For this week’s blog we have to interview somebody we follow or admire.
I’ve decided to share the interview I did a while back with Chris, the Story Reading Ape, as not only do I follow his blogs, I also admire him for his constant and tireless support of the Indie author. Chris has given his permission and has updated a few of his answers, so here they are for your delight. Thanks Chris!
1. 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/ )
2. Whereabouts in the world do you live?
I currently live in East Sussex, England, but I don’t originate from there (big furry pointy fanged grin).
3. 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.
4. What genre do you like to read the most?
Science Fiction, Fantasy & Historical Fiction, but I will delve into other genres 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.
5. 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/ )
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. What is the one thing that you cannot do without?
My wife – she is one amazing Lady!
9. How many views does Chris the Reading Ape’s blog attract every day?
It usually varies between 1200 to 1600 views daily.
10. 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/
11. What’s number one on your bucket list?
Enjoying whatever I do.
12. Do you think surfing the Internet can be addictive?
Absolutely!
13. 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.
14. Do you think it is better to self-publish rather than use the services of a small publisher?
I only have personal experience of publishing my Mum’s book, ‘My Vibrating Vertebrae: and Other poems’, through Amazon, so I can’t answer that with any authority.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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?
18. 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?
19. 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.
20. Do you think the increasing number of self-published authors will cause traditional publishing to fall by the wayside?
Traditional Publishing has a ring of PRESTIGE that Independent Publishing doesn’t have (yet!), so I can’t see TP falling out of favour for many years.
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rimpytoor said:
Love your blog! Mine is rimpysreads.wordpress.com xx
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. Will check out yours too.
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umadevi said:
This is really fascinating.
I wrote one too. Please check out .
https://umadeviblogs.wordpress.com/2018/01/14/january-reads/
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Stevie Turner said:
Sorry, I cannot see your story. What is it called please?
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Emily Gmitter said:
Thanks, Stevie, for interviewing our favorite ape….Chris, I love you, man!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Emily.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Now YOU are making an old ape blush, Em ❤
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Zoe the Fabulous Feline said:
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
So happy to share Stevie’s interview with The Story Reading Ape….this is one funny, furry fellow…and a good guy to boot!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Zoe for the re-blog.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Aw Shucks, Miss Zoe, you’re making an old ape blush ❤
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allan hudson said:
The Ape is awesome@
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Many thanks for that kind statement, Allen (The money is in the post) 😀
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dgkaye said:
So awesome to learn more about Chris. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Debby.
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dgkaye said:
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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P.J. MacLayne said:
Interesting interview, and lots of great ideas for promotion in the links.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks P.J
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Tina Frisco said:
Terrific interview of our favorite primate, Stevie! Amazing that you managed to pin him down long enough to answer questions 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this, and to Chris for his extraordinary support of authors ❤❤
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Tina.
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Stevie Turner said:
Cheers Aurora.
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aurorawatcherak said:
Good choice in interview subjects.
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aurorawatcherak said:
Reblogged this on aurorawatcherak.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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Cynthia Reyes said:
A very interesting interview with our favourite ape, Stevie. I learned more about one of my favourite bloggers. Thank you.
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome.
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OIKOS™-Redaktion said:
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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OIKOS™-Redaktion said:
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks again!
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Thanks for reblogging, Michael 😃
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franklparker said:
Insightful interview of one of the most helpful men us indies could wish to know.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Frank.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Many thanks for posting the interview, Stevie – BTW, You tie great knots in vines – it took me forever to get loose again ❤
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Stevie Turner said:
Have a banana and chill!
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Stevie managed to catch and tie me up long enough to ask a few questions, and even get answers, before I escaped again 😀
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Stevie Turner said:
Ha ha!
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Stevie Turner said:
And thanks for re-blogging, Chris.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
My pleasure, Stevie ❤️ (BTW – did you get my email?) 😎
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Stevie Turner said:
Not long come home from work and haven’t got around to logging into emails yet, but will do now.
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jenanita01 said:
Lovely post about a lovely person, Stevie. Chris Graham is an amazing man…
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Many thanks for your kind words, Jaye ❤
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jenanita01 said:
You are more than welcome, Chris… xx
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Anita and Jaye. You are so right.
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robbiesinspiration said:
A lovely interview with Chris Graham, Stevie. I am reading his mother’s book of poetry. I am bowled over I love it so much.
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The Story Reading Ape said:
I’m glad you’re enjoying Mum’s poems, Robbie ❤
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment. I will check it out too I think.
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