Hello lovelies!
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, things just got crazy here on the home front. Two days after my last post, my job ended. Usually I look forward to this time of year. The summer off with my son, lazy reading days, etc.
However this time, on my last day I got bad news. I wouldn't be coming back in the fall.
Since my car accidents last year, this is basically the only job I can do. I can't stand long enough for retail or fast food, and unless I can get up and walk around every hour-ish, I can't work in an office. To top it off, my migraines have gotten worse, which I think is from the stress of losing $400 a month in income.
Two weeks after I lost my job, I went in for a free hearing test after seeing an ad on TV for a "30 Day Trial" for a new hearing aid. I got some pretty bad news. I knew I was having hearing problems, but I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten. Instead of posting all of that info, I will share the post that Indie Authors and Book Blogs did. I love these folks. I have loved the indie community since I first learned about it, almost 5 years ago. I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done, and are continuing to do to help me out.
Speaking of IABB, as you know today is #IABBConfessions day.
I read a post, that is very similar to many as of late, about bloggers using the argument that they don't get paid for what they do, in regards to refusing to help an author.
First off: That is sort of true, and sort of not true. We do get paid! Be it in free books, friendships, support for our own projects, etc. It may not be cash money, but we knew that going into this.
I have become great friends with many indie authors and I love them to death. I know that they put their heart and soul into their books, and more money than they should have to, just to get their books online.
I say more than they have to, because I have seen the fees. Have you? I saw a post recently from someone that offers editing services. I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw what she was charging. I went to one of my indie friends and asked, "Is this normal?" Sadly, that is probably the LOW end of what is charged. Then you have to factor in the formatting, cover art and other things that go along with it: Advertising, promo graphics, etc. It can be insane. I would say that it's easy for an indie to spend $1,500 on ONE book to get it to market. Now this is just for the eBook. There are more costs that go into the physical copy of the book, but I won't go down that road.
I started to post a comment on this confession, but I thought better of it and decided to do this instead. Here is how I became a blogger!
It was December 2011 and a few friends (one of them being Platypire Bob) introduced me to a group that promotes independent authors. I had sort of heard of indies before, but had never read a single indie book. Anywho, this group/page was doing a huge giveaway, with tons of books during December. All totaled I think I won something like 15-20 books (even though I actually only ever received maybe half, if that). I was beyond thrilled. Our little group of friends (I believe there were 4 of us.. Bob, Amy, Tori and I) began talking about book reviews. I thought.. "Hmm what a cool idea" and decided then to create my first blog: Kelli's Book Reviews.
I won't lie, this post was originally about TWICE as long as it is right now. I went into a LOT of detail that I have decided to save for another day.
The point of this post is why we started doing this to begin with. This is just MY story!
I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, things just got crazy here on the home front. Two days after my last post, my job ended. Usually I look forward to this time of year. The summer off with my son, lazy reading days, etc.
However this time, on my last day I got bad news. I wouldn't be coming back in the fall.
Since my car accidents last year, this is basically the only job I can do. I can't stand long enough for retail or fast food, and unless I can get up and walk around every hour-ish, I can't work in an office. To top it off, my migraines have gotten worse, which I think is from the stress of losing $400 a month in income.
Two weeks after I lost my job, I went in for a free hearing test after seeing an ad on TV for a "30 Day Trial" for a new hearing aid. I got some pretty bad news. I knew I was having hearing problems, but I didn't realize just how bad it had gotten. Instead of posting all of that info, I will share the post that Indie Authors and Book Blogs did. I love these folks. I have loved the indie community since I first learned about it, almost 5 years ago. I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done, and are continuing to do to help me out.
Speaking of IABB, as you know today is #IABBConfessions day.
I read a post, that is very similar to many as of late, about bloggers using the argument that they don't get paid for what they do, in regards to refusing to help an author.
First off: That is sort of true, and sort of not true. We do get paid! Be it in free books, friendships, support for our own projects, etc. It may not be cash money, but we knew that going into this.
I have become great friends with many indie authors and I love them to death. I know that they put their heart and soul into their books, and more money than they should have to, just to get their books online.
I say more than they have to, because I have seen the fees. Have you? I saw a post recently from someone that offers editing services. I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw what she was charging. I went to one of my indie friends and asked, "Is this normal?" Sadly, that is probably the LOW end of what is charged. Then you have to factor in the formatting, cover art and other things that go along with it: Advertising, promo graphics, etc. It can be insane. I would say that it's easy for an indie to spend $1,500 on ONE book to get it to market. Now this is just for the eBook. There are more costs that go into the physical copy of the book, but I won't go down that road.
I started to post a comment on this confession, but I thought better of it and decided to do this instead. Here is how I became a blogger!
It was December 2011 and a few friends (one of them being Platypire Bob) introduced me to a group that promotes independent authors. I had sort of heard of indies before, but had never read a single indie book. Anywho, this group/page was doing a huge giveaway, with tons of books during December. All totaled I think I won something like 15-20 books (even though I actually only ever received maybe half, if that). I was beyond thrilled. Our little group of friends (I believe there were 4 of us.. Bob, Amy, Tori and I) began talking about book reviews. I thought.. "Hmm what a cool idea" and decided then to create my first blog: Kelli's Book Reviews.
I won't lie, this post was originally about TWICE as long as it is right now. I went into a LOT of detail that I have decided to save for another day.
The point of this post is why we started doing this to begin with. This is just MY story!