As many people know, a good portion of my titles are sold through Amazon. Because of a review on OEM (in the UK), I was forced to not keep my stories on site for long periods of time. Though I sell my books, I am not the heartless bastard people make me out to be. For those who can't afford to buy books on Amazon (I don't need to know the reason, just be honest about the need) all you have to do is send me an email requesting a title and give me an email where I can send it to. Also, several of my titles have made it into the library systems around America, so if it's in print, it might be available (Wrestling Against Myself and But I'm Not A Boy are two titles I am certain of). Don't be shy in asking, there have been plenty of people on site who have helped me with far more than reading material and I am forever grateful.
Also, while I'm here, would it be helpful if TG titles put keywords in the description (bad boy to good girl, appliances attached, real world etc.)
Comments
Not a Tinman
BC is just like any other commercial endeavor in a least one way; at the end of the day the sum total of all activities must equal a fiscal positive, or it will soon perish.
The engine that makes BC a marketing engine is its traffic. That traffic is largely generated by unique, relevant content, which is the case with most websites.
Unique, relevant content is attracted to BC by 1.) The overall positive environment for writers, 2.) The quality of the site (including its technical performance) and 3.) The opportunity for writers to present their stories to an appreciative audience.
People can contribute to the success of this site in a number of ways, which feed the above three attributes.
Readers can show their appreciation by commenting and leaving kudos.
Staff and volunteers can do the necessary to provide a quality experience for both readers and writers.
Authors can post content.
Readers and writers can donate money, as they're able. Or, they can help the site develop revenue through other ventures.
No . . . Katie, there is insufficient proof here to call you heartless. From my understanding of the organization you're providing quite a lot of backroom talent. Only you and Erin really know if what you benefit from BC is offset by what you've done in the past and what you're now doing. You and I have been on this site a very long time. I'm aware that you helped build this site into what it is today with your early writing, as did I and many others. Those who have come to the site in the last five to ten years might not understand that history.
I would hope that all the others who are using BC as a marketing tool for online sales would understand the simple math involved. If you're going to benefit from BC's traffic, the smart thing to do is to add to its ability to DRAW TRAFFIC. Many writers have used BC to hone their craft. Those writers might owe a debt of gratitude to BC.
Everyone must do their part. Erin has a LOT to do every day. Much of that work is positive, which is why she does what she does. Begging for money is NOT positive. It is draining drudge work to have to come to us with her hand out every month. If everyone did their part she wouldn't have to do that.
Maybe BC should consider a Rule #4 Do Your Part.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
I'm going to be completely
I'm going to be completely honest, being that these days I don't have much money, and have to spend it carefully, I'm not always able to support the authors I want (or able to support the site as I would love to)... so I will admit to having made my own copy of Unreachable from the posts on this site.
I wish I could support you with more than comments and kudos but some days that's all I have :/
(... I will admit that I will skip lunch at work a couple of days to get the next gaby book, but... it's rough being low on income)
BC/authors
I prefer to support BC over individual Authors. Many of the authors, I really enjoy have no commercial product, and donating to BC is supporting all of them. I like and enjoy Katie's work, but the self promotion gets tiresome.
Certainly appreciate the direct support...
But I do not think that promoting a book once a week or so can be seen as excessive self promotion by any of our authors. It certainly can't be as annoying as me reposting the same begging blog three or four times a week; at least, it isn't as burdensome to ME. :)
There's also the fact that I specifically created the blog function originally so that authors COULD promote work done elsewhere, including books for sale. And I modify all links to Amazon so that BC gets a 5-7% commission on sales.
And most of the authors promoting their books here are also giving behind the scenes to BC.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
I don't think
I don't think your a heartless money grubbing *itch. I haven't been employed in a year and a half. I can't afford my meds or any thing that makes me feel like myself, but reading your works helps me feel less dead. If I could i would sing your praises and the praises of those BC authors I know on amazon. Without this site and its great authors I be in a darker place then I am right now. I wish all those that are able to sell their works the best of luck and fortune. Please don't give up keep trying be that light I and others need to survive just one more day. be good and be safe all of you.
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.
Mark Twain.
Leigh Veritas