Modern Good Reads discussion

Hi all!

I’ve just joined the team at Modern Good Reads and wanted to say hello.

Some of you might know me already from my cover poll and Read 4 Review for my debut sci-fi novel:



I’m also a member of the writer’s group ASMSG, which introduced me to MGR in the first place.

I’d describe myself as a sci-fi / fantasy author as I’m committed to my Shimmer in the Dark series for a good few years ahead. But I must admit that I do like to dabble with a bit of romance. You can find my blog / website and Facebook page via my Author profile and I also hope to participate in the MGR R4R google+ community.

I come from an IT project management background, although that’s not always apparent when I’m struggling to keep up with all the new technology around e-books, digital enhancements, and social media tools. I became a full-time mum for several years and during that time started tutoring piano.

I also found time to write, and write, until a few years of voluntary work kept me too busy.

Then more recently, I started a course with Writers Bureau (UK) and that’s when a plotting exercise sparked Shimmer in the Dark into life. I now divide my time between family, friends, teaching piano, writing, editing for friends who return the favour, building up my website and reviewing (mainly indie books), a house extension (a long term project), and marketing my book.

And now I’ve joined MGR!

I’m very excited to be here and I’m looking forward to helping MGR remain an exciting and friendly place for readers and authors alike.

You sound like a very busy person, it is a pleasure to meet you.

Raymond wrote: "You sound like a very busy person, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Life can get a little manic, especially from 4 - 7 pm during school term. Also, it helps explain why the house is in a permanent mess. ;)

Nice to meet you too, Raymond.

I'm so glad you picked this cover, I voted for it, Yay!

Thanks Yelle. It did get tweaked a little. My cover artist improved the quality and colors with a new star background, added more detail to the planet and did some amazing things with the magnetic fields. Then he thinned out and replaced the rocks, improved the motion blur. All the feedback helped a lot!

Congrats! I don't know where you get the time. I'll going crazy myself keeping up with a job, writing, editing and having a life. Good luck!

Welcome to MGR. Agreed, still in love with your cover art.

HI Ceri!!

Hi Ceri, glad to meet you.

Awesome Ceri, so glad you'll be part of the show with MGR :)

Welcome, nice to meet you:)

Hola Ceri, sonrisa....welcome :)

Hi Ceri! They say you can't judge a book by its cover, but your cover is great.

Hi, Ceri. Would just like everyone to know how much faith we have in your expertise, and how much style you exhibit as a person. You're going to love it, I'm sure, and meet so many great readers who just loooove to comment and discuss their passions for books. So glad to have you aboard,

Chris

Ceri, hello welcome and good luck in your new undertaking! :) beautiful cover art!

-Kris

Hello, Ceri. Welcome.
This is another important comittment besides all your other jobs. I can see by your profile that you'll be busy but enjoying being the moderator.
Have a great day.

Lilian J.

Nice to see you here. I love SciFi and have put your book on my wishlist on amazon.

Hello and welcome, Ceri!

Hello Ceri. You certainly have a full plate! :o) I look forward to reading your work. I'm a SciFi fan and debut author and will enjoy sharing and learning here. Thanks for taking the time and adding your talents here!
Jim

Congrats! Are you changing your book cover? Either way, welcome. I enjoyed reading and reviewing your book on my blog!

Jacqueline wrote: "Congrats! I don't know where you get the time.

Hi, Jacqueline! Well, like Niall, I have a tiny wormhole that leads to a faster time flow . . . ;)

Sara wrote: "Congrats! Are you changing your book cover? Either way, welcome. I enjoyed reading and reviewing your book on my blog!"

Hi Sara. Thank you. No, I'm not changing my cover. Did you get an ARC with the temporary cover? Happy to send you the published version if you would like it? And the cover pic for your blog. Ceri.

Paula wrote: "Awesome Ceri, so glad you'll be part of the show with MGR :)"

Thanks Paula, and I still love your review!

C.E. Kilgore wrote: "Welcome to MGR. Agreed, still in love with your cover art."

Thanks! :)

And thank you to Paul, Daria, John, Karen, De Ann, Maya, and Kristopher for your kind welcome messages!

Katharina wrote: "Nice to see you here. I love SciFi and have put your book on my wishlist on amazon."

Thanks, Katherina, that's great! :)

Hi Jim, thank you and no doubt we will chat on the Sci-Fi discussions!

Thank you Lilian for the welcome, too. There's being busy, and then there's having fun being busy. MGR fits into the latter!

Christopher wrote: "Hi, Ceri. Would just like everyone to know how much faith we have in your expertise, and how much style you exhibit as a person. You're going to love it, I'm sure, and meet so many great readers ..."

Just a big big beaming smile! :)

Hi Ceri, it's a pleasure to meet you!

Ceri,
As a long time Sci-Fi reader and writer I've noticed that the genre seems to be shrinking in recent years or at least the store shelve space certainly is! In your opinion, do you think this makes it easier or harder for new authors to break into the genre?
Jim

Ceri wrote: "Hi all!

I’ve just joined the team at Modern Good Reads and wanted to say hello.

Some of you might know me already from my cover poll and Read 4 Review for my debut sci-fi novel:




I’m also a me..."

Jim wrote: "Ceri,
As a long time Sci-Fi reader and writer I've noticed that the genre seems to be shrinking in recent years or at least the store shelve space certainly is! In your opinion, do you think..."

Hi Jim. I'm new to publishing, so from my perspective, there seems a lot of books to break through the ranks to a place where you can be noticed. When I look at sci-fi/fantasy book shelves in the bookstores it's usually one bookcase worth if that. Those seem reserved for best sellers, like George R.R Martin and examples of classics by writers like Tolkien or Frank Herbert. For new authors who go the traditional publishing route, submissions need to be around the 90,000 to 110,000 word mark. The books on the store shelves are usually much larger works, suggesting well-established authors. I'd say it's hard to break into bookstores paperback wise, and chances are higher in the e-book world. New authors need to get noticed there first.

Thanks Traci, Kimberly and Tasha! :)

Ceri,
I agree. Most big publisher are sticking with the classics and known sellers. I'm unsure if it's due to a shrinking readership or a lack of new and interesting material being submitted....I know that Bean for example has a 9-12 month waiting list on submissions, so one assumes there ARE marketable stories in the mix! :o)
Jim

Sorry I was busy. I'm into the classic Agatha Christie crime novels, Kevin O'Brien and books like The Client. I often impulsively pick up a random author/book just to find something fresh.

Rachel wrote: "Sorry I was busy. I'm into the classic Agatha Christie crime novels, Kevin O'Brien and books like The Client. I often impulsively pick up a random author/book just to find something fresh."

I read masses of Agatha Christie as a teenager, I enjoy John Grisham, but I haven't read The Client, seen the film though. Make sure you check out the R4Rs and the Author Introduce books thread; http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... .

Hi, Ceri! I love the cover of your novel. Very striking.

Maggie wrote: "Hi, Ceri! I love the cover of your novel. Very striking."

Thanks, Maggie. :)