Things are moving right along. I’m waiting on one more beta reader to get done with Fire Wizard. The good thing is, two of my betas pretty much read it in one sitting because they said they couldn’t put it down. š I might be having a FB party for the release. I’m looking at an end of September release.
I’ve written one scene of my cozy mystery (title to be determined later), and have worked a little on a couple more scenes. I have a love/hate relationship with Scrivener, but I think I’ve worked out most of the bugs, so it’s mostly love. I was having problems losing the formatting, but I think I got it worked out. I’m a linear writer, but I like how when I think of something that could go in a scene later, I can just go to that scene (I have outlines, so I can tell where that scene is) and write it before I forget. Then I can go back to the scene I was working on.
I’m still trying to decide whether or not to write this book under this name or another pen name. I have reasons (that some of you know) to write under two pen names. This brings up another question of whether or not to start writing under a publishing company name or not.
Which brings up another problem. I want to get a federal ID number, but I found out from two different author friends that when trying to change from a SS# to a EIN, or from one EIN to another one, Barnes & Noble made them delete their account and republish all their books under the new number. Which means, they lost their reviews and ranking. If Amazon can just let them change the number, why in the world can’t B & N do the same thing? That’s made me rethink the EIN number. I have some decent reviews on B & N, and I would hate to lose those. This makes my eye twitch.
I’m also proofing a new book for a client, so that business is going well.
So, how are the rest of you doing?
lauralynnelliott.com 
It’s true. Barnes and Noble will make you do that. It was a pain in the butt when I did it. If you know the reviewers, then you could ask them to put the reviews back up. But if you don’t, well, at least the bad ones will go with it. š
You’ll be fine at Smashwords and Amazon. Just make sure to put your publishing name in the “name” slot instead of your actual name. I made the mistake of putting my name in instead of the company and almost didn’t get things to work at Amazon. Smashwords was easy, but Amazon was a little tricky, and I had to get on the phone with my accountant to make sure I got it right.
That’s a hard one on the pen names. I can see the pros and cons, and being able to see both doesn’t help. Good luck on figuring that one out.
The thing is, on some of my books, the reviews on B & N are better than on Amazon. If I decide to do this, though, I’ll probably just let Smashwords handle B & N. So, I actually have THREE friends who’ve had to do this. I might have to have a conversation with you first to see what problems you encountered at Amazon, unless it was just putting the name in wrong.
I established an LLC with an S-Corp election, and that was tricky, but if you’re only doing an LLC, then I don’t think you’ll have the same problem I did. The big thing was the name.
I’m not even doing an LLC. Just a sole proprietorship.
I have just started working in Scrivener myself, so am still learning things and stuff. I agree that it’s fantastic to be able to keep track of the details, scene that come to mind not in the order of writing, and any research at a click of the mouse.
I am also quite linear in my writing. I am trying a new tactic with organization. We’ll see how it works. So far, so good! š
I, myself, have finished a complete revision of my newest short story using Scrivener. Feeling far more productive this week. Just enjoying the last of summer here (it is going to start cooling off this coming week).
Congrats on the completion and impending release!! š
I love that research folder. You can even put pictures of what your characters look like for inspiration, as well as pics of the town if you know what you want it to look like. Websites, videos, etc.
We’re supposed to cool off next week, but not a LOT. At least not until Saturday. I’m looking forward to fall.
Man, I am simultaneously looking forward to and dreading all that business stuff. My dad and I have briefly talked about me developing a small publishing house, especially with World Unknown Review coming up, but it’s such a headache and completely beyond my grasp. I’ll get there, though!
Congrats on Fire Wizard’s progress, too! What a great compliment from your betas!
And I don’t have to use a publishing name. I could use dba Lauralynn Elliott and still get an EIN. It’s recommended so Amazon, B & N, etc. won’t have your SS# on file. I wish I had known about that when I first started since I will have a problem with B & N if I change. You would think if someone as big as Amazon and someone as small as Smashwords could just change the number, then B & N should be able to do it.
Thanks, I heard from my last beta reader today, and she said it was fun. She suggested another scene that I think makes a lot of sense.
I love reading posts that deal with parts of writing I haven’t, yet. It’s a rather non-intimidating way to pick up a little understanding on the fly…
Would it be acceptable to cut and paste those reviews to your website? I’m thinking you could have a page dedicated to them, even outlining why you put them there, which might start an upswell of awareness that could lead B&N to change their policy. You could contact the reviewers and get permission from at least some, maybe…the reviews wouldn’t be on the B&N site, but you would still have them in some form…
Wishing you luck and success as you work it through. And HOORAY about the new book! =D
Thanks, Shan!
I know some of the reviewers. Others, I don’t, so I don’t know if I could put them on my page or not. I have reviews on Amazon, so I still have reviews. I just wish I wouldn’t lose my reviews on B & N.
It does seem like they ought to have a better plan!