How Not To Write, Publish and Promote your Book (Book) - 1/15/2017 9:00:10 AM
I appreciate your honesty and willingness to put yourself out there and peddle your, "little book." Enjoyed the video.
I don't understand why so many authors think that they can make money writing books. Most writers make their money through writing on their jobs. That writing may or may not contribute to writing ability as an independent author. Everyone has talent. But some may be deceived by praise they received or other, sometimes self delusions, that they can be a novel writer or make money from their poetry.
For most authors, including the famous ones, it takes years of writing books, self-promotion and name recognition before they make any money. There are always a few lucky ones who make a name for themselves from a single book, but that is rare.
I agree with you that YouTube can be used to get your self out there and noticed. Way back when, around 2000 I placed MyTube on my website where I have all my videos--not promotional. They get very little traffic. Recently, I did a little promo for my friend's movie, and that is on YouTube.
Ron
A Different Christmas Present (Short Story) - 12/13/2014 9:46:17 AM
A unique Christmas gift, that's for sure. Is this a true story?
Ron
Honest Reviews? (Article) - 6/1/2016 3:55:55 AM
Thanks for raising this issue, Alex. Having our work read is the second (after the actual writing) most important reason for putting a piece 'out there' - after that we don't have much control. Being able to thwart those who'd prey on us, though, is almost as good as finding those who actually like our efforts.
Honest Reviews? (Article) - 6/10/2015 8:36:07 AM
I wonder if you've heard of Harriet Klausner. She was the number one reviewer on Amazon for years. She posted as many as twenty reviews a day. There were times when we reviewed the same book. Either she skimmed the book or she made it up, because it didn't sound like the book I read. My biggest gripe is that this kind of thing works, not necessarily for sales, but for the reviewer. If they can get their review spotlighted on the front page, people will vote for them, and they do vote for five-star reviews, especially if it's a favorite writer. Apparently Amazon now has a first-come-first served policy. Any fool can order the book, revise the synopsis and be one of the first to post. Some of them have thousands of votes. Amazon doesn't even require that the reviewer read the book. I always try to tell a little bit of the story to show that I did, and I've been accused of writing a spoiler review. If you read professional reviews in the newspapers, they often tell enough of the story so the reader knows what it's about. I try to look at the review that Amazon provides on top of the page. If the book is a dog, they'll tell you so.
Dave
Honest Reviews? (Article) - 6/3/2015 7:49:15 AM
I was recently approached by a very persuasive woman with a very characteristic English accent who told me that she wanted to "brand" me as an author. One of the several things she mentioned that her "team of experts" would do for me was to give my book(s) high-quality "professional" reviews… All for a very steep price. After she got quite pushy, I declined her services quite un-politely. She did say that I needed at least 15 reviews for each book in order to place highly as an author at Amazon. Hence the need for reviews… Good, bad or ugly.
I've learned that very few authors have a hit with their first book. The middle road to success generally amounts to many books, articles, and stories and 10 years or more of exposure for author recognition. Regardless of what friends and family say about your writing, the only measure of true success can only come from recognition by complete strangers who like what is written. However, determining what is good taste is in the eye of the reader, and that varies a lot.
We have to put our works out there for people to find them. Having so many poorly written books published by POD and e-book charlatans who do not edit books anymore affects everyone who publishes. The cream will rise to the top, but it may be like finding a needle in a haystack amid all the trash that is being generated.
Ron
Je Suis Charlie? ¿Yo soy Charlie? (Article) - 2/6/2015 12:27:13 PM
I would add "respect for what? Respect to whom?" When murderers run rampant and kill in the name of religion, satire is a very soft response. Jihadist extremists want the right to believe and to practice their religion, also to kill anyone who has the temerity to mock them. Je suis Charlie.
Je Suis Charlie? ¿Yo soy Charlie? (Article) - 1/20/2015 7:54:26 AM
A difficult subject well treated, Mr. Canton-Dutari. But most of us seem to have a misunderstanding about 'respect' ... it means, among other things, to give 'special' or 'high' regard, to 'refrain from interfering with' - in other words, to raise up above oneself. This concept is in direct conflict with individual rights, especially if that (in this case religion) which is being respected does not respect individual rights and is hell bent on 'saving' the world into its own image. One is able to 'believe' in whatever institution or theory or fable one pleases, but cannot shirk responsibility for defending its precepts. Rather, I would see each of us embrace self-respect, a dignity which requires that we defend the rights of all other individuals but hold no institution above us. My 'pie in the sky' notion could get me killed, I suppose, as could claiming a stick figure resembles this or that savior - a thing which no one living can possible know. Yet to point this out could be called 'disrespectful', couldn't it? Thanks for sticking your neck out.
Je Suis Charlie? ¿Yo soy Charlie? (Article) - 1/20/2015 7:53:50 AM
It's tough balancing the line between satire and disrespect. Disagreement is natural and should be accepted. Freedom of speech allows hypocrisy to be unveiled, but it does not allow the advocacy of hatred and violence. And even hatred should be allowed to be vented so that it can be seen by all for what it is. But for speech to be censored or silenced and those expressing their opinions in words or art to be desecrated or treated with violence, is unconscionable.
We must all work together to open up the world to differences of opinion without resorting to violence for its expression. Those few people of strict belief who restrict the lives of others to the point of death, need to be isolated and removed from society, for they are nothing more than dangerous cults. Cults that operate under the name of religion are the worst kind.
Ron
Women write better erotica? (Article) - 11/29/2014 11:30:43 AM
That's interesting. I haven't read it but I'm told that 50 Shades of Grey, a bestseller, is very badly written. Most of the erotica that I've read in Playboy was written by men… Some graphic and some not. I have written explicitly and graphically in a couple of my novels. My mother read them and didn't chastise me. If it's a good story, the manner of sexual behavior exhibited may be less important than the story. On the other hand, in history whenever a story broke some preconceived taboo, the novel became a bestseller just because it featured that aspect of sex.
Ron
A cure of homosexuality = Sex Change? (Article) - 11/9/2014 9:13:36 AM
I had a coworker who, apparently, was transgender and underwent a sex change. He/she and I left work about the same time, but she/he has not kept in touch with me, except to let me know that she/he has not been able to obtain work. I certainly hope that she/he is not contemplating suicide.
Ron
Peculiarities of my country / Peculiaridades de mi país (Article) - 11/4/2014 7:38:35 AM
Thank you for writing in English. My Spanish is no too good. ;-)
I think your older sister is full of it! However, my recollection of the way that the Isthmus of Panama is positioned, the Panama Canal coming from the Atlantic Ocean actually goes eastward to reach the Pacific Ocean! Anyone who would question that just needs to look at the map because the narrow strip of land connecting North and South America curves northward at Panama and then turns southward again, creating the phenomena of the sun appearing to rise in the west (over the Pacific Ocean) when it is still rising in the east. And, when the sun sets over the Atlantic, it's not setting over the east, but the west, even though we think of the Atlantic Ocean being in the east.
It's amazing how many people don't know geography, can't read a map and don't know what direction north, south, east, and west are. Everyone's starting to rely on GPS to tell them where they are. If we lose our innate ability to find our way and know the clues to direction, our survival capability is reduced.
Ron
Grandfather's Ramblings / Comentarios del Abuelo (Article) - 11/2/2014 5:40:47 AM
well said, you give me a chance to practice reading Spanish! I'm not very fluent, but it helps to keep it going, and trying to translate first and then read the English helps!
gracias, la maestro del ninos in California para 20+ anos
Grandfather's Ramblings / Comentarios del Abuelo (Article) - 11/1/2014 12:27:52 PM
I don't have any children, but I'm not lonely. In fact, I often enjoy being alone. My twin brother, on the other hand, has recently lost his wife to a tragic accident. He has expressed a desire to come to see me and a daughter, over 1000 miles away. That was something he didn't seem to do when he was tied up with his wife and her family that was always around.
I sense that he is lonelier now and I will try to make him feel good when he comes.
Ron
Pre-sleep check / Revisión Pre-sueño (Article) - 10/29/2014 11:41:02 AM
I hated Vick's Vaporub when my mother tried to rub it on me when I was a kid and I still do. I'll never let anybody rub that foul-smelling, burning concoction on my body, and most of all, my nose.
Ron
Refuge / Refugio (Poetry) - 6/15/2015 8:52:10 AM
Reads like, "whatever turns you on."
Ron
Endless Life / Permanencia (Poetry) - 6/4/2015 4:02:27 AM
It does help the hurt to know this insight ~
Blessings,
Christine
Endless Life / Permanencia (Poetry) - 6/2/2015 9:11:06 AM
I hope you are write... oops, I meant write "right." Lol! Seriously, I do hope you are right. I have written from my soul for a long time. Love and peace,
Regis
Ghetto / Arrabal (Poetry) - 6/2/2015 9:09:38 AM
Your poem attests to the fact that sometimes, very few words can have a lot of effect. Thank you, Alex. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Endless Life / Permanencia (Poetry) - 5/28/2015 10:32:44 AM
The same existential thought that I have. The only thing we have left after we're gone is what we have written. Some will dissolve in the well of neglect and some will shine and lead others to a higher plane.
Ron
Fatherhood / Paternidad (Poetry) - 5/19/2015 3:06:40 PM
Short but most powerfully evocative verses that make me think about my "fatherhood" and now, a grandpa for the first time. Thank you, Alex. Love and peace,
Regis
Sleep / Sueño (Poetry) - 5/19/2015 3:05:08 PM
There is much expressed in this succinct poem, Alex. Thank you for sharing. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/16/2015 6:10:07 AM
I know what you mean...well done...Hugsss
Future / Futuro (Poetry) - 5/12/2015 6:49:31 AM
Meaningful words, Alex. I love Spanish. I do not speak it fluently but I know enough to "get by." I understood this before I read the English. Thank you for sharing. Love and peace,
Regis
My Boy / Mi Hijo (Poetry) - 5/12/2015 6:48:16 AM
Powerful in meaning intended and shared through so few words. Well done, Alex. Love and peace to you,
Regis
Senses / Sentidos (Poetry) - 5/12/2015 6:47:20 AM
You express a great deal with an economy of words, Alex. Well done! Love and peace,
Regis
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/11/2015 4:10:38 PM
Succinct and yet very evocative and thought-inciting. Thank you for sharing, Alex. Love and peace (amor y paz),
Regis
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/8/2015 7:33:47 AM
I prefer the light of day. My dreams are sorting all the experiences of the days before, putting some in long-term memory and discarding others. Everything else seems to be just "poetic" to me.
Ron
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/8/2015 6:01:13 AM
some dreams are the darkness in the light
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/7/2015 5:06:52 PM
Dreams used to be the light. Now Jesus is the light in my darkness.
Dreams. /. sueños (Poetry) - 5/7/2015 2:02:36 PM
Sounds about right to me.
Senses / Sentidos (Poetry) - 5/3/2015 7:58:36 AM
Gives me that "burning feeling," though… ;-)
Seriously, pain certainly does extinguish passion.
Ron
Senses / Sentidos (Poetry) - 5/2/2015 2:08:29 PM
Yup. Pain can absolutely consume the fire and eventually extinguish it.
Senses / Sentidos (Poetry) - 5/2/2015 1:25:19 PM
I like this...
Is this about hidden aspects of ourselves?
Owning our projections?
Blessings,
Christine
Flower / Flor (Poetry) - 4/27/2015 5:51:10 PM
It's the delicate process of raising a Bonsái... It is almost painful.
Future / Futuro (Poetry) - 4/27/2015 8:36:52 AM
And probably is.
Ron
My Boy / Mi Hijo (Poetry) - 4/26/2015 8:32:20 AM
Wow! So few words and so much truth.
My Boy / Mi Hijo (Poetry) - 4/25/2015 9:14:07 AM
Sons grow tall.
Ron
Sleep / Sueño (Poetry) - 3/29/2015 8:57:39 AM
What a dreary place for old age. At least one has a cocoon.
Ron
Sleep / Sueño (Poetry) - 3/26/2015 5:07:30 AM
From films about London I've seen, I don't believe I could deal with the miserable weather.
Sleep / Sueño (Poetry) - 3/26/2015 3:17:28 AM
lovely write...
Sleep / Sueño (Poetry) - 3/25/2015 10:38:14 PM
Nice write. I been to London and lived in Buckden, Hunts for three long years. The people were warm and friendly but the weather almost brought me to tears...
Fatherhood / Paternidad (Poetry) - 3/24/2015 7:45:12 AM
And probably will think of her that way, even after she has grandchildren of her own.
Ron
Flower / Flor (Poetry) - 3/12/2015 7:36:46 AM
For some reason I don't like the metaphor. Control?
Ron
Sun / Sol (Poetry) - 3/11/2015 2:44:15 PM
no innocence to one who so inflamed
Sun / Sol (Poetry) - 3/10/2015 4:50:54 AM
And the source of life. It's all in the perception.
Ron
Please... Por favor (Poetry) - 2/27/2015 8:27:19 AM
In my memory banks a great set of peepers is flashing "yes,
go for it." Of course my memory sometimes deceives me, or
vice versa. Your interpretation is much better.
Please... Por favor (Poetry) - 2/27/2015 7:44:16 AM
Only when you kiss. It's always nice to have someone so close that you can see your reflection in their eyes.
Ron
The Game... The Poor / El Juego de los Pobres (Poetry) - 11/4/2014 8:40:02 AM
You are right about major sports attractions (and their players' high pay) as being the poor man's amusement. I never get understand why people get so emotional and caught up in simple games like this, as though they have no other life.
Ron
