I got this book free from a giveaway.

The premise sounded interesting, although I can't say I much believed the title. Since I'm delving into writing, I figured I'd join and see if I could win it and if so, how it was. I did, and so here we are.

Please note: I have not actually tried the method yet, so I can't vouch for how good it works (or not), but I will review the book itself.

 

The book offers a general review of things that will help you build up to a book release (and how to live up to it, according to it). It's reasonable enough, with sound (if slightly obvious sometimes) advise, and it promises to be good for self-publishing as well as traditional publishing.

 

One thing that annoyed me was the self-quoting (little red squares of text quoting the thing that is either on that same page right next to the bos or on a page before/after). They were a little distracting because, in a ~190 pages book that has no walls of text, it was really not necessary.

 

Basically, the book treats your author name as a business brand, and I think it has a solid point in telling one to behave as if they were a professional business; after all, as a professional writer, that's what you'd be. They called this your "brand", a word I didn't much care for when it was first mentioned, but that made a lot more sense towards the end of the book.

 

Some sections have little exercises for you to do as you go along, which is kind of cute. It also has resources (read: several liniks) for helpful things: bookformatting, editors, examples and other such. However, I don't feel telling you "these sites do it great" is good content, when some things can be explained directly.

 

This also talks a lot about blogging, as it seems to be the basis of this social platform. I understand why it would be so and the need for it, however I've been reading lately that it might not be good for some writers (read: If you abandon your blog later, because even if you DO manage to go through with the 90-day proposed here, someday you're just bound to run out of ideas on what to blog about, particularly if your subject matter has a rather finite set of topics to cover).

 

Sometimes the book feels a little repetitive. Things that are explained are then either re-explained in slightly different wording or merely expanded upon.

I did find the pinterest tactics/suggestions (as brief as that section was) interesting. Some ideas are pretty out there ("Spend a month living as one of your characters (e.g., exploring the Amazon) and post the video documentary series", for instance), but not bad (if you're rich and can do that ;) ).

 

Although it promises to view a writers platform, it also provides a general overview on editing and other such advise. In fact, up to about ~130 pages in, it's all a general overview of things: of what the social platforms are, of what you should and shouldn't do, etc. After that you really go in-depth on a step-by-step of the program you are to follow.

 

It does look like a time-intensive program, the 90 days you decide to do it should be spent quite a bit on it. It's definitely not apt for the socially reclusive (of course, you're building a social platform, so you're not -supposed- to be reclusive, but if you have a hard time maintaining your regular social circles, then creating a social platform might not be for you... )

 

The best advise this book gives is "You’re building a successful platform. Behave as if you already have one."

 

Overall though, the information found here is nothing that can't be found all around the internet, but I suppose it's good to save yourself the googling and have it all in one place. It's a quick read, it doesn't hurt to give it a look even if you won't (or can't) go through with the calendar right away.

 

If you know nothing of how to build a writer's platform, this book might just be great for you.

 

If you have a basic idea already, then you may not find it as useful or as interesting, but you may still find some tips and examples to build on that spark your own creativity.

I got this book free from a giveaway.
The premise sounded interesting, although I can't say I much believed the title. Since I'm delving into writing, I figured I'd join and see if I could win it and if so, how it was. I did, and so here we are.
Please note: I have not actually tried the method yet, so I can't vouch for how good it works (or not), but I will review the book itself.

The book offers a general review of things that will help you build up to a book release (and how to live up to it, according to it). It's reasonable enough, with sound (if slightly obvious sometimes) advise, and it promises to be good for self-publishing as well as traditional publishing.

One thing that annoyed me was the self-quoting (little red squares of text quoting the thing that is either on that same page right next to the bos or on a page before/after). They were a little distracting because, in a ~190 pages book that has no walls of text, it was really not necessary.

Basically, the book treats your author name as a business brand, and I think it has a solid point in telling one to behave as if they were a professional business; after all, as a professional writer, that's what you'd be. They called this your "brand", a word I didn't much care for when it was first mentioned, but that made a lot more sense towards the end of the book.

Some sections have little exercises for you to do as you go along, which is kind of cute. It also has resources (read: several liniks) for helpful things: bookformatting, editors, examples and other such. However, I don't feel telling you "these sites do it great" is good content, when some things can be explained directly.

This also talks a lot about blogging, as it seems to be the basis of this social platform. I understand why it would be so and the need for it, however I've been reading lately that it might not be good for some writers (read: If you abandon your blog later, because even if you DO manage to go through with the 90-day proposed here, someday you're just bound to run out of ideas on what to blog about, particularly if your subject matter has a rather finite set of topics to cover).
Sometimes the book feels a little repetitive. Things that are explained are then either re-explained in slightly different wording or merely expanded upon.
I did find the pinterest tactics/suggestions (as brief as that section was) interesting. Some ideas are pretty out there ("Spend a month living as one of your characters (e.g., exploring the Amazon) and post the video documentary series", for instance), but not bad (if you're rich and can do that ;) ).

Although it promises to view a writers platform, it also provides a general overview on editing and other such advise. In fact, up to about ~130 pages in, it's all a general overview of things: of what the social platforms are, of what you should and shouldn't do, etc. After that you really go in-depth on a step-by-step of the program you are to follow.

It does look like a time-intensive program, the 90 days you decide to do it should be spent quite a bit on it. It's definitely not apt for the socially reclusive (of course, you're building a social platform, so you're not -supposed- to be reclusive, but if you have a hard time maintaining your regular social circles, then creating a social platform might not be for you... )

The best advise this book gives is "You’re building a successful platform. Behave as if you already have one."

Overall though, the information found here is nothing that can't be found all around the internet, but I suppose it's good to save yourself the googling and have it all in one place. It's a quick read, it doesn't hurt to give it a look even if you won't (or can't) go through with the calendar right away.

If you know nothing of how to build a writer's platform, this book might just be great for you.

If you have a basic idea already, then you may not find it as useful or as interesting, but you may still find some tips and examples to build on that spark your own creativity.

Five Dances with Death: Dance One - Aust... Five Dances with Death is a historical/fantasy adventure in which, much like the sorceress Plume plunges her husband into ethereal travel, the reader is firmly immersed in a distant time and place to live in the mind and body of Angry Wasp as he tries to save both his country and his daughter during the onset of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

The writing is a perfect blend of description while maintaining the feeling of having been translated, which grants the the storytelling an authentic voice. In places, the dialogue is both shocking and humorous. The internal dialogue shows such truth and heart, I found myself growing fond of the rash young man who danced with both demons and nobility.

Often I found myself stopping to reread lines that were especially insightful. In one example, Angry Wasp was asked how he and a trader could both want the same thing, yet they could never agree on anything. Angry Wasp replied, "Time after time, your ideas betray the very principles we warriors believe in. You want to ignore insults. You wish to befriend invaders. You want to risk your head to see the obvious." I love the combination of primitive and noble thought--the adherence to ideals pursued to their absolute end. Even when Wasp has his greatest desire in hand, he will not betray the guiding principles of his life to attain it. The struggle is fascinating, as is this "Aztec Supernatural Adventure Novel."

This novel reminds me of another that I enjoyed, Prophets of the Ghost Ants. (I seem to be intrigued by rash and imperfect young heroes on the road to greatness.) Those brash warriors make me wince, yet their actions are never boring. So many NY Times-tooted books that quickly draw large followings seem --often, but not always-- to be shallow, or empty. I'm finding gems among debut writers without all the marketing hype to launch them. I do hope they find their audience as well.

I found nothing to complain about during the entire read of this novel. --And that is highly unusual. I'm now a fan of Mr. Briggs, and am looking forward to the sequel.

This book is the debut novel of a new series by author Austin Briggs, and if the title is any indication, I am expecting five books. I certainly hope that this is the case. Briggs crafts a beautifully written story centering around Wasp, the war lord of the Tlaxcalteca, a tribe of the Aztecs. This first book takes place as the various tribes of the Aztecs are warring with each other in the perennial fight for land and mastery within the Aztec nation. At the same time, the Spanish Conquistadors have just landed, which of course will complicate matters.

I have had an ongoing love affair with the Native American cultures since I was in high school, including the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans of Mexico and South America. For my part, I think that Mr. Briggs captured both the mysticism and brutality inherent in the Aztec culture perfectly. He highlighted their belief in mysticism and use of hallucinogenic substances to further out of body experiences without making it seem too modern or 20th century. At the same time, he gave his characters personalities that allowed them to seem "modern" and not at all archaic. The perfect balance, in my opinion.

Being the first book of the series, we were introduced to a lot of characters and ideas in this book that I am excited to see develop as the series progresses. In fact, my only complaint regarding this book was that the ending was rather sudden, definitely leaving me wanting more. I hope the second book comes out soon.

Five Dances with Death: Dance One - Aust... I agree with the Goodread reviewers who felt this book was totally different than what they were expecting. I felt like I could have been reading a contemporary novel instead of one set in the time of the Aztecs with how Austin wrote the book and allowed the reader to get to know the characters, yet just when I thought I had my reading pattern set, it switched. I never got bored while reading this book.