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Our digital coffee shop! Discuss your writing journey or what you're reading. No self-promotion allowed here.

Hello everyone,

I'm Soren K. Blackwood, and I'm thrilled to have been invited to this community by a fellow author. It’s exactly the kind of supportive space new writers need.

I recently completed my first official author interview, and I thought the discussion would be highly relevant to many of you here. We discussed the most challenging parts of the author journey, the concept of building a fictional universe that feels real, and, most importantly:

The unique process of co-authoring a complex philosophical sci-fi novel with a developmental AI.

This is a real-world experiment that directly addresses the skepticism surrounding AI and creativity.

If you are curious about the future of the writing process, I would be honored if you would read it. It is my manifesto on collaboration.

You can find the full interview here:
http://www.ritaleechapman.com/wwwrita...

Thank you for the warm welcome.

With respect,
Soren K. Blackwood

Welcome, Soren!
Thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your work. The topic of your manifesto looks really interesting, and I will definitely take a close look at it.
Best,
Mehmet

Hello 🙋‍♂️ I’m Iain.. I’m a reader .. I like all types of genres..
I like horror, fantasy,sci fi I’ve also read romance!

Iain wrote: ''Hello 🙋‍♂️ I’m Iain.. I’m a reader .. I like all types of genres.. I like horror, fantasy,sci fi I’ve also read romance!''

Welcome, Iain!
Best
Mehmet

Hello I am Angela I love reading books and exploring new genres I enjoy everything from fantasy to thriller and sometimes I dive into romance novels Glad to be here

Angela wrote: ''Hello I am Angela I love reading books and exploring new genres I enjoy everything from fantasy to thriller and sometimes I dive into romance novels Glad to be here''

Welcome, Angela!
Best
Mehmet

Thank you, you too

Hi everyone!

I’m Viggi from Copenhagen, and my passion is writing erotic novels. I’ve always felt that erotic fiction is so much more than romance with a bit of spice added. It dives deeper, think about our bodies, emotions, desires, and the unspoken places where intimacy and vulnerability live.

Erotic novels allow us to explore scenes with a rawness and honesty that other genres often avoid. Yes, they can be explicit, but explicitness is just one layer. Beneath it lies something far more important: the story of who we are when our masks fall away.

For me, erotic fiction is about:
• Relationships : messy, beautiful, complicated
• Conflicts : between people, and within ourselves
• Transformation : how intimacy shifts our sense of identity
• Power : in all its forms: emotional, sexual, psychological
• Emotion : the kind that lingers long after the last chapter
• Human truth : told through desire

Erotica gives us permission to explore the parts of the human experience that are both private and universal. It captures the tension between longing and fear, closeness and distance, pleasure and pain. And in that tension, real storytelling happens.

I’m happy to be here and excited to connect with others who love writing and reading stories that dare to go deeper into passion, into character, and into the places where vulnerability meets desire.

My first novel grew out of exactly that place.

It wasn’t planned as a book at first: it was a need. A personal journey I had to put into words. Writing it felt like stepping into a room I had avoided for years. Through the story, and through its central character Kristin, I started exploring parts of myself I had kept quiet.

The novel traces a path of self-discovery through desire:

how power dynamics can reveal who we truly are,
how BDSM can become a mirror, and how intimacy can transform us when we dare to face our own longings.



yours Viggi

Viggi wrote: ''Hi everyone! I’m Viggi from Copenhagen, and my passion is writing erotic novels.....''

Welcome, Viggi!
Best
Mehmet

Viggi wrote: "Hi everyone!

I’m Viggi from Copenhagen, and my passion is writing erotic novels. I’ve always felt that erotic fiction is so much more than romance with a bit of spice added. It dives deeper, think..."

Hi Viggi!

Sent you a FR on GR - hope we can connect! :D

I am totally interested in reading & reviewing your book Adventurous Designs. Since your book is not available in my country (India) on Amazon.in I would be glad if you could share a pdf copy of your book on my email pathan.fiza@gmail.com & I will get back to you with a review on GR.

I'll try & also review your book then on StoryGraph & Fable.

You can even text me or add me on WhatsApp 9820763499 & I would love to chat with you about your books & your writing adventures.

Keep in touch, Hope you see this message. Thank you for being a part of this awesome group started by moderator Mehmet!

Have a lovely day! :) :D

Hi everyone
I’m a retired University Librarian and have loved libraries since forever. I’m from Scotland but lived in South Australia since 1982. I do miss home so every December I only read Christmas themed novels to try to get into the way Christmas was back then as it’s far too hot here. I enjoy most genres apart from Sci-Fi. I look forward to reading all about other readers and authors here. I attend Writers’ week every year here in Adelaide and my only problem is my ‘to read’ list just gets bigger all the time!

Hi everyone,

I'm a Paralegal with a love for reading anything I can get my hands on as long as it isn't horror. MY TBR is way longer than anything I'll actually ever be able to read but I have big aspirations when it comes to it, so who knows? I just might get through some of it. We'll see.

I look forward to being part of the group. :)

Margaret wrote: '' Hi everyone I’m a retired University Librarian and have loved libraries since forever....''

Laura wrote: ''Hi everyone, I'm a Paralegal with a love for reading anything ''

Welcome, Margaret and Laura!
Best
Mehmet

hi. thanks for inviting me . I love all genres but my heart belongs to all things thrillers.

Hello all welcome 🤗

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the invite.

I’m 29, female living in London. I’m looking to expand my reading community so this is super exciting for me. I’d love to read other people’s stories and ideas!

My fave genres are mostly thriller / mystery (I’m reading the silent house by HM Lynn right now) crime / detective mysteries, romance, fantasy romance, smutty romance and cosy stories!


I look forward hearing other peoples recommendations and reading their ideas!

Take care xx

Dana wrote: '' hi. thanks for inviting me....''

lilbookworm wrote: '' Hi everyone, thanks so much for the invite.....''

Welcome, Dana and lilbookworm!
Best
Mehmet

Hello everyone, and thank you for the invitation, Mehmet!

I'm Katrin, I'm 45 and I'm from Germany.
I'm a mood reader and my favourite genres are fantasy, romantasy, dark romance and science fiction. I prefer adult literature to YA.
I've been an avid reader since childhood, but I only started rating and reviewing books in the past two years.
I post my reviews on Goodreads, Fable, Storygraph, Amazon, and a popular German bookstore chain.
I've also recently started creating content on Instagram.

I'd love to receive book recommendations, and I'm planning to do my first ARC read in 2026.

Whispers wrote: '' Hello everyone, and thank you for the invitation, Mehmet!....''

Welcome, Whispers!
Best
Mehmet

Hi, I am a reader and a writer. I like Reading because I think I can learn writing better. I like writing historical novels because we have to learn from our past.

Rocco wrote: '' Hi, I am a reader and a writer. I like Reading because I think I can learn writing better. I like writing historical novels because we have to learn from our past.''

Welcome, Rocco! I completely agree
Best
Mehmet

Thank you Mehmet

I want to review my book on good reads

Hola, I'm Steve Goldsmith (SteveG), writer, expat, dreamer.

I always thought that I was a writer, while knowing that wasn’t true.
Self-doubt is an insidious beast. It wraps around the brain stem and chokes the life out of creativity.

Until it doesn’t.

I retired at age 60, in 2018, and moved to Costa Rica. I spent hours each day scribbling, noting, and journaling, filling notebooks and tossing them in a drawer. I was sleepwalking through my seven-day weekends, secretly proud of the ideas and the stories. I shared them with no one.

Then I woke up.

In March of ’25, I finally wrote in earnest.

My first novel, Elba Kramer:The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar, came together in six weeks—an autobiography disguised as someone else. About 97% true, 2% exaggeration, 1% outright lies. It felt good.


Dangerous good.

Next came The Last Heretic, historical fiction born from a teenage weekend when I devoured Fletcher Knebel’s Convention and Thomas B. Costain’s The Silver Chalice. I carried that story for fifty years before it finally let me write it.

Then my years teaching special-ed math lit the fuse for Dear Dairy. Justin Case—twelve-year-old dyslexic, autistic prodigy—kept forty-two journal entries, each paired with a 666-word fever dream. Some dreams are Future Justin, whispering survival strategies. Others rise from the books he reads. Others are pure sensory logic, teaching him how to stand the world’s bright noise.

I sent the manuscripts out—many times. Got some very polite “not for me” notes. Mostly got silence.

After the 50th passive rejection, I stopped waiting for permission.
On September 29th, I self-published all three on Kindle.

A few sales. Some warm reviews.

A heartbeat.

Then Dairy herself nudged me: “Bundle the dreams. Try a shorter book.”

So I did.

Forty-Two Flash Fever Dreams, Just in Case went live on November 22nd and hit #3 in Short Fiction by the 27th.

Maybe my fictive muse knows her business.

Now I’m deep into my next novel, The True Virgin, narrated by the teenage daughter of Satan—only about 13 billion years old. She’s witty, furious, brilliant, and… not quite as evil as she hopes.

At Dairy’s urging, I released a companion piece, The Gospel According to Styx: Rants from Satan’s Daughter. It debuted at #14 in both Satire and Humorous Dark Comedy. I followed up with two more satirical shorts, then bundled them into an omnibus, The Infernal Twins.

And I took a turn at short-form Folk Horror, The Old One and The Hunger.

If you’re scribbling in notebooks, doubting yourself, or waiting for permission—don’t.

Start.

Share.

Publish.

The journey is worth it.

And perhaps post here... what has your writing journey been like?

Steve wrote: ''Hola, I'm Steve Goldsmith (SteveG), writer, expat, dreamer......''

Welcome, Steve. This is truly one of the most sincere and profound pieces I’ve read in a long time. Thank you very much for sharing.
Mehmet

Mehmet wrote: "Steve wrote: ''Hola, I'm Steve Goldsmith (SteveG), writer, expat, dreamer......''

Welcome, Steve. This is truly one of the most sincere and profound pieces I’ve read in a long time. Thank you ver..."

Many thanks for your kind words!

Hola, everyone. Steve Goldsmith here.

I had joined the grouped from a different account. I have closed that membership, and joined now from my Author account.

Looking forward to more engagement in the New Year!

Feliz ano!

Hello, everyone! Not sure if this is the place to post this. I have had poetry published and have some wip ideas. I was hoping to find others to connect with to critique and brainstorm with. Any help would be appreciated.

good morning,

my name is misty. thank you for inviting me to this group. I have always read since I was a child. I am happy to read most genres, however, my favourite is mystery or crime fiction novels. I am currently studying journalism.

I have also just launched an online secondhand bookstore. Please feel free to check it out.

www.thebookkeeperandco.com.au

Tom wrote: ''Hello, everyone! .... ''

Misty wrote: ''good morning, my name is misty. thank you for inviting me to this group....''

Welcome, Tom and Misty!
Best
Mehmet

Hello everyone! Thank you for the invitation, Mehmet. I'm a debut author and I love the mission of this group. I just released a modern fable called 'One of a Kind Creatures' which is currently free on Amazon for the next 24 hours (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GDZ1PWKK)

I'm looking forward to connecting with fellow authors and readers here and discovering some great new books. If you enjoy heartwarming stories with a focus on diversity and inclusion, feel free to check it out!

Looking forward to our discussions!

Tasos wrote: '' Hello everyone! Thank you for the invitation, Mehmet. .....''

Welcome, Tasos!
Best
Mehmet

Hello everyone, thank you for the invitation Mehmet.

Rocco wrote: ''Hello everyone, thank you for the invitation Mehmet.''

You’re welcome, Rocco.
Best
Mehmet

Hello guys. I'm an author who debuted in October of last year, and I was just invited to this group. I see that there are ways to connect with beta readers, so I was wondering if there's a specific chat where I can request reviews for a short story of mine that is available for free?

Michael wrote: '' Hello guys. I'm an author who debuted in October of last year, and I was just invited to this group. I see that there are ways to connect with beta readers, so I was wondering if there's a specific chat where I can request reviews for a short story of mine that is available for free? ''

You’re very welcome, Michael

You can create a post by going to: Topics → New → Folder → “Beta Readers Wanted”

Best
Mehmet

Mehmet wrote: "Michael wrote: '' Hello guys. I'm an author who debuted in October of last year, and I was just invited to this group. I see that there are ways to connect with beta readers, so I was wondering if ..."
Thank you, Mehmet. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say beta reader. I'm still new to all of this. Is there a way to put my short story on here and ask those who are interested to read it and leave reviews? How does this work? It's already published, I was just wondering if I could get more readers to review it on Amazon. I can always post the document on here as well, as I see that's an option on this group.

Hello everyone,

I’m new to the group, although I’ve already joined a few discussions and had the chance to meet some wonderful authors here. I’ve even started reading, and in some cases finished, their books.

I’m not sure I properly introduced myself anywhere, so I wanted to say hello. My name is Claire.

I love books and read everything I can get my hands on. Some stories resonate with me more than others, but when I think about it, I don’t really have a favorite genre, only favorite books.

I’ve been writing for many years and only recently found the courage to share my work. I’m especially drawn to emotional, character driven stories, and I enjoy conversations about the writing process and what makes stories feel real.

The Goodreads community feels incredibly interesting and inspiring, so you may see me introducing myself in a few more places, or maybe I already have 😊

I’m glad to be here and look forward to learning from you all.

Michael wrote: '' Thank you, Mehmet. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say beta reader. I'm still new to all of this......''

Hi Michael,

No worries at all — we’re all learning.

However, according to Goodreads rules, free books cannot be offered in exchange for reviews. In our group, books can be shared without any expectations. Supportive readers may choose to leave a review if they wish, but it is never a requirement.

Mehmet

Claire wrote: '' Hello everyone, I’m new to the group, although I’ve already joined a few discussions and had the chance to meet some wonderful authors here. I’ve even started reading, and in some cases finished, their books.......''

Hi Claire,

Welcome to the group! Thank you very much for your positive interactions here — we truly appreciate it.

We’re glad to have you with us.

Best,
Mehmet

Hi! I haven't introduced myself yet, however I'm already looking for ARC readers. I know that's for a different thread. So, I'm Nikolett. I write fantasy and dystopian stories. It just started a year ago. I wrote a pretty long fanfiction on AO3 and it looks like it was kind of successful, even if the specific fandom is not huge. So that made me gather my courage to try to write books. So far Amazon and the platforms where we can self-publish are a very different species than AO3. Extremely hard to get people's attention. So I upped my graphic design skills too, and I think I made pretty badass covers for my new book. But honestly I just wish for reviews. I really badly want to be reviewed. Hm… yeah, other than this, I have a hyper-boring stupid corporate job, which I would leave if I ever were able to. And maybe be self-sustaining from writing. These are the dreams. What are your goals and dreams?

Best,
Niki

N. wrote: "Hi! I haven't introduced myself yet, however I'm already looking for ARC readers. I know that's for a different thread. So, I'm Nikolett. I write fantasy and dystopian stories. It just started a ye..."

Hi Nikolett, and welcome officially

First of all, huge respect for making the jump from Archive of Our Own into the much stranger ecosystem of Amazon self publishing. You’re absolutely right, they are entirely different species. One runs on kudos and enthusiasm, the other appears to run on algorithms, caffeine, and the occasional sacrificial offering.

Also, “pretty badass covers” is exactly the kind of confidence fantasy and dystopia deserve. If you’re going to build a dark empire, it might as well have excellent branding.

And since you mentioned reviews… I may have already picked up Regnum Noctis. Strictly in the name of research, of course. Supporting fellow writers is my favorite way to rebel against the corporate overlords.

I completely understand the undercover novelist life. By day, responsible professional. By night, architect of imaginary worlds and questionable moral decisions.

As for my goals and dreams, keep writing stories that linger a little too long in people’s heads, connect with other brave souls who chose the creative path, and one day make my kids truly see the beauty of other worlds they can find in books...if they ever stop moving for 5 seconds...

Very glad you’re here. Truly looking forward to seeing what you build next.

-Perry

Welcome, Nikolette!

You are rockin' the Lone Ranger mask, for sure!

Goodreads Giveaway: After-action report

For authors considering a Goodreads Giveaway, here are some things that I learned recently.

Giveaway for Elba Kramer:The True Autobiography of a Pathological Liar

Genre: Autofiction
Number of eBooks: 100
Cost of Promo: $119
Duration: Feb 9 - Feb 22 (2 weeks)
Total Requested: 1,085
My Promos: terse posts on FB, Reddit, Insta, and author website on Feb 9, in the morning. No other promo - Goodreads does the work of promoting on Day 1 and Day 12.

Spreads:
==> Day 1 - 2, ~400 requested
==> Day 3 - 12, ~280 requested
==> Day 13 -14, ~400 requested

What it means:
Over 1,000 (potential) readers have my book on their 'Want to Read' shelf. Each of the 100 winners has the book downloaded. This type of visibility is gold, in my opinion.

Some of the 100 will read it; a subset of those will likely review it.

Some of the 1,085 *might* buy it, especially if positive reviews arrive.

Conclusion:
For a niche genre, this appears to be a very strong result. I think that the money has been well spent, and I intend to stage another similar giveaway of a different book before long.

Good luck to you all if you decide to stage a Giveaway!

Steve wrote: "Goodreads Giveaway: After-action report

For authors considering a Goodreads Giveaway, here are some things that I learned recently.

Giveaway for Elba Kramer:The True Autobiography of a Pathologic..."

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the after action report!

I did a give away for my book Christmas Exodus with similar positive results with regard to sign up, TBR, and exposure.

One small heads up — from what I understand, Goodreads only lets you do digital giveaways if the book is published through Amazon (like on Kindle). Otherwise, you have to give away physical copies, and you’re the one covering the shipping.


Thanks,
Jessica Williams

I am a reviewer/reader. GR now automatically adds Giveaway entries to your TBR list. It used to be optional. I always chose that option in any case. MY TBR list is larger than books read, i.e., 3618 vs. 2588. If I win a giveaway, I always review. If I don't, I may borrow it from the library. I only enter giveaways for books that I want to read. If you leave the book on the tbr list, you will be notified if there is another giveaway.

Steve wrote: "Goodreads Giveaway: After-action report

For authors considering a Goodreads Giveaway, here are some things that I learned recently.

Giveaway for Elba Kramer:The True Autobiography of a Pathologic..."

Quick update - two ratings overnight:

1. 5 stars with a lovely write-up
2. 1 star with no commentary

Every review/rating so far, across all of my books, have be 4 or 5 star. I don't like to see a 1-star, but without feedback, it seems a waste of the reviewers time. Apparently someone who has no appreciation for the importance of feedback to an indie author!

Steve wrote: "Steve wrote: "Goodreads Giveaway: After-action report

For authors considering a Goodreads Giveaway, here are some things that I learned recently.

Giveaway for Elba Kramer:The True Autobiography o..."

I saw the rating & saw what you mean Steve. I don't agree with that rating at all & I also smell a rat, & it is dead one at that!

Don't take it seriously at all Steve, your work is par excellence & you know that I believe in ruthless honesty by now, I don't just say things that I don't mean. Otherwise it would be very easy for me (in my position) to say that 'everyone's books are great' & read & review everyone's books with a 5 star rating to garner support & fame - but I don't do that & everyone has by now seen that. Because some authors need to work on their craft & some should not have been authors in the first place & some have not even written their books at all, AI has - so I then just don't bother or I give the author the rating & star he/she/they deserve/s.

You Steve are none of the above. You are an awesome writer & a stellar writer & already an accomplished writer & I mean it. Your Math & Theology background/s combined just adds a lot of color, refinement, uniqueness, richness & top level quality to your books. And I'm talking Big Publisher Book Industrial Quality Steve.

Don't sweat it over these reviewers. Trust me, you are a fantastic writer & now I think you should start 'letting a few go by' & that I think should be something every indie-author here on Mehmet's GR Group should practice. There will come many 1 star & 2 star ratings without reviews in your GR & Amazon career to get you down, but don't let it - because if you get ten 5 star HONEST reviews & just one 1 star - that tells readers the actual truth more than anything else. The truth about the reviewer & not about the book or author being reviewed. Trust me, I have been in this writing field since the year 2012 & when your bank-balance stats & international awards & fame starts growing online & offline - skyrocketing in fact - that 1 star review or even a hundred 1 star reviews won't make much of a difference, because your bank-balance will be telling you the real story or reality about your success.

Trust me on this one. I've lived that life & am still living it. I don't have many reviews for my books, but my bank-balance & the authentic purchases I get on Amazon & INGRAM & other distributers for my books online & offline, they are telling me a different story about my success altogether. I am making money on my books, period. And yes, I'm doing really well. The money pays all my bills, has won me currently more than 78 international awards & 1 national award, has made me a success on the internet & offline & has allowed me to set up my own niche publishing company. Reviews don't work - consistency, quality content, taking constructive criticism in your stride from professionals & people that matter, constantly putting your quality content out there, investing in some quality international awards, getting more of your free content out there, supporting other authors & writer professionals along the way - all this leads to ultimate success - monetary success & actual fame online & offline both.

And don't forget to NEVER start out your writing career by selling the rights of your book or books to another publisher, big or small or whatever. Control your own content & your own books so that you get the full share of your royalties. Don't sell that to anyone else, you'll never get it back. We hardly get much in the beginning in any case, we give more than we ever can get. But we can still ultimately get our desired royalties if we at least still control our own books; otherwise someone else will get the credit for what we have done. And that does not feel great at all. It feels like crap. And it is crappy to keep fighting for your 'lost' book to a big publisher & fight court cases galore, when you should be writing instead. Since 2012, many author colleagues & friends of mine have lost out on their books, rights, money, sanity & even their lives on this point alone. Don't go to a big publisher or any publisher until you are an established indie-figure & until you have at least three book publishing lawyers or advocates at your disposal to read the documents they are (the publishers) forcing you to sign in the name of advanced royalties. Be careful. Be vigilant. Be aware also 'Beware'.

So let that review go by, & just focus on the big picture. That is all. Steve, you are a genius. Period. I love you brother! And I think Mehmet is super cute LOL! :) :D <3

Oh, I let it go about 17 seconds after reading it. The same day, I received a thoughrful, well-commented 5-star review.

I know that my writing is not for everyone. I knew that my decision to enter the Giveaway would result in some people being non-plussed by the premise and the writing. The pettiness involved in getting a free book then deliberately trying to hurt the author speaks volumes about the reviewer... and says nothing about me!

Onward!