There can be hardly anybody left on WordPress who is not familiar with the logo above, or has not heard of Chris, the Story Reading Ape. Chris runs a promotional platform here on WordPress, and publishes valuable information and advice for Indie authors like myself. Today for a change I thought I’d turn the spotlight around so that you can all find out a little bit more about Chris, the Story Reading Ape.
Thanks Chris, for answering my 20 questions!
- You say you’re not an author, but have you ever thought of writing a short story, poem or novel?
Yes I have posted several (very) short stories, you can find them under TSRA TALES in my blog NAVIGATION Tab ( http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/blog-navigation/tsra-tales/ )
- Whereabouts in the world do you live?
I currently live in Manchester, England, but I don’t originate from there (big furry pointy fanged grin)
- What made you decide to champion the Indie author?
In December 2012 I bought an eReader which had an app for Goodreads included, so I joined them, intending only to list all the books I could remember reading (I’m STILL recalling them lol).
I joined some readers groups and noticed how many Indie Authors placed requests for Guest Posts on blogs, etc, as well as reviews of their books.
Intrigued, I set about investigating how and where to blog, finally settling for WordPress because they offered the best media spread, free blog themes and took time to answer all my questions.
Regards the topic of my blog, I didn’t want to post my reviews there (they are not grandiose affairs), so I designed it to be an independent authors promotional platform.
- What genre do you like to read the most?
Science Fiction, Fantasy & Historical Fiction, but I will delve into other genre from time to time.
I have to confess a weakness for children’s books, they help me relax and it’s amazing how much can be learned from their educational books.
- Who is your favourite author?
The late, great Sir Terry Pratchett!
You could say he was my Blog Persona Creator (see my blog About page for details) ( http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/blog-navigation/about/ )
- Do you prefer to read an e-book or a traditional paperback?
I loved the feel and smell of traditional books, however, over the years of working in the Construction Industry, mainly in the Middle East where fine sand dust, as well as normal construction dust, is a job hazard, I have developed emphysema and can no longer read them due to the dust and ink fumes affecting my breathing, so rather than stop reading, I bought an eReader.
- What did you do for a living?
I was a Self Employed Mechanical / Electrical Consultant Engineer, working for various International Companies around the world.
Now I’m happily retired, busier and more fulfilled than ever.
- What is the one thing that you cannot do without?
My wife – she is one amazing Lady!
- How many views does Chris the Reading Ape’s blog attract every day?
It usually varies between 700 to 1200 views daily, but there have been several times this year where they have exceeded this.
- How can an author be included into Chris the Reading Ape’s Hall of Fame?
Easy – Just check out my blog Submissions Guidelines at:
http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/contact-me/
- What’s number one on your bucket list?
Enjoying whatever I do.
- Do you think surfing the Internet can be addictive?
Absolutely!
- As an Indie author myself, I’ve always found your WordPress blogs informative and helpful. How many hours per day do you spend gathering information for your blogs?
That depends on what other commitments I have for author promotions, Book Covers, Book Promo Trailers and of course, whatever non-blog related stuff my wife needs me to do, but it does run to several hours each day.
- Do you think it is better to self-publish rather than use the services of a small publisher?
I don’t have any personal experience of publishing, so I can’t answer that with any authority.
- In your opinion, which websites serve the Indie author best in regards to promoting their work?
There are a multitude of blogs and websites out there who post book reviews and love to introduce new authors to their followers – for free – many of them are authors in their own right.
However (and I’ll probably get a lot of flak for this) I would caution against using sites who make promotional claims that sound too good to be true and charge fees for those services.
ALWAYS do your research thoroughly and get the opinions of anyone who has used them before even thinking of committing funds to those services.
- What should Indie authors be mindful of when selling translation rights?
I don’t have any personal experience of this, however, I always recommend you do thorough research and get opinions from anyone else who have done this.
- Is it just a money-making scam, or is it actually worth buying books which inform authors of how to go about selling millions of copies?
No comment, however:
Check out the authors of such books.
Are they rich?
What other books have they written?
How many copies have they sold?
What do their book reviews say?
Do the reviews sound genuine, are they too praising?
Check out the reviewers themselves, what else have they reviewed?
- Should an Indie author spend time blogging, or should his/her time be better spent writing?
Nowadays you need to do both, but balance is the key.
However, authors need to decide WHY they write and publish books.
For their personal enjoyment and fulfilment, or to become famous and make money?
- What do you think is the best way for Indie authors to find readers?
Networking – I recommend you read this post by Author Shirley McLain who gives a comprehensive list of ways ( http://shirley-mclain.net/2015/12/10/this-is-blatant-advertising/ ) and also browse my blog Resources Tab ( http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/authors-resources-central/ ) and Information / Marketing Categories Cloud.
- Do you think the increasing number of self-published authors will cause traditional publishing to fall by the wayside?
If any other authors / publishers are interested in answering 20 of my questions, please leave me a comment here and I’ll be in touch.
Suma Reddy said:
Reblogged this on Bio-Blogger .
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you for the re-blog.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Sally. x
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Stevie Turner said:
Chris, I’ve been looking back on this interview. Which readers’ groups do you recommend?
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robertawrites235681907 said:
I really enjoyed this interview. I am most sorry to learn of Chris’ job induced health problems. Life is never easy and there are always hazards. Chris does a wonderful job of helping to promote Indie authors.
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Stevie Turner said:
He does. Thanks for your comment.
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Deanie Humphrys-Dunne said:
Thank you Stevie and thanks for following my blog.
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Deanie Humphrys-Dunne said:
Chris is an amazing talent who always helps others, myself included! We’d all be floundering around without him!
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Stevie Turner said:
Absolutely!
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cicampbell2013 said:
Reblogged this on cicampbellblog and commented:
Time to bring the man in the background out front to take a well-earned bow.
Great interview with one of the most amazing promoters of indie authors.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your support!
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Fiona Tarr said:
Great idea to interview Chris. I would love to answer 20 of your questions Stevie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Fiona. Thanks for your comment. Please contact me on my website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk with as much info about yourself as you can.
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hudsong2014 said:
Chris has been so kind to all of us. Good interview.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you!
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Ali Isaac said:
Great to know a bit more about the shy and secretive Ape! Great interview, both! 😀
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you!
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patriciaruthsusan said:
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Great interview.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you!
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olganm said:
Very good interview and it’s good to read more of The Reading Ape’s opinions. 🙂
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The Story Reading Ape said:
I am absolutely Stunned by all the kind comments and reblogs – THANK YOU ALL and you Stevie for hosting me (BTW – any of those nice small tweet Malaysian Bananas left?) 😀
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Stevie Turner said:
No, you’ve eaten them all!
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The Story Reading Ape said:
mmmm – Sorry about that Stevie 😀 😀 😀
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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jenanita01 said:
Chris has helped me so much and deserves praise from every indie author out there!
I wouldn’t mind answering some questions too…
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Stevie Turner said:
He’s awesome! I’m off partying for the weekend soon, but send me some info about yourself and your email address to http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk and I’ll think up some questions for you next week.
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sknicholls said:
Good to see you getting around Mr. Ape. I learned many things I had wondered about you.And a well hosted interview. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks!
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wendyannedarling said:
Reblogged this on Wendy Anne Darling and commented:
Stevie Turner interviews the amazing Chris, The Story Reading Ape!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog Wendy! Happy Christmas!
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wendyannedarling said:
Happy Christmas from Colorado; the ‘ding-dong merrily I’m high’ state. 😀
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Stevie Turner said:
Cosmic….
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kimwrtr said:
Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks! Happy Christmas Kim and best wishes for the New Year.
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kimwrtr said:
You’re welcome, Stevie! Hoping you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Tricia Drammeh said:
Reblogged this on Authors to Watch and commented:
I give 5 out of 5 bananas to this interview with Chris the Story Reading Ape! Chris is an outstanding blogger and a champion of indie authors. It’s wonderful to see him in the spotlight.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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soireadthisbooktoday said:
Reblogged this on So, I Read This Book Today and commented:
If you aren’t familiar with The Story Reading Ape, you should be! 😉
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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soireadthisbooktoday said:
Great article!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks!
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Sue Vincent said:
Reblogged this on Daily Echo and commented:
The best known Ape in the blogosphere…
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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Sue Vincent said:
My pleasure, Stevie. Chris is a very special Ape 🙂
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Cynthia Reyes said:
I’m so glad you did this, Patrick. Chris is a kind man, an ape with a sense of humour, and a gift to authors. Three bananas to this interview.
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Patrick Jones said:
You’re welcome! Anything for my favorite monkey…er…Ape 🙂
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Patrick Jones said:
Thank you so much for interviewing our BFF Chris The Story Reading Ape!! He is really hard to tie down in the jungle out there so congratulations in wrangling him down for an interview!! Have reblogged!
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Patrick Jones said:
Reblogged this on The Linden Chronicles: The Wolf's Moon/The River and commented:
Our Favorite Furry Chris The Story Reading Ape got a banana for each interview question!!!!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog Patrick!
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Seumas Gallacher said:
Reblogged this on Seumas Gallacher and commented:
… terrific interview by Stevie Turner with The Story Reading Ape…
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Seumas Gallacher said:
…It’ about time Master Ape was given much more credit for all the great supportive stuff he does… terrific interview… well done, both Chris and Stevie:)
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Seumas. I enjoy thinking up the questions.
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Susan Uttendorfsky said:
I also enjoyed learning a little more about our much-loved Ape. 😀
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Our master of ceremonies, The Story Reading Ape has escaped his enclosure for a short while and sat still long enough for an interview with Stevie Turner. Lovely to see him out of his work environment.
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Stevie Turner said:
I just had to interview him!
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Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. said:
I know it is a challenge to get him in the limelight but well worth the effort.. well done Stevie..
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Wendy Janes said:
Lovely interview. Great to hear how Chris started his wonderful blog. I’d be interested in answering 20 of your questions.
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Stevie Turner said:
Hi Wendy, thanks for your comment. As with Kevin above, please leave your email address and info about yourself on my website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk Will get back to you sometime next week with the questions.
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Wendy Janes said:
Great, will do. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Stevie.
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drewdog2060drewdog2060 said:
Good afternoon. I would be interested in answering your questions. Kind regards. Kevin
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Stevie Turner said:
Hello Kevin, please contact me on my website http://www.stevie-turner-author.co.uk giving your email address and some information about yourself.
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drewdog2060drewdog2060 said:
Many thanks. I have just visited your website but can not locate a contact form or email address to contact you. Apologies I am obviously missing something. Can you help by pointing me to the specific part of your site where I can make contact please? Many thanks, Kevin
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Stevie Turner said:
I’ve received your message on my website. Thanks. Will work on the questions.
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drewdog2060drewdog2060 said:
Reblogged this on newauthoronline.
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islandeditions said:
An excellent interview with a blogger/colleague/friend who I thought I already knew so well! Thanks for this insight into what makes Chris the Great Ape we all love to follow and read!
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Stevie Turner said:
He’s so valuable to us Indies, that I thought he needed a little shout-out!
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
I got a banana for every answer – YUM 😀
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