If social media has taught us anything, it's that you probably shouldn't be posting anything other than puppy pictures if you're in any kind of business or industry. From Cinnabon's well-intentioned flub at Carrie Fisher's expense to Sarah Michelle Gellar publicly mourning the wrong British music icon on Twitter, it seems like all of social media serves as nothing more than a … [Read more...] about Authors Behaving Badly…This Time on Social Media
reviews
Amazon Limits Non-Purchase Reviews
Piggybacking off of yesterday's article about Amazon removing "incentivized" reviews--that is, reviews that were based off of receiving a free or discounted product, as opposed to the notorious paid reviews--the retailer sent out an email last night announcing another change to its consumer guidelines. This time, the goal is to limit the number of reviews an Amazon user can … [Read more...] about Amazon Limits Non-Purchase Reviews
Amazon Deletes “Incentive”-Based Reviews
For years, Amazon has fought back against paid review services. Sites that allowed authors to purchase blocks of reviews by the hundreds or even thousands gave consumers a legitimate reason to be mistrustful of any reviews, and the case of bad behavior painting all indie authors with the same brush was all to real. Amazon's initial action wasn't too popular with readers or … [Read more...] about Amazon Deletes “Incentive”-Based Reviews
Amazon Guidelines Work to Curb Review Fraud
Amazon reviews are both a blessing to authors and the bane of their existence. Whether it's poor reviews, vindictive reviews, or lack of reviews altogether, authors struggle to get the word out about their work through positive and numerous reader reviews. Over the years, Amazon has come under fire for basically having to come up with the best-but-still-feasible option when … [Read more...] about Amazon Guidelines Work to Curb Review Fraud
This Portable Speaker Can Play Audiobooks and Charge Your e-Reader
The ELEGIANT portable stereo speaker is a solid device that is tremendously durable and can connect up to your smartphone or tablet via NFC or Bluetooth. What I like about it, is that it acts as a powerbank, so you charge your e-reader or smartphone while you are out and about. I think this stereo speaker is perfect for people who own an e-reader that runs Android. This … [Read more...] about This Portable Speaker Can Play Audiobooks and Charge Your e-Reader
Book Review – The Modern Mercenary
There have been a number of books published in the last few years that tackle the role that modern mercenary companies such as Blackwater and Dynccorp play on the global stage. The Modern Mercenary by Sean McFate looks at the historical role of mercenaries during the feudal era and how they directly contributed to the formation of national armies. Mercenaries fell out of favor … [Read more...] about Book Review – The Modern Mercenary
Amazon Makes it Easier than Ever to Leave a Review
Book reviews are the bane of many authors' existence, not for their negative remarks or hurtful nature, but mostly for the fact that many authors feel the frustration of not getting reviews in the first place. This is especially common among authors who run free book promotions or offer their titles for free or reduced prices as part of the KDP Select benefits. The complaint is … [Read more...] about Amazon Makes it Easier than Ever to Leave a Review
HP Steam 7 Review
The HP Stream 7 is one of the first of a new breed of seven inch tablets that have a full version of Windows and at $99 price point. Combined with Bluetooth and expandable storage via SD, you can really turn this into a fully featured laptop. Is this worth it to spend? It depends, you won't be able to run any graphically intensive games, but would make simple stuff from Steam … [Read more...] about HP Steam 7 Review
eBook Review: Salinger by David Shields and Shane Salerno
Verdict: 2 stars One of the most highly anticipated recent book launches has been Shields' and Salerno's Salinger, billed as an exhaustive biography of of one of the most reclusive writers of our time. What was actually published, unfortunately, was nothing more than transcripts written in interview format of discussions about the author with people who claimed to know him, … [Read more...] about eBook Review: Salinger by David Shields and Shane Salerno
Author Elle Lothlorien on Adaptable Publishing
It’s happened to nearly ever avid reader. You invest yourself through money and time in a book and begin to get wrapped up in the story, only to find that the ending is not what you had anticipated or the characters don’t behave in the way you would have them behave. More than one book has been permanently ruined for the reader by allowing the wrong characters to enjoy a … [Read more...] about Author Elle Lothlorien on Adaptable Publishing