Ask the Author: Graeme Rodaughan
Answered Questions (33)
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Nyssa, an awesome question.
I currently have A Subtle Agency in a program with Apple. Check this out: https://authors.apple.com/support/451... where I've chosen 'Warren,' as the reader.
This is pending confirmation, but Apple invited me to participate in this program where the first book is free to convert to Audio. The book is undergoing 'review,' by Apple for suitability and I haven't heard back yet.
So, hopefully, we'll see the first book in audio sometime soon.
Cheers Graeme
I currently have A Subtle Agency in a program with Apple. Check this out: https://authors.apple.com/support/451... where I've chosen 'Warren,' as the reader.
This is pending confirmation, but Apple invited me to participate in this program where the first book is free to convert to Audio. The book is undergoing 'review,' by Apple for suitability and I haven't heard back yet.
So, hopefully, we'll see the first book in audio sometime soon.
Cheers Graeme
Graeme Rodaughan
An excellent question, Michael. I wish I knew ... but I suspect that main reason is that the world of The Metaframe War remains largely unknown.
Perhaps that will change in time.
In the mean time, enjoy the read.
EDIT 25Jul2023: If it helps, the last book is now widely available for preorder at a discount price.
Perhaps that will change in time.
In the mean time, enjoy the read.
EDIT 25Jul2023: If it helps, the last book is now widely available for preorder at a discount price.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Nyssa,
I'm actively working on a new series. Supernatural action/suspense. I've got the main character kinda worked out, but I need to flesh out the villains and scenarios.
The idea is based on this doodle.
INT: CHILD'S BEDROOM
The mother sat down next to her daughter and asked, "Who was that you were talking with?"
"My friends," she replied, her brown eyes glistening in the hall light.
The mother tilted her head. "What friends sweetheart?"
"The ones from the door."
The mother glanced around, looking back at the doorway into the hall. She frowned momentarily and lifted a finger toward the hallway. "From there?"
"No, silly," her daughter said. She pointed at the wall to the right of her bed and asserted with absolute confidence. "They come from over there!"
The mother glanced at the wall. It was solid drywall, covered with chalk-white paint and a series of Disney character decals. There was no door there. There had never been a door there. She took a deep breath and sighed, turning back to her daughter. "C'mon sweetie, you know it's not right to tell fibs."
The daughter frowned, and shook her head back and forth. "No. I'm not fibbing. It's the truth. They come through the door. Shining, floating, they tell me all sorts of things. They say I'm special." She looked hard at her mother. "They said, you wouldn't believe me. They said you couldn't understand because you're too old."
A cold tightness clenched slow fingers around the mother's heart. Her daughter was convinced what she was saying was true. But she must have imagined it. Surely, it couldn't be anything else. But ... she picked up her daughter's hands and stared into her eyes. "What did they say they were, sweetheart?"
"Collectors. They called themselves collectors."
The room closed in about her. The mother asked quietly, "And what do they collect?"
"Children, Mother. They collect children."
The mother stood up in a rush, then reached down and gathered her daughter in her arms, blanket, teddy and all. A moment later, she fled the room.
The hall light remained, casting a rectangular block of light on the empty sheets of the single bed. It was the only witness when the collectors returned for their prize, and queried each other in puzzlement before leaving empty-handed.
I'm actively working on a new series. Supernatural action/suspense. I've got the main character kinda worked out, but I need to flesh out the villains and scenarios.
The idea is based on this doodle.
INT: CHILD'S BEDROOM
The mother sat down next to her daughter and asked, "Who was that you were talking with?"
"My friends," she replied, her brown eyes glistening in the hall light.
The mother tilted her head. "What friends sweetheart?"
"The ones from the door."
The mother glanced around, looking back at the doorway into the hall. She frowned momentarily and lifted a finger toward the hallway. "From there?"
"No, silly," her daughter said. She pointed at the wall to the right of her bed and asserted with absolute confidence. "They come from over there!"
The mother glanced at the wall. It was solid drywall, covered with chalk-white paint and a series of Disney character decals. There was no door there. There had never been a door there. She took a deep breath and sighed, turning back to her daughter. "C'mon sweetie, you know it's not right to tell fibs."
The daughter frowned, and shook her head back and forth. "No. I'm not fibbing. It's the truth. They come through the door. Shining, floating, they tell me all sorts of things. They say I'm special." She looked hard at her mother. "They said, you wouldn't believe me. They said you couldn't understand because you're too old."
A cold tightness clenched slow fingers around the mother's heart. Her daughter was convinced what she was saying was true. But she must have imagined it. Surely, it couldn't be anything else. But ... she picked up her daughter's hands and stared into her eyes. "What did they say they were, sweetheart?"
"Collectors. They called themselves collectors."
The room closed in about her. The mother asked quietly, "And what do they collect?"
"Children, Mother. They collect children."
The mother stood up in a rush, then reached down and gathered her daughter in her arms, blanket, teddy and all. A moment later, she fled the room.
The hall light remained, casting a rectangular block of light on the empty sheets of the single bed. It was the only witness when the collectors returned for their prize, and queried each other in puzzlement before leaving empty-handed.
Graeme Rodaughan
Not that I remember, but I'm not a candidate for any beauty contests so it's a moot point, is it not?
Graeme Rodaughan
As follows.
All the guns are based on current weapons. The Mirovar team often use the FN P90 which suits a modern vampire hunter with it's compact style that can be hidden beneath a long coat... REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd3-v... you'll also see this weapon used in the Stargate TV show or any show looking for a near-term futuristic look and feel.
The railguns used on the Commander Tank, Specter and Nemesis defense towers are a thing. REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i737r... This video is very 'rah rah,' but it captures the concept well.
The small flying bots in the storm drains of The Day Guard are based one of the more depressing uses of advanced technology - micro-kill-bots - not kidding, and probably quite easy to build.
REF: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQUD...
Nightfalcons are evolved from the Blackhawk. REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsk...
They are armed with Hellfire III and Stinger II missiles evolved from the current versions.
Hellfire: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-114...
Stinger: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIM-92_...
The Blackwidows are evolved variants of the Apache attack helicopter: REF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...
Assault rifles are often H&K 416 or their larger caliber 417 versions. REF: https://www.heckler-koch.com/en/produ...
Miniguns are typically variants on the Dillon Aero: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minigun
MRAPS: Are based on the Australian Hawkei vehicle: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkei
APCs: Typically wheeled versions based on the Australian Bushmaster: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmas...
The Commander Tank has no current analogue.
The Spike 512 is a thing: REF: https://www.spikeaerospace.com/s-512-...
Hypersonics are a thing, including the Scimitar engine used in the Shadowstar drones: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactio...
Multi-grenade launchers have been around for a while: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkor_MGL
Plus others...
All the guns are based on current weapons. The Mirovar team often use the FN P90 which suits a modern vampire hunter with it's compact style that can be hidden beneath a long coat... REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd3-v... you'll also see this weapon used in the Stargate TV show or any show looking for a near-term futuristic look and feel.
The railguns used on the Commander Tank, Specter and Nemesis defense towers are a thing. REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i737r... This video is very 'rah rah,' but it captures the concept well.
The small flying bots in the storm drains of The Day Guard are based one of the more depressing uses of advanced technology - micro-kill-bots - not kidding, and probably quite easy to build.
REF: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQUD...
Nightfalcons are evolved from the Blackhawk. REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsk...
They are armed with Hellfire III and Stinger II missiles evolved from the current versions.
Hellfire: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-114...
Stinger: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIM-92_...
The Blackwidows are evolved variants of the Apache attack helicopter: REF https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...
Assault rifles are often H&K 416 or their larger caliber 417 versions. REF: https://www.heckler-koch.com/en/produ...
Miniguns are typically variants on the Dillon Aero: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minigun
MRAPS: Are based on the Australian Hawkei vehicle: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkei
APCs: Typically wheeled versions based on the Australian Bushmaster: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmas...
The Commander Tank has no current analogue.
The Spike 512 is a thing: REF: https://www.spikeaerospace.com/s-512-...
Hypersonics are a thing, including the Scimitar engine used in the Shadowstar drones: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactio...
Multi-grenade launchers have been around for a while: REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkor_MGL
Plus others...
Graeme Rodaughan
Yep, they really do - right before I kill them off. (Although, it's not always screaming sometimes it's begging...)
Graeme Rodaughan
This is a very good question, and hard to answer.
For A Subtle Agency, I wanted to highlight the hidden nature of the Vampire Dominion operating out of a corporate front - hence the tower with a red 'danger,' glow.
For A Traitor's War, there is a scene where Anton has both the Blue and Green Dragon swords - hence two swords.
For the Dragon's Den, another play on the Dragon Swords, but also pointing to a dramatic battle within Armitage Manor. The Ancestral home of Chloe Armitage brings 4 of the Dragon swords to the one location for a titanic battle.
The Day Guard - Well, kinda self explanatory. A modern spec-ops warrior emerging from the mist and rain - fits the bill.
The Crane War - Cornelius Crane, King of the Vampire Dominion enters the fight, bringing his Damascan steel bastard sword with him. Fire, flames, and destruction will arrive in his wake.
For A Subtle Agency, I wanted to highlight the hidden nature of the Vampire Dominion operating out of a corporate front - hence the tower with a red 'danger,' glow.
For A Traitor's War, there is a scene where Anton has both the Blue and Green Dragon swords - hence two swords.
For the Dragon's Den, another play on the Dragon Swords, but also pointing to a dramatic battle within Armitage Manor. The Ancestral home of Chloe Armitage brings 4 of the Dragon swords to the one location for a titanic battle.
The Day Guard - Well, kinda self explanatory. A modern spec-ops warrior emerging from the mist and rain - fits the bill.
The Crane War - Cornelius Crane, King of the Vampire Dominion enters the fight, bringing his Damascan steel bastard sword with him. Fire, flames, and destruction will arrive in his wake.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Marie,
EDIT: 11Apr2020
At the time I wrote my first book, A Subtle Agency, the whole Metaframe War series was (and still is) structured into five parts.
1. A Subtle Agency
2. The Crane War
3. The Red Ghost
4. The Key of Ahknaton
5. The Metaframe Adept
Part 1, became three published books, A Subtle Agency, A Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den.
Each part of the series ends on a major and dramatic turning point, and I use those big, dramatic endings as markers for the ending of the parts, and the series as a whole.
The number one reason I published A Subtle Agency as the first act of the first part, was because I wanted to get the story into the market and in front of readers, and I didn't have the patience to spend another eighteen months writing The Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den, and then publishing all three books in one hit as a single volume.
I'm glad I went down the path I did, as I started to learn so much more about writing, story-telling, and marketing from getting feedback for A Subtle Agency that I would have missed out on if I'd waited.
Part 2, was originally three books, The Day Guard, The Panopticon, and The Crane War. The Day Guard, has been published, 'as is,' the other two books have been condensed into a larger volume, titled The Crane War.
The number one reason for consolidating is that the combined book is simply a better story, as the The Crane War ending is very dramatic, as befits a series level turning point. The original The Panopticon ending while also dramatic, is not as strong and has become a viable Act II turning point in The Crane War volume.
My experience with writing The Crane War has convinced me that the best option going forward is to write The Red Ghost, The Key of Ahknaton, and The Metaframe Adept as two books, and take advantage of the series level turning points to produce fabulous endings - and you know how much I love a great ending.
So where does The Enforcer fit in with this scheme? The Enforcer is a new, almost stand-alone novelette (approx. 25K words) with Chloe Armitage as the main character, set in the final weeks of the second world war. It provides an extended prologue for the events in part 4, The Key of Ahknaton, and provides deeper context and understanding for the motivations of Chloe and Cornelius Crane, while also illuminating the nature of The Metaframe.
So our final structure (as of now) is as follows.
1. A Subtle Agency (as three books, A Subtle Agency, A Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den).
2. The Crane War (as two books, The Day Guard, and The Crane War).
3. The Enforcer, The Red Ghost and The Key of Ahknaton (as one book - The Key of Ahknaton)
5. The Metaframe Adept (as one book).
Planned publish dates are,
Published:
A Subtle Agency - 2016
A Traitor's War - 2017
The Dragon's Den - 2018
The Day Guard - 2018
The Crane War - December 2019
Planned:
The Key of Ahknaton - December 2021
The Metaframe Adept - December 2023
So, hopefully all finished, wrapped up and delivered with a bow by the end of 2023. (Three and a half years to go to complete the story).
And, yes. The books from The Crane War forward are longer format. (140K+ words).
I hope that answers your question.
EDIT: 11Apr2020
At the time I wrote my first book, A Subtle Agency, the whole Metaframe War series was (and still is) structured into five parts.
1. A Subtle Agency
2. The Crane War
3. The Red Ghost
4. The Key of Ahknaton
5. The Metaframe Adept
Part 1, became three published books, A Subtle Agency, A Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den.
Each part of the series ends on a major and dramatic turning point, and I use those big, dramatic endings as markers for the ending of the parts, and the series as a whole.
The number one reason I published A Subtle Agency as the first act of the first part, was because I wanted to get the story into the market and in front of readers, and I didn't have the patience to spend another eighteen months writing The Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den, and then publishing all three books in one hit as a single volume.
I'm glad I went down the path I did, as I started to learn so much more about writing, story-telling, and marketing from getting feedback for A Subtle Agency that I would have missed out on if I'd waited.
Part 2, was originally three books, The Day Guard, The Panopticon, and The Crane War. The Day Guard, has been published, 'as is,' the other two books have been condensed into a larger volume, titled The Crane War.
The number one reason for consolidating is that the combined book is simply a better story, as the The Crane War ending is very dramatic, as befits a series level turning point. The original The Panopticon ending while also dramatic, is not as strong and has become a viable Act II turning point in The Crane War volume.
My experience with writing The Crane War has convinced me that the best option going forward is to write The Red Ghost, The Key of Ahknaton, and The Metaframe Adept as two books, and take advantage of the series level turning points to produce fabulous endings - and you know how much I love a great ending.
So where does The Enforcer fit in with this scheme? The Enforcer is a new, almost stand-alone novelette (approx. 25K words) with Chloe Armitage as the main character, set in the final weeks of the second world war. It provides an extended prologue for the events in part 4, The Key of Ahknaton, and provides deeper context and understanding for the motivations of Chloe and Cornelius Crane, while also illuminating the nature of The Metaframe.
So our final structure (as of now) is as follows.
1. A Subtle Agency (as three books, A Subtle Agency, A Traitor's War, and The Dragon's Den).
2. The Crane War (as two books, The Day Guard, and The Crane War).
3. The Enforcer, The Red Ghost and The Key of Ahknaton (as one book - The Key of Ahknaton)
5. The Metaframe Adept (as one book).
Planned publish dates are,
Published:
A Subtle Agency - 2016
A Traitor's War - 2017
The Dragon's Den - 2018
The Day Guard - 2018
The Crane War - December 2019
Planned:
The Key of Ahknaton - December 2021
The Metaframe Adept - December 2023
So, hopefully all finished, wrapped up and delivered with a bow by the end of 2023. (Three and a half years to go to complete the story).
And, yes. The books from The Crane War forward are longer format. (140K+ words).
I hope that answers your question.
Graeme Rodaughan
I often feel what the characters are feeling as events unfold. I attempt to capture those emotions and communicate them to the reader through vivid portrayals of events.
As an author, I live for those moments when I can capture the most dramatic and moving episodes of my character's lives.
For me, if the characters are worth caring about and operate authentically, then the events they pass through will generate the right emotional responses.
My job as an author is to write characters we can all care about, then arrange dramatic events. The emotions will follow for both author and reader.
I can promise you that the most moving and dramatic moments in The Metaframe War are still to come in the forthcoming (and last) two books of the series.
As an author, I live for those moments when I can capture the most dramatic and moving episodes of my character's lives.
For me, if the characters are worth caring about and operate authentically, then the events they pass through will generate the right emotional responses.
My job as an author is to write characters we can all care about, then arrange dramatic events. The emotions will follow for both author and reader.
I can promise you that the most moving and dramatic moments in The Metaframe War are still to come in the forthcoming (and last) two books of the series.
Graeme Rodaughan
Most of my research is done on wiki and youtube, it's not super deep. I research just enough to do what I want to do and not more (time constraint, and rapid research to a sufficient depth to solve a problem is a personal skill of mine).
Nearly everything is an extrapolation of current technology.
Occasionally I'll make something up, like the quantum encrypted smartphones. While something like that may well happen, I haven't researched quantum communications very much at all. Although I'm aware of quantum computing and it's very much a 'thing,' now, and underpins my idea of the Panopticon.
All the guns are based on current weapons. The Mirovar team often use the FN P90 which suits a modern vampire hunter with it's compact style that can be hidden beneath a long coat... REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd3-v... you'll also see this weapon used in the Stargate TV show or any show looking for a near-term futuristic look and feel.
The railguns are a thing. REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i737r... This video is very 'rah rah,' but it captures the concept well.
Neural implants are evolving rapidly, along with understanding of the machine/nerve interface. It's barely sci-fi what I do with implants.
Panopticon = 'a pervasive surveillance state,' = almost current reality. The only thing lacking are the AI elements, but people are working on those technologies, and I'm sure they'll come into existence sooner rather than later.
The small flying bots in the storm drains are based one of the more depressing uses of advanced technology - micro-kill-bots - not kidding, and probably quite easy to build.
REF: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQUD...
In general, I position the tech at about 10 to 15 years ahead of where we are now, but in a world that is recognizably like our own.
Nearly everything is an extrapolation of current technology.
Occasionally I'll make something up, like the quantum encrypted smartphones. While something like that may well happen, I haven't researched quantum communications very much at all. Although I'm aware of quantum computing and it's very much a 'thing,' now, and underpins my idea of the Panopticon.
All the guns are based on current weapons. The Mirovar team often use the FN P90 which suits a modern vampire hunter with it's compact style that can be hidden beneath a long coat... REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd3-v... you'll also see this weapon used in the Stargate TV show or any show looking for a near-term futuristic look and feel.
The railguns are a thing. REF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i737r... This video is very 'rah rah,' but it captures the concept well.
Neural implants are evolving rapidly, along with understanding of the machine/nerve interface. It's barely sci-fi what I do with implants.
Panopticon = 'a pervasive surveillance state,' = almost current reality. The only thing lacking are the AI elements, but people are working on those technologies, and I'm sure they'll come into existence sooner rather than later.
The small flying bots in the storm drains are based one of the more depressing uses of advanced technology - micro-kill-bots - not kidding, and probably quite easy to build.
REF: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLQUD...
In general, I position the tech at about 10 to 15 years ahead of where we are now, but in a world that is recognizably like our own.
Graeme Rodaughan
Great question. My original vision was of a number of groups vying to collect the three artifacts of the Metaframe, and hence the power to access it. Lots of mutually opposed factions allows for a tournament structure where the strongest knock out the weakest until the winner is left standing.
Such a structure lends itself to lots of battles with ever increasing difficulty and stakes. This is a concept exploited by the movie Highlander and the GoT series, as well as a whole lot of real world sports. (Tennis comes to mind).
I settled on three (the Order of Thoth, the Red Empire, and the Vampire Dominion) as a matter of economy and 'doability.' There is only so much complexity my poor brain can handle.
That being said, new factions have erupted into the story with book #4, The Day Guard. So, now we have 6 (counting Louise Wesson, who continues to grow as a force to be reckoned with).
The tournament is still alive, with many skilled and powerful players. Who will win? It remains to be seen.
Such a structure lends itself to lots of battles with ever increasing difficulty and stakes. This is a concept exploited by the movie Highlander and the GoT series, as well as a whole lot of real world sports. (Tennis comes to mind).
I settled on three (the Order of Thoth, the Red Empire, and the Vampire Dominion) as a matter of economy and 'doability.' There is only so much complexity my poor brain can handle.
That being said, new factions have erupted into the story with book #4, The Day Guard. So, now we have 6 (counting Louise Wesson, who continues to grow as a force to be reckoned with).
The tournament is still alive, with many skilled and powerful players. Who will win? It remains to be seen.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Marie,
[1] I believe the thriller genre is my natural home, and that the vast majority of the stories I think about are thriller stories.
The thriller genre for me is essentially a story where something really bad is going to happen, and the protagonist is trying to stop it. The setting could be sci-fi, fantasy, real world drama, horror, depending on how the author dresses it up.
I don't think in terms of romances, or mysteries, etc, so I didn't go down those paths. While there is a certain amount of 'mystery,' in my stories as the reader doesn't know everything about how the world of the Metaframe war hangs together - mystery is not the main theme. Thrills, action, danger, daring heroes and powerful villains are my stock in trade.
[2] Any 'wake in fright,' nightmare I have has malign horrific vampires in it lurking in the shadows. They haunt my imagination - hence I write about them.
[3] Secret Organizations? Because I'm a paranoid believer in conspiracies ... just kidding. I loved the movie "The Matrix," and the concept of a secret world that exists alongside the world we generally accept is a long standing fantasy trope that I happen to love.
The secret war for the Metaframe is simply my take on this popular fantasy concept. I also liked the idea of having more than two opposed groups - as you never run out of bad guys that way.
[1] I believe the thriller genre is my natural home, and that the vast majority of the stories I think about are thriller stories.
The thriller genre for me is essentially a story where something really bad is going to happen, and the protagonist is trying to stop it. The setting could be sci-fi, fantasy, real world drama, horror, depending on how the author dresses it up.
I don't think in terms of romances, or mysteries, etc, so I didn't go down those paths. While there is a certain amount of 'mystery,' in my stories as the reader doesn't know everything about how the world of the Metaframe war hangs together - mystery is not the main theme. Thrills, action, danger, daring heroes and powerful villains are my stock in trade.
[2] Any 'wake in fright,' nightmare I have has malign horrific vampires in it lurking in the shadows. They haunt my imagination - hence I write about them.
[3] Secret Organizations? Because I'm a paranoid believer in conspiracies ... just kidding. I loved the movie "The Matrix," and the concept of a secret world that exists alongside the world we generally accept is a long standing fantasy trope that I happen to love.
The secret war for the Metaframe is simply my take on this popular fantasy concept. I also liked the idea of having more than two opposed groups - as you never run out of bad guys that way.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Marie,
The design process took something like a year and a half. I spent months with pencil and paper brainstorming ideas, defining timelines, concepts, characters and conflicts.
Anton was a vampire for some of that time, and Li Wu and Chiara Romano belonged to a sect of female ninjas.
Of course, the final story turned out differently.
Once I started writing A Subtle Agency, yes the words flowed, but it was on the back of a helluva lot of preparation.
The design process took something like a year and a half. I spent months with pencil and paper brainstorming ideas, defining timelines, concepts, characters and conflicts.
Anton was a vampire for some of that time, and Li Wu and Chiara Romano belonged to a sect of female ninjas.
Of course, the final story turned out differently.
Once I started writing A Subtle Agency, yes the words flowed, but it was on the back of a helluva lot of preparation.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Zino,
Just noting that you're new to Goodreads. I'd recommend setting up your author profile and getting your books on here as well.
As a side note, spruiking your books at authors/readers is (very) often frowned on. Goodreads is really about the readers, not the authors. My best advice is to see yourself as a guest who has stumbled into someone else's house - you may or may not be welcome, so practice your best behavior. (I.e. Don't throw your books at people - it will get them off-side and will get you blocked, and if you persist it will get you marked as a spammer and deleted from the site). I.e. Please do not repeat this question with other authors.
I'd focus on getting into a small number of groups that match your personal reading interests, and what you write about. Go small and tight, not big and wide and build real relationships with strong, vocal readers. If your books are worth reading, they'll come to them in their own time, and will become your biggest advocates as well.
Most groups will have an Author/Promotions area. Use that exclusively to promote your books to the readers in the group. I.e. (Most Important) Respect the Group Rules.
I don't get many sales from goodreads but I get most of my reviews here.
You seem to be writing in a genre similar to my own, i.e. SF, Fantasy, Horror - check out my marketing experiences on the following link. I explain some pitfalls and things that have worked ok for me. #1 - don't do a giveaway on goodreads - high cost, and destructive/disastrous for multiple reasons.
REF: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Be a reader first - and good luck with your books.
P.s. Kudos on the website. I need one of those.
Just noting that you're new to Goodreads. I'd recommend setting up your author profile and getting your books on here as well.
As a side note, spruiking your books at authors/readers is (very) often frowned on. Goodreads is really about the readers, not the authors. My best advice is to see yourself as a guest who has stumbled into someone else's house - you may or may not be welcome, so practice your best behavior. (I.e. Don't throw your books at people - it will get them off-side and will get you blocked, and if you persist it will get you marked as a spammer and deleted from the site). I.e. Please do not repeat this question with other authors.
I'd focus on getting into a small number of groups that match your personal reading interests, and what you write about. Go small and tight, not big and wide and build real relationships with strong, vocal readers. If your books are worth reading, they'll come to them in their own time, and will become your biggest advocates as well.
Most groups will have an Author/Promotions area. Use that exclusively to promote your books to the readers in the group. I.e. (Most Important) Respect the Group Rules.
I don't get many sales from goodreads but I get most of my reviews here.
You seem to be writing in a genre similar to my own, i.e. SF, Fantasy, Horror - check out my marketing experiences on the following link. I explain some pitfalls and things that have worked ok for me. #1 - don't do a giveaway on goodreads - high cost, and destructive/disastrous for multiple reasons.
REF: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Be a reader first - and good luck with your books.
P.s. Kudos on the website. I need one of those.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Regina. My apologies, I don't know any ghost writers. Even amongst the living. Cheers Graeme
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Yadu, that's excellent, feel free to join the ARC read at Castle Dracula, here , https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Eric, if the characters are part of my current project, I will sit down and write them out. If for a different/new project, I'll make notes.
Cheers Graeme
Cheers Graeme
Graeme Rodaughan
I dreamt of a shadow congealing at my throat. I woke to dark eyes gleaming wetly in the moonlight and a hard tongue lapping, lapping, lapping.
Graeme Rodaughan
There are new characters coming through. (Now let's keep this just between us...) In The Dragon's Den are introduced the head of the UK arm of Shadowstone, a UK force team, and some more Red Empire Assassins. As the series progresses, some characters will come and go, but as to who will be there at the end - you'll have to wait and see.
Graeme Rodaughan
Hi Maks, the short answer is I did a lot of brainstorming and working through a lot of ideas before settling on what I have now.
The long answer is in one of my blog posts at https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
The long answer is in one of my blog posts at https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
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Sep 13, 2023 05:50PM