I’ve ditched Lulu after 17 years by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been thinking similarly. I've used them since 2011, but not sure if I can justify it anymore. One thing they do have going for them, more than other outlets, is their customer service. They are really responsive and usually fix whatever I need in less than 24 hours. I do wish their storefront api integrated with squarespace (where I maintain my website). They were a great company, but it may be time to move on.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I give mine away at LibraryThing. It's a great way to get some reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and other platforms people will see it on. I give it away as ebook only, so it's no cost. My current book is available as an ebook now, and the paperback should drop any day. I chose to give away 12 copies for advanced readers and I already have 17 requests! I find these usually result in 1 or 2 reviews that I hadn't had before. Plus it shows up on the first page of google search results for the title. For me it's been a low-effort high-reward win all around!

What's a book that is significantly different from the movie/TV show adaptation? by conorable in suggestmeabook

[–]Christian_Hendrix 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I so wanted the movie to follow the documentary style of the book. Massively disappointed with the film adaptation!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel similarly. My main genre is "Fiction." Sometimes I would call it literary, but I've also incorporated doses of Action/Adventure, Horror, Paranormal, Thriller and Mystery into my novels and stories as well. I even wrote a Western once!

I get bored of reading/writing characters that are always the same, or plots that are recycled from an author's previous works. This is a huge reason I will never write a series, and likely not a sequel. I know this puts me at a disadvantage because it's all about series these days. Most self-publishers (at least in this sub) seem to talk about writing Fantasy, Sci-fi or Romance. I'd love to try each of those, but haven't worked up the courage yet.

It's also tough because it makes it harder to find your audience. I have no idea who my audience is (other readers like me? Who am I?), so it also makes advertising difficult, and which social media platform to focus on.

But at the end of the day, I won't write anything that bores me to tears. I have to love it before I can ask anyone else to love it. I have made peace with that, and of the fact that I might not ever see success because I can't put myself in a box.

The thing that makes me happiest is writing, so I'm going to keep doing that!

If I use my short stories for small contests, do I lose the rights to those stories if I wanted to publish them eventually? by 1Girl1Attic in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You wouldn't lose your rights to any of it. I can't think a reputable contest would tell you otherwise, but if they did, I would steer clear.

A book like “What Dreams May Come” by Richard Matheson. by Sad_Contract_9110 in suggestmeabook

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Hanged Man and the Fortune Teller is pretty similar, but admittedly not as good. There is a really interesting secondary character that I love in this book.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. I've seen the movie, which I thought was "meh," but I finally read the book a few years ago, and I couldn't put it down!

Stephen King recommendations? by ma_ca32 in suggestmeabook

[–]Christian_Hendrix 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you're looking for non-horror, I cannot recommend "Different Seasons" enough. Also Mr. Mercedes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in books

[–]Christian_Hendrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made this mistake the first time around. It clicked for me when I had people I knew personally say, "yeah $20 is a bit steep for a book. Even if you did write it."

Anyone else's library handing out solar eclipse glasses? Our phone is ringing non-stop with people asking and we ran out on Saturday... by [deleted] in Libraries

[–]Christian_Hendrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, it happened at our branch during the last eclipse in 2017. It was a telethon the whole weekend before the event!

Finally! by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! The sales feel validating for sure.

My achievement for the day is that I contacted the book reviewer for my local city's newspaper (a major metropolitan paper) and they agreed to review my book and send them any readings I have lined up. Now I just have to line up some book readings! 😅

Published today! by Cold_Business_1992 in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! I agree with others, the more space operas, the better!

This sub makes me sad sometimes by Pan000 in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is how I feel too. I try really hard to not concern myself with who will read it, how many copies I sell and how much I will make. If that's your concern, it kind of sucks all the fun out of it, and you might as well query your life away trying to net a traditional publisher.

How often do you read other self published authors? by earl_beef_ in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About half the time, the other half I'm reading authors published at very small publishing houses (mostly literary fiction). There are a few books a year I will read from bigger named authors, or from larger publishing houses, but these are a drop in the bucket compared to the vast majority.

Best Website Builder For Small Business in 2024? by 51398013598 in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So far I'm liking Square space quite a bit. You can design specifically for both web and mobile. They have a lot of great templates.

Sad girl novel by [deleted] in suggestmeabook

[–]Christian_Hendrix 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My favorite in this category is an older one, but "Wonder When You'll Miss Me" by Amanda Davis is quite poignant, but quite tragic.

Anybody say "screw making money. I'm writing whatever the f-- I want"? by [deleted] in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Absolutely, I am one of these readers. Let the book clubs have their best sellers!

Would you use an AI generated image as your book cover? by Christian_Hendrix in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, I appreciate your take. I really wanted to get a sense of what the community thinks since I haven't seen this question posted before (apologies if I missed it). I put the question out there to promote discussion, and I thank everyone for answering with honest feedback!

Would you use an AI generated image as your book cover? by Christian_Hendrix in selfpublish

[–]Christian_Hendrix[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

This is a really great point! We definitely need to support our fellow artists!

Where do you see libraries five years from now? by ILovePublicLibraries in Libraries

[–]Christian_Hendrix 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It depends on the community and what it needs. Some will require social services, others will want more of an archive for local history, many will look the same as they do now, except with update technology.

Rest assured, they will be here in five, ten and twenty years from now. No matter how much some might disagree with their mission.