TrackerNeil

Not promoting my work here, but that of Babyraven, whom some may remember from the board in the old days. As part of a film class, she produced a short documentary, and I was honored to have my podcast be part of it. I am sure that Babyraven would appreciate any likes/comments you throw her way--she did a good job!

The Board, like the Wall, defends itself.

Actually, I got my agent because a publisher who'd reviewed my manuscript referred me. Admittedly, that professional relationship didn't work out in the long run, but it was a way to proceed.

If you like, email me at trackerneil at yahoo dot com.

Hey, thanks all!

One thing for us all to keep in mind is that indie authors are in a different galaxy when it comes to self-promotion. Having that magical publisher's logo on the spine of a book opens doors that for indie authors are closed, barred, and sealed...for now, anyway. I wish it were different, but I don't know how to make it so.

How can we take you up on that, please?

Hey, congrats! I have added this to my (relatively short) to-read list. Those are pretty good tips. As to marketing strategies, I'm happy to offer my own advice, which is that I have no goddamned idea what sells books. Reviews, I find, can spur sales, but in my experience they don't always. I tried paid advertisements, but that IMO was a waste of time and money from the start; how often does anyone read a book by an unknown author just because of an ad? I would be very unlikely to buy any more ads anywhere, without proof that they work. Not to seem discouraging, but as a indie author the deck is stacked against you. No professional reviewer will touch your work, and most of the indie reviewers will be equally unmoved by your pleas. (There are a few sites that will pay you attention, and if you like you can PM me for some names.) Hell, there are some sites that won't allow indie authors to advertise with them -- they literally won't even take your money. It's insane. Still, it's satisfying to have finished your work, isn't it? Yay you! And wait until you get your first email from a fan. :)

Although it's strange the writers would remedy the situation by substituting a name that sounds like "Arya." I wasn't a fan of the Littlefinger-Roz scene. I suppose the writers are trying to show us just how ruthless LF is, but can't they have found a more interesting way than having him threaten a character who can in no way strike back?

I think this is as bad as thinking everyone in a story is good and noble. ASOIAF is littered with villains, yes, but there are also good and decent folk to be found. The Liddle (if that's what he was) treats Bran and Company with generosity, and Lady Smallwood does the same for Arya. Beric Dondarrion is fairly honorable even with his enemies, and Ser Davos sticks out his neck to protect a bastard boy who really is nothing to him. With some thought I could come up with another dozen examples of folk both high and low who show kindness and charity.

[quote name='Maia' post='1295078' date='Mar 31 2008, 14.25']But Slynt? He didn't make an impression of competency on me, nor did we hear of any great service performed by him for any of the allies during the Rebellion. His behavior in this chapter shows again and for the last time that he wasn't very clever.[/quote] I agree with Ran here. Slynt was in his way a fool, and yet he managed to gather quite a bit of support from both the gold cloaks and the black. Hell, the man was the strongest candidate for lord commander until Mormont's raven did its little trick. Clearly, Slynt has a way of building a certain following among the men he commands, and that may be what got him his promotion from Robert. Also, after the Sack of King's Landing I don't imagine there were a whole lot of available candidates.

Testing.