Kathleen McGurl – Maria Gibbs

There is a growing trend in society to believe that books should be free or heavily discounted and we have all been guilty of feeding into it. I pick up freebies but I am also happy to pay for the books I want. Maybe I can’t get all the ones I want but hey isn’t that just life? I see lots of clothes I like and I might be able to pick up a new dress for a special occasion or a new pair of jeans because my old ones have holes in where no self-respecting forty-something wants holes but I can’t buy every item that my heart desires. Certainly not on my non-existent income as an author. Just as well I have a full-time job that stops me from being a starving artist languishing in a garret with only bread and water to sustain me. My day-time job takes up a huge portion of my week and often leaves me drained but from somewhere I have to find the time for my passion which is writing. My dream would be my writing to take off and be able to write full-time but alas that can’t be at the moment.

Everyone of us has had people who ask for a free copy, I’d like to quote my friend and fellow author Chris Turnbull “erm No! There is no such thing as a free copy…even I don’t get a free copy and it’s my book.”

We do have a free copy on our computers, sure and we can send it to our Kindle device but if we want a print copy of our book, we have to pay – the proof copy isn’t even free. But let me tell you a bit more about what we’ve paid for: A beautiful cover, a feast to the eye, to tempt you, an editor to shape our words and spot mistakes and inconsistencies. And let’s be clear on this my editor and cover designer, both wonderful women who are also authors won’t accept it if I ask them to provide their services for free–which I wouldn’t do. Some people pay for marketing and do promotional giveaways.

I have three novelettes on the market at the moment and a pending novel (having the red pen treatment). A novelette is small, doesn’t require the same time frame to write it but I still used my time and I still paid for the above items. Yesterday was the two-year anniversary of my first novelette ‘As Dreams are Made on.’ Based only on the cover and editing alone I have lost £36.00 on it. So to recap, two years on and with 104 kindle sales and 16 paperback copies I am still in the red. I haven’t set my price high 0.99p/c because it is a short read. An hour or so of entertainment for under £1.00/$1.00 but still people want it for free. You could argue that if they like it they might buy one of my other books and yes that is true but lets also go back to the earlier paragraph where I acknowledged that I can’t buy all the books or clothes I like. So maybe it would generate sales–but maybe not.

Books aren’t just entertainment they are often an escape from reality –a reality that many people find challenging so given the duality of the product why do we question its value?

I’ve got an experiment for you to try (I won’t do it myself as I previously mentioned my busy schedule 🙂 )

Walk in to or phone your hairdresser and ask them if they will give you a free haircut.

Ring your garage next time your car needs a service or MOT and ask them to do it for free

Who loves having their nails done? Manicure? Pedicure? Facial? Let’s see about this freebie

The list is endless.
I would love to hear back from anyone who gets a freebie. Good luck and happy hunting.

But for this author who works endlessly and pays for the services I receive the only freebies I will consider are those that I choose to give for a promotional event which will require your participation.

For anyone who believes that authors should be paid for their work please leave a comment in support and it you are so inclined please share it with the hashtag #Booksarenotfree let’s get it trending.

If you are interested in my books follow the links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Maria-Gibbs/e/B00SDDJV1U/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

If you want to know more about my books have a look at the other pages on this website. You can even see the reviews that I have left for the books I’ve read recently.

I was tagged today by DM Miller for the 777 Challenge. I am certainly up for a challenge and this one is far easier than the ice bucket and half marathon challenges.

DM is the author of The Religion of the Heart

Catherine and Abdul come from two opposing worlds. She is raised in the Judeo-Christian West, while he comes from a Muslim family in Egypt. Their first meeting is little more than a fleeting moment, but it sparks over a decade-long desperation and agonizing battle to be together. Incompatible religions, distinct cultures and hot-tempered families vowing to keep them apart are the overwhelming hurdles they face, and reality hits once mysteries are solved and the fairytale beginning fades away. They are left with difficult decisions as they determine how important their respective religions are and whether or not the Muslim culture can mesh with the West. Can an enduring yet taboo love conquer all when conflicting religions are duking it out, or will threatening roadblocks stand in the way?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1PO6IS6

The Challenge

So the idea is that I take seven sentences from the seventh line of the seventh page from my newest book or work in progress (WIP)

I will be using my WIP – My novel Is This Love?

Theo & Gemma meet on a night out, after an instant attraction and the evening spent getting to know each other they face the moment when the night draws to a close:

A catfight broke out between two girls who’d had too much to drink. Two policemen separated them as clumps of peroxide hair came away in the taller girl’s hands. Skirts the size of belts hung askew and beer-stained tops rode high up flabby midriffs. Hair coiffed to within an inch of perfection at the beginning of the night was now lank, while makeup ran down their faces, and they screamed abuse at each other.

“Come back with me?” Theo whispered.

Every inch of my body screamed to go. I’ve come here to spend the weekend with Chris.

Hope you enjoyed it. Gemma and Theo will be coming to an Amazon Kindle near you soon. 🙂

I now need to tag 7 authors in this to take part:

Rose English is the author of One Breath

The rainbow had vanished, swept away behind a great sweeping of grey clouds. The air was still fresh and fragrant from the afternoon April shower, when for a time the sun had peeked through cotton candy clouds. Dorothea magically produced a tiny retractable umbrella, from her coat pocket, just as the first drop of rain fell. Albert always marvelled at her ability to be prepared for any event, she was his beautiful and intelligent petite little Dotty. The rain started gently, in spits and spats but the heavy laden clouds were being whipped up into a frenzy. As little Dotty opened the brolly a sudden gust of wind shot through, and flipped it inside out.

The couple began to laugh as they struggled together to right the umbrella, whilst standing in the middle of a sodden, damp country lane. The rain was now pouring; it fell heavily, quickly soaking them through to the bone. They didn’t hear the car approaching, what with the wind, whipping round them and both wrangling with the now useless item, still clenched between them.

Then it was too late.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1j19HMS

2. Tanya Jones-Thibodeau is the author of Dreams of Beautiful Whisper

When Amanda learns that the gorgeous beauty-boy of her disturbingly life-like dreams is in fact an elven warrior from her past, things get complicated. But shortly after being urgently moved back to the village where she was born, well things just got weird.

WHO IS SHE?
AMANDA, A HIGH-SCHOOL GIRL WITH A BOYFRIEND SHE INTENDS TO EVENTUALLY MARRY? or
AMANAE, A POWERFUL ELF WITH A SOUL-MATE FOR ETERNITY?

As the haze of her blocked past lifts, the truth of who she is, what she must endure and how it will change her peaceful human life forever, threaten to be more than she can handle. Even with her practical approach to challenges, the reassurance of her boyfriend Jordan and the encouraging support of an entire elven kingdom, will Amanda have the strength and skill to fulfill her destiny?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1QLrkuj

3. CJ Rutherford is the author of Souls of the Never (and more)

Katheryne thinks she’s just a normal 20-year-old, until her dreams descend into terror and pain.
At the edge of the universe, an ancient evil awakens. It wants into our world; and it’s coming through her.
As the dreams become reality, Katheryne is pitched into a battle that has raged for thousands of years. The fate of all reality rests in her hands.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1WyOrvS

4. Colette Kebell is the author of The Retail Therapist (and more)

Window shopping! Don’t you just hate the term?
It is like going into a sweet shop and not being able to buy anything, or not knowing what to buy first. That is exactly my line of business, helping people make the right choice.
I’m one of those fashion consultants that are so popular nowadays amongst the upper crust, although I started ages ago. Choosing the right clothes for the right occasion is not an easy task: the dress has to match your personality and, if it can, enhance it.
This story is about how I abandoned the rat race, spending days in a legal office, and followed my dream of becoming a fashion consultant. I believe I’m something more though, I’m a Retail Therapist and I’m sure you are itching to know the story about how I started and how I helped my clients look fabulous! So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up, click that “buy” button up there and be prepared to enter the mysterious world of a Berkshire Retail Therapist girl.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1P5VSbO

5. M.B Feeney is the author of Right Click, Love (and more)

Disheartened about not being able to find “Mr. Right” on the London dating scene, best friends Jodie Lynch and Louise Hewson create a blog to not only document their disastrous dates with the numerous “Mr. Wrongs” and “Mr. Okay-for-nows” but also to help those going through the same experiences and to see where they’re going wrong. How will they deal with everything the dating scene has to throw at them — planned or otherwise?

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1POcYJu

6. J.C Clarke is the author of Fragile (and more)

Deep down I enjoyed this life, it was fun seeing the different towns. Seven months on the road, five months back at the yard. Day in, day out. Nothing changed except the weather and the accents of the fair-goers.

Until tonight. That’s when I see you standing there, looking back at me when my eyes find you. Even in the dimming light of the day and the harsh flashing bulbs, I see you blush before you look down, looking anywhere except back at me. A smirk creeps onto my face with my thoughts: you look beautiful in your baggy jeans and vest top.

The light captures your black hair shielding your face. I know I need to grab a shower before I head into the pay box, but I can’t seem to tear myself away from watching you.

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1hbpxCz

7. Kathleen McGurl is the author of The Pearl Locket (and more)

When Ali inherits her great-aunt’s house she immediately moves her whole family in, despite the warnings that there is something strange about the place.

Unfazed Ali begins redecorating, going through the rooms, making each one her own with the help of her daughter, Kelly. But when under the wallpaper in Kelly’s new room they discover a scrawled message from 1944 Ali begins to question the history of the house as she knows it.

Her family has always seemed so picture perfect, not a blemish or a secret to be found. Yet, this discovery throws her into confusion and Ali begins to question exactly what she knows about her family and the mysteries they have kept hidden…

Click to buy: http://amzn.to/1FILWTt

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