Tuesday, July 31, 2012

I Am Alive New Edition Soon

2nd UPDATE: I know this is confusing, but some readers didn't like that I pulled the book away from amazon.com, so I had to put it back. Still, there will be a newer edited version by the end of August. 
UPDATE: I have unpublished the book I Am Alive today while it was had numerous rave reviews ( as much as bad ) and was in the paid bestsellers list of amazon.com in action and adventures, and girl and women section. Many of you have downloaded it for free, and I don't feel that others should pay for it until it's edited within the month.

It's my responsibility to admit that my book I AM ALIVE wasn't properly edited. Its grammar mistakes, spellings, and other things. If you have read my books before, you'd know that I never marketed the this book. Most of my readers know me for the Grimm Diaries.

I just had an opportunity to so provide the book for free on amazon kindle, and had the help of a couple of 2 major blogs to list them the days the book was free. And of course, word of mouth of the most kind and enthusiastic friends on the internet. ( whom I can never thank enough ) .I had no expectation that the book will be downloaded that much.

To make the story short, I hired a new editor, and a second edition will be available by the end of the month. The editor said it will take that long.

For those who were irked by this, I hope you'll find the second edition easier to read.

If you're only interested in the new edition, this post post ends here. If you want to know more about me and the situation and why this happened, read on:

Let me explain a couple of things. First of all I am an indie writer. I have a day job. I live good. Happy with what I've got. But I can't afford extra expenses like editors or marketers or all the other things a popular, traditionally published book gets. I am not trying to get anyone's sympathy, and I don't need it. I think I represent the majority of thousands of Indie writers who do their best to be read.

You have no idea of the millions of dollars spent on any of your favorite published books out there. Each book gets edited dozens of times by the best editors in the market, if not by more than three or four editors. Each book has a marketing campaign behind it that spreads the book all over the internet ( and the world ), making sure you won't miss how awesome this upcoming book is before it even comes out. Each book gets quotes from famous authors like Stephen King to shoot its sales to the roof. 5 star reviews from elite reviewers no indie writer can dream of even talking to ( I tried actually)
Readers might not know that there is a big team, powerful as the Avengers, standing behind the book you get and love.

Does that mean I blame them or anything? Of course not. It's the right way to do it. Most of the bestseller books on shelves right now are awesome book, and I am an avid reader to many. All I am saying is, I am just a 29 year old writer who found an opportunity through self-publishing. The only help I get is from sites like amazon and goodreads, and the awesome people who pick up a book to read, one that they don't know anything about, and one that wasn't marketed intensively toward them, and read it, like it, and even spread the word and advise you how to become better. This is an indie writer's only weapon. The writers' job is to find those and reach for them.

Most Indie writers work with their passion to make a book come out and be read. Remember, we have day jobs, and a life, and writing ususally doens't pay well. None of us has a sponsor who pays millions of dollars.

Does that mean that we don't want the reader to criticize, to point at flaws, and express their freedom to say how much this book sucked and that book was a bore? Not at all. You, as the reader, can do what you want and see right. All Indie writers would want from you is understand. Just understand. Just know that this is a self-published, self marketed by passionate writers, not the one whose job is only to write while there is a group of people that does all the other things for him. With all this technology around us, this is a new word of freedom of expression, and there is no better environment for the many starving and struggling artists outside that today.

Besides, as much as there are readers who get mad and complain, there is a huge number of readers who support us in the most amazing ways.

When I Am Alive hit number 30 in all amazon.com free kindle bestseller list this weekend, someone in a forum told me, "I hope this translates into real sales when the books isn't free anymore."
I replied, saying that was not the point because the real point was for the book to be read. I get about one email almost everyday from someone who read one of my books and liked it. I reply to each of those emails, and we even become friends, because you know what, this means to me so much I couldn't explain in words. ( I do also receive bad emails which I rather not talk about )

 Since I started self-publishing three month ago, I hadn't been sleeping well. Here is what I do everyday: I go to my job. Instead of relaxing in the lunch break, I think about the outlines of the next book. I think about it when I am on my way home. I spend the afternoon writing, marketing, emailing, spreading the word, learning, re-editing, and above all reading. ( you can't write if you don't read enough ) So basically I have had almost not seen my friends and loved ones for the last three months. It's a lot to do on your own.

So why am I doing it? Because I love it. I have always been writing since I was sixteen. It's one of my passions. I have 12 books under my belt. 12. Of course none off them was cared for and enhanced by a troop of book marketing and editing Avengers, but they will, and they will come out. It just takes time.

Still, all of this is not an excuse for having a badly edited book. It's an explanation. I edited Snow White Blood Red three times, and it cost me, and still no one was satisfied with the editing. So I stopped.

Anyway, I can't express how happy I am. Because if I Am Alive, with all the hype about how badly it was written, and how much the grammar sucked, reached the bestseller list of amazon in the action and adventure genre ( that's not the free one, but the paid one ), about 40 steps behind legends like Hunger Games and Divergent, you have no idea what this means to me, and you have no idea what this means at all. It means that this book has potential. All it needs is to get edited properly. That's why this time I am hiring and editor and paying from my own little savings, because it seems that there is something to bet on here. I have had 4 short stories on the bestseller lists for three month. Each book is about 20 pages. That's something publishing houses look for.

The power of a book or the writer is not the work ( edited or not ) it's the readers. And i thank again all those enthusiastic readers who spread the word, accepted me as an Indie reader, and even told me where there was a spelling or a grammar mistake in my books. If someone deserves applause, it would be them. I am just the storyteller.

Anyway, I am not fond of writing posts like this where I explain myself. The only thing in the world I am fond of is having fun. That's what I try to do in my books.

So to let you know, I might pull I Am Alive from the amazon kindle shelves soon, and re-release it when it's edited again. If this happens as planned, it will remind me of super writers like Sarah J. Mass who I read about 4 years ago in Fiction Press, and everyone was crazy about her books. She was picked up by a major company and now her same book that she wrote in fiction press, edited and marketed, will eventually be a hot the bestseller soon. ( the book is called Throne of Glass, and it's awesome, like really awesome ).

Finally, I read a writing coach's blog a couple of days ago, and she said something that hit me. She said that there is difference between writing and storytelling. She said that she can teach you the best techniques of writing you'd master the language like no one did. But no matter what she teaches you, she can't teach you storytelling, because that is an art, if not a sole gift that no amount of courses can teach.

If a number of people like my books, then I am a storyteller. All I need is to learn some rules, and that is so easy and doable. You know why? Because I Am Alive :)

23 comments:

  1. I wondered what happened. I just finished the book today and went to put up a review, but was unable to find it listed. I did wind up going to the 'manage my Kindle' tab and was able to leave a review.

    I really throughly enjoyed it. I did mention that it needed some editing in my review, but also that I am hooked. I'm anxiously awaiting book #2!

    Thanks for a great story, Cameron!

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  2. Hey CP. I am glad you liked it, but things have to be done right. Some awesome readers like you tolerate bad editing, some don't. So it is reasonable to do that. I am sorry that some will not find the book for a while, but look at the bright side. By the end of august we will have two edited books 1 and 2 for everyone to enjoy. Also, I will make it free for a couple of days once it's out.

    thank you for your concern and please tell everyone you can:)

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  3. I agree that it needs editing, but I don't think it was THAT bad. I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next book.

    I'm sorry that it's going to take a month to edit. I didn't think that it would take that long, but I'm excited that you're going to be putting it back out there, along with the sequel.

    I'd like to point you to my website, in case you're ever interested in a book trailer. I've done a few for an author friend, and hoping to expand my client list.
    www.dreams2media.com

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  4. Thank you Osirri. Still, it's better if it's edited.

    I looked at your site, and nice trailers. I am not interested in trailers right now, but will recommend you to others. I followed you as well:)

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  5. I am so glad you are re-releasing this book. I got a free copy from when you on GoodReads and I started it earlier. I like the story but it will be so much better edited. Will you send out another email at GoodReads when it's released?

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  6. I will create and event and will ask everyone to spread it around. The sure way is for you to follow my blog or goodreads or twitter.

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  7. I can not wait for the second book to come out! (By the way loved the name of the new book) I am so eagar to read the next book after I fell in love with the first one. I want to know so badly what Decca decides to do. I don't care if it had some errors I still loved the book and if people can't look past it then they obviously have never read a good book. Keep on writing Cameron!

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  8. Thanks pianogirl:)
    I hope you will like book 2 as well. It might take a little longer since it has to be edited too. Not all people would pass on the errors so the editing is for best. And things are getting really complicated for Decca in the second book, but I think she will make it through :)

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  9. Okay I just bought ($2.99 on amazon) and read your first book I AM ALIVE, I loved it (even with the flaws) however, I wasn't expecting it to be a series, I didn't want to read anymore trilogies, that I have to wait year after year to find out whats happening. I really wish it had said in the notes that it was going to be a series. That being said - I can't wait to read the next book.

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  10. Hey Emily
    I am glad you liked it. If your concern about the trilogy is that it takes a year between every book, I promise you otherwise. You will have the next two books out before the end of the year. And you're right, I should note this in this description.

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  11. So will this just be a trilogy.. I am looking forward to reading the next one. Thanks for your reply !

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    1. Wait so this book is a trilogy??!! So cool! Now I definitely will enjoy this(or these next books) ;)

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  12. hope so:) I still don't have a name for the third book but it is too soon to talk about it. Now I am doing my best to bring the second book asap

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  13. I wanted to commend you on a job well done! I was sucked in from Page 1, and have now got my son hooked. Eagerly anticipating the release of the next book :) I'm a self confessed spelling and grammar nazi and have considered a career in editing but have always put it in the "too hard" basket as life got too busy. I'm happy to help pro-bono if it means the next 2 books will be published sooner. I'm an avid reader and completed "I Am Alive!" in a weekend :)

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  14. I love when I hear it that sons and daughters got hooked on the book. This really makes my day. I am still like a bot who refuses to grow up so this makes me really smile:)
    and how about you write me your email Katyana? or better email me at camjace[at]hotmail.com I could use your help:)

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    1. Have sent you an email. Sorry for delayed reply, we've been on holidays too. A little R&R does wonders for the mind :)

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  15. CP, Osirri, lisasimpsonfan, pianogirl0399, and Emily. Can you alose contact me on my email camjace[at]hotmail.com ? I want to send you the reedited versions of I AM ALIVE :) thanks

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  16. Im getting really frustrated, is this book in paper back? I so want to read it, but not on a kindle, im a book person, i want to feel the book and pages in my hand, then i like it to go on my book shelf. I loved hunger games, divergent and know i will love this, so please tell me this will be a proper hand held lots of real pages book? If not very annoyed and dissapointed, please help this old fashioned girl. X

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  17. Hey Vicky
    I am planning to publish the whole series on paperback once all the editing is %100 finished. We're like %70 now:)
    if you send me your email on camejace[at]hotmail.com I will add you to the mailing list and will notify you once the book is on paperback :)

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    1. Omg fantastic news, I can't wait, will be e.mailing you my e.add, please please let me know as soon as, I'm so happy, so excited to read this and so excited for the books. You made an old fashioned girl very happy. Thank-you x

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  18. I have just finished I am alive ... which by the way ... I loved and it kept me up late two nights as I couldn't put it down .... can't wait for the second :D ... if this isn't picked up by a company and made into a film I will be massively shocked
    can't wait to read the next books ... and if you don't mind me emailing to be put on the list to be notified of the releases :)

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  19. Of course I don't mind Lindsey. I am sorry I just read your comment now, Somehow my email put in the junk box! also could you please email me camjace [at] amazon.com so I get your email on the list?

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  20. I love this book poor grammar or not. You had be on the edge of my seat the whole time. I can't wait to read more! Decca is an inspiration to girls everywhere to break the status quo and follow your heart despite all costs and against all odds! Every girl dies but not every girl lives!!!!

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