Sunday, February 22, 2015

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Indie Authors are Hypocrites?

Hey ya'll,
So since I have started this publishing journey I realize that a lot of indie authors are very bitter towards more successful indie authors as far as the money aspect goes when publishing a book. And in my opinion I feel that it is insane for individuals to feel such hate for another due to them having success.

People who are unsuccessful in the indie business are so quick to criticize their successful peers on how they shouldn't be making a lot of money when the successful peers may just be doing something different than what you are doing. Which brings me to my next point!



Amazon is a great place to showcase your products and to sell them on, but your rank on their website does not depict what you amount to as an author. Your worth is greater than that!

So to those hypocrites, how can you be mad at their success when you won't even support other indie authors yet you will buy books from traditionally published novelists whose work is greatly overpriced and complain there is no love in the indie community (When there is!).



Some of the best books I have read are from indie authors and small pressed novelists. While some of the worst books I have read are from traditional publishers. Regardless, I feel you should support the community that supports you. Why should I advocate this other author who has made millions on books when I can advocate a friend or peer who needs the publicity? Think about it!

It's time for a change. Stop the hate and your success will come. Also, remember that everyone has their time! Yours may happen a week from today or a few months from today, you never know. Just keep your head up and keep going. In addition, sometimes books will sell faster if there are not a lot of books on the subject matter. Therefore, that person will have a jolt in sales due to the rarity of the content it contains.

Also, if you need some advertisement then advertise with me! Ad sense wants to make a deal with me to showcase content, but I am refusing to do that so I can support my fellow indie community. I only wish to see you succeed. Here's a link for the packages I have available: http://kmjbookreveals.blogspot.com/p/advertising.html

Comment below if you have faced prejudice as an indie/small press author! Why were they mad at you? How did it make you feel? Or do you disagree with what I have to say? Let me know! I want to hear from you or if you just want to share some insight go ahead :) I'm all ears ;) Until Next Time ;*

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Eye Candy puts everyone to shame?

Hey ya'll,
So I covered a story about MTV's new scripted series Eye Candy which follows the life of a young woman named Lindy Sampson as she tries to find out the identity of her stalker and the location of her missing sister all while working as a consultant with the New York Cyber Crimes Unit.


After faithfully watching all six episodes of Eye Candy I can most definitely say it does not disappoint! Last weeks episode was filled with mayhem as (Spoiler) a hacker sent a computer virus to attack machines that were hooked up to patients who desperately needed them to live. And to make matters much worse Lindy was pushed even further into the rabbit hole by her mysterious and maniacal stalker when he made his presence known in her life by aiding Lindy in fighting her unexpected rival in tracking down the point from which the computer virus came.


Lindy Sampson (Victoria Justice) is continually proving herself to be one of the best heroines of the century giving Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) a run for their money.

Justice and the cast of Eye Candy make their show so likable due to how much we all can relate to the characters and plots. There are no super powers, there are no magical beings, and there aren't any special artifacts. This show is purely self-knowledge and self-capability which is what it all comes down to for us human beings.


In my opinion, MTV has truly picked a great show to develop this season and I felt this show came out in good timing. I do hope that they continue this show and if they do you know where to find the reviews at first ;)

Comment below if you watch Eye Candy! Which episode shocked you the most? Do you have a favorite character already? Or are you just not feeling it? Let me know why :) Until Next Time ;*

Sunday, February 15, 2015

How to rule social media without a crown?!

Hey ya'll,
So as you read from my last posting I revealed to you all the importance of not buying followers. However, that doesn't mean they're the only options for getting your work heard. Therefore, today I would like to give you some helpful tips to promote your success throughout various social media sites.







#1. Be yourself


- I feel all people have a way of spotting fake individuals. And what I mean about being 'fake' is that people can easily figure out if you are a poser. I find the best way for you to reach people is to be yourself! Talk about things that interest you and you may find others who agree. Before you know it you may find yourself amassing a good following on your social media accounts.


#2. Never a race


-It doesn't matter who has more followers than you do. It is more about who has the better "crowd" following them. You could have over one million people following you on your social media accounts, but that doesn't matter if they're not supportive. Which do you think is better? A million followers or a hundred thousand followers that all share things that you post.


I'd choose the second choice because as a result the second choice could gain you more recognition and allow your work to reach a larger audience :)

#3. Market yourself without marketing


-Never post something like a new product and never explain what it is. Your goal should be to project the strong values of your product with a few short descriptive words that will stand out to your audience that you are projecting to.


#4. Engage their needs


-If you are using social media to market your brand then you have to act like the salesman/entrepreneur that you truly are. As a salesman you have to have a good emphasis that works for you! Whether it's a catch phrase, logo, or just your name, use it as your selling point. Some people are funny while others are incredibly kind. Whatever works for you is how you are going to push your product along with your name.

As Abby Lee Miller stated to her Dance Mom Co-stars "We are building a brand!"

Which is what you are doing. You are opening yourself up to the world to create your own unique signature no one else has because we are all different.





Author R.L. Stine sells the fact that his novels are horror with a weirdness factored into it. While Rap artist Nicki Minaj emphasizes on her curvaceous body to sell records. And even the news anchors throughout America sell themselves through the people they meet during their news career in hope of living their dreams afterward (Alan Lee is an example of this).

What I am trying to say is be yourself and let the chips fall where they may. People are only as motivated about your product as you are selling your product. Also, never give up because the day that you do may be the day you get your break through.

Comment below if you have anything else you'd like to add! Are you engaging your followers properly? If not, what could you do to change that? Or do you use any of the techniques I have stated above? Let me know how it is working for you :) Until Next Time ;*

Friday, February 13, 2015

Book Review #3: Nightmare Academy Series by Frank Peretti

Hey ya'll,
So one book that captivated me from start to finish would have to be Nightmare Academy by Frank Peretti. I loved how well executed his novel was. Peretti brought me action, adventure, and mystery all at once which is sometimes not an easy task for authors due to them not being skillful at writing their books that way.

I really enjoyed the bonding relationship between Elijah Springfield and his twin sister Elisha. It really allowed me to think on my own relationship with my brother because though he is only six years old he's proving to be very protective and opinionated when it comes to my life. Though he is a child I see that he is shaping up to be a well-rounded young man. And that's what I saw from Elijah!



One scene that I marveled at reading was when Elijah and his sister Elisha were going to shelters to find a way into Knight-Moore Academy. It really touched me and provided very realistic qualities to Elijah by showing how protective he was of his sister.

Peretti continuously shows the reader how much these siblings care about each other when they are eventually placed at Knight- Moore Academy which is a "home" for "misplaced children".

At Knight-Moore Academy students have no sense of guidance. No one can be at fault due to the understandings of this or that statements. Though someone may do something that we may deem wrong in the real world. It is at Knight- Moore Academy that you find good and bad no longer exist when actions are just downplayed as actions. Whether you steal, fight, or vandalize the objects of others it's not until you disrupt the experiment of those watching that the authoritarian there decide to do something about what has happened.

As teenage spies Elijah and Elisha strive to make friends, but are met with many more enemies. Peretti gives insight into the human rational that I don't believe the schools of psychology and sociology have come yet to grasp. He causes you to think further into your decisions which I believe could lead into making you a better individual.

In my opinion Peretti has created a defining, mind-blowing novel for the 21st century. Nightmare Academy makes you look deeper into your psychosis by way of a story. I loved everything about this novel and I can't wait to see what else he has in store.

Rating: *****

Comment below if you love novels by Frank Peretti! Did you feel the same way when you read his novel? Or have you ever ran across a novel as inception like as this? Let me know :) I can't wait to hear from you. Until Next Time!!!!! :*

Amazon: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nightmare-academy-frank-e-peretti/1103452713?ean=9781418534790

Monday, February 9, 2015

Book Review #2: The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man by James Weldon Johnson

Hey ya'll,
So when I read novels I have a tendency to pick up crime thrillers, mysteries, and sometimes romance stories. However, I enjoyed every minute of this novel though it was historical fiction. What really amazed me was how much I was able to connect with this character without him having a name. Johnson never put a name on the main character and I found it odd yet, enticing all at once because the mystery behind this bi-racial man had made me want to read on to see if (Spoiler) they would ever reveal his identity which they did not.


Johnson really personalized black victimization by telling this very detailed story of a mixed man who looked more like the typical white male and therefore was perceived as being fully white. It was very introspective in the sense that Johnson made you wonder how could anyone be cruel to someone else without even knowing them.

I felt Johnson really pushed that in the lynching scene towards the end where he told how hard it was for the main character who is perceived as only a white man to just stand there and watch a black man be lynched for no reason. This was both moving and heartbreaking for me because I felt it allowed for the readers to put themselves in the main characters shoes and wonder what they would truly due in an instance like this.

Johnson created a brilliantly written story about issues, biases, and dangers that blacks have faced for many years, but through the eyes of a perceived white man which I thought was incredible. This is a story I would most definitely read again and to those of you who want something that gives you history, adventure, and hope then I would recommend you read this novel as well. It was not a disappointment!

RATING: *****


Friday, February 6, 2015

Authors are insignificant?!

Hey ya'll,
So I have seen a lot of authors offering their work for free online for anyone to download and in my opinion I don't feel that is a good idea. I believe that though writing is our passion and our dream we have to realize that we have to make a living as well. If you do plan to make a career out of being a writer.

When singers debut a new song they don't let people hear it for free even if it's being played on the radio. Singers make sure that they get some type of royalty on whatever they do and I feel that authors should as well.

Let's take a look at this scenario. If you are an author and your book was only downloaded 250 times for profit, but then you decide to make your book free and it amasses over 30,000 downloads then Kindle per say should give you royalties because of your book bringing people onto their site.

I feel that authors get played when they make their work free to the public. I know that it's not always about making a profit, but in my world I feel if you like someones work and you want them to continue their work then you will support them by buying their products instead.



So my tips for writers are to NEVER make a brand new book free. If you have a novel that's not selling make it free for a brief amount of time. Or you can even have ten giveaways instead of letting over a hundred people download your work. I find that is a better choice then losing out on money that you could gain from the giveaway exposure.

Just imagine hundreds of people spreading the news about your giveaway to their friends which could cause more people to look you up and buy your books! It's a win-win situation all around. You won't lose nay money and you get your name/books spread by word of mouth. Sounds like a good plan to me :)

Comment below and let me know how you feel. Have you ever let your book run wild on the internet or do you charge for your hard work? Have you tried what I just posted Let me know how it goes! I am eager to here what you have to say :) Until Next time :*

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Authors have needs too?!

Hey ya'll,
So I know that sometimes as an author we have a hard time finding inspiration and motivation to keep writing. However, if we dig deep enough we are able to find this place within ourselves that helps us to reach our full potential.

There have been many people who have influenced me in such a positive way. One of them being my middle school teacher Mr. B. He has been so incredible in the sense of helping me to find my confidence in going for my dreams. Also, my high school teacher Mrs. K. has equipped me with the knowledge I needed to push ahead in my goals o I can fulfill my destiny.

However, despite the endless support I received from them and family members I know that others may not have the support that I do. So here is a poem by the late Mrs. Maya Angelou that will make your heart dance in all the right beats! LOL

This is one of my favorite poems by the way ;)

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Have a nice day! And remember to smile, to keep going, and to keep living your life victoriously :) Comment below if you have a poem that you'd like me to read!!!! 

Monday, February 2, 2015

Book Review #1: Destruction by Sharon Bayliss

Hey ya'll,
So this month I had the pleasure of reading Destruction by Sharon Bayliss courtesy of Freado.com .
This book was everything I wanted and more. Sometimes when I read a book about magic it becomes overwhelming due to me trying to grasp their "secret" world, but in reading Destruction I had no problem whatsoever. I felt like Bayliss took great care in making sure we knew almost everything about the magical world in a timely fashion.

I enjoyed how this book had such realistic situations occurring and not just magical ones because it allowed for me as a reader to put myself in the character's shoes to see how I would handle the situations they were in. In addition, I appreciated how unique each character was. My favorite character would have to be Emmy Vandergraff and Rachel Colter. I really loved these two. Their personalities were so bodacious and lively that if you were read a sentence from Destruction you could tell if it came from them or not.



Emmy attracted me because of how gutsy she was and though she didn't curse much she literally had no filter when it came to speaking her mind. I really enjoyed how she took risks. Maybe not as much as her favorite brother Jude, but she was willing to risk it all and in some situations (Spoiler) that involved her life as well. Though her family kind of depict her as being a "mean" girl, in my eyes she was fierce and somebody you better not mess with! LOL

Rachel was the definition of old school without being old school. You can tell she had this class about herself and she always had pride in what she did whether it was bad or good. I hated she came in at the end and had such a small yet influential part, but you know what they say 'if you miss a character it means they were really amazing'. Rachel was such a treat and I hope to see more of her in the future novels of The December Peoples Series.

Sharon Bayliss has created such a very beautiful, realistic masterpiece. I craved and cringed for more as I continued to read her novel, Destruction. I was not disappointed at all with her novel, Destruction and I felt this was time in my life that was very well spent. I can't wait to read more and I hope you all will buy this book! It is amazing! Can't wait to get my hands on the second novel in the series.

RATING:  *****

 For information on where to purchase her novel click on the links below:
http://www.amazon.com/Destruction-The-December-People-Book-ebook/dp/B00JO0GDRG