The Ultimate Reward

So I was thinking, which I tend to do from time to time, and I decided to add to my previous post about why I give away free books, instead of trying to sell them.  As I mentioned, right now it's all about building that growing fan base, about spreading the word and making friends... but in reality I am getting paid for my free books.  Not by Smashwords or Amazon.  Not by the readers who download the book.  I'm getting paid in reviews!

That's right, reviews are, in my honest opinion, the writer's greatest reward!  They surpass any form of cash payment or deposit.  They mean more than paper and coins.  They are priceless, unique and a true test of your worth as a writer, in any form!  I write this post as I have just received my second review on "December Dead", you can read it HERE.  I get really excited when readers review my books.  It means they had a reason to say something about it.  It means it had some sort of impact.  It means something... right?

So my final word on this is that if you are a reader enjoying Indie books, free or not, please do the author the extreme honor of posting an honest review!  You will make a poor penman happy, and it may just inspire him to write some more!

Love to all!

Wayne.

Free books? You must be crazy?!?

I've been self-publishing for exactly a year today.  I got the crazy idea from stumbling across the Amazon website, seeing all these unknown authors with their pretty covers and interesting plot summaries, and most importantly all those $$$ signs next to their book titles!  Wow, I thought, this is the answer!  I've always loved writing, it's come easily and naturally to me, so why do I need to be slaving at a day job if I can become a self-published author and get my share of that pie?

So I dived in.  I wrote my first novel, as an adult, over three months while working full time.  I ran it through a buddy for some quick editing, designed my own cover, studied the submission rules at Amazon, and then KAZAAM! Published and ready to sell!  Well...