An experiment in self-publishing.

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:48 am

So, I wrote a book over the summer and just put it up on Amazon (for Kindle).

It's called "The Dead City Gambit". It's a basic fantasy, and you can read it on your computer by getting the free "Kindle for PC" program if you don't have a Kindle.

I priced it at $2.99 because Amazon gives a lot less favorable terms when you price lower, but it's also available in worldwide distribution in the various versions of Amazon.

It's my first novel, so I expect some negative reviews, but I figured some Denners might be curious enough to give it a shot.

Wish me luck!

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:31 am

Is this the book?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Dead-City-Gam ... 648&sr=1-1

===================
This links to the PC reader installer:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/r ... 1000426311

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:33 am

Avoraciopoctules wrote:Is this the book?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Dead-City-Gam ... 648&sr=1-1

===================
This links to the PC reader installer:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/r ... 1000426311

Yup.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:13 am

Bought it. I feel a tiny bit paranoid about this new software, but I definitely have access to the file. How easy would it be to transfer this onto another computer? I'd like to read this on the BART train tomorrow.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:39 am

A couple of pages in. Actiony start gets my attention, but I wince a bit at the descriptions of the Sorcerer using his Sorcerous Sorcery. Could use a few synonyms.

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:33 am

Avoraciopoctules wrote:Bought it. I feel a tiny bit paranoid about this new software, but I definitely have access to the file. How easy would it be to transfer this onto another computer? I'd like to read this on the BART train tomorrow.

Mmmm, I don't know. I will totally look into that.

I did overuse the word "sorcery," but I was trying really hard to not use "magic" at all. Describing new and interesting ways to say "fire" was also a challenge.

Still, feedback is good. Thanks.

Fuchs · Post by **Fuchs** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 11:03 am

I bought it, but I am not sure when I'll get aorund to read it.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:42 pm

Good luck with it, K.

RiotGearEpsilon · Post by **RiotGearEpsilon** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:00 pm

I bought it. If it fails me, I'll make fun of you on the internet, as is the way of the Den.

Surgo · Post by **Surgo** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 6:08 pm

It appears to be free for me since I have Amazon Prime -- how do you personally get money when I go about reading it? Because that's my new weekend plan.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:36 pm

In that instant, he saw that the thing's wide blade was white like one of the Dead City vases with edges so thing they were almost transparent.

K, Keith (2012-01-29). The Dead City Gambit (Kindle Locations 1033-1034). . Kindle Edition.

Lots of errors like this as I make my way further into the book. Probably a spell-check gone awry. I imagine a professional editor is pricy, but you could probably recruit a free proofreader or two, and the book would benefit from it.

But it's fairly entertaining so far. Found a few ideas I'm likely to repurpose next time I start working on an RPG scenario.

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:01 pm

Surgo wrote:It appears to be free for me since I have Amazon Prime -- how do you personally get money when I go about reading it? Because that's my new weekend plan.

There is this weird thing where every copy that gets lent or gotten on Amazon Prime gets me a proportional share of a $600K pot (at least for the next 90 days).

Since my book is competing against bestsellers and every other self-publisher, I don't expect much. That's what makes this an experiment.

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:06 pm

Avoraciopoctules wrote:
In that instant, he saw that the thing's wide blade was white like one of the Dead City vases with edges so thing they were almost transparent.

K, Keith (2012-01-29). The Dead City Gambit (Kindle Locations 1033-1034). . Kindle Edition.
Lots of errors like this as I make my way further into the book. Probably a spell-check gone awry. I imagine a professional editor is pricy, but you could probably recruit a free proofreader or two, and the book would benefit from it.

But it's fairly entertaining so far. Found a few ideas I'm likely to repurpose next time I start working on an RPG scenario.

I take the blame for those kinds of mistakes.

I lost a thumb drive with the entire draft at the local community college where I take a couple of classes, so I cut short the editing process because I was afraid that someone would steal my entire novel.

I'm trying to figure out how to reload a corrected draft, and if that draft gets to people who have already bought it.

name_here · Post by **name_here** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:15 pm

My experience with the complete works of Brandon Sanderson on the Nook would indicate that copy-editing on E-books is just completely shot. Each book seems to have distinct systemic errors, like italicizing entire paragraphs containing thoughts, or inserting a space before the '-er' in comparatives.

So that's probably where a number of such issues come from, beyond editing issues.

K · Post by K » Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:31 pm

Ok, so there is a method to re-upload the HTML file. If anyone wants to note any errors, I'll make corrections.

Anyone recommend a free and good HTML editor? Otherwise, I'll be doing it in Word.

Post by **fbmf** » Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:17 pm

Is there an e-self-publishing NOOK option, or is this just a Kindle thing?

Game On,
fbmf

K · Post by K » Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:13 am

fbmf wrote:Is there an e-self-publishing NOOK option, or is this just a Kindle thing?

Game On,
fbmf

There is, but I can't use it for 90 days. Part of the deal where I get some extremely tiny bit of the $600K for this month for lent copies and Amazon Prime free copies is that I agree to not publish anywhere else during the 90 days.

I'm going to read over the deal at Barnes and Noble and see if they are any better.

I feel kind of sad that I'm actually using what I learned in Contracts and Copyright Law to figure out the little ways these guys nibble down royalties.

Amazon and BnN are currently in a junkyard fight where they are being dicks to each other, so time will tell which is the better option.

fectin · Post by **fectin** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:10 am

TANSTAAFL. You get dramatically lowered barriers to entry instead.

It is super-duper easy to transfer purchases between kindle devices, by the way.

DSMatticus · Post by **DSMatticus** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:33 am

fectin wrote:TANSTAAFL. You get dramatically lowered barriers to entry instead.

I don't think that's fair. Their lunch is probably quite bountiful and complete. To follow a proverb about lunch with one about dessert; part of the wonder of technology is that at some point you should be able to have your cake and eat it too.

Surgo · Post by **Surgo** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:36 am

Disappointing to hear that you wouldn't see much of the "read it free" deal. How about I just read it free and then wire you three bucks.

K · Post by K » Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:11 am

Surgo wrote:Disappointing to hear that you wouldn't see much of the "read it free" deal. How about I just read it free and then wire you three bucks.

Don't worry about the three bucks.

Read it. If you like it, post a review or give me some feedback on fixing the typos.

Having someone use the Amazon Prime feature will give me a data point. I mean, if I see $0.10 from that one read, then I'll know how roughly big the pool is (6 million lends in that example) and I'll be able to make an informed choice.

K · Post by K » Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:25 am

Oh, and thanks to everyone who purchased it. It's been mighty strange to have something up and selling.

Post by **fbmf** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:56 am

K wrote:
fbmf wrote:Is there an e-self-publishing NOOK option, or is this just a Kindle thing?

Game On,
fbmf
There is, but I can't use it for 90 days. Part of the deal where I get some extremely tiny bit of the $600K for this month for lent copies and Amazon Prime free copies is that I agree to not publish anywhere else during the 90 days.

I'm going to read over the deal at Barnes and Noble and see if they are any better.

Let me know. I own a NOOK and would purchase if it was a (reasonably priced) option.

Game On,
fbmf

erik · Post by **erik** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:18 pm

As soon as I have some good work news I'll certainly grab it on Amazon. Too bad my free Amazon Prime expired on the 25th.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:54 pm

I bought the book and I'll try to read it this weekend. I'll try to also proofread it. But the second part might not happen based on what activities my wife has planned for the family. But, I'll help if I can.