Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Operation: Chat with the Indelibles

Operation: Chat with the Indelibles authors was a success!

That was such a neat experience for me.  Being a lover of books for as long as I can remember, then actually getting a chance to ask questions ranging from how they begin each writing process to how they determine the price of their books, was fascinating to me.  There were so many authors mixed with bloggers that I could hardly keep up with the stream.  I desperately need a Tylenol now.  It really gave me insight into what I'm getting myself into here.  The relationship between author and blogger can be summed up as mutually beneficial.  And I'm even more determined and excited to give this blog life.

Quite a few of the authors said they started their books with a simple outline, jotting down where they wanted to start their stories and eventually where they would lead to.  I asked how the pricing of their books is decided and they said that they themselves determine how much they want to charge for their books.  One author stated that she priced her book at $4.99 because it took her 10 yrs to write it and 4 months to come up with the cover art.  Sarra Cannon, author of the Peachville High Demons Series, told me that she decided to charge .99 cents for her first book to entice readers and start a following.  I told her that it worked on me!  Beautiful Demons is one of the first books that I read on my Kindle, lured in because of the price.  I'm on a budget, people.  Now, I anxiously await her 5th book scheduled for release January 20 on Kindle or Nook.

The authors wanted to know what readers were looking for in a book.  A lot of the responses were, "A male point of view."  No more cookie cutter books, we want to read stories that haven't been told a million times, every which way.  A lot of chat participants, bloggers and authors alike, came in and out during the conversation, needing to feed their husbands and kids, help with homework, tackle teenagers and put little ones' to bed.  It put a very human face to world of authors.  They didn't shy away from answering ANYTHING.  And they were so grateful to have people take the time to read their books and start conversations and blog about them.  All the authors were giving away at least one ecopy of their upcoming books.  I've yet to receive an ARC or ecopy, but I know where to find them now, other than Goodreads contests (that I never win).

I learned a new acronym tonight.  There were a few flying around, but I didn't catch them all.  ARC is Advanced Release Copy (already knew that one, but in case you didn't) and BEA is Book Expo of America...voila!  I submitted my email address and blog website to win some ebooks.  If I won something, I will let ya know.

One more term I learned tonight is Kindlegraph.  Apparently, a lot of us bloggers didn't know what it was either.  It's a way for an author to electronically sign your ebook.  I'm sure it'll be the next craze.  Sounds great, till you break your Kindle (like I did 2 days after I got it)!



12 comments:

  1. Thanks for joining us, Arla. That went crazy-fast, didn't it? I had a hard time keeping up. It was so good to get to meet you. I love the name of your blog. :)

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    1. Trust me, it was my pleasure. Fast, it was. My eyeballs are still recovering. Regardless, I had so much fun. Thank you to you and your group for allowing a novice blogger like me, anywhere near your chat. I look forward to the next one!

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  2. Arla, it was great getting to talk to bloggers too! Glad you had a good time!

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    1. I did. It was a real treat, I love learning something new!

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  3. What a wonderful post! Thanks so much for joining our chat! :)

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    1. Thank YOU! I almost missed out thinking I'd feel intimidated and overwhelmed. Psssh...yes, I'm a dork. I'm glad when stepping out of my comfort zone pays off. It was nice to meet you guys.

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  4. YAY!! You got your comment thingie fixed. Looks like you won a copy of my debut novel, BOUND. Please email me so I can send you the info on how you can retrieve it. christine (at)ckbryant (dot) come

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    1. YES!! Christine, I am thrilled. I got your email and will be in touch with you to iron out some details. Thanks for the warm and friendly message and the copy!

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  5. I was so sad to miss it. Thanks for filling me in

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    1. You're very welcome. If I was a faster reader, I could've taken more in. The speed of the comment thread was insane, at first. It got better. There was talk of book tours too, but I didn't catch very much of it.

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  6. Arla, you handled yourself like a PRO at the chat! I had no idea you were new to this game!

    Sorry it was kind of fast. That was my first time moderating a chat like that and I didn't do a very good job. :P But I'm glad to hear that despite that, you got something out of it!

    Thanks so much for coming!

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    1. The award for best compliment goes to you, Ali! Thank you so much. You guys have been so kind, supportive and welcoming to me. It makes my head spin.

      I thought you did a great job. It was my first time too, so I wouldn't know if that kind a chat party ever goes any differently. No need for apologies, ESPECIALLY to someone who wouldn't know the first thing about moderating a chat.

      I'm so thankful I didn't miss out on that opportunity, I'm still reaping the rewards of participating. So, unless I'm in a hospital bed in a coma or being held at gun point, you can count me in for the next one. Thank you so much!

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