The dinkus. You know, the three asterisks beloved of a certain kind of fiction writer to split the chapter into some kind of sub-chapter. The three asterisks that boldly chop a book into TV scenes, as if watching it on a screen, and… DINKUS! FADE TO BLACK!
Here’s why, as a book editor and reader, Cate Baum can’t stand this beloved flowery operator, and why you should stop using it so lavishly in your book.
1. Formatting your book is suddenly a massive pain
When I receive manuscripts to format into paperbacks or eBooks, I cannot do what I would […]
Authors worry relentlessly about ‘paying for reviews.’ What are the concerns, and are they founded? What are the differences between the services offered online? Cate Baum, resident Amazon mythbuster steps in to calm your concerns.
When should I pay for a book review?
MYTH: NEVER! OR YOU AND YOUR BOOK WILL BURN!!
TRUTH: You should pay for a professional book review when you need a respected opinion to use as copy for promotional purposes. This is exactly what any author, from Stephen King to JK Rowling does when they hire a publicist. You then own the copy and can use […]
There are various discussions about getting Verified Amazon reviews for your book, but there’s only one sure way that works.
While the humble mailing list has been touted in many corners of the publishing world, it still rules as the only definite way of selling your book and getting Verified reviews.
But not all mailing lists are equal.
Amazon Rules
While it seems easy enough to add friends and family to your mailing list, here’s what to bear in mind: Once they bought your book, you can’t keep touting them for business.
In this series, we take you through the anatomy of a book review.
What does it take to write a book review? What are the different types and uses of book reviews? In this final installment, we look at Beta reviews.
A Beta Reader’s Report (or Review) is written by an experienced reader with a good understanding of story, grammar, and style. A Beta read should be carried out on the final edited version of your book just before you publish it for sale. A Beta report is not a review, but a private assessment of your work as a […]
In this series, we take you through the anatomy of a book review.
What does it take to write a book review? What are the different types and uses of book reviews? What is a Beta review anyway, and do you need one?
This second installment looks at how to write Amazon Customer Reviews.
How To Write An Amazon Book Review
Eligibility
An Amazon Customer Review must be written by someone who has read the book and has an Amazon account. You don’t have to have bought the book from Amazon. You can only review on Amazon if:
In this series, we take you through the anatomy of a book review.
What does it take to write an editorial review? How does this differ from a customer/reader review on Amazon or Goodreads? What is a Beta review anyway, and do you need one?
This first installment looks at professional reviews, otherwise known as Editorial Reviews.
How To Write an Editorial Book Review
Editorial Book Reviews are considered to be the premium type of book review, written by a book professional who critiques books for a living: highly qualified people who take their work seriously and produce succinct, lean […]
There are various discussions about getting Verified Amazon reviews for your book, but there’s only one sure way that works.
