01-16-2011, 06:57 PM | #76 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
|
My new website: Indie eBook 'Hall of Fame'
As an off-shoot of my review blog, I have set up a webpage to highlight the best of the best indie books bloggers (not just me!) are recommending. In order to get on the page, a book must be available in more than one format and must have been reviewed (and recommended) by at least THREE bloggers (and I don't mean just Amazon or Smashwords reviews, I mean proper write-ups from indie book blogs!)
On my cursory pass of my own blog and several others I follow, I came up with almost a dozen to start things off. I am *sure* I missed some; only so much time in the day, and I'm not sure I am aware of every blog out there. But I am hoping that savvy authors who are keeping tabs on their own stuff will bookmark my site (and share the URL with others) so that if they have a book that qualifies, they can let me know and I can add it. I want to stress, this is not just books appearing on my own blog---it's meant to represent the entire ebook reviewing community. So if I am missing any info, just let me know and I'll add it. For the bloggers, I have also added an 'Almost' Page. This will be for books someone reviews which they love and really feel is worthy, but which doesn't have three reviews yet. Other bloggers can check this page if they are trolling for a new read and can pick up one of the 'almost there' books. And of course, if your are a blogger who has reviewed a book which merits a spot on the 'almost' page, you can contact me as well and let me add it. I hope the website will grow and that people will find it a useful resource. Once again, the site is here and feel free to share it. |
01-17-2011, 03:24 PM | #77 |
Dreamer
Posts: 112
Karma: 501282
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Device: kindle
|
I've started a new blog here. On it I will be discussing my work on the sequel to Hemlock and the Wizard Tower, and I will also be sharing general musings from my day to day life. The blog is called "B Throwsnaill's Doggerel".
My first post features a brief discussion on the impact of the existence of advanced alien intelligence, which is a reaction to an entertaining (linked) video on the same topic. |
01-17-2011, 08:58 PM | #78 | |
Addict
Posts: 215
Karma: 1930065
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Device: PRS-350, Kindle 2
|
Quote:
|
|
01-17-2011, 09:26 PM | #79 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
|
LOL yeah, I just finished it. Also wrote a loooooong post on the blog clarifying some things about my review process. With the re-design of my sidebar so my email address is more prominent, and a new plug from Mark Coker on Smashwords, I have been inundated, and some authors don't seen to be understanding that 'yes, I am interested in reviewing your book' does not necessarily mean 'the review will be up, and fame/fortune will subsequently follow, by 5 pm today.'
|
01-17-2011, 09:32 PM | #80 |
Addict
Posts: 215
Karma: 1930065
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Device: PRS-350, Kindle 2
|
yeah, I saw that on the site updates and had a feeling you might be getting a "few" extra emails!
|
01-18-2011, 05:11 PM | #81 |
All round good egg
Posts: 229
Karma: 1005039
Join Date: Oct 2008
Device: Apple Ipad 3rd Generation
|
This is my website & Blog. In an attempt to over come my writers block on my latest short story, I have started blogging about my life.
Checkout www.hudston.co.uk the blog can be found by clicking on the myblog link on the left. |
01-18-2011, 06:29 PM | #82 |
Romance Reader & Writer
Posts: 3
Karma: 10000
Join Date: Jan 2011
Device: kindle, nook, ipad
|
Giving away a Nook Color on Feb 1!
Just wanted to let everyone know that I am currently running a Nook Color raffle & I will be giving one away on February 1st! Details on entering are on my website - www.BellaAndre.com.
Bella |
01-19-2011, 05:12 PM | #83 |
Sparks fly off my pages!
Posts: 123
Karma: 250002
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Device: Kindle
|
Matt Williams, author of Jak Phoenix, interviewed us. Quite enjoyable
We are still getting ads posted and we certainly appreciate everyone who has hopped on the BookBarista train! Don't forget - How To Post An Ad. This is always helpful to keep the site flowing. We have just about filled our advertising slots on the homepage. We have 1 or 2 more openings for February (free). UPDATE: Advertising spots on the homepage have been filled for February. Thanks! Last edited by Dodge; 01-19-2011 at 10:01 PM. |
01-20-2011, 09:24 AM | #84 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 25
Karma: 514012
Join Date: Jan 2011
Device: Kindle
|
I just started a blog at The Written Works of Brad Chambers. Planning to post short stories before I publish them.
|
01-20-2011, 09:34 AM | #85 |
Addict
Posts: 309
Karma: 500370
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bangkok
Device: kindle
|
|
01-22-2011, 06:00 AM | #86 |
It's Dr. Penguin now!
Posts: 3,909
Karma: 4705733
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: (USA)
Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)
|
It's time for a new GIVEAWAY! yaay! This one is for the 9th installment in the Jason Dark series. Check it out on my blog!
(I've also put up several book reviews since we last "spoke" I'm averaging a review every 2-3 days) |
01-22-2011, 01:22 PM | #87 |
Enthusiast
Posts: 29
Karma: 520356
Join Date: Jan 2011
Device: Kindle
|
I have been a blogger for a few years, but I recently created a site dedicated to eReader reviews. I still have a lot more to add, but it is a start.
eReader Reviews |
01-22-2011, 02:12 PM | #88 |
Are the stars right yet?
Posts: 209
Karma: 250270
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Newfoundland
Device: none
|
A bit of short nonsense today on the blog tour, at Learnmegood
http://learnmegood2.blogspot.com/201...blog-stop.html If you post a comment on this blog post between now and the end of February you'll be entered in a draw to win a free Kindle loaded with all the books I have published with Generation Next Publications |
01-22-2011, 02:14 PM | #89 | |
Enthusiast
Posts: 29
Karma: 520356
Join Date: Jan 2011
Device: Kindle
|
Quote:
|
|
01-22-2011, 03:50 PM | #90 |
Zealot
Posts: 140
Karma: 379182
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Charleston, SC
Device: Kindle for PC
|
Indie Book Review: Michael Sullivan's The Crown Conspiracy
Hello All,
I write a blog (To Publish Or Not To) and review indie books there. Here's the latest review: I'd like to introduce you to The Crown Conspiracy (The Riyria Revelations) by Michael Sullivan. This is a six book series revolving around a fantasy world and the goings on therein. The Crown Conspiracy is book one in this series, and, having read it, I'm looking forward to books two through six. I may sound a little hard in the coming paragraphs of this review, and I want to explain something up front, the Crown Conspiracy is a wonderful bit of old-school sword and sorcery (though this particular book was a bit light on magic) fantasy. If, like me, you grew up in the days DragonLance and Forgotten Realms, this story feels like an overdue homecoming. Let me begin with the good: the writing is lovely, detailed enough to let you know what is going on, who is doing it, and why, without falling into the Anne Rice trap of describing everything in such painstaking detail you want to skip pages or fall asleep. The Crown Conspiracy is a very carefully written book. One of the lessons I learned as a writer was 'if it's not vital to the plot, leave it out.' Writers don't always do that. Indie writers really don't always do that. I had a few spots through the story where I was thinking, 'and we're reading this why?' but all but one of those threads eventually got wound back into the story. No matter how obscure a bit of the story may feel when you are reading it, there's a reason for it, and I like that very much. That also means you need to pay attention to everything that happens, what looks like a throwaway line will come back and be important later. I loved the main characters. Loved how they played off of each other. There is a sort of well done buddy film feel to this book. Royce and Hadrian genuinely like each other, making it easier for the readers to like them. We got enough back story so we didn't feel lost, but enough tantalizing details were left just out of reach to whet your appetite for more tales of Royce and Hadirian. That can be a hard balance to pull off, and Sullivan did a lovely job with it. He also pulled off another trick of the master writer, secondary characters that feel real, but don't clog up the story with unimportant back story. Now for the less good: I can't call it bad, because it's not, but because the rest of the story is so strong little bits like this stick out. This book has one mystery, 'Who murdered the king?' As the book begins, the only thing we know for sure is that Hadrian and Royce didn't do it. Beyond that we're left in the dark. And being in the dark works, it's good to go through the possible options and rule them in or out. Then we go beyond 'in the dark' into intentionally misled by the author. He dangles little bits of story in front of us to make us think one thing, and then whips them out from under us when he finally lets us know what's up. There's an almost sucker punch sensation when we find out what is actually going on because of the way the story is set up. Like the misdirection was written purely for the purpose of misdirection. Sullivan wrote a very complex climax to the Crown Conspiracy. There are at least six lines of point of view he switches between as he keeps building the tension. Some of this is very gratifying, very clever. One of the points of view is a bit annoying. When you're that close to finishing up you don't want to suddenly break away to a point of view of a character who was last mentioned three hundred pages earlier for a few paragraphs and then dies two pages later. It would be like watching Return of the King, getting to the battle for Mordor, and then slipping away for two minutes to see what Arwen is up to. She might be doing something really interesting, but unless you're a diehard fan, you're going to fast forward to get back to the action. However, once the book gets back to the action... Oh yeah, it's so worth it. Sullivan has given us a fantastic first course, balancing the elements of his composition almost flawlessly, putting just enough on the plate to leave you feeling satisfied but still wanting more. Lucky for all of us hungering for the next course, Avempartha, book two, is already out. |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Promote Your Blog Thread moved? | Fbone | Feedback | 2 | 07-10-2012 10:51 AM |
Mobile Read Guest Blog at Angry Robot Website | LeeH | News | 11 | 06-05-2009 05:14 PM |