Author M.K. Chester

Change is inevitable.  The only thing certain about change is that it will happen, whether you like it or not.  I’ve always struggled with change.  I’m truly not a very spontaneous person.  I like the familiar, tried and true, comfortable things.  But is being “comfortable” actually living?  And what kind of change are we talking about?  Change for the sake of change, or for the betterment of some situation in life?

I’ve experienced a great deal of change within the last five years.  While I feel like I’ve been accommodating (I won’t go so far as to use the word ‘flexible’), is more necessary? Is it demanded? And if so, by whom and to what end?  These are the questions I find myself asking these days as I look at life–what I’ve accomplished and what still lies ahead, if only I can make the change.  I know this is quite the enigmatic post, but suffice it to say that lately, I haven’t had much time to write.  What free time I find, I’ve committed to promotion, and I continue to do so.  It’s quite fun.

But what if these changes I’m eyeing can eventually free up some time?  While I understand that work expands to fill the time alloted, I ultimately want writing to be the work that expands, not be shoved to the back of the fridge to grow stale, moldy, or forgotten.  Things could go either way–I can’t currently see which way the road bends.  So there are a lot of questions I need to ask about a handful of situations in my life.  I need to get my thoughts and emotions out of my inner being and into the universe, where they can be manifested one way or the other.

So I ask you, how do you deal with change, with major choices in your life?  What methods have you found effective for taking the steps necessary for risk management?  I know nobody has all the answers, and that stepping out on faith is something in which we are not all created equally.  But if change will certainly come…what’s the best way to deal?

I’m excited to participate again (I think this is the fifth year?) in Brenda Novak’s Online Auction to benefit Diabetes Research.  This fabulous, virtual event has raised over 1.3 million over its lifespan, and is going stronger than ever.  In fact, we’d love to set a new record this year!

The auction is open NOW and runs through May 31, 2012.  There are awesome sponsors, including Writer’s Digest, Publisher’s Weekly, and a who’s who of NY Times bestselling authors.  There are also a host of prizes up for grabs, including a Grand Prize iMAC to the person who places the largest number of bids.

For myself, I have three separate items in this year’s auction.

FIRST – a critique of the first 50-ages of your manuscript!  I love to work with other writers, and whether you are a seasoned author with a new project, or a newbie looking for some initial feedback, this is a no-brainer.  You don’t need to be a historical author—I like to read across all genres.

SECOND – my Vintage items!  This includes autographed copies of All in Good Time, The Knot, and an e-copy of Bootlegger’s Bride.  This listing also boasts a gorgeous sparkling cuff bracelet from my good friends at Designs by Mandi.

THIRD – to celebrate the recent release of Surrender to the Roman, the winner of this auction will receive an e-copy of the novel, an autographed cover flat, a $25 gift card to Amazon (or BN if you like), and a four-pack of related-themed epic movies including: Troy, Alexander, Clash of the Titans, and Anthony & Cleopatra.

None of this floats your boat?  Something else surely will.  Hop on over to the site and search for your favorite authors or simply peruse the listings.  You can get in on all the action at Twitter by following @brendanovakauction.  Registration and bidding is easy, so no excuses!  See you there!

MK Chester on Goodreads

I’ve been contemplating the difference in bookish culture since my first book was released in 2006.  In only five years, digital publishing and self publishing are making massive strides in the industry.

Another interesting change comes to both authors and readers in the form of the website Goodreads.  Goodreads “is the largest site for readers and book recommendations in the world. We have more than 7,600,000 members who have added more than 280,000,000 books to their shelves. A home for casual readers and bona-fide bookworms alike, Goodreads users recommend books, compare what they are reading, keep track of what they’ve read and would like to read, find their next favorite book, form book clubs and much more.”

That’s good and bad news.  The good news is that this is a network focused on books, where readers rule and authors can connect with their readership, build new readership, and converse with other authors in their genre they may not have otherwise “met.”  When you stop to consider this alone, it’s amazing.  No other social network makes this specific a connection.  The bad news is that, in the words of the old adage, opinions are like a$$holes…everyone’s got one.  Before Goodreads, authors concerned themselves primarily with the opinions of professional reviewers and established review sites.

Now?  Well, I can only speak for myself, but you have to have a tough hide when dealing with Goodreads.  My experience with my current release is ongoing, but here’s what I’ve experienced so far:

1.  People who don’t typically read your genre will download it from Netgalley (free as a reviewer).  If you’re lucky, they like it despite the fact that “it’s not their thing.”  That does not usually happen.

2.  You spend time watching and waiting for reviews and ratings to come in. Especially your average rating, because you’d like to keep it in a certain (attractive) range.  Those who downgrade you because “it’s not their thing” have a detrimental effect on the average, and subsequently, another reader’s decision.

3.  It matters not one little bit.  In the past week, I can say I’ve been angry, confused, amazed, and validated by Goodreads.  It’s not worth my time to get that twisted up in it.  I can’t do anything about it anyway.

Keeping perspective is the key to enjoying Goodreads as an author.  Not everyone is going to love your book, and now, ‘not everyone’ can tell you all about it with very little effort.  The focus for me as an author is to engage readers who do like the genre, who have given my work a good reception, and who might be interested in what I’m doing next.  As a reader, I love the ability to keep track of what I’ve read.  I’m particularly sensitive to other authors to the point that if I don’t like their work, I won’t rate them at all.  If it just wasn’t for me, I can keep that to myself.

Oh, click on the image above to connect on Goodreads!