Jennifer Lyon


Friday, November 18th, 2016
Happy Friday and Random Stuff

Is it possible that Thanksgiving is actually next week??? How did this happen? I don’t want to go Christmas shopping, someone save me!

Okay so I’m going to talk about the randomness of my week:

  1. At dinner last night I mentioned to Wizard that I had a chocolate craving…and that was as far as I got. The rest of that sentence was supposed to be, “…and I might bake something to take to a Thanksgiving celebration we’re going to this weekend.” But I never got that far before Wizard stated unequivocally that he’d go to the store after dinner and buy me chocolate. Which he did. So…YAY WIZARD! Once I’m finished writing this blog, I’m eating some chocolate :-)
  2. I sent off the synopsis for the next two books to my editor yesterday morning. I’m excited and can’t wait to hear her feedback. And she’ll most definitely have feedback–her job is to find any plot holes or potential problem. Her feedback will only make this series stronger.
  3. I’m working on a marketing plan for the Savaged Trilogy right now. The first book is finished and in copy editing so it’s the perfect time to plan.  Right now, the probable release dates are June, July and August in 2017.
  4. And while we’re talking about this, I wanted to touch on something. Book sales are down. The e-book bubble has burst, something that isn’t a surprise to a lot of us who understand how economics works. Basically the market is saturated, and unfortunately, some of the product out there isn’t the best quality creating an unreliable reading experience for a lot of readers. I know I DNF (Did Not Finish) WAY more books than I ever used to. So what do I do as a professional author who knows I won’t make the same ROI (Return On Investment) that I did just a few years ago? Do I cut production costs? NO! NO! and NO! Absolutely not, particularly when it comes to creating a quality product. QUALITY MATTERS MORE THAN EVER. I honestly care about and respect my readers, and want them to be able to trust me. That means I am adding even more editing costs into my budget with an additional rounds of development and copy editing. I do that to make sure that when I put a book out, it’s the absolute best I can do. This won’t take me back to sales in 2013, but it will create (I believe) a trust with my readers that matters more than ever.
  5. I hope you all have a Happy Friday and a Great Weekend!

12 comments to “Happy Friday and Random Stuff”

  1. Diane Sirkin
    November 18th, 2016 at 1:14 am · Link

    Thanks for keeping up your standards. It really helps to know that an author cares how we perceive her work



  2. Silver James
    November 18th, 2016 at 8:52 am · Link

    We’re doing something different this Christmas. Only calls it the “4 thing Christmas list.” Each person will receive:
    1. Something they want
    2. Something they need
    3. Something to wear
    4. Something to read

    I think the plan is brilliant. In some cases, it will be couples giving to couples rather than individuals.

    And yeah. My sales are down. Indy and traditional both. :( It makes it hard to stay focused and upbeat. I refuse to lower my standards of quality either but it is very disheartening when I books become best sellers that are riddled with errors and obviously never met an editor. Makes me very sad. :cry: Ah well. I’ll continue telling the stories I want to tell with the quality I expect and hope readers will find me.

    Wiz is the best! We haven’t finalized T-giving plans yet. Looks like I may be baking rolls and maybe a pie. Everyone is on a diet so cinnamon rolls probably won’t make it onto the menu. LG and Only are both fighting diabetes issues so sweets and carbs are in thing supply. Somehow, green bean pie just doesn’t have the same cachet. :lol:

    Have a great weekend!



  3. Labrat11
    November 18th, 2016 at 9:15 am · Link

    Hi, here are my 2 cents from the readers point:
    I agree that the quality isn’t out there. Many books in my pile have been started and quit. I would always stick with books until the end and wouldn’t dream of not finishing a book but not anymore. Time is too limited to waste on bad stories, bad writing and/or bad editing.

    Books are also expensive. To pay what we have to pay, the book has to be worth it. (Please don’t take this to mean I think prices aren’t worth it. I know there is a lot of stuff behind the scenes and this is your living after all.) I’m not saying I don’t pay for a good book, but I also don’t explore authors the way I used to. I will pay for an author I like and who I know writes a quality story.

    Last point: even trusted authors are letting me down as a reader. Trends are jumped on to make money but the heart isn’t there. Readers can tell when an author doesn’t believe it what they are writing. Books are rushed to make market and it usually shows.

    These comments are from a life long reader who usually read at least 4 books a week (speed reader). Now I’m lucky if I read 1 book a week. This is from someone who isn’t on Facebook or Twitter or any other social media stealing precious time.

    Thanks for “listening”, I’ll jump off my soapbox.



  4. Jenn
    November 18th, 2016 at 12:12 pm · Link

    Diane, thank you! I do care tremendously! I’m a reader first, so I know how it feels to pay for a book and feel let down. And these days we feel like we “know” each other (authors and readers) so it’s even more personal. I really don’t want to let reader-friends down.



  5. Jenn
    November 18th, 2016 at 12:19 pm · Link

    Silver, I love your 4 something Christmas list! I want to get great gifts, it’s just hard to think of things.

    I hear you on some bestsellers. I’m reading one now that makes my grind my teeth. All of us readers are experiencing this more and more and I think the frustration is reaching a boiling point. Thank so much fro sharing your experiences and thoughts. I think it’s helpful all of us.

    Diabetes is serious, and adding to the frustration, the life change in diet is pretty dramatic. I love bread so rolls would make me happy I know–carbs, but is a better choice than (delicious!) cinnamon rolls.

    Green bean pie–I pictured trying to serve that to my family, LOLOL! That thought’s going to keep me amused all day. Hope you have a great weekend!



  6. Jenn
    November 18th, 2016 at 12:31 pm · Link

    Labrat11, thank you so much for sharing! I read your thoughts twice–all of you guys here on the blog and your opinions are important to me. I didn’t take any offense at all. Here’s my comments:

    I agree that books are expensive. Yes they are, and we readers deserve quality for our money. The disconnect here is that many of us aren’t getting a satisfying return on our investment in the book we purchase. Why would we keep buying more?

    Another great point, readers aren’t feeling the “heart” of a story in some books. I can tell you from an author standpoint, there is extreme pressure to write fast and rushed to market. It’s not that authors don’t want to write great books, it’s just not the easiest environment to take the time needed.

    But I am taking the time for this Savaged series, mainly because I’m lucky to have a great support system. And I believe in this story. But that doesn’t guarantee I won’t end up never making back my production costs, let alone income to live on. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.

    Thanks again! And hope you have great weekend!



  7. Viki S.
    November 18th, 2016 at 4:45 pm · Link

    First of all Wizard is one fine guy :)! Not many would go out and buy chocolate right away.

    It really is hard finding good reads because you’re right, the market is saturated. You make me very happy though because you hold true to your values and standards. That’s why you never see me complaining when it takes a little longer than planned to get a new release. I’d rather have a good book than junk.

    This does make the marketing plan difficult. It stinks that you have to invest even more and miss out on profit. I wish I had some ideas for you.

    We’re supposed to get our first snow this weekend and I can’t wait :)!

    I hope you have a great weekend :)!



  8. Jenn
    November 18th, 2016 at 5:33 pm · Link

    Viki, Wizard is awesome that way.

    The market is really tough right now. I know so many authors working harder than ever, really striving not to let their readers down. But it’s tough. As for marketing and profit–well I can’t put that burden on readers, you know? It’s up to me to figure that out. But I tell you guys all the truth because that’s just pretty much my style :-)

    And THANK YOU so much for your patience!!

    Snow! I’m excited for you too! Hope it’s a great weekend!



  9. Marcy Barth
    November 19th, 2016 at 12:56 am · Link

    Jennifer please let me know what I can do help you on Facebook. I know I’ve been sick this past week but starting on Monday I’m getting back into the swing of things. Send me a PM on messager with a banner and book cover and I’ll start putting them on the contests I enter other authors I love. I’d love to add you to list of wins I’ve been able to give other authors additional exposure for their books.



  10. B.E. Sanderson
    November 19th, 2016 at 6:56 am · Link

    Gah. I meant to come back and comment on this yesterday, but then the day got away from me. Yay for Wizard attending to your chocolate needs! Yay for sending off the synopses and for your marketing plan! Boo for sales being down. (Yes, I had planned to say more, but this morning it’s just ‘boo’.)

    I hope you have an awesome weekend. :hugs:



  11. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 20th, 2016 at 12:09 pm · Link

    Hi Marcy, I hope you’re feeling better.

    Thank you so much for the offer to help! I’m try to send you a PM today (Sunday). I really appreciate it!



  12. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 20th, 2016 at 12:11 pm · Link

    B.E., I’ve had so many of those day-that-got-away-from-me.

    Hope you’re having a good weekend!



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