Dear Readers,
Wishing each and everyone of you had a very merry Christmas (or holiday of choice), and a happy new year!
May 2019 bring you all much cheer, health, wealth and great reads!!
All the best,
Joe Porrazzo
31 December 2018
26 November 2018
My Take on Reader Reviews
Dear Reader, I often get asked what I think about my book reviews. The short answer is, I don't; except for the feedback value, and here's why. I try to become a better writer with every project. I've never been too concerned about reviews... getting them, not getting them, good reviews, bad reviews. Please don't take that the wrong way... I love reviews because they provide instant feedback, AND a quick barometer of how I'm messaging my story. I just can't allow myself to get hung up on a 1-or-2-star review just because the plot or writing style didn't resonate with a certain reader. So, I don't relax on a good review, and I don't panic on a not so good review... I just accept the feedback and move forward. Although, sometimes it is therapeutic and a motivator to take time-out and gaze at the stars ; )
As have some big-name authors, I've received varied reviews, and I've read articles and blogs about this topic. So, I wanted to share my perspective. Good or bad, everyone has their own likes and opinions, and of course, their own genres. If you are the type of reader that sometimes skims through paragraphs, pages or chapters, and then is confused by the ending; well, you may have missed some detail or storyline (or, you just didn't like it ; ) If I have to use profanity to make a certain character more real for the reader; well, I'm sure that will turn off certain readers even though I'm portraying our society and keeping it real. If you are a big fan of the romance novel and happen to pick up one of my books, I'm sure you will be disappointed somewhere... but hopefully not completely. It just wasn't your cup of tea. My focus is on suspense and surprise, and keeping the reader guessing.
So, naturally, one person's 5-star is another person's 1-star, and vice versa.
I believe that I speak for a lot of authors who put themselves out there, and hopefully with a thick skin, that if a reader is so inclined to take the time to post an honest review, then we appreciate the feedback.
Happy reading!
Dear Reader, I often get asked what I think about my book reviews. The short answer is, I don't; except for the feedback value, and here's why. I try to become a better writer with every project. I've never been too concerned about reviews... getting them, not getting them, good reviews, bad reviews. Please don't take that the wrong way... I love reviews because they provide instant feedback, AND a quick barometer of how I'm messaging my story. I just can't allow myself to get hung up on a 1-or-2-star review just because the plot or writing style didn't resonate with a certain reader. So, I don't relax on a good review, and I don't panic on a not so good review... I just accept the feedback and move forward. Although, sometimes it is therapeutic and a motivator to take time-out and gaze at the stars ; )
As have some big-name authors, I've received varied reviews, and I've read articles and blogs about this topic. So, I wanted to share my perspective. Good or bad, everyone has their own likes and opinions, and of course, their own genres. If you are the type of reader that sometimes skims through paragraphs, pages or chapters, and then is confused by the ending; well, you may have missed some detail or storyline (or, you just didn't like it ; ) If I have to use profanity to make a certain character more real for the reader; well, I'm sure that will turn off certain readers even though I'm portraying our society and keeping it real. If you are a big fan of the romance novel and happen to pick up one of my books, I'm sure you will be disappointed somewhere... but hopefully not completely. It just wasn't your cup of tea. My focus is on suspense and surprise, and keeping the reader guessing.
So, naturally, one person's 5-star is another person's 1-star, and vice versa.
I believe that I speak for a lot of authors who put themselves out there, and hopefully with a thick skin, that if a reader is so inclined to take the time to post an honest review, then we appreciate the feedback.
Happy reading!
NEW RELEASE...
Following the award-winning mystery thriller,
SOLEMNLY SWEAR...
Alex Porter is back…and the stakes just got
higher!
A greedy corporation rigs a multi-million dollar
raffle—creating false hopes for ticket buyers—but they aren’t winning, they’re dying. What comes next will shock
the world!
DELIBERATE DECEPTION heralds the return of Alex
Porter; retired Air Force OSI agent turned private investigator, in Joe
Porrazzo’s most powerful suspense thriller yet. Seven months after leaving New
England, Alex, still grieving the tragic deaths of his wife and daughter, gets
an urgent call from his friend, Joe Prater. A friend has gone missing from his
home in Tucson, and Alex agrees to check it out.
HEADLINE
NEWS: Tragedy in Tucson
While investigating, Alex gets too close
to the truth and becomes a target himself. He finds himself teamed with the
very person hired to kill him, as they race against the clock to prevent a
mysterious group from striking in Tucson and shocking the world. Don’t miss the
nonstop action; the deception is deliberate…and the results are deadly!
View the Deliberate Deception Book Trailer here...
27 July 2011
Four Years Later
The experience has propelled me into "Book 2." Alex Porter is back in DELIBERATE DECEPTION and it is in the works and hopefully will be out next summer.
Thank you for all of your email, praise and best wishes on my website. Check out the new DELIBERATE DECEPTION excerpt at joeporrazzo.com.
As for SOLEMNLY SWEAR, the second edition should be out in hardcover and paperback by the end of this year. It is also available now on Amazon Kindle for .99 cents!
22 August 2007
Just Published...
“…a wonderful novel with compelling characters and heart-pounding suspense. The reader becomes fully immersed in the plot, and stays riveted to the end.” -Editorial Consultant to Solemnly SwearSolemnly Swear is now available online at the iUniverse Bookstore (click the Buy It Now link below). In the coming weeks, it will also be available at Amazon.com, BN.com, Books-A-Million.com and many more online sites. Tucson, Arizona Events: Solemnly Swear will also debut in the Barnes and Noble store on Broadway in September. Author book signings will be held at The University of Arizona Bookstore, and the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base BX, in the coming months (dates to be determined). Discount prices will be available online, in-store, and at special events. So buy now or mark your calendars for future availability & events.
See http://www.joeporrazzo.com/ for details or Buy It Now!
19 August 2007
MYSTERY OR THRILLER – OR BOTH?
When someone finds out that I have a book being released soon; inevitably, their first questions are: “Fiction or nonfiction;” and “What genre is it?” The ensuing question is usually: “Is it a mystery or a thriller?” Hmmm, what’s the difference?
Let’s ask Mr. Webster, shall we?
Mys´ter`y Pronunciation: mĭs´ter`ŷ
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.
Thrill er ; - )
A thriller is a novel of suspense with a plot structure that reinforces the elements of gamesmanship and the chase, with a sense of the hunt being paramount. Thrillers can be spy novels, tales of geopolitical crisis, legal thrillers, medical thrillers, technothrillers, domestic thrillers. The common thread is a growing sense of threat and the excitement of pursuit. A fast-paced, high stakes crime story in which the protagonist is generally in danger at every turn, with the most danger coming in the final confrontation with the antagonist.
Okay, seems to go hand-in-hand. But where does Solemnly Swear fit?
As a brand new member of the Mystery Writers of America, I was reading their magazine and came across an interesting distinction: “Mysteries, you don’t know who the bad guys are, and thrillers, you know who the bad guys are and the story is if the hero will stop them.”
Very interesting. So, if you consider the number of twists and red herrings found in Solemnly Swear, my answer to the ensuing question for now on will be: “It’s a mystery, then a thriller, then a mystery, then a thriller…”
Let’s ask Mr. Webster, shall we?
Mys´ter`y Pronunciation: mĭs´ter`ŷ
A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.
Thrill er ; - )
A thriller is a novel of suspense with a plot structure that reinforces the elements of gamesmanship and the chase, with a sense of the hunt being paramount. Thrillers can be spy novels, tales of geopolitical crisis, legal thrillers, medical thrillers, technothrillers, domestic thrillers. The common thread is a growing sense of threat and the excitement of pursuit. A fast-paced, high stakes crime story in which the protagonist is generally in danger at every turn, with the most danger coming in the final confrontation with the antagonist.
Okay, seems to go hand-in-hand. But where does Solemnly Swear fit?
As a brand new member of the Mystery Writers of America, I was reading their magazine and came across an interesting distinction: “Mysteries, you don’t know who the bad guys are, and thrillers, you know who the bad guys are and the story is if the hero will stop them.”
Very interesting. So, if you consider the number of twists and red herrings found in Solemnly Swear, my answer to the ensuing question for now on will be: “It’s a mystery, then a thriller, then a mystery, then a thriller…”
05 August 2007
Fun Stuff
HELLO, MY NAME IS JOE AND I’M A RECOVERING TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHOR WANNABE. ACTUALLY, THAT IS NOT ENTIRELY TRUE. MY MYSTERY/SUSPENSE NOVEL IS IN FINAL PRODUCTION WITH IUNIVERSE SUPPORTED SELF-PUBLISHING (TITLE AND WEB SITE BELOW) AND SHOULD BE RELEASED BY THE END OF AUGUST.
TO BE FAIR, I NEVER ATTEMPTED TO GET IT TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED BASED ON A LOT OF HARD RESEARCH AND MY PERSONAL GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS. I JUST DIDN’T HAVE THE TIME OR ENERGY TO “FIGHT” THE SYSTEM, OR TO WASTE ON READING REJECTION LETTERS (MOST OF WHICH WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MY WORK BUT REFLECT THE FAILINGS OF A BOTTOM LINE INDUSTRY CURRENTLY IN THERAPY).
I AM A FORTY SOMETHING RETIRED AIR FORCE OFFICER CURRENTLY WORKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN MY “SECOND” CAREER. I LIKE TO WRITE AND WE’LL SEE WHERE THAT TAKES ME (OR LEAVES ME). INSTEAD OF SPENDING MY DISPOSABLE TIME SENDING QUERY LETTERS AND DRINKING HEAVILY AS I READ REJECTION LETTERS, I SPEND THE TIME WORKING ON MY SECOND NOVEL, AND MARKETING MY FIRST ONE. I READ ALL OF YOUR POSTS IN THE “INTRO” THREAD. MY POST ISN’T FOR EVERYONE, BUT I HOPE IT HELPS THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE EITHER IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AS MINE, THINKING OF WRITING A BOOK, OR ARE CONTEMPLATING DUSTING OFF A MANUSCRIPT ON YOUR SHELF AND GETTING IT TO MARKET.
TRUTH BE KNOWN, I REALLY DID HAVE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF FINDING AN AGENT AND A PUBLISHER. I BOUGHT ALL THE RIGHT BOOKS (WRITER’S MARKET, GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS, ETC.), AND READ ALL OF THE “WRITE” STUFF. I ALSO TOOK SOME WRITING CLASSES IN COLLEGE, AND COMPLETED THE WRITER’S DIGEST WRITING COURSE ONLINE WORKING WITH A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I DIDN’T SUBMIT MY MANUSCRIPT OR QUERY PACKAGE TO ANYONE. I WILL SELF-PUBLISH AS AN UNKNOWN AND MAYBE GET LUCKY AND GET PICKED UP TO TRADITIONALLY PUBLISH MY SECOND BOOK (30 PERCENT COMPLETE). I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT I AM A PRODUCT OF THE NEW PUBLISHING WORLD. TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME AND MONEY TO TAKE A CHANCE ON AN UNKNOWN (UNLESS YOU HAVE A HARRY POTTER IN YOU OR YOU ARE THE NEXT JOHN GRISHAM). THAT SAID, IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT, THE TIME, AND THICK SKIN, I SAY, GO FOR IT…
DID I SETTLE? YEAH, I GUESS…BUT THAT’S WHAT WORKED FOR ME AND MY SCHEDULE, AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN. HERE’S WHY: MY RESEARCH IDENTIFIED IUNIVERSE AS THE LEADER IN THE SELF-PUBLISHING INDUSTRY, AND THEY HAVEN’T LET ME DOWN. I PUT IN THE INITIAL COST ("TUITION") FOR THEIR BEST PUBLISHING PACKAGE AND EDITORIAL SERVICE (THAT PROVIDED ME WITH SOME GREAT EDITING, CORRECTIONS, SUGGESTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED THAT IS PAYING HUGE DIVIDENDS AS I WRITE MY SECOND BOOK). THEN, THEY STARTED PUTTING SOME MONEY, TIME AND ATTENTION INTO MY BOOK! IT WAS DESIGNATED THEIR COVETED EDITOR’S AND PUBLISHER’S CHOICE AWARDS RESULTING IN A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED PAPERBACK COVER (ALSO COMES IN HARDCOVER WITH A TRADITIONAL DUST JACKET) THAT MEETS INDUSTRY STANDARDS, AND PROOFREADING. NOT ONLY DOES IT COME OUT IN A FEW WEEKS AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT BARNESANDNOBLE.COM, AMAZON.COM AND THOUSANDS MORE OF ONLINE SITES, BUT IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MY TUCSON, ARIZONA BARNES AND NOBLE STORE (ON THE NEW RELEASE TABLE AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE) FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS (WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO REGIONAL OR EVEN NATIONAL DEPENDING ON SALES). TRY THAT WITH LULU OR OTHER VANITY SELF-PUBLISHERS—YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! YES, AS A PERSON WHO NEVER IMAGINED HAVING A BOOK WITH MY NAME ON IT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC…I AM EXCITED! MOST OF THE MARKETING IS UP TO ME...BUT I AM MY BEST PROMOTER/SUPPORTER AND ALREADY HAVE THREE BOOK SIGNINGS, A LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW, AND TWO NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS SET UP.
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, BUT I WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME HOPE, AND MAYBE SOME DIRECTION, TO THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE “THINKING” ABOUT PUBLISHING. JUST DO IT. MY BOOK MAY END UP BEING A BUST, BUT AT LEAST I GAVE IT A SHOT AND WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT. IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN MY NEXT POST WILL START WITH: HELLO, MY NAME IS JOE AND I’M A RECOVERING SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR. GOOD LUCK TO ALL, AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU TO SHARE STORIES AS YOU ENJOY PERSONAL SUCCESS.
JOE P.
SOLEMNLY SWEAR
WWW.JOEPORRAZZO.COM
TO BE FAIR, I NEVER ATTEMPTED TO GET IT TRADITIONALLY PUBLISHED BASED ON A LOT OF HARD RESEARCH AND MY PERSONAL GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS. I JUST DIDN’T HAVE THE TIME OR ENERGY TO “FIGHT” THE SYSTEM, OR TO WASTE ON READING REJECTION LETTERS (MOST OF WHICH WOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MY WORK BUT REFLECT THE FAILINGS OF A BOTTOM LINE INDUSTRY CURRENTLY IN THERAPY).
I AM A FORTY SOMETHING RETIRED AIR FORCE OFFICER CURRENTLY WORKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN MY “SECOND” CAREER. I LIKE TO WRITE AND WE’LL SEE WHERE THAT TAKES ME (OR LEAVES ME). INSTEAD OF SPENDING MY DISPOSABLE TIME SENDING QUERY LETTERS AND DRINKING HEAVILY AS I READ REJECTION LETTERS, I SPEND THE TIME WORKING ON MY SECOND NOVEL, AND MARKETING MY FIRST ONE. I READ ALL OF YOUR POSTS IN THE “INTRO” THREAD. MY POST ISN’T FOR EVERYONE, BUT I HOPE IT HELPS THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE EITHER IN A SIMILAR SITUATION AS MINE, THINKING OF WRITING A BOOK, OR ARE CONTEMPLATING DUSTING OFF A MANUSCRIPT ON YOUR SHELF AND GETTING IT TO MARKET.
TRUTH BE KNOWN, I REALLY DID HAVE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF FINDING AN AGENT AND A PUBLISHER. I BOUGHT ALL THE RIGHT BOOKS (WRITER’S MARKET, GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS, ETC.), AND READ ALL OF THE “WRITE” STUFF. I ALSO TOOK SOME WRITING CLASSES IN COLLEGE, AND COMPLETED THE WRITER’S DIGEST WRITING COURSE ONLINE WORKING WITH A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I DIDN’T SUBMIT MY MANUSCRIPT OR QUERY PACKAGE TO ANYONE. I WILL SELF-PUBLISH AS AN UNKNOWN AND MAYBE GET LUCKY AND GET PICKED UP TO TRADITIONALLY PUBLISH MY SECOND BOOK (30 PERCENT COMPLETE). I LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT I AM A PRODUCT OF THE NEW PUBLISHING WORLD. TRADITIONAL PUBLISHERS JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME AND MONEY TO TAKE A CHANCE ON AN UNKNOWN (UNLESS YOU HAVE A HARRY POTTER IN YOU OR YOU ARE THE NEXT JOHN GRISHAM). THAT SAID, IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT, THE TIME, AND THICK SKIN, I SAY, GO FOR IT…
DID I SETTLE? YEAH, I GUESS…BUT THAT’S WHAT WORKED FOR ME AND MY SCHEDULE, AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN. HERE’S WHY: MY RESEARCH IDENTIFIED IUNIVERSE AS THE LEADER IN THE SELF-PUBLISHING INDUSTRY, AND THEY HAVEN’T LET ME DOWN. I PUT IN THE INITIAL COST ("TUITION") FOR THEIR BEST PUBLISHING PACKAGE AND EDITORIAL SERVICE (THAT PROVIDED ME WITH SOME GREAT EDITING, CORRECTIONS, SUGGESTIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED THAT IS PAYING HUGE DIVIDENDS AS I WRITE MY SECOND BOOK). THEN, THEY STARTED PUTTING SOME MONEY, TIME AND ATTENTION INTO MY BOOK! IT WAS DESIGNATED THEIR COVETED EDITOR’S AND PUBLISHER’S CHOICE AWARDS RESULTING IN A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED PAPERBACK COVER (ALSO COMES IN HARDCOVER WITH A TRADITIONAL DUST JACKET) THAT MEETS INDUSTRY STANDARDS, AND PROOFREADING. NOT ONLY DOES IT COME OUT IN A FEW WEEKS AND WILL BE AVAILABLE AT BARNESANDNOBLE.COM, AMAZON.COM AND THOUSANDS MORE OF ONLINE SITES, BUT IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MY TUCSON, ARIZONA BARNES AND NOBLE STORE (ON THE NEW RELEASE TABLE AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE) FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS (WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO REGIONAL OR EVEN NATIONAL DEPENDING ON SALES). TRY THAT WITH LULU OR OTHER VANITY SELF-PUBLISHERS—YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! YES, AS A PERSON WHO NEVER IMAGINED HAVING A BOOK WITH MY NAME ON IT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC…I AM EXCITED! MOST OF THE MARKETING IS UP TO ME...BUT I AM MY BEST PROMOTER/SUPPORTER AND ALREADY HAVE THREE BOOK SIGNINGS, A LIVE RADIO INTERVIEW, AND TWO NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS SET UP.
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, BUT I WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME HOPE, AND MAYBE SOME DIRECTION, TO THOSE OF YOU OUT THERE “THINKING” ABOUT PUBLISHING. JUST DO IT. MY BOOK MAY END UP BEING A BUST, BUT AT LEAST I GAVE IT A SHOT AND WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW FOR IT. IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN MY NEXT POST WILL START WITH: HELLO, MY NAME IS JOE AND I’M A RECOVERING SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR. GOOD LUCK TO ALL, AND I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU TO SHARE STORIES AS YOU ENJOY PERSONAL SUCCESS.
JOE P.
SOLEMNLY SWEAR
WWW.JOEPORRAZZO.COM
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