June was short on reading material, I only managed 4 books, and 3 were really novellas or partials. I discovered a podcasting app on my phone, so I listened to a lot of those instead of audiobooks.
The Prince – Kiera Cass
This is technically a novella, since it’s only about 55 pages long. I read it after The One, because I noticed an ad for it in the back of the book. It’s about Prince Maxon, and a girl who’s a princess in another country. She’s in love with him, but he only likes her as a friend.
It was a short, easy read, and not a bad one. I’m fond of Maxon as a character, so I enjoyed reading this. It wasn’t particularly memorable though.
The 51st Thursday by Mercy Celeste
I picked this one up on a whim, I believe I was browsing Kindle’s ebooks to see what was in the hot 100 for various niches. This one looked interesting, so I picked it up. If you don’t like two men getting it on, then it’s not for you.
I thought it was a decent enough novella. I liked the story idea, and the reason Thursday hits up the bar every Thursday is sad. I felt for the two guys, although I have no idea why there’s a side plot involving Thursday’s Dad and his run for president.
The Beam: Episode 1 by Sean Platt & Johnny B Truant
I read this because of Write. Publish. Repeat (see below). I wanted to know what they meant by a serial, and this delivered a pretty good explanation. Plus, it’s free!
In the future, there is The Beam, which controls everything in the North American Union. Think Internet, television, phones, and security on steroids. People belong to one of two groups: Enterprise or Directorate. Those who choose Enterprise have to find their own ways to survive, through their talents or otherwise. Those who choose Directorate get a government stipend, and don’t have to work.
This was the first episode, and much like a television series, it introduces a whole host of characters, and a world, and gives some backstory, but that’s about it. It cuts off without a resolution of the first plot threads the authors have spun. As long as you know that in advance (like I did) it’s not a big deal. But if you’re expecting more, you’d be disappointed. There’s a fascinating group of characters, and I’m seriously considering getting the full first season, so I can see what happens.
Write. Publish. Repeat. By Sean Platt & Johnny B Truant
Well, if nothing else, the sales funnel idea of this book works. I picked up the audiobook for one of my audible.com credits. Halfway through, I bought the book, so I could read while I wasn’t in my truck.
The way this book is written is deeply entertaining. The authors warn you at the start that they’ll call an asshole an asshole if the situation warrants, and while the book is mostly free of profanity, it shows up in fitting areas.
There’s a lot to the book, but ultimately, the title says what you need to do. They discuss how to make those steps the best they can be, from editing and cover design, to how to set up the funnels and bundles that keep people coming back.
My only complaint? I wish they’d spent more time with the writing process. One of them mentions writing with a timer, and they talk about laying out stories in beats, but no discussion on how they go about doing those things. I know they say it would have made the book too long, but I think judicious editing could have let them slip in one chapter on those basics, without jeopardizing the book, or adding to the wordcount.