Welcome to INCOMING BYTES
Is that Incoming I hear?
We want you to THINK…YOUR opinion Matters.
WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE?
Contact us at :
rkmywest@gmail.comPlease Note:
All SPAM IS PROHIBITED.
Search This Blog for:
Check out the Archives
Raymond A Kukkee at:
Follow Us
-
Latest blog !
Recent Comments
-
Read these?
SEARCH This Category
Donate to IncomingBytes.com ?
Donations are much appreciated and used to offset the annual cost of web hosting. Donations are optional and are not required to subscribe to IncomingBytes.com Thank You!
Want YOUR Ad Here?
Contact IncomingBytes.com at rkmywest@gmail.com
Archives
- February 2024
- April 2023
- December 2022
- October 2019
- August 2019
- April 2019
- February 2019
- December 2018
- October 2018
- July 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
Sharing
Gardening with Uncle Mac
Check this out
Amanda Dcosta, views and reviews…
My Writing Life with MJ Logan
Julie Helms with peeps and sheep
Camping out with Jim Bessey
Up in Cloud Nine…
- #atoz
- #authors
- #book reviews
- #books
- #cdnpoli
- #The Fires of Waterland
- #writingLife
- A-Z challenge
- Alice in Wonderland
- AtoZ challenge
- Christmas
- Christy D Birmingham
- civilization
- corporateaucracy
- culture
- Donald Trump
- environment
- ethics
- fanaticism
- gardening
- Gold
- government
- Hillary Clinton
- humanity
- Incoming Bytes
- incomingbytes
- IncomingBytes.com
- ISIL
- Islam
- Justin Trudeau
- life
- Morgidoo's Christmas Carol
- Mother Nature
- politics
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- Raymond Alexander Kukkee
- reality
- reflections
- Rocking Horse Publishing
- Stephen Harper
- terrorism
- Time is broken
- writer's block
- writers
- writing life
The Corner Office
Welcome to INCOMING BYTES
Is that Incoming I hear?
We want you to THINK…YOUR opinion Matters.
WANT TO ADVERTISE HERE?
Contact us at :
rkmywest@gmail.comPlease Note:
All SPAM IS PROHIBITED.
Search This Blog for:
Check out the Archives
Raymond A Kukkee at:
Follow Us
-
Latest blog !
Recent Comments
-
Read these?
SEARCH This Category
Donate to IncomingBytes.com ?
Donations are much appreciated and used to offset the annual cost of web hosting. Donations are optional and are not required to subscribe to IncomingBytes.com Thank You!
Morgidoo’s Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister
Morgidoo’s Christmas Carol: The Bells of Blister 3rd Edition Cover Artwork by Whitewood Forge Publishing All rights reserved. Available at Amazon and other fine bookstores in both eBook and Print
A Timeless Christmas Legend
*For readers of all ages.
“What if bells no longer rang?
In this unique tale, bells do not ring. They have been silent since the Great Silver Bell disappeared hundreds of years earlier -and snow, once as warm as popcorn, turned cold. Villagers may scoff at the old bell ringer and his stories, but Morgidoo Morgan believes the legend, and offers hope as he follows in the footsteps of his father to search for the Great Silver Bell. Will bells ever ring again? Enjoy this unique, timeless classic written to be enjoyed by readers of all ages.https://www.amazon.com/Morgidoos-Christmas-Carol-Bells-Blister/dp/1523683821
Want YOUR Ad Here?
Contact IncomingBytes.com at rkmywest@gmail.com
Distractions
Archives
- February 2024
- April 2023
- December 2022
- October 2019
- August 2019
- April 2019
- February 2019
- December 2018
- October 2018
- July 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
Sharing
Glory Lennon on the gardening life
Gardening with Uncle Mac
Amanda Dcosta, views and reviews…
Do you read small ads?
Check this out
My Writing Life with MJ Logan
The exciting world of Momzinga with Kate Johns
Distractions…
Julie Helms with peeps and sheep
Camping out with Jim Bessey
Up in Cloud Nine…
- #atoz
- #authors
- #book reviews
- #books
- #cdnpoli
- #The Fires of Waterland
- #writingLife
- A-Z challenge
- Alice in Wonderland
- AtoZ challenge
- Christmas
- Christy D Birmingham
- civilization
- corporateaucracy
- culture
- Donald Trump
- environment
- ethics
- fanaticism
- gardening
- Gold
- government
- Hillary Clinton
- humanity
- Incoming Bytes
- incomingbytes
- IncomingBytes.com
- ISIL
- Islam
- Justin Trudeau
- life
- Morgidoo's Christmas Carol
- Mother Nature
- politics
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- Raymond Alexander Kukkee
- reality
- reflections
- Rocking Horse Publishing
- Stephen Harper
- terrorism
- Time is broken
- writer's block
- writers
- writing life
The Corner Office
Category Archives: Publishing
Authors Vote for Freedom
©2016 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee
If you have ever published a book, you know the routine. Publishers beta-read, edit, crop, switch the order of chapters, introduce arbitrary changes , smile like Cheshire cats, —then inflict what they think —or perhaps even believe
In all fairness, let us analyze logically. If your book fails in the marketplace and success expected is not achieved, something is, or was wrong. The question is, what? You have to decide. It is very simple. Sparkling, original content written well, with excellent professional editing work, fault-free publishing, and thoughtful promotion into the right market has a reasonable chance. Was your book a quality offering to the world of readers? We hope so. Was it dreck destined for failure, regardless of your publishing choice? We hope not.
Questions ultimately must then also be asked, 'Are publisher decisions always best for every book project?' Are publishers compatible with every author? Is genre a problem? Timing? Marketing? Did the formatting work? Is success ever guaranteed? Of course not. Are your own publishing decisions right for the project? The correct answer may be based upon circumstance,
Cover art for Morgidoo's Christmas Carol (the Bells of Blister) 3rd Ed. 2016[/caption]
Authors Vote for Freedom and Independence
Today, in significant numbers, authors vote for freedom and independence in a booming trend to by-pass traditional publishers. Migrating to independent methods, it seems authors vote for freedom and independence. Heady stuff.
Why? Change in the industry was inevitable, considering the arrogance, economics, and straight-jacket limitations of traditional publishing. Loss of project control, fine-print contracts, bad editing, deadlines, unrealistic promises of miniscule royalties. As authors in larger numbers move to self-publish, it seems something substantially more important is involved; the underlying wish and dedicated vote for freedom and independence.
Freedom in Voice and Content
If you have ever published a book, you know the routine. Publishers beta-read, edit, crop, switch the order of chapters, introduce arbitrary changes , smile like Cheshire cats, —then inflict what they think —or perhaps even believe—is the best treatment and decision for your book. Even, in the extreme—to forgetting content, adding errors, and altering your unique writer's voice. Hmm.... we have even heard authors using foul invective in discussions on this subject.
Publishers are, after all, as you will be told, the publisher, and marketing experts; wise decisions by such informed persons, by default, should be beneficial upon occasion. Besides, someone has to be the whip-snapping boss. There can be only one flashlight in the dark, one direction, one captain on a ship, blah blah. Regardless of subsequent success, or the dismal sinking thereof.
For some inexplicable reason some writers erroneously accept, imagine or assume that official publishers should automatically be smarter and more knowledgeable than garret-bound, lowly scribblers of fiction or even those genius, highly-respected, bespectacled authors of enormous, non-fiction tomes of significant stuff. You get the idea.
We observe and must concede that sometimes publishers and editors are wrong, or actually prove they are more right and clever. Kudos to shining, diligent, and wise editors when they are right, may their stubby candles at head office always shine brightly. Sadly, being right or 'being in control' does not always guarantee an optimal outcome —for any book.
Does this conundrum sound familiar to you? Has your book publishing experience been a) surprisingly successful, b) produced paper-weights collecting dust , or c) _____? you fill in the blank.
In all fairness, let us analyze logically. If your book fails in the marketplace and success expected is not achieved, something is, or was wrong. The question is, what? You have to decide. It is very simple. Sparkling, original content written well, with excellent professional editing work, fault-free publishing, and thoughtful promotion into the right market has a reasonable chance. Was your book a quality offering to the world of readers? We hope so. Was it dreck destined for failure, regardless of your publishing choice? We hope not.
Questions ultimately must then also be asked, 'Are publisher decisions always best for every book project?' Are publishers compatible with every author? Is genre a problem? Timing? Marketing? Did the formatting work? Is success ever guaranteed? Of course not. Are your own publishing decisions right for the project? The correct answer may be based upon circumstance, karma timing and luck. And a gazillion other factors. Think for yourself. Don't feel bad if you are wrong.
Myriads of simple mistakes are made every day by both authors and publishers —even before that first draft. Wonderful premises may be abandoned by discouraged writers, never to be explored. Publishers may reject a timely, impossibly good manuscript. Writers may ignore the advice of those rare, brilliant, and helpful editors. Equally, bad editors may discourage writers or ignore, miss, and worse, even introduce mistakes. Fantastic authors of potentially stellar works are routinely sent rejection letters —or are told "go take a writing class". Wow—yet happily end up eventually selling millions of copies. Believe it; some excellent books never see daylight. Such contradictions defy logic.
The hard truth is, to publish your book by any method, bravery is required. Publishing a book may be comparable to a crap shoot. Courting Lady Luck. A calculated gamble, perhaps, but still a gamble. Timing is everything —sure, we believe that, but how about quality content, originality, beta input, perception, presentation, reviews, marketing, classification, publishing methodology, sales venues, change in societal markets and reading audiences? ...But don't forget luck. It all counts.
Personalities involved in publishing may also rise, cement, develop, bloom and grow —or clash, fester, and fail with bad communication and people skills. You, the author, —and the publisher —may realistically and justifiably have completely different visions, ideas, and targets for the project. For better or for worse.
Both votes to self-publish and the vote to publish traditionally are incredibly complex choices, —and are only two choices of many which must be made. Hard decisions. It is your book. Your responsibility.
So, what to do? Writers, scribblers, poetic persons and all, if publishing is in your future, pick a straw. The best part is, now you do get to decide. Be brave. We observe that a vote for freedom and independence coincides nicely with a vote for personal satisfaction even if success is optional. Read that again.
Here at Incoming Bytes we say step out there if you dare. One thing is guaranteed...you'll never know until you try. It's called the writing life.
#
UPDATE*
*An update on my most recent publishing project:
I have voted for freedom and independence in republishing Morgidoo's Christmas Carol, —originally published in 2011.
We're now up and running. Morgidoo's Christmas Carol (Subtitled The Bells of Blister, 3rd Edition is now published, in both eBook and print formats available now at Amazon.com
- Print: ISBN 13: 9781523683826 167p., 6"x9" paperback b&w )
- (Kindle eBook format, ASIN: B0063EWU9G Full colour )

©2016 Cover art All rights reserved.
Yes... Christmas, we do observe, may still appear to be 9 months away, —but go for it anyway. Why? Morgidoo's Christmas Carol is classic literature for all seasons. All year. Written to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Adults and publishers included.
Is that Incoming I hear?
Facing Down A Writer’s Dilemma
©2016 by Raymond Alexander Kukkee
[caption id="attachment_3714" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
'The tiny church on Blister Street'[/caption] I thought about that conundrum for quite a while. Reality is an incredibly steep learning curve. Learn by making mistakes

'The tiny church on Blister Street'[/caption]
A Writer's Dilemma
Well, how about that cool winter holiday, people?
It was a long, yes, but somehow, it seemed a whole lot longer. I have been mulling over a writer's dilemma...which, sooner or later, like everything important, must be faced down. Surprisingly difficult decisions must be made in the writing life. Have you made any lately?
Publishing decisions, that is ... Simple? No. A writer's dilemma , two less-than-perfect choices, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Tough choices.
We have been totally distracted here at Incoming Bytes.
Distractions put off decisions, but I tend to digress to allow time to think. Does that happen to you?
Even for the most savvy of writers hard decisions must eventually be made. Get to it, a path must be chosen. We're getting closer.
Let's procrastinate. Coffee anyone? See what happens? Writing is more than coffee, staring at that damned cursor, having discussions with the muse, and petting the pups. Decisions like going independent or renewing existing publishing contracts come up and must be made. To renew or not? To remain with a publisher or not? Drop anchor, or set sail off into a stiff breeze? There 'ya go. Decide already. Facing down a writer's dilemma... is much easier said than done.
Here's the thing; as writers, we collectively desire success; we want someone, anyone-- to actually buy and read our novels, whatever we're scribbling. Being 'out there' pretty as you please on a publisher's website isn't enough. Reality sucks big time; in the starving writer's attic, dollars pay for bread.
We all dream that readers will be interested enough to bust the bank and buy a real book, —a novel, preferably one of our own. Facing reality and the increasing cost of living, writers dream not only of writing a winner, but of actually being paid, too —a lot more than the unrealistic pittance called royalties now offered by publishers. It's a tough game.
In theory the whole process is simple enough; write a great book, find a great publisher, an insanely insatiable, interested community of readers, and sell, sell sell to the right demographics, etc. etc... The book simply has to fill a need and a niche. It seems simple enough, but is not.
Your book must also fulfill expectations. Interpretation of your vision, book classification, publicity, marketing, a timely launch. All of the above. Your book must be unique, well-written, formatted, edited, loved and mollycoddled by your publisher...and then sold all the way to the million copy best-sellers list... Okay. That's quite a lot to ask.
As an author, success and financial returns are only one consideration. Future sales potential, future books, perception of important friendships, the supportive author community —and so many other aspects also occur in an author/publisher business relationship. Simple enough?
What is not simple however, is how, or why, publishers make those all-important and critical production decisions made for your book. Covers, formats, fonts, printing, marketing ploys, write-ups, and ultimately promotions, discount sales, giveaways, whatever. Interpretations and decisions out of your control. Everything a publisher does affects your book; all of these 'production decisions' are critical to success. Do some go astray? We hope not, but, indeed, some inevitably must.
Keep in mind decisions made by publishers are never 'wrong' from the publisher's point of view or master plan at the time... Good publishers have a vision they would like to see fulfilled— they, too, want success for their authors. Does that success always happen? No. Do publishers always make the correct written-in-stone decisions for every author, every book? As the author, guess what? Only you can decide. In addition, some decisions don't seem to work—for whatever the reason.
Let's talk about a specific book. It is a good example. The publishing contract simply expired for my Christmas classic "Morgidoo's Christmas Carol, " so all stops are pulled; it is now top priority even though Christmas is still 10 months away. Am I looking closely at all of the options available? You bet. Including going Indie.
Morgidoo going Indie? Well? Why not? I published the 1st. edition back in 2011 as an eBook. MCC was subsequently picked up by Rocking Horse Publishing for the 2nd Edition (2013).
Why change now? Two Years later...Sales have not been great. Why? For a much-loved Christmas classic written for all ages, a unique story, poor sales were certainly not expected, and realistically, the status quo is not going to cut it. Not enough promotion? Who knows. There can never be enough promotion for any book by author or publisher.
A 'Look at The Book' View
Let's get to it. Out in the market, the contentious square format apparently labeled this Christmas classic as only a child's book —another writer's dilemma —and in fact resulted in negative feedback to this author.
"Great cover, great story, but..." comes to mind. Why? Adults immediately perceive the square format to be a 'kiddie book" product. Subconsciously or not. The surprising fact is, adults apparently do not like square, flimsy, skinny formats which demand table space instead of standing vertically on shelves 'like real books do' as someone suggested, tongue in cheek. Miffed upon hearing that possibility, I did an unofficial experiment.
One of my favourite hobbies is observing people, so during the recent Christmas season, I stood about and, interestingly, observed that shoppers tend to studiously ignore tables loaded with a great variety of "square format" books. "Those are kid's books", some commented. "They're not real books, and are really overpriced for what you get". "I don't buy them for my kids." "I don't bother with them." "I don't have kids." That last comment was reasonable, but the comment "I hate skinny, square books..." was an eye-opening response received from one shopper. Verbatim. "...they're awkward to read, and you have to pile them up somewhere."
That said it all. Fair enough. The square format could potentially be detrimental to the sales of books mature readers might otherwise consider. In marketing, not a happy thought.
I thought about that conundrum for quite a while. Reality is an incredibly steep learning curve. Learn by making mistakes, and don't get paid for it.
Bottom line, I was forced to conclude: "Politically-correct or not, publisher decision or not, the square format was likely a bad choice; perception is everything, the book-buyer makes the ultimate decision, the customer is always right, yada-yada. Time for reality.
Decision Time.
As a result, the 3rd Edition of Morgidoo's Christmas Carol will now be re-edited, re-formatted to it's original vertical format, and coincidentally, will be launched under my own publishing label, (Whitewood Forge Publishing.) New cover, new format, true to the original edition, even subtitled "The Bells of Blister" which was the original file subtitle. But still new.
You got it. New. Reshaped. More consumer-friendly. Will these marketing choices work? Only time will tell.
Morgidoo's Christmas Carol (The Bells of Blister) will be issued both in print and as a Kindle eBook. Be advised the 3rd. edition will look VERY, very different. It will look like the timeless classic it IS...suitable for readers of all ages.
Watch for it........... Coming soon.
How about that. Another writer's dilemma faced down.
Is that Incoming I hear?
Photo credit: © 2016 'The tiny church on Blister Street'
Posted in Books, Business, Life, Publishing, Reflections, Uncategorized, Writing Life
Tagged #books, classics, formats, Morgidoo's Christmas Carol, publishing, The Bells of Blister
2 Comments