I thought I had some kind of innate idea of what the stars meant. But when I went and reviewed two books last night to see what the process was like but also because now as a published author on Amazon I realize how important  those ratings are for the success of an author.

The ratings others gave a book I was interested in did help me make my decision to take a chance on a new writer or one unknown to me. Next step was to open the book with the "Look Inside feature" to read initial pages. Reading the writing I knew if I would buy it or not.

Well, in the process of reviewing those two books - beside finding I really got into it and enjoyed it - see my reviews of KINDRED by Octavia Butler and THE ORIGINAL FRANKENSTEIN - which shows us that it was better written by Mary Shelley and today we read the version tampered with by Percy Shelley, her publisher, and her father! - I found Amazon's interpretation of what the stars a reader awards a book means to Amazon.

Thought I would share it here because one reader who wrote me that she loved FROM DARKNESS - Book One - Awakening, said she hoped I didn't mind that she gave it 4 stars bec she was comparing it to every book she's ever read, and I guess that includes Shakespeare! So she had that interpretation of the stars. the following is what I thought they meant. Turns out we were both wrong.

I thought :
1 star = I didn't finish it.
2 stars = I finished it. It was just ok by me.
3 stars = Pretty good.
4 stars = I really liked it.
5 stars = I loved it!

But Amazon interprets the stars this way:
1 star = I hate it.
2 stars = I don't like it
3 stars = It's ok.
4 stars = I like it
5 stars = I love it

I was Googling myself last night just to check what was there and was surprised but very pleased to see that Amazon is advertising my book, From Darkness - Book One - Awakening.
But as I scrolled thru the pages smiling with new writer happiness I suddenly frowned.

LANGTON INFO SERVICES, ENGLAND was offering my book for sale at triple the price! That is, instead of $8.99 on Amazon, or 10% off from my site homepage thru CreateSpace, they offer it at 1 copy for $26.70, 2 for $28.77, and 20+ copies at 26.95each!
So, yes, I might be flattered that they think or at least are trying to sell it for so much, but I don't like the idea of customers being taken advantage of with my book. Some people actually may not know about Amazon!  And they sell not only to England but to more countries than I knew existed!
Ok. Free enterprise. They buy my book and then own it. And if they can get more for it , that's legal.  But here's where they reveal themselves in their "About Us" section at their site.

" Fair, genuine pricing (fair? genuine?)
We might not always offer the "best deal", but we offer a fair deal with an exceptional level of genuine service to match. Even though it means our prices are slightly higher, we don't pressure our suppliers to reduce royalty payments to authors and other copyright owners." (the latter underlining my own)

Of course, their prices are not "slightly higher" They are triple. And most annoying they imply they could, but are refraining from pressuring "our suppliers (that's Amazon) to reduce royalty payments to authors and other copyright owners."
As if they could.
I always wondered when I sometimes searched on Amazon for a book no longer available from Amazon but from other sellers,  why there were sellers offering an originally priced $10 book for $128! I thought who would buy that? But apparently it's worth the seller's trying.
Well, having just published my first book (January 29, 2013) as part of  a trilogy and so far have FROM DARKNESS - Book One-Awakening out there, FROM DARKNESS - Book Two - NET OF JEWELS - Coming soon! And Kindle versions of both! I realize that if a company is trying to sell my book at twice the price I am definitely in the Game!
Hey! I really am an author! (smile).  Hmmm...But I so think I deserve a royalty for my being the author!
Now to get back to the final read thru of NET OF JEWELS!

Not yet, as I say it is being formatted for e-readers now. However, wanted to mention that I will be publishing for Kindle first as part of their program where they offer it free I believe 5 days a month for 3 months. I will post when that happens. After the 3 month period, again I'm fairly sure this is how it happens, it will be available for all other e-reader devices.

Still working on the elusive cover and diving in to read thru the text to edit, discover any typos that have been hiding out, and check layout. Also need to find the photos for the interior of the book. I actually know where they are. At least I think I do. All this is, of course, a lot of work, but also so much fun!
Can't wait to show you NET OF JEWELS!
Ah, and then, Book Three - RETURNNNNNNN.......!

This weekend I finished my end of editing layout and text for the E-reader versions and sent it to someone who will be converting it so as to be available to all e-reader versions. He of course has other clients so I can't say now when it will be available but it is obviously a few steps closer. There may be some back and forth between us but definitely in process of production! I like to think Coming Soon!

Since I order and read a TON of books joining Amazon Prime saved me financially and also made it possible for me to order more books! How does it work?
For an annual membership fee of $79, YOU NO LONGER PAY ANY SHIPPING CHARGES!
FREE SHIPPING & YOU GET YOUR BOOKS IN 2 DAYS!!!
A really good thing for readers!!! And for anyone you are gifting with a book!
                                                                                                                          - Jacqueline

The cover is almost ready for it's unveiling!