Sometimes getting the truth is the hardest conversation to have with someone. No one wants to hurt feelings or upset anyone, so they sugarcoat things. It's only by pressing that you get the truth, and once you have it, the realizations that come along with it.
I finally got the truth yesterday and it's time to deal with it.
When I started my writing journey a few years back, it was for fun. I had stories to tell and never really thought any more of it. As I kept going, it went from hobby to something that I started to take more seriously. Then, as more books sold, it became a passion. It wasn't overnight, but I remember one day thinking, "This is something I could totally see doing one day on a more full-time basis."
As a computer guy, I have spreadsheets and limitless pieces of data lying all over the place. One of those spreadsheets shows how my books do, obviously. The other day, it dawned on me that the series retention rate from Death Among Us through the current book, Jacoby's Revenge, ended up being only about 25%. That surprised me. So I sought out some opinions from those closest to me.
No one wanted to offend me. I kept pressing, until one brave soul told me the truth - there are numerous errors and some plot point inconsistencies. Finally, someone told me what I needed to hear. So, with that, what to do? A few authors said just to have it edited and just update the version on Amazon. However, one author gave me another idea, one I liked even more. Pull the books completely, revamp them, and release them under new names and cover art. "Let's give your books a brand new identity."
And that's what I am going to do. Over the next few weeks, I'm going to start pulling stuff down. Death Among Us is already in some very capable hands, getting revisions and corrections handled as we speak. I'll keep everyone posted as this new beginning really takes place, but in the meantime, feel free to email me any questions you might have. I'm always around.
-Jack
jack.crosby25@gmail.com
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
March Madness Advice
I'll be the first to tell you I know shit about sports. Growing up, my ideas of sports were Final Fantasy VII marathons and putting together computers. But the one time of year I pay attention is March Madness. Not because of some fondness for basketball, but because I enjoy placing a bracket on a site like ESPN where random chance and guesses are as much a part of it as knowing these teams inside and out.
So you're like me, huh? Well, grab a beer (or a capris sun if your under 21) and let's look at some of the tried and true methods for winning some money with little to no sports knowledge required!
1. Bracket Seeds
This is the easiest one to follow. You have a 1 seed facing a 16 seed? Well that's a no brainer. I don't care if the 16 seed has your favorite color on the uniform or it's mascot is Admiral Ackbar (I see you Ole Miss people), 1 is good and 16 is bad. As the seed matchups get more even (like 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3), then it becomes a free for all, but at the beginning, be smart. They rank these teams for a reason.
2. Mascots
You got one of those pesky 7 seed vs 10 seed matchups and you're like shit, what do I do? Let's go to the mascot check. The 7 seed has the mighty Friar for a mascot. The 10 seed has the radical Flying Space Hyenas as theirs. Duh - this is what we call a no brainer. You best be picking the Flying Space Hyenas. If you don't, you better be a Friar alum or intoxicated. Mascot coolness counts and don't be afraid to run with it.
3. Colors
A popular method amongst the lady-type people, picking based on what color appeals to you. I'm not going to lie, I've used this method on occasion to great success. My favorite color is green and thanks to a good old Michigan State run for a few tournaments, green took me to the promised land. However, color picks are superseded by seeds and mascots. I don't give two shits if aquamarine is your favorite color, if that team is a 15 seed with a mascot of the Jazz Bunny and they are playing a 2 seed with a mascot of the Killer Chainsaws, there's no way in hell you should be using the color method (unless you are an alum or intoxicated).
Well, there you have it. The brackets are out now and you should go get to picking. And, if you win any money, use it to buy one of your old pal Jack's books. You won't regret it.
-Jack
jack.crosby25@gmail.com
So you're like me, huh? Well, grab a beer (or a capris sun if your under 21) and let's look at some of the tried and true methods for winning some money with little to no sports knowledge required!
1. Bracket Seeds
This is the easiest one to follow. You have a 1 seed facing a 16 seed? Well that's a no brainer. I don't care if the 16 seed has your favorite color on the uniform or it's mascot is Admiral Ackbar (I see you Ole Miss people), 1 is good and 16 is bad. As the seed matchups get more even (like 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3), then it becomes a free for all, but at the beginning, be smart. They rank these teams for a reason.
2. Mascots
You got one of those pesky 7 seed vs 10 seed matchups and you're like shit, what do I do? Let's go to the mascot check. The 7 seed has the mighty Friar for a mascot. The 10 seed has the radical Flying Space Hyenas as theirs. Duh - this is what we call a no brainer. You best be picking the Flying Space Hyenas. If you don't, you better be a Friar alum or intoxicated. Mascot coolness counts and don't be afraid to run with it.
3. Colors
A popular method amongst the lady-type people, picking based on what color appeals to you. I'm not going to lie, I've used this method on occasion to great success. My favorite color is green and thanks to a good old Michigan State run for a few tournaments, green took me to the promised land. However, color picks are superseded by seeds and mascots. I don't give two shits if aquamarine is your favorite color, if that team is a 15 seed with a mascot of the Jazz Bunny and they are playing a 2 seed with a mascot of the Killer Chainsaws, there's no way in hell you should be using the color method (unless you are an alum or intoxicated).
Well, there you have it. The brackets are out now and you should go get to picking. And, if you win any money, use it to buy one of your old pal Jack's books. You won't regret it.
-Jack
jack.crosby25@gmail.com
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