I have no idea. I just submitted a post to Reddit that took off in a big way (for me) with about 600 hits, and that was a lot more than I was getting before, so maybe that’s what “fastest growing” means.
I’ve only been on this specific blog for about 2 weeks (I was on a different WordPress blog at my newspaper for about 2 months before getting laid off, and on a different blogging system at the paper for several months before that). The newspaper blog got a lot more hits than I’m getting here (I was posting 3 times a day then, instead of just once a day), but maybe that blog didn’t get counted among “fastest growing” or whatever because it was in the newspaper’s domain rather than wordpress.com.
I tried your e-mail and it bounced. I called the APP and they said you were no longer there. They did mention that my novel The Red Album of Asbury Park was in a place where it was meant to be found. I’m curious on two counts: What happened at the APP? Did you ever read any of The Red Album?
I got laid off at APP in December (I guess I need to edit my “About” page, which I imported from the old APP blog into this one.
I did read “Red Album” and mentioned it to my editor as worthwhile even though it’s sort of self-published, and I put “Perfume Factory” on my Amazon wishlist, but nobody bought it for me.
I think “Red Album” is a good book, and I’d suggest trying to get it published through a bigger publishing house, or at the very least contacting book and music stores on the Jersey Shore and asking them to carry it.
Thanks on several counts. When I called the paper, they had me speak with an editor named Cathy, who did seem interested in doing something on the book. I appreciate your recommendation (by the way, was it the revised edition that you read? It’s about 30 pages shorter and the cover bleeds, no white borders).
A had an agent for The Perfume Factory and she came close to placing it with a good publishing house, but they finally decided the book was too depressing. The agent dropped me after that. Thinking that the publishing house might have had a point, I revised a bit, eliminating some of the bleaker scenes. Rather than trying again with an agent, I decided just to publish it myself. The Perfume Factory got excellent reviews (wherever I could get it reviewed), did get into a number of bookstores, mostly NJ, and sold a few copies. So, I was satisfied.
With The Red Album of Asbury Park, I didn’t even bother to try agents or publishing houses. There are many drawbacks, including numerous publications that won’t consider print-on-demand books, but I think if a book has merit it will find a way to its audience.
I’d be happy to send you a copy of The Perfume Factory. Let me know the address. Also, please let me know if there’s anything I may quote you on regarding The Red Album.
Dave Williams is a recently laid-off journalist who’s fussing around with his blog in between sending out job applications.
Question: Can you explain why your blog is listed as one of the fastest growing WordPress? If so, can you also share your blog-growth secret?
Thank you.,
I have no idea. I just submitted a post to Reddit that took off in a big way (for me) with about 600 hits, and that was a lot more than I was getting before, so maybe that’s what “fastest growing” means.
I’ve only been on this specific blog for about 2 weeks (I was on a different WordPress blog at my newspaper for about 2 months before getting laid off, and on a different blogging system at the paper for several months before that). The newspaper blog got a lot more hits than I’m getting here (I was posting 3 times a day then, instead of just once a day), but maybe that blog didn’t get counted among “fastest growing” or whatever because it was in the newspaper’s domain rather than wordpress.com.
Hi Dave,
I tried your e-mail and it bounced. I called the APP and they said you were no longer there. They did mention that my novel The Red Album of Asbury Park was in a place where it was meant to be found. I’m curious on two counts: What happened at the APP? Did you ever read any of The Red Album?
alaust70@aol.com
I got laid off at APP in December (I guess I need to edit my “About” page, which I imported from the old APP blog into this one.
I did read “Red Album” and mentioned it to my editor as worthwhile even though it’s sort of self-published, and I put “Perfume Factory” on my Amazon wishlist, but nobody bought it for me.
I think “Red Album” is a good book, and I’d suggest trying to get it published through a bigger publishing house, or at the very least contacting book and music stores on the Jersey Shore and asking them to carry it.
Thanks on several counts. When I called the paper, they had me speak with an editor named Cathy, who did seem interested in doing something on the book. I appreciate your recommendation (by the way, was it the revised edition that you read? It’s about 30 pages shorter and the cover bleeds, no white borders).
A had an agent for The Perfume Factory and she came close to placing it with a good publishing house, but they finally decided the book was too depressing. The agent dropped me after that. Thinking that the publishing house might have had a point, I revised a bit, eliminating some of the bleaker scenes. Rather than trying again with an agent, I decided just to publish it myself. The Perfume Factory got excellent reviews (wherever I could get it reviewed), did get into a number of bookstores, mostly NJ, and sold a few copies. So, I was satisfied.
With The Red Album of Asbury Park, I didn’t even bother to try agents or publishing houses. There are many drawbacks, including numerous publications that won’t consider print-on-demand books, but I think if a book has merit it will find a way to its audience.
I’d be happy to send you a copy of The Perfume Factory. Let me know the address. Also, please let me know if there’s anything I may quote you on regarding The Red Album.
Good luck with the job search!
Alex
FYI, it’s Kathy-with-a-K, and she’s a native of Jersey (unlike myself), so if she likes the book that’s a much more significant endorsement.
I’m pretty sure my copy of “Red Album” had the white borders, so it’s the unrevised version.
P.S. You’ve got mail!