Welcome to the Self Publishing House of Horrors Part 2 Library Thing or Library Thug?

As a self published author, marketing and publicity are some of the most important endeavors beyond writing and editing your creation. In the modern world, where there is a website for everything, I found that there is also a plethora of websites for readers, authors and librarians as welI. For the author, having good reviews on these sites is conducive to positive sales numbers. Goodreads, Author Database and Bookdaily are just some of the places authors can be listed with their works and readers can go to look for books and their reviews.

     With so many sites to choose from, my first mistake was to think that all the sites were basically the same, and that misconception, along with previous editions of my books pre-empting my current editions, were the catalysts for some very stressful moments. Seeing books that were retired years ago (See Nightmares in Self-Publishing Part 1) and not my recently released versions, of course made me want to correct that error as soon as possible. While I was contacting these websites regarding the issue, I went through and checked my reviews and the number of stars. When it came to Library Thing, I saw no stars for any of my books, and so, waiting for some to appear, both my wife, independent of me, and I put stars to rate my new edition books. In addition, I created a profile to match my books, thinking that the author profile was where they put the author’s books. Initially, they only listed those withdrawn editions of my books. That opened me up for an attack from the people at Library Thing who accused me, thanks to my wife posting reviews she had every right to post, of being dishonest, among other quite negative things.

     Within one day, some person named “Ravic3” gave me 1/2 a star for each of my books. I received a correspondence from a “Rybie3” that said I could not give reviews to my own books and their staff all the way up to the CEO accused me of being a liar because my wife had posted her reviews. When I complained that Ravic3 and Rybie3 were the same people I was called "delusional" and told me I had no idea what was going on. I kept getting these scathing emails about how I didn’t understand and they were removing my wife’s reviews from the site.

     In conclusion, I have given up on these sites completely. Beyond listing my books and making sure I at least contacted the site managers to get them to list my books with my profile, I have found so much negativity through my experience with Library Thing, I don't dare interact with anyone on any other site. I hope that this will help you a little if you are trying to make it as a self-published author. It is best to just create a profile, jump through their hoops and, as they say in buffalo country, let the chips fall where they may.

Matthew D. Heines

www.heinessight.com

BookBuzzr's Featured Author Matthew D. Heines

In December of 2014, BookBuzzr chose my website, www.heinessight.com as one of the top four website designs, based on my use of their widgets and how I use them to create a "buzz" if you will, around my books. In January, they elected me as their feature author. Here is that interview:

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am an author and teacher, which is reflected in all of my writing I guess, because I write to educate people, as well as to entertain them. I have a Bachelors degree in History ad English from Washington State University http://www.wsu.edu and a Masters degree in Secondary Education from the University of Alaska in Anchorage http://www.uaa.alaska.edu. Although I do love teaching, my real passion is writing. I chose teaching as a way to contribute to society and as a way to keep food on the table. Coming from a poor family, becoming a teacher took over ten years between the time I enlisted in the military to pay for college and the time I actually graduated with a Masters degree. By the time I started writing, I had already been out of high school for twenty years and had some incredible experiences all the way from Egypt and Israel to Panama and Oman.

All of my life, I've had very interesting things happen to me which I wanted to write about but never really had the opportunity or the desire, until my experiences in the Sultanate of Oman. I think when someone reads the book they will understand why I chose to describe that particular time in my life to begin my writing career.

2. Describe your book My Year in Oman: An American Experience in Arabia During the War On Terror (American Experiences in Arabia During the War On Terror Book 1) in 30 words or less.

The book is the true story of an American teacher who goes to Arabia during the beginning of the War on Terror to show that there is a better way.

3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Writing on my free time and teaching at the same time was very difficult. Worse than that however, was wondering if I would be able to find the right person or people that would give book its proper attention.

4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?

The Bible, The Book of Mormon the Republic by Plato, the dialogues by Plato, the lives by Plutarch, the Histories by Herodotus, the Peloponnesian war by Thucydides, Chariots of the Gods by von Daniken, the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Schirer, a Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, American Caesar by William Manchester and the Elegant Universe by Brian Green.

5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

1) I bought ads on Google and found they brought traffic to my site but few conversions.

2) I bought ads on Facebook and had the same results, although I ended up spending a lot more money.

3) I bought a BookBuzzr Author Pro Plus account and my traffic to my site increased immediately by ten to twenty percent and stayed at that level even after I stopped my Google and Facebook ads.

4) I maintain my own official website (http://www.heinessight.com) In addition to my website, I make daily posts called ‘Wisdom of the Ages’ (https://plus.google.com/u/0/106911704190992072030/posts) on various author sites like Author Database and Goodreads. I also post my ‘Wisdom of the Ages’ on social media like Twitter and Facebook and Google+. My posts are either humorous or thought provoking and they bring traffic to my website.

5) I am a regular panelist on The Week in Review with Simon Barrett. Mr. Barrett uses me as his Middle East expert as well as his expert on history and political affairs and the strategies of both US political parties.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/simon-barrett/2015/01/11/the-news-in-review--barrett-and-guests

6) I have sweatshirts and t-shirts with my heinessight company logo that both my wife and I wear in public as much as possible.

7) I have an extensive YouTube channel with videos and pictures I have made from all over the world (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpr1u2t0S7OqLuVeMVCCSBQ).

6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing? 

See my YouTube channel for the best answer to this question.

7. What are you working on next?

A sci-fi thriller about Time-Travel, Bigfoot and a lot of cantankerous retirees.

In conclusion:

Every little bit helps! The best marketing I have done has been undoubtedly through purchasing BookBuzzr Author Pro Plus widgets to put into my website, as well as their giveaways and other promotional ideas. They allow people who, for whatever reason might not purchase from Amazon, to still have a glimpse inside of my books. 

I believe that allowing people to see my writing style, as well as the content of my books, thus letting me to “sell myself”  has done more than anything to increase my sales. Right now, I have sales from Amazon, Kobo, Nook, ibooks and each day I get orders to ship my print editions from my home business. Everyday, I see those sales rising and it is exciting!  

I hope that this information will help any future authors toward success. I also published a blog called “Nightmares in Self-publishing” for any authors out there who are experiencing trouble and think that you are all alone in your endeavors.

Best of luck,

Matthew D Heines

(I have received no compensation in any way shape or form for this post, other than a lot of support from the fine folks at Bookbuzzr.-MDH)