Top Ten List - Actual Numbers or Teacher's Pet?

I was scrolling through my e-loops, and a comment caught my eye.  It was a question about publishers' Top Ten lists.  In short, a person was asking the question, "Is a top ten list actually based on the number of sales, or is it more of a teacher's pet list?"

Needless to say, the remark stung.  More so because I'm also a teacher, and the term is a slap in the face.

I don't know if it's just me, or if other people feel it, too, but it seems that authors who aren't selling are quick to condemn those who do.  I wanted to jump in and ask the person (also an author) if they're advertising.  Do they have a web presence?  What are they doing to promote their book? 

Finally, are they writing a story that will sell?  One of the best things about epubs is that they'll take a chance on authors who write a good story, but there may not be a huge market for it.

In the beginning, when I was just becoming published, my books weren't huge sellers.  But at no time did I look at the top ten list on my publisher's website and say that those authors were there because they had an "in" with the boss.  I looked at it and swore to myself that one day I'd get on the list.  And once that happened, my next goal was to hit the #1 slot.

I have a very good friend who has sat by and watched me build a successful writing career.  Now it's her turn to rise in the ranks and earn the nice paychecks, and I'm cheering her on.  Our success is not based on being friends with the publisher.  It comes because we work our tails off.  We finally found our "niche", and our readership is growing.

And to those authors who are quick to condemn us, or belittle our efforts, God bless you.

Pre-Judging a Book By Its Genre - DON'T!

I've been reading a lot of twits on Twitter recently, and holding my tongue. I've also been reading other blogs regarding books of a particular genre, and biting my lips to keep from responding.

Well, this is my blog, and the gloves are off. That being done, all I have to say is:

Do Not Judge A Book By Its Genre!

I write sci-fi romances. I've lost count of the number of people, especially reviewers, who have written to tell me that they 1) normally don't like sci-fi romances, especially erotic ones, or 2) will read them, but have pretty much figured they were all the same. But then they read something of mine, and have all their preconceived notions blown out of the water.

Plain and simple, I write the stories I want to read. I have probably read three or four sci-fi romances in my lifetime. Yeah, I know that what I write is nothing like them, but I never wanted to emulate or imitate them. Take the sex out of my books, and you'll still have a loving romance, characters you'll care about, suspense, action, angst, and an HEA.

So if you are not a fan of sci-fi romances, still give one of mine a chance. Just one, that's all I ask. Don't put on blinders and lump every writer's books into the same pile. The GENRE may be the same, but our voices are totally different. And - who know? - you may end up adding sci-fi romances to your TBB/TBR pile. :)

Dear Linda: Regarding RUNNER'S MOON

Dear Linda,

Are there going to be any Ruinos babies in your Runner's Moon books?

LOL! To be honest, I don't know. At this time, no, but who can tell what may come down the pike?

Thank you for an interesting question!

For the Love of Being Read - Thank You!

I'm walking on Cloud 9!

Like most authors, I have my name set up as a Google Alert so that I can be notified once a day of any places on the internet where I'm mentioned. Specifically, this is to let me know when a review for one of my books may go up without me being aware of it.

I got an alert today that I was mentioned on someone's blog. Curious, I went over to see.

My book is listed as being on someone's TBR (To Be Read) List! I'm in tears!

This is a FIRST!

Rarely do I hear from other people, much less from readers, although they're out there. You see, 99.9% of the time, when people discuss what they're reading, or make suggestions what to read, it's a NY book by a NY author.

Which is why I was stunned, then in tears to see my book listed with a dozen other books -- a dozen NY books.

To that person, many many thanks, and many more blessings on you!