I’ve done this twice before and on both occasions been overwhelmed by the lack of response. All authors need help, a word in the internet’s ear and I don’t like taking without giving. In the past I have laid down a few rules, the intention being to give authors who write ‘outside the box’ a chance to get their work noticed. There obviously aren’t many authors writing outside the box, and I’m still not prepared to allow romances on a blog predominantly themed towards heavy rock, vampirism, black magic and weirdness!
But in spite of previous attempts I’m going to have another go…
Authors, would you like to have a feature here at The Opening Sentence?
My simple rules are as follows:
1 – The work must be complete
2 – It must be available from multiple online sources (no Amazon exclusivity)
3 – It must fit the mood and theme of The Opening Sentence. No romance! No children’s stories.
And it would also help if your book cover doesn’t look like your Uncle Walter designed it for you in Microsoft Paint.
If you’re interested have a look round the blog to see the tone of the articles and if you think your work fits contact me in the first instance via the Contact link at the top. Those selected will go into a schedule of posts over the coming weeks. If you want to see who’s been featured in the past click the Guest Blogs link at the top.
I look forward to hearing from you outside-the-boxers.
The Opening Sentence 
I’m very impressed with the lengths you go to (or should that be the lengths to which you go?). Good luck, and keep bashing that keyboard.
Alen
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It’s like extracting teeth sometimes, but one plods on (bit like fell walking, I suppose).
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Nah, I write Fantasy/ Sci-Fi with heavy doses of romance, but I find this an AWESOME initiative and think you should keep at it. : D
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Have you not written anything without the romance? What about one of your novels with all the romance redacted; call it experimental literature…
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Loool naaah it wouldn’t work. Though a Courtroom is pretty damn dark if you ask me.
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I wish you the best with your great idea. Sounds like something that will do well, Chris!
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It isn’t doing well, Jack. Only two authors so far. Perhaps the grey colour scheme is putting people off!
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Sorry to hear, Chris. I don’t think it’s the colour scheme at all, though. I think it has a lot to do with people taking writing seriously as opposed to considering it a hobby. For instance, audiences change based on where they are in life. I’ve had authors who were gung-ho about their blog and writing a year ago who I don’t see anymore–and I’ve been doing this for a long time. People have busy lives. They think, “Oh, hey, that’s a good idea. I should do it.” But then they don’t.
I don’t know what to tell you. Hang in there. It’s a matter of hitting the right audience at the right time before anything really takes off.
Kudos, nonetheless!
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Well, it’s no skin off my nose (don’t know if you have that phrase in Canada). If people don’t take up the offer that’s up to them. I just wanted to give something back.
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Reblogged this on Piss, Coffee, and Vinegar and commented:
Chris writes vampire stories. Or maybe they’re musical biographies. Or maybe they’re a mixture of the two, with an excellent dash of dry humor and witty voice thrown in…if you write outside the box, this could be a good opportunity for you. Also, Toten Herzen might be my favorite band.
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Reblogs are ace!
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I’ll reblog for you too. I’ve got a second book coming out in November, but my first one is Amazon exclusive…so I don’t know. Maybe me? Maybe? We can do a swap, if you want–I’ll do you, you can do me.
I’m funny. I curse frequently. No vampires, but I think we could work something out?
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Well, your second one isn’t exclusive to Amazon if it’s not out yet! Send me a message via the contact page and we can take it from there.
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My books are weird, but they’re a different weird to yours. A lack of response is often the case I’m afraid. Offer a grand prize as bait and they’ll be beating a path to your blog!
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Good idea. C’mon, free solid gold bars to the first fifty responses*
*Terms and conditions apply which I’ll dream up only after I’ve been approached.
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Yep. That’ll do it. In fact, I think I’ll try my hand at writing a vampire story if I stand a chance at winning!
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I need a supply of gold teeth to start melting them down into ingots. I sense a demand coming on.
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Reblogged this on Jane Dougherty Writes and commented:
If your book fits, why not have it featured on Chris’s blog?
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Thanks for the reblog. They might take more notice of you.
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I doubt it. But at least the word is spread further. Someone who writes your kind of stuff might see it and be interested.
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