Goodreads, Blogfests & Down Time

Friday, October 18, 2013



I’m happy to see the start of another weekend! Last night, I finished another round of edits for a book I’ll be releasing shortly. I’ve been messing with covers on the side for fun and will have more enjoyment with that on the weekend. I’m also in the middle of reading a goooood book—From Rum to Roots— that’s written by someone of Jamaican descent.

In my journeys around the internet, I discover new things every day. How many of you were aware that Goodreads now has a sampling feature, so that you can upload a portion of your books for people who are possibly interested in reading it? I haven’t gone that route yet, but it’s something I’m putting on my agenda, along with the other stuff we get to do as writers. I need to dig around on the dashboard and remind myself where I found that feature. Dunno about anybody else, but I find Goodreads hard to navigate. I changed the cover of a book there a few months ago and for the life of me, I can’t figure out how to do it again. Is it just me?

For those who are taking part in the Who’s Your Hero? Blogest on Tuesday of next week. I’ll be emailing you later today. Thanks again for signing up. If you don’t have a clue what I’m going on about, I’ll be releasing a MG book next week to coincide with Jamaica’s Heroes Day celebration. Monday’s a holiday for me. Yeah! We’ll be writing a maximum of 300 words to tell the world who’s our hero.

Care to join us? Add yourself to the Linky List below and give yourself a chance at the Amazon Gift Card that will be drawn among those hopping.

Today’s Fun Friday over at the Insecure Writers Support Facebook Group. Go over and see what’s popping. Get some rest on the weekend and remember to visit the IWSG site come Monday. I'll be having a special guest then, so come by here too.

What will you be doing this weekend? Editing? Resting? Adding your snippet to Goodreads

P.S. Feel free to tweet this post. See my icons below? Thanks a mil!

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19 comments:

  1. I'll be posting for the blogfest on Wednesday - hope that's cool.
    Can't wait to see who is visiting the IWSG on Monday. Our first guest!

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    1. Sorry, Alex. I'll be having a guest here. :)
      No worries on the posting date.

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  2. I find Goodreads almost impossible to navigate. It's a puzzle every time I go to add a book of mine. I'll have to look into putting up samples. I think I get some down time later in November. Can't wait.

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    1. Mary,
      It gives me fits (of frustration) each time I try to do something on Goodreads. Used to be I filtered one of my blog posts through there. That disappeared and I can't find how I did that in the first place. Enjoy your rest when the time comes. You deserve it.

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  3. I didn't know about this feature on Goodreads. I'm going to have to look into that. Like you, I have tons of trouble with that site.

    Hoping to get lots of writing done this weekend, that's the plan anyway. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Julie,
      I might need to start a petition. :D Hope you meet your target this weekend.

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  4. I've quit using Goodreads-- need to copy a couple reviews I wrote into a notebook then think I'm going to shut it down. I was using strictly to record my books but the interaction between rogue readers with a mean spirit and wounded writers has become too weird for me. Anyway, sounds like a feature that could be useful. I have used the preview sample feature on my Kindle before.

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    1. Hi, Julie,
      I have come across an instance where some reviewers had ganged up on a writer, but I admit that I don't spend enough time there to get deeply involved in the community.

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  5. That's cool about Goodreads! It sounds like a useful feature.

    Have a great weekend, Joy!

    Happy reading and writing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines

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  6. I have met meanness on goodreads but I dont spend a lot of time there. By the way, I posted a book review of you books on my blog. I will add it to amazon later today.

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    1. Saw them Clarissa and left a comment. I like the angle from which you got to the books.

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  7. I've thought about using that feature before too, but as another commentor suggested, Goodreads is just too fraught with bullies and weirdos now. And I'd hate to have all my hard work be slaughtered by some nutcase who'll ruin my rating.

    Congrats on another book coming out. Now that my schedule has finally slowed down (who knew the beginning of school would take two months) I'll finally be able to get at the computer with a dedicated schedule again. Yay!

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    1. Anne, good to see you. Not sure what people get out of being mean other than the fact that misery loves company.

      Yup, children do take a lot of organizing, don't they. Hope you get back to writing soon.

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  8. I have a guest blogger posting on Tuesday (first time ever for me), so I am not participating. However, I look forward to reading the Hero postings.

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  9. I'm all signed up for your blogfest... and ready to go!!

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  10. Thanks for the heads up on Goodread, Joy. That's useful to know.

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  11. Hi, Robin, thanks for visiting. I'll try to remember to drop in on you.

    Michelle, looking forward to that too.

    Joylene, I need to get around to do it too.

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  12. My weekend was mostly about rest. Ah, wonderful rest! But now I'm back to it. I have an outline I need to finish by November. Eeek!!!!!!!!!

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Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.