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mpr_daily_download_feedJ. S. Bach: Motet Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, BWV 225
Scholars Baroque Ensemble
More info about today’s track: Naxos 8.553823
Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.
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billropertextsfromsuperheroes_feedndrosenndrosencrosarth_feed 
So one of the biggest challenges for a lot of indie authors who self publish like me is getting our books in front of other people’s eyeballs to begin with. One of the easiest solutions is getting real, honest reviews onto platforms like Goodreads, Storygraph, social media platforms, and online stores like Amazon. These only really work if they’re honest, real reviews too — most readers can spot a fake review from a mile away.
So how does a writer get these needed eyeballs on their work? With ARCs (Advance Reader Copies).
An author like me will give out copies of their books ahead of release with the hopes that the readers will post (ideally positive) reviews of their work upon release date. And doI say “hopes” because I cannot require reviews to be posted per the rules of the various platforms. The issue is figuring out who to give those ARCs to. You don’t want to send them to people who will never read the book, and you definitely don’t want to send them to folks who might leak the book to people before release date.
So, as I’ve posted before, I have a new book coming out on August 10th. I want to start sending out ARCs soon so people have a chance to read the book ahead of time to post reviews around the release date. So, uh, this is where I’m out here, on my various platforms, asking… do you want an ARC of my new book?
If the answer is yes, fill out this really simple application!
I won’t accept everyone to the ARC list, but it can’t hurt to toss your name in. All ARCs supplied will be in ePub format. Those should be compatible with almost any eReader, and should be readable on most smartphones and tablets. I can’t really send out paperbacks, sadly. Also, I know this is book five in the series, but it’s okay if you haven’t read my earlier work. The ARC version of the book will include a brief synopsis of every earlier book in the series necessary for a new reader. Is reading the earlier books better? Yeah. But you should still enjoy this one too.
Again, let me know if you’re interested.
notalwaysworking_feedRead This Is Getting Brazil Nuts
I'm renewing my UK passport after getting married in Brazil, and so I need to update my name. It's slightly complicated, as I was born with three names, but my mother added her maiden name to mine as a child, and never updated the documents, so I officially had three but considered myself to have four.
sharonlee_feedIt’s been a rocky couple of days and I haven’t been keeping up — with anything, really. I haven’t been sleeping well, and feeling physically hammered, and worried, not just because of The Usual (and how much I Truly Hate what The Usual has become), but because I had developed a fear that the house was going to be falling down around my ears.
This morning, a knowledgeable friend came by and was not only able to assure me that the house was not in imminent danger of falling down, but gave me a New Equation to apply to decision-making, which has made me feel somewhat less frantic, though I’ll need to sit with it and think about how best to apply it, going forward.
I have, as possibly reported previously, begun to write Trade Lanes, and am able to report that there are 1,050 brand new words in the novel file. The plan is open the manuscript after lunch, and at least sit with it, perhaps adding another couple hundred words.
I did sleep a little better last night and am hoping to duplicate that feat tonight, whereupon I should be in better shape all around, just in time for the 7:30 am dentist appointment on Monday (no drilling, but my front top teeth need to be re-enameled, because they’ve gotten so thin there’s a danger of breakage), and to get back into a steadier schedule.
Your patience while these adjustments go forth is appreciated.
I offer the following snippet as a peace offering:
pegkerr
rolanniIt's been a rocky couple of days and I haven't been keeping up -- with anything, really. I haven't been sleeping well, and feeling physically hammered, and worried, not just because of The Usual (and how much I Truly Hate what The Usual has become), but because I had developed a fear that the house was going to be falling down around my ears.
This morning, a knowledgeable friend came by and was not only able to assure me that the house was not in imminent danger of falling down, but gave me a New Equation to apply to decision-making, which has made me feel somewhat less frantic, though I'll need to sit with it and think about how best to apply it, going forward.
I have, as possibly reported previously, begun to write Trade Lanes, and am able to report that there are 1,050 brand new words in the novel file. The plan is open the manuscript after lunch, and at least sit with it, perhaps adding another couple hundred words.
I did sleep a little better last night and am hoping to duplicate that feat tonight, whereupon I should be in better shape all around, just in time for the 7:30 am dentist appointment on Monday (no drilling, but my front top teeth need to be re-enameled, because they've gotten so thin there's a danger of breakage), and to get back into a steadier schedule.
Your patience while these adjustments go forth is appreciated.
I offer the following snippet as a peace offering:
lsandersonsharonlee_feed30 The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
29 A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
28 Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
27 Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
26 Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
25 A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
24 Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
23 Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
22 Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
21 Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
20 When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
19 An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
18 Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17 Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
16 *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15 *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
14 Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
13 Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
12 *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11 *Scout’s Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10 *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9 *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8 Cuckoo’s Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7 *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5 *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4 *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
3 *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
2 A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace Burrowes (e)
1 Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)
________
*I’m doing a straight-through series read in publication order
**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order. I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.
***I’ll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!
mindstalkLoyal readers may remember that at my first place in Fujisawa, I had a Lawson downstairs that could pass for a grocery store, and I found this was unusual. Turns out there was more going on: Lawson has a side chain, "Lawson Store 100", of stores that have a wider set of groceries. Different name, different color on the logo. I learned of this yesterday. And voila! That Lawson was indeed a Store 100. ( Read more... )
Tangentially, I bought beer tonight from a vending machine out on the street. No age check.
james_davis_nicollnotalwaysrelated_feedRead The Only Thing Growing Is Our Concern
My teenage son has recently discovered both the gym and protein shakes. He is now obsessed with getting a high volume of protein in his system every day, but he's also supplementing this with plenty of carbs as fuel for his workouts. Our grocery bill has noticeably gone up.
rolanni30 The Talisman Ring, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Joe Jameson
29 A Gentleman Far from Home (Lord Julian 11) Grace Burrowes (e)
28 Black Sheep, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Natalie Simpson
27 Cotillion, Georgette Heyer, narrated by Raj Ghatak
26 Platform Decay, (Murderbot) Martha Wells (e)
25 A Gentleman in Moscow, Amor Towles (e) (bookclub)
24 Fair Trade (Jethri Gobelyn #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Eileen Stevens
23 Ribbon Dance (Liaden Universe #26), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, narrated by Alex Picard
22 Trade Secret (Liaden Universe #17), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (e)
21 Sea Wrack and Changewind, Sharon Lee, narrated by Alex Picard
20 When the Wolves are Silent (Sebastian St. Cyr #21), C.S. Harris (e)
19 An Heir of Distinction (Bad Heir Days #5), Grace Burrowes (e)
18 Longeye (Fey Duology #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
17 Duainfey (Fey Duology #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller***
16 *Crystal Dragon (Liaden Universe® #10), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
15 *Crystal Soldier (Liaden Universe® #9), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
14 Seeking Persephone (Lancaster Family #1), Sarah M. Eden (e)
13 Theo of Golden, Allen Levi (e) book club
12 *Balance of Trade (Liaden Universe® #8), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
11 *Scout's Progress (Liaden Universe® #6), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
10 *Local Custom, (Liaden Universe® #5), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
9 *I Dare (Liaden Universe® #7), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller**
8 Cuckoo's Egg, C J Cherryh, (audio first time)
7 *Plan B, (Liaden Universe® #4), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
6 Getting Rid of Bradley, Jennifer Crusie (audio first time)
5 *Carpe Diem (Liaden Universe® #3), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
4 *Conflict of Honors (Liaden Universe® #2), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
3 *Agent of Change (Liaden Universe® #1), Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
2 A Gentleman in Possession of Secrets (Lord Julian #10), Grace Burrowes (e)
1 Spilling the Tea in Gretna Green, Linzi Day (e)
________
*I'm doing a straight-through series read in publication order
**I screwed up and moved right on to I Dare from Plan B, therefore deviating from publication order. I will now amend myself and go back to pick up Local Custom.
***I'll be re-issuing Duainfey and Longeye as an e-omnibus later this year, and so I need to read them!
notalwaysfriendly_feedRead Dino-bite Sized
My toddlersaurus, TS, gets bored in the grocery store, so we "hunt" things mama asks her to get.
TS: *Running down the meat aisle.* "Rawww! I'm a raptor! You're a daddy T-rex!"
I hand her meat, which she brings to mama.
TS: "Mama raptor eats meat."
Read Dino-bite Sized
james_davis_nicoll
Which of these look interesting?
The Magical Cheese Emporium by Sarah Beth Durst (January 2027)
19 (52.8%)
A Devil of a Crime by T. Kingfisher (March 2027)
24 (66.7%)
Nocturnus by Greer Rivers (February 2027)
4 (11.1%)
Lock Her Up by Elizabeth Searle (October 2026)
6 (16.7%)
Some other option (see comments)
1 (2.8%)
Cats!
20 (55.6%)
mpr_daily_download_feed - J. S. Bach: Motet Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied, BWV 225billroper - Progressrmjwell - Burlesque Picture of the Day, 2026-06-06: Juliette Électrique!textsfromsuperheroes_feed - Texts From Superheroesndrosen - The Red Queen’s Racendrosen - Artificial Intelligence Isn’t Consciouscrosarth_feed - Who Wants to Join my Advance Reader Copy (ARC) Team and Read My New Book Early?samuraiter in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
prompt_dump - 6 June 2026: 10-Cent Wordsnotalwaysworking_feed - This Is Getting Brazil Nutssharonlee_feed - Catching up, slowing downpegkerr - 2026 52 Card Project: Week 22: Quietrolanni - Catching up, slowing downlsanderson - 2026.06.06sharonlee_feed - Books read in 2026mindstalk - Conbini groceries revisitedjames_davis_nicoll - SHTTRPG Idea stolen from World’s Finest #189-190notalwaysrelated_feed - The Only Thing Growing Is Our Concernrolanni - Books read in 2026notalwaysfriendly_feed - Dino-bite Sizedjames_davis_nicoll - Books Received, May 30 — June 5branchandroot
