts are, that's not what makes you famous. What makes a person famous is being known out of your peers. When you write something, like a song or book, if it's good enough, people will let others know. And over time it'll grow. Everyone in the world may not know AJ Hard, or Asia Hardwick, but there are people who don't know Deon Mitchell or Kevin Hart or Ant Blades but they still have fans and thanks to you, I do too!

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Last Post of 2019

Today is the last do to get anything done before the "year of perfect vision" comes. Which means this is Shiver and Fears last blog of the year. So let's see what we're planning for 2020:

  1. Shiver and Fears on facebook will be announcing Fan of the Month this year
  2.  first 5 Facebook friends will receive the birthday song and a free audiobook code
  3. The annual Bookaversary party will be on this year
  4. Shiver and Fears: No Body Park will have an audiobook and kindle published
  5. OKC MLK parade will be including Shiver and Fears
  6. Our goal is to sell 50 more audiobooks
  7. Creeps will be making appearances on sites
  8. Magical Times will start book 5 (book 4 will be published)
  9. Shiver and Fears: The Burning Ghost is pending for publishing next
  10. Shiver and Fears has a brand message
So look forward to a lot in 2020.
 So earlier this month I set an audition for the new audiobook, and within a few days, an artist name Diotae was ready to publish an audiobook. Now I've worked with a few narrators before. Some took months to finish a book. There are a few who STILL haven't finished a Shiver and Fears book. Diontae was the first audition to finish his work within a week! Here I am thinking the book wouldn't be ready until February, but a day before the new year celebration and it's already pending for publishing. 

It's a sure thing that Diontae will be reading more of my audiobooks. Meanwhile, my illustrator, Randon is slow in progress but is still drawing for Shiver and Fears and Magical Times. Right now he is working on a project of the side drawing action shots of Creeps, Shiver and Fears mascot.
Why does Shiver and Fear have a mascot? Because just like Lucky Charms or Cheerios or even Energized Batteries they all include an icon. Shiver and Fears should have an icon, there's already a logo and a branding message. And it seems to be working, But for those of you who don't know: 
 Meet Creeps!
Happy New Year!