Killing for the greater good

... characters, that is... what did you think? I'm a chick lit writer who bakes cupcakes - not exactly the serial killer type, am I?

© Njnightsky | Stock Free Images

I've been struggling for the past several months with a manuscript. I've got the story firmly in my head, and I love it. I began writing at the beginning of January, and nearly three months later, I have 5,000 words to show for it. At this rate I will finish it right around the time Her Majesty's government sends me my pensioner's bus pass. 

Something has been stopping me, throwing up roadblocks and sapping my motivation. Why wouldn't I want to write this book? 

Fake reviews on Goodreads now?

Some of you know well my stance on paid-for reviews, so you'll imagine my reaction to this message on Goodreads, which I received this morning:

Dear Michele,
I absolutely loved the synopsis of your book!!! I am looking very forward to read it.
I have a proposition to make. I do paid book reviews and I would like to review your book very much.
I will put your review on Twitter, Facebook, my blog, Goodreads, www.revish.com, www.worldcat.org and Barnes and Noble. I will also feature an Interview with you on my blog
If you have any other site you want the review on that is also fine. I'll also put it up on indiblogger which is a networking site for Indian Bloggers which will help your book to get an Indian audience. I don’t charge much for the book review and I'll take a kindle version of your book too if that's convenient.
Please let me know if we can work something out!!
Cheers
NAME REDACTED

Is it possible to Actually spit feathers? I'm close to finding out. I responded (of course I did), and reported the email to Goodreads:

NAME REDACTED,
To pay for reviews is unscrupulous on the part of the writer, and an abhorrent business on the part of the "reviewer". In addition, you are not allowed to solicit business on Goodreads.

I had a response within minutes:

Michele,
I merely asked whether you were interested. If authors are interested, i conduct the entire transaction on my personal email ID off goodreads. I merely propose which is not soliciting business...

First of all, Goodreads explicitly prohibits "using the Service for any commercial solicitation purposes". Secondly, I looked up the definition of "solicitation" from the business dictionary: "the act or instance of seeking bid, business or information."  Er, NAME REDACTED, perhaps you should check the definition as well.


This person's email raises such a horrible thought. Are authors now paying for fake reviews on Goodreads? If so, it makes me very sad that they think so little of their books (or are genuinely selling such shite between two covers) that they would do this. It shows a complete lack of respect, for themselves and for readers.

What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone else?

© Macsuga

What a Valentine's week! You've shared the stinkers and the swoony romances, the humiliating crushes and embarrassing dates. We should end on a high note, don't you think?

What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for someone else?

What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you on a date?

© Mariusdroppert

 

Take heart, lovely ladies, you are not alone in the horrors of dating! On this Valentine's Day we asked 13 women's fiction writers: What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you on a date? 

What was your most inappropriate crush?

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We've heard your worst dates and best dates, so, it's time for some REAL embarrassment: What was your most inappropriate crush (and what did you do about it?)

What was your most romantic evening?

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Now, after yesterday's stinker-fest, a little romance ... What was your most romantic evening (or day or weekend)?

Peek into the love lives of your favourite chick lit writers

© Chrisharvey

Ever wondered whether writers actually live the romantic lives that they write about? Here’s your chance to play voyeur, all during Valentine’s Week, when 13 of your favourite writers confess their worst dating stories and most horrendous crushes (with a little bit of romance mixed in, of course).

We’ll answer a question a day starting on February 11th and would love to swap war stories with readers! And if you'd like a personalised inscription for your eBook, just click on the Authorgraph button beneath the books.

So tell us, purveyers of romance: What was your worst-ever date?

A final, fond farewell from The Christmas Creche

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Well, dears, tonight is the Christmas Pageant and we’re so looking forward to seeing you all at the performance later! The girls have been practicing so hard, and dare I say that I think they are finally able to carry a tune, though they still need a little help with the words.

What's your favourite Christmas tradition?

© Reiwolf | Stock Free Images

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, isn't it? Just 7 days and 15 hours (not that we're counting)... Are you in full-on decorating mode? Wearing out your credit cards and giving the postman backache? Trying to contain the excitement of children anticipating a visit from Santa Claus? Collapsed in an exhausted heap on the sofa?

Well, now is the time for indulging in our favourite parts of the festive season. So What's your favourite Christmas tradition?

What was your best ever Christmas present?

© Pontuse | Stock Free Images

Only thirteen days till Christmas! Are we excited? Panicked? Wondering whether, in a pinch, our loved ones will appreciate gifts from the motorway service station (sorry Carole, that might be a bit close to the bone given your worst ever Christmas present!). These are the best Christmas presents we've ever received, and I have to admit, more than one made me misty :-)