Think you chose that book you’re reading?

Do you ever feel like a particular book is everywhere? Sometimes it seems everyone is reading that one book. And now you have to read it too. Because otherwise you’re missing out or being left behind. But is everyone really reading it? Or has the hype been artificially created?

Here’s how to tell if you’re falling for created book hype. And some suggestions for what you can do about it.

1 – Paid Review Services

Think the reviews you see on websites like Amazon are from people who bought the book? Think again. Many of the initial reviews for books that seem to be really popular came from book review services, not purchasers. Book review services are online companies that provide free ebooks to people in exchange for reviews. What could be wrong with that? Well, those…

More of the worst album covers ever.

I am in the middle of revisions, working with my editor on a large project involving merging old work with new. The difference in the quality of the older work vs. the way I write now is clear—and embarrassing.

When I am finished with the revisions, I will format my manuscript as both ebooks and paper books. At that point, I will be looking for proofreaders.

At some point, we must draw the line and say, “this book is done. I want no more changes, no more fiddling with it.” So, when the manuscript is as polished as I can possibly get it, I will have one final step, one that will either ruin a formatted manuscript or make it great: proofreading.

I have said this before, and while some people will dispute this, proofreading is not editing.

Proofreading is done after the final revisions have been made. Hopefully…

While having lunch at a sidewalk cafe, an antique art collector noticed a scruffy-looking cat lapping up milk from a saucer. The collector realized with a start that the saucer was a rare and valuable piece. Trying to act nonchalant, he went to the cafe owner and asked if the cat was his.

“She’s just a stray,” said the owner. “I gave her some milk because I felt sorry for her.”

“I’ll give you five dollars for her,” said the collector.

“What do you want with that mangy thing?” said the owner.

“I have a soft spot in my heart for homeless animals.”

“A soft spot in your head is more like it.”

The collector saw that the owner needed some cajoling. “Oh, come on,” he said, taking out his wallet. “Tell you what — I’ll give you ten dollars.”

“It’s a deal,” said the owner, and pocketed the money. 

“I’m…

It’s been eleven years since the bluebird of bitterness was hatched, and Bob, Nan, Eve, Ada, Hannah, and Otto all agreed that we were overdue for a party with the office staff!

This is Blanche, who works in the mail room. She was in charge of the invitations, which she sent out via Twitter.

Ada hired a photographer for the evening. Unfortunately, his camera was broken, so the only pictures we have are what was caught on the hotel’s security cameras.

This is Seymour, our Avian Resources guy. He made the party hats, and everyone agreed he did a great job!

This is the caterer Eve hired. He was recommended to her by her hairdresser’s boyfriend. Or was it her next-door neighbor’s parole officer? I forget….

No one knows who this kid is. She just happened to be passing through the hotel courtyard while the party was going on. She…