Kip's Return (Kip the Quick, Book II)

A witty fantasy adventure that will blow you away.

READERS SAY:

"I didn't want to be done [with the book.]"

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KIP'S RETURN (Kip the Quick, Book II)
-FANTASY HEIST ADVENTURE-

Kip is a Wanted Man. By the law and by a psychopath. What’s a good thief to do? 

Returning to Tander after a year away, Kip seeks to escape and lay low. When he finds the dark consequences of his past actions, he falls into a deadly game of cat and mouse with a mercenary seeking to satisfy a blood debt. Perhaps it would be better to just keep on running, but Kip can’t leave his friends behind. Not this time. 

He must use all of his skill, his charm, and his wit to uncover a plot that will bring disaster to Tander, right past wrongs, and maybe find himself another spot of the Essence—the stuff of magic and legend. 

 Kip’s Return is a fantasy adventure full of excitement, humor, and friendship.

  

515 pages | paperback

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EARLY READERS SAY:

“…I really dragged out the Epilogues because I didn't want to be done. I really enjoyed the book, and I like how the Epilogues keep me looking forward to Book 3”

"Loving the 'trouble' Kip is getting into. ”

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3. Tell a friend about the books and get them to join the newsletter. In a world of distractions, word-of-mouth is invaluable to spread the word. And the more readers, means the faster I can write the next amazing story.

Kip the Quick on Sale!

World release on Amazon.

Witty, fast-paced fantasy heist where morality is...debatable.

Kip is a young thief on the hard streets of Tander in the middle of the Sparelands -- a dry, hot piece of hell, hit with frequent and terrible storms. All he wants to do is leave, but first he must save enough to cover fare for the only safe exit in town: the iron wain.

With six months to go, the job of a lifetime lands in his lap: To steal a vial of the Essence -- a piece of myth and legend. He'll do anything to pull it off, but the question is... Will he survive?

Click Here!

Never fear for Amazon alternatives, a wide release and paperback are coming soon. Stay tuned for more info. And sign up for the newsletter to hear it first.

Amazon Kindle Pricematch Down for Kobo

A few days ago I noticed that my perma-free title Seeking the Veil, Part 1 stopped selling on Amazon.

Two days ago it was pointed out that Part 1 was no longer listed as free on Amazon.

I had set it up as perma-free over six months ago, price-matching to Kobo.

KDP's customer service e-mails gave no helpful reply, calling KDP clarified that there was a technical problem with the price-match to Kobo.

I haven't bothered to list my books on Barnes and Noble, or iTunes as of yet. But it appears I need to make this a priority.

If your perma-free book is only listed on Kobo, besides Amazon, you should probably do the same.

Amazon Reviews - Fail

We all know that Amazon rules the roost for eRetail and a huge chunk of eBooks. In many ways, a lot of us are ok with that. Sure, monopolistic concerns are there,

but they have a great service that we drop hundreds of dollars into each and every year (or month, or week...)

But for eBooks there is a problem: Book Reviews.

And instead of fairly addressing the issue: they punished the whole class.

If you're like me, you always hated it when the teacher held the entire class after the bell as punishment to a lone rebel.

Well, it appears we're back in grade school, for Amazon is doing that to me (and others.)

I had, for a very brief time reached 7 reviews on Amazon for Seeking the Veil, Part 1. It had seemed like the book was finally gaining some sort of social proof, to make it stand out as something worth reading. And one of them was even a Top 500 Amazon Reviewer with a glowing review (at the time I checked, she was ranked #203 out of all of Amazon -- see her review on Goodreads).

I felt good.

And then her review vanished, and then another followed.

We've heard of this in the writing community, as you can probably imagine, like many things in life, a few people taking advantage of a system have ruined it for the rest.

Let me explain: some authors in an effort to artificially gain social proof have bought book reviews, and written false reviews for others, in exchange for the same. A repugnant thought, but you can see how the appeal works for someone desperate to make their book look good.

Traditional Publishers have long sent out hundreds of Advance Reader Copies to potential book reviewers in the hopes they would review the book and bring attention to the work. I did nothing different, contacting about 30 book reviewers and finding a few that left me reviews.

So, when Amazon yanked down 28% of my book reviews over the last 2 weeks, it was quite a shock. There appears to be nothing I can do to have them put back up, and frankly I'm a little concerned about further rocking the boat — what if they take down more?

I have reason to worry: 1 was pulled down within hours of posting, but the next one removed had been posted for months, and came down only after I sent a couple e-mails requesting reconsideration of the first removed review. Coincidence? I hope so.

Either way, it has to be better to speak out, then to be quiet, and if you see Seeking the Veil, Part 1 with less than 5 reviews, you know they took down more.

I propose a different approach.

First off, I get why Amazon put down their foot on false reviews. False Reviews endanger their ecosystem. If a customer can't trust the legitimacy of a review, they get a negative feel for the whole transaction, and eventually that translates to hurt Amazon, if it persists too much.

In theory. Or maybe 1-star countering reviews would happen fast enough to balance out. I don't know.

As to how they handle it, I have issue. Amazon appears to have an algorithm that evaluates whether a review should be removed or not, and what I want to know is why it is apparently automatic. Anyone that checked my reviews would see there was no gaming of the system. If I was gaming the system, why would I settle on 7 reviews for Seeking the Veil Part 1? 2 each for Parts 2 and 3, and 4 for Veil of a Warrior?

If I was buying them, I'd buy 30+ reviews each. And, if I could afford it, go to a 100 for Veil.

I've dropped $200 on ads, I bought more print copies to sell direct than I should have, so why in the world would I buy just a couple book reviews? As far as I know, some authors were buying book reviews for $5 a pop or better on fiverr.com. So by that logic, I should have well over a hundred reviews on Amazon.

I discourage this practice of course. Don't buy fake reviews. Even Kirkus's review model makes me uncomfortable. I get it, but it still seems weird.

My point is Amazon's approach to "fixing" a problem is too aggressive. By all means, use an algorithm to ferret out concerns, but then have the reviews checked over manually, and only when certain, send the reviewer an e-mail asking for an explanation, and then remove ALL of the reviewer's reviews if an issue is validated.

I can't say with any certainty that the two affected reviewers didn't have other questionable reviews, but I know they were both honest in their review of my books.

So don't keep me after class, Amazon. You can do better than that.

What Does "Best Seller" Mean?

A harsh take, but a good point.

Observer.com article, by Brent Underwood "What Does it Take to be a ‘Best-Selling Author’? $3 and 5 Minutes."

In brief, the articles points out:

As with most best seller lists, Amazon's designation of "Best Seller" status is flawed. Updated hourly, with obscure, little-used categories, the ranking can be achieved easier than you might think. The author then goes on to show how he did just that.

While clearly not the same as ranking #1, or high, in a popular category, the point that this can be achieved quickly is worthwhile — and those writers out there gaming the system for prestige, or false social proof, should exercise authenticity.

Now, it can be said that Amazon will (mostly) raise quality books, and the overhead of eBooks isn't there like it was during the crash of the videogame industry in the early 80's (when a flood of lackluster videogames went unsold). But no one is rewarded by virtual eBook pulp in Amazon's great landfill Cloud.

Hourly updates. They appeal to the web-driven need for instant everything, and sound good but how representative are they for what actually matters? (Like quality?)

Should Amazon's list ranking be retooled? Make it more indicative of reality? Or does it just take away the ability for new authors to make a mark alongside big names that have big marketing budgets?

For the responsible, passionate writers out there, this article is not for us. Instead, it is for the reader that lies unaware of a sordid few that are trying to game the system.

The article could use a little more balanced explanation. I wouldn't want the takeaway of a casual reader to be that Amazon Best Sellers never mean anything. They can, and certainly do.

To the false advertisers out there, we give a solid nod of the head: We know what you are doing.

Veil of a Warrior

Even a warrior of legend can be hurt.

READERS SAY:

“And that ending, holy smokes that was frenetic!”

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HAMMERBLOOD, BOOK 1
-EPIC FANTASY-

Epic Battles. An Unknown Power. A Terrible Enemy.

One man leaves everything behind to fight in a war of the centuries. He finds hope in a foreign general, love in a woman as strong as steel, and fear in the mysterious power that he had thought was a blessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hidden away in a secret Order, Hestea can not abide the inaction of his people. When political unrest opens the way, he runs from his father and the incompetent high council to seek his purpose. Hestea tumbles into a world overrun by the dark brotherhood that is the age-old enemy of his people.

The land of Molroun is a fractured place with no king, and the dreaded Saeordin look ready to conquer. Only General Zakea Dormir, his army and the will that he wields to pull Molroun together, can stem the tide from drowning them all.

And as his guard-captain, Hestea will let no one stand in his way.

But the enemy is powerful. Magic will fly, armies will collide, friends will die and the dark magi strike fear with their power.

~560 pages | paperback | in Kindle Unlimited

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REVIEWS:

"So many choose swords. Hestea chose a hammer."
—Steve R. Yeager, Author of Raptor Apocalypse

“And that ending, holy smokes that was frenetic!”
—T. Gors, Reader

“...lots of battles both large and small. Plus a terrific, extended finale towards the end.”
—Ray Nicholson, Amazon Book Reviewer

“The battles are fierce and well described, the dialogue is intense, and the emotional upheaval is astounding as men go up against all odds to save their homeland. ... Excellent story telling.”
—Dianne Bylo, aka Dii, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer, Book Blogger for tometender.blogspot.com

SUPPORT THE AUTHOR:

You loved the book, you want everyone to know, and you want to support the author. Here's how:

1. Join the Newsletter and be first to hear what comes next, get hot blog updates and great perks. Because you’re awesome like that.
2. Leave a review. Click on your favorite ebook store links above, and don't forget Goodreads.
3. Tell a friend about the books and get them to join the newsletter. In a world of distractions, word-of-mouth is invaluable to spread the word. And the more readers, means the faster I can write the next amazing story.

Published!

The short story that became a novelette is up and done. Seeking the Veil, Part 1 is live on Amazon. And the novel is coming in days. Click here to go to the Amazon page.

A young man seeks his purpose in a foreign land. To do something against an age-old enemy. But he is no magus, he has never lifted his war hammer in anger and he must struggle to find his place in a band of unlikely heroes. 

There is humor, friendship, battle, magic and the discovery of a mysterious power that lies within.

Lots to do, so I'll make this brief. The release of the novelette is something of a test run. Seeing how everything works and so on. Good thing my expectations were low, I spent an inordinate amount of time on Amazon last night, trying to tweak the formatting of the short story to look the best it could. Then I see the "Look Inside" rendering isn't even true to the Amazon online preview application.

Bah. Either way, the story is up. I'm happy with the results and now is when the magic starts. I started writing the short stories just a few months ago, but the novel has been brewing in my head for 7 years with story elements churning for decades. As much fun as I've had writing, the best part is sharing. That's when it truly takes its first breath, when it exists apart from me. And that is true magic.

Seeking the Veil Series

Seeking the Veil is a story of adventure, friendship; and the exciting prequel 3-part series to the Epic Fantasy novel Veil of a Warrior.

READERS SAY:

"Fantastic...", "A really good medieval adventure..."

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PART 1
-FANTASY ADVENTURE-

Seek your Purpose, Seek your Power. Seek the Veil.

Young Hestea left his secret home to fight back against an age-old enemy. But he has no power, only the untested warhammer on his back. With his unwitting magi companion Gunter at his side, they seek their destinies in the cold wilds of Beckenburg.

Joining a band of mercenaries, Hestea will struggle to find his place in a group of unlikely heroes; and when all seems lost: discovers a power within, that he can not explain.

~60 pages | $0.99 $0.00

Currently FREE at most stores

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PART 2
-FANTASY ADVENTURE-

Sworn to Secrecy. Life and Death are on the Line.

Hestea's mysterious power defies understanding in the midst of peril, and taciturn Gunter reveals his reason to fight. But when the routine hunt for invading raiders turns dire, the Band of Orangebeard run afoul of bad tidings and Gunter's weakness is revealed.

Vows are called into question and when Orangebeard steers them toward an isolated pass in the great icy Scale, everything is on the line.

~80 pages | $0.99 

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PART 3
-FANTASY ADVENTURE-

Run. Warn. Die.

Follow Hestea and the remnants of the Band of Orangebeard as they flee for their lives in a desperate attempt to warn Becken of what comes. They must struggle to stay together and to stay alive in the cold wilds of Becken, while a terrible power stalks their every move.

Seeking the Veil comes to an exciting culmination, secrets are revealed, and the question of true power and friendship is put to the task.

~110 pages | $1.99

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REVIEWS:

“A really good medieval fantasy adventure...”
“(And) ...a fabulous venture into the world of ... sword and sorcery. (With) ...an atmosphere so intense that it's almost impossible to turn the pages fast enough.”
—Ray Nicholson, Amazon Book Reviewer

“The Tension Runs Full Throttle!”
“...author Clifton Hill has broken down this tale of Hestea into bite sized morsels that pack all of the punch, wonder and atmosphere of the fantasy world.”
—Dianne Bylo, aka Dii, Top 500 Amazon Reviewer, Book Blogger for tometender.blogspot.com
(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

“Hill paints a very vivid medieval style world, with miniscule details befitting a Martin or Tolkien.”
—Lars Teeney, Sci-fi author of “The Apostates”
(Part 1)

“Seeking the Veil is...fantastic...purchase Part 2 immediately so that you can read more of the story.”
—Susan Pixley, Amazon Book Reviewer

SUPPORT THE AUTHOR:

You loved the books, you want everyone to know, and you want to support the author. Here's how:

1. Join the Newsletter and be first to hear what comes next, get hot blog updates and great perks. Because you’re awesome like that.
2. Leave a review. Click on your favorite ebook store links above, and don't forget Goodreads.
3. Tell a friend about the books and get them to join the newsletter. In a world of distractions, word-of-mouth is invaluable to spread the word. And the more readers, means the faster I can write the next amazing story.

Working with Ads

I'm adding some...uh...ads to the blog. Not looking to get rich... Ok. Hoping, but not looking... Anyways, I want to try to add to the experience and keep things unobtrusive. Nothing worse than huge glaring ads in your face to take away interest.

I'm no expert in the matter, so it is a learning process and I'll be testing the waters with a few things I suppose. First up: I've added some convenient Amazon links to purchase books on the book reviews (not cutting edge, I know. But a start). Plus I put the prerequisite google AdSense text ads. I've looked around to see what else is out there and for now that seems sufficient.

So if you want to support me in my writing habit you can click to buy an advertised book or check out one of the ads.

Any suggestions or thoughts as to the inclusion? Is it enough? Too much? What else should I do?