In today’s Journal
* Putting this right at the top
* The above is not something
* On Amazon exclusivity
* Clarification on critiques
* I’m bone weary of listening
* Today
* Of Interest
* The Numbers
Putting this right at the top. Probably a great opportunity for somebody. See “Collaboration Special Class” at https://www.deanwesleysmith.com/collaboration-special-class/.
The above is not something I would personally be interested in for the simple reason that I can’t imagine collaborating on a short story. Though I do know a few novelists with whom I would welcome a collaboration if the genre and premise of the novel or novel series was right. Probably won’t ever happen, but there it is.
This in my ongoing effort to share what might work: A friend reports via email that she “made more money *and reached more readers* [emphasis mine] in a week on KDPS than [she] had in 2 years wide. Go figure.” And she’s “slowly moving stuff back to D2D from Amazon-exclusive that’s no longer performing well on KDPS. … Always in flux, this publishing thing.” KDPS means Kindle Digital Publishing Select.
If you’re wondering about genre, this is a very good author who writes Christian Romance and Christian Paranormal Fantasy. Frankly, I was surprised to hear that Romance does better in KDP exclusive rather than wide, but I do trust and believe this author.
As a side note, bestselling author JA Konrath, who writes in the Thriller, Horror, Erotica and Comedy genres, also swears by KDP Select.
Finally, DWS has long advised against exclusivity primarily because he doesn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket when that basket might get dropped on a sidewalk. But I don’t think Amazon’s going away anytime soon.
Publishing is “always in flux” indeed. I personally will continue going wide with everything. But as your unofficial adviser, if you suspect Amazon KDP exclusivity will work for you, I suggest you try it.
In response to another email, here’s a clarification of my take on critiques: I would never recommend submitting your unpublished work for critique by anybody for any reason ever. Period.
That said, if others submit their work for criticism, you might as well take advantage and learn from the critiquer’s comments. Sometimes a comment will be good, valid advice. Other times it will be horrible. Often it will be a mix. Take what works for you and leave the rest.
Oof. I’m bone weary of listening to young-in-the-craft writers (and not-writers) holding forth on how to write and publish fiction. If they would only strive to utter an original thought now and then, or to at least spread the word on something that isn’t parroted in every how-to-write book out there and in (almost) every writer’s group to come down the pike, maybe that would lend their utterings just a little bit of credence.
Speaking of Credence, my favorites were “Bad Moon Rising” and “Born on the Bayou.” If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it doesn’t matter.
Rolled out at 1 this morning. Now, at 2:30, I’m turning to the novel. Made my word count today.
Talk with you again soon.
Of Interest
See “First Page Critique: A Thousand Cuts” at https://killzoneblog.com/2020/02/first-page-critique-a-thousand-cuts.html. (As always, offered in case you can glean a gem or two.)
The Numbers
Fiction words today…………………… 3220
Nonfiction words today…………… 540 (Journal)
Writing of The Three-Year Turn (novel)
Day 1…… 3570 words. Total words to date…… 3570
Day 2…… 4026 words. Total words to date…… 7596
Day 3…… 4251 words. Total words to date…… 11847
Day 4…… 2117 words. Total words to date…… 13964
Day 5…… 3139 words. Total words to date…… 17103
Day 6…… 3191 words. Total words to date…… 20294
Day 7…… 3220 words. Total words to date…… 23514
Total fiction words for the month……… 33103
Total fiction words for the year………… 98647
Total nonfiction words for the month… 9140
Total nonfiction words for the year…… 40400
Total words for the year (fiction and this blog)…… 139047
Calendar Year 2020 Novels to Date…………………… 2
Calendar Year 2020 Novellas to Date……………… X
Calendar Year 2020 Short Stories to Date… 5
Novels (since Oct 19, 2014)…………………………………… 47
Novellas (since Nov 1, 2015)………………………………… 8
Short stories (since Apr 15, 2014)………………… 201
Short story collections……………………………………………… 31