A Writer's Journey and Some Advice:
a guest post by Richard DeVall
The
Hypnotist’s Assistant is the book I’ll be talking about. It’s a
coming of age novel, published April 30th, 2019.
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| https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG |
So, this is my 4th novel. I now have six
published. This is the only one that has been converted to Audible, which is
available on Amazon at the above link. It’s also available on iTunes and I
don’t have the link. It can be found by putting the title in the search bar at
iTunes.
I became interested in writing when I realized that
almost all the suspense New York time paperbacks I was reading were a tired
formula. A detective pining for his ex, drinking too much, the only thing
keeping him, or her, going was finding the bad guy.
At about this time I met someone who told me life is
too short to read a bad book. She suggested I read Booker Award novels. So I
did. I’m a softy for British writers. They really have a great command of the
English language.
All of this was a while back. I still read science
fiction and some horror and things that aren’t Booker Award. But I try to keep
reading them to lift my literary experiences above the fray.
I’ve been writing for three years. My words of wisdom to
anyone that’s new in the self-publishing business are as follows:
Manage your expectations.
Write short books, they’re becoming a trend. Plan on advertising and be very
careful about whom you choose to advertise with. Don’t believe much of any of
the hype and don’t sign with a publisher who asks for money.
Amazon is the largest publisher, 70% of all electronic
books and 50% of all paperbacks. The majority of readers are age 18 to 29. Most
books are bought in the winter and a large percentage of them come from the
Midwestern states.
Likes don’t sell books. Let me repeat that, likes
don’t sell books. If you publish with Amazon, it’s free. If you’re not
technical choose one of their automated covers. Use their special offers, under
KDP - free books every 90 days for 5 days. 99 cent books every 90 days and you
get 70% royalties.
The fastest way to get reviews is to buy them. Everybody
needs a minimum of 50 reviews to be in the Amazon algorithms. Three years ago it
was 25. It won’t be long and you’ll need 100. Pick genres nobody else is doing
– space romance with bi-curious zombies. Amazon has 16,000 sub genres; they pay
out 25 million every month to people who are their number 1 sellers worldwide.
There are people buying their way to being New York
Times best sellers. Their friends all buy tons of their books and they hit the
numbers. If you think it’s about the best writing and you point to Harry Potter,
I’m sorry, I think you’re more likely to win the lottery. Pick a spot and go
for it.
My book has a wide appeal. I’ve had 20 year old girls
tell me they’re reading it for the second time. I’ve had 70 year olds tell me
they’re getting their kids to read it. The closest I came to number one (having
started one million from the top) was when I rose to the 220th
position from being number one for 'Coming of Age'. I was selling 100 books a
month. It’s a very tough business.
My newest book – Barefoot
Under The Moon - I have no doubt – will one day be number one for humorous
dark comedy. At least for that genre, I’m getting the same kind of response as The Hypnotist’s Assistant from adults
that like dark, sexy comedies. It’s a great advertising goal to have that
sticker on your book.
My goal is to finish my 7th book; it will
be published soon. And then I’m going to really concentrate on learning
more about the marketing aspect.
Be brave, write what you like. I feel like I came late
to the game. I see everybody writing series. They think that’s the magic
bullet. I don’t know, I feel if everyone is doing it’s too late.
Don’t be surprised if no one you know wants to read
your book. It happens. You must have thick skin, control your expectations
and treat it like a business. Unless you have a degree in marketing, don’t quit
your day job.
And if you do it, because you have to get it out from
inside of you and put it on paper, you’re going to feel a great sense of
accomplishment. People want to do two things, open a restaurant or write a
book. Be that person that does it! Don’t be discouraged if you hit brick walls.
It’ll make the second and the third and so on, much better books. Good Luck!!
So fascinating to hear about your publishing journey, and the tips you've learned along the way!
Let's learn a little more about the book.
Readers, here is the blurb for The Hypnotist's Assistant.
https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG
So fascinating to hear about your publishing journey, and the tips you've learned along the way!
Let's learn a little more about the book.
Readers, here is the blurb for The Hypnotist's Assistant.
https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG
So fascinating to hear about your publishing journey, and the tips you've learned along the way!
Let's learn a little more about the book.
Readers, here is the blurb for The Hypnotist's Assistant.
|
| https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG |
When 13 year old Gary Crockett hypnotizes Earl
Lancaster and Earl stands from his wheelchair, everything changes for both of
them. Gary suspects Earl of lying about his paralysis and Gary’s mom thinks
Earl is sexy and a business genius. Before long, all three need to leave town in
a hurry.
This coming of age tale is full of surprises and quirky characters, twisted
circumstances and weird resolutions. It’s a breezy look at race relations,
ladyboys, virginity, snake biting churches and meditation.
The novel is a one day read and sprinkled with humor. The Hypnotist's Assistant explores healing, romance, religion, deception,
dysfunction, inspiration, gender, addiction and loss.
What begins as an extraordinary event ends with new found love, true friendship
and hope. Bottom line - this book ultimately does what books do, it brings the
reader entertainment and escape.
This coming of age tale is full of surprises and quirky characters, twisted circumstances and weird resolutions. It’s a breezy look at race relations, ladyboys, virginity, snake biting churches and meditation.
The novel is a one day read and sprinkled with humor. The Hypnotist's Assistant explores healing, romance, religion, deception, dysfunction, inspiration, gender, addiction and loss.
What begins as an extraordinary event ends with new found love, true friendship and hope. Bottom line - this book ultimately does what books do, it brings the reader entertainment and escape.
And here is an excerpt.
Purchase Link:
Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG
Sounds like an intriguing read!
A pleasure to have you on Writing in the Modern Age, Richard!
And here is an excerpt.
Purchase Link:
Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG
Sounds like an intriguing read!
A pleasure to have you on Writing in the Modern Age, Richard!
And here is an excerpt.
Purchase Link:
Universal Reader link: https://books2read.com/u/bzoDXG
Sounds like an intriguing read!
A pleasure to have you on Writing in the Modern Age, Richard!
Sounds like an intriguing read!
A pleasure to have you on Writing in the Modern Age, Richard!
Guest Blogger Bio
Guest Blogger Bio
Guest Blogger Bio
Richard DeVall dropped out of high school to see
the world. He made his way to Florida, California, and Connecticut, to
name a few places. Along the way, at the age of 18 he was convicted of
possession of $5 worth of marijuana and spent 5 months in jail. There he
took a long look at his life and read, read, and read some more. He
dove into all kinds of books -- science fiction, suspense, travel, and
even technical manuals. It put a bug in him to one day write.
His books are not all in the same genres. Neither is his mind. He met
writers, after his first book, Old Letters and New Demons. The majority
of those writers were women and they said romance is where the money
is. He thought about that as he wrote a revenge thriller, Pablo’s
Apprentice and found some success. Next he wrote science fiction. Minor
success, it didn’t run away and not come home like he used to do.Richard DeVall dropped out of high school to see
the world. He made his way to Florida, California, and Connecticut, to
name a few places. Along the way, at the age of 18 he was convicted of
possession of $5 worth of marijuana and spent 5 months in jail. There he
took a long look at his life and read, read, and read some more. He
dove into all kinds of books -- science fiction, suspense, travel, and
even technical manuals. It put a bug in him to one day write.Then he experienced the most success to date with The Hypnotist’s Assistant. People of all ages liked it. It had something for everyone...social commentary, addiction, death, spirituality, and love. If you write him on Facebook in Messenger he will – until he runs out – send you a link and a special number to a free download in audible for that book.
He’s said the critics are few and they don’t bother him for too long. He lives for a good review, it doesn’t need to be too long or wordy.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.richarddevall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.devall.583Website: http://www.richarddevall.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemonsOld
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17945915.Richard_Devall
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Devall/e/B07C148X1C
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/richard-devall
Richard's Books:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Richard-Devall/e/B07C148X1C
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/richard-devall
Richard's Books:
