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Well, this is certainly true. I do try to read all of my older books again but sometimes it’s hard since there are so many to read. I used to read The Stand and Swan Song every year but I have to admit I have not done that lately. I think it’s time to start doing this again. I think I will only keep a copy of an older book in my reading list that includes real books and keep reading the new stuff on my Kindle. We’ll see how this goes but I’m actually reading an older one right now that I found. I had loaned it out years ago and could not find it again. I did a search on Amazon for a certain name of someone in the book and found it.
Recommended by Amazon
I got an email with some recommendations from Amazon and my story was in there. What is neat is that it was a separate email not connected with that account. So that means perhaps other people got a similar email if they like similar types of stories. Here’s a screen shot. Thank you, Amazon!
Get Peaceable Kingdom Free
I have Peaceable Kingdom for free starting the 26th and running for three days. Since this story is rather extreme or some might find it offensive, it’ll be interesting if I get any negative reviews or comments. However, I think that the sample should give an idea of what it’s like. It’s just one paragraph but that paragraph has that one word that some hate so we’ll see how it goes. If you haven’t read it, now is your chance. 🙂 Just head over to Amazon tomorrow and pick it up at no charge. Just click here Peaceable Kingdom
We Interrupt This Program
My new short story is out and you can check it out on Amazon. Keep in mind that if you have a prime membership that you can borrow it for free. Check out We Interrupt this Program
and I hope you like it. Here is the cover art.
The Lucky One Now Available
I decided to go ahead and publish The Lucky One since my other story Game Changer has been set to be published by Grave Demand Publishing. More on that later but, yay! Anyway, The Lucky One is not yet available on Amazon but should be in about 12 hours or so. Till then, I have it on Smashwords so you can get it here if you’d like. I decided to make them all $.99 because why have them free on one place and paid for on Amazon? Anyway, here is the cover art. This was done by us here at Karsun Designs. It was a photo taken by Rich and I decided to use it for the story.
It’s not like it’s not free
I found a cute search term in my site stats tonight. A couple of people looked up the term “klein’s peaceable kingdoms twist” and I guess it led them to my blog. I found it cute that someone took the time to actually look up the twist but the story is free on Smashwords. Why not just download it? I guess I should be honored that someone took the time to try and find out the twist in the first place. It’s kind of like when you go on Amazon and type in Shauna K and my name pulls up. It means others have searched for that name. Not a bad thing I guess. But seriously, if you want to know the twist, get the story. Either buy it on Amazon or download it and then let me know what you think. 🙂
My First Review?
I just got my first review on Amazon by someone I do not know in the least. What I mean is sure, my friends loved my story and left me good ratings and feedback. I also have some great people I met through here and Facebook that left good reviews and I love them for that. However, this is a total stranger. She wrote….well heck, I’ll quote it here and by the way, it’s for Peaceable Kingdom.
I generally don’t read this type of thing but I figured I could hack a few pages just to see how it has such high reviews. oh wow! that’s all I can say. I never imagined that ending. sure it was a touch on the crude side but whatever, it was a good read that will stick with you.
Now how cool is that? I love that someone left a good review and it wasn’t someone that may feel obligated or my be biased simply because they know me. Then again, maybe my friends that haven’t left a review are the ones that didn’t like it. Either way, I’m thrilled!
Now if I can just get this new story to flesh out like I want it. I read something by a great author. He basically said that the qualities of a great writer are (1) that you can think up a great story and (2) that you can execute it. I can think up some great stuff but it’s the execution that is hard for me. I know what I want it to say but making it pan out right is the hard part. Hey, I’m learning though. 🙂
Censorship anyone?
It looks as if censorship is alive and well right now. Many people on Smashwords got an email about their books being banned on there or that they would need to take them down if they contained certain elements. These elements are: rape, bestiality, necrophilia, and incest. This is because PayPal decided that they did not want to be involved with these types of themes and as the payment processor for Smashwords, it was complied with.
I don’t believe in censorship. One of my short stories has very adult themes and utilizes a couple of the banned elements. Since it is free, my story remains on Smashwords and since Amazon doesn’t use PayPal, I’m fine there. However, why should I have to censor myself and what I write? Why should PayPal decide what is or isn’t reprehensible behavior in fiction? The key word here is fiction. Should we also ban books on serial killers? I mean, that is definitely an illegal act as well and just as reprehensible.
What is amusing is that my only bad review so far is from someone that read my story and thought the language and plot choice was atrocious and without conscience. However, that is someone’s opinion. I have no desire to read romance novels but does that mean they should be banned?
I feel awful for those that have had their books banned and I can only hope that they have another avenue to showcase their work such as Amazon, where there isn’t an issue about censorship at the present.
Shauna Klein 