Independent writers are reporting in FaceBook groups a new culling of their 5-star reviews is underway on Amazon. Other reviews are blocked before they even appear on the book's page. Yes, that's indie authors' 5-stars again. I guess if it happened to J.K. Rowling, there'd be a batch of 5-star corporate lawyers knocking on Amazon's …
Tag: Publishing
Getting Hissed
Can you hear that? No, you probably can’t. But I can. Tinnitus: ringing or buzzing in the ears. That definition just does not do it justice in my case. A concentration-shattering, perpetual whistling, more like. A shrill, hissing, sibilant, headache-inducing screeching that eases off to a whispering susurration at times. Or maybe you can hear …
Back in the Saddle
Belated Happy New Year! It's been a while since I blogged. No, it wasn't the longest coffee break ever. To be honest, I've had enough medical, legal, and dentistry distractions to set me back more than a few months, but I'm bouncing back! Anyway, I had to put my writing and publication on hold, …
A Cocktail And A Straight Scotch
Well, have I been busy, or what? BEYOND NOW A collection of published Science Fiction and Fantasy short stories ideal for December gifting. A short-fiction cocktail transporting the reader through the realms of YA, space opera, horror, time travel, post-apocalyptic Earth, alien contact, fantasy, and the undefinable... Wherever these stories take you, it's beyond the here …
Happy News/Strange News
Happy News #1 Had a great time at the UK's annual Sci-Fi and Fantasy Convention (Follycon) in Harrogate. Met some old friends and made some new ones. Learned a lot and had a few new ideas sparked. Delighted to say that my friend David Allan got his first publishing contract. Congrats, David! Happy News #2 …
PARADISI CHRONICLES & NEWS
NEW MUST-HAVE PARADISI CHRONICLES RELEASES (details below) As my regular readers know, my JANUS PARADISI series takes place in an open-source sci-fi universe. A what? Essentially, a group of authors agreed on the backstory and main features of a time and place where all action will occur, then write their own stories within those parameters. These stories …
The Price of Fame
Over the past couple of weeks, I've been running an Instafreebie promotion (where science fiction readers sign up to my newsletter and receive a free copy of my novel, "FACES OF JANUS"). Then Google Alerts notified me that the novel was available on a few pirate sites. I checked and found that one site claimed not …
JANUS PARADISI
A sci-fi series set in the shared universe of Paradisi Chronicles... Paradise is a ride away - if you survive the journey. Read the first chapter of FACES OF JANUS here. In FACES OF JANUS, Angel Flores' security agents uncover the lie behind Earth's greatest corporate conspiracy. They fight for places on humanity's incredible journey. Her lover, Zag, …
What’s With Wattpad?
I heard a few good things about Wattpad during 2014. Wikipedia (December 20, 2016) says... "Wattpad is an online storytelling community where users post written works such as articles, stories, fan fiction, and poems, either through the website or the mobile app... As of April 2014: [Yes, 2014] 85% of its traffic and usage comes from …
How To Spot A Winner
Last time, I considered "Failing To Spot A Winner" in the entertainment industry. Now, let's look at the reverse of the coin. How To Spot "Potential Success" Today, a publisher will assess the potential of an unknown author's manuscript by checking "Social Network Following", before glancing at the work. The assumption is that a huge …
Andy McKell, Speculative Fiction Author 
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