Bookshop bookshop.org/p/books/the-... Thriftbooks www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-hidden... Amazon www.amazon.com/Hidden-Face-... Barnes&Noble www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-hidden... Powell's Books: www.powells.com/book/the-hid... Left Bank Books www.left-bank.com/book/9798822... #books #booksky

After all these shocking changes in my life, I realize I’m doing alright, and I know I’ll be even better than before.

I’m still adjusting to my new life. I just need some time.

Competitors post unintelligible bad reviews because my book is great. Your book is great, too. Do they use AI assistants to structure their poetic bad reviews? #books #art #culture

Today, I am one degree freer than I was yesterday. I was forced to choose risk in order to find my freedom. #books #art

An unforeseen event, a complete change of course. They say it well: when humans make plans, God laughs. Life is not as predictable as I once thought.

I look back and see what I heard, what I said, what I imagined, what I created, what I dreamed. I laughed, I cried, I worried, I lost my temper, I forgave, I desired. I remember what I was proud of and what I was ashamed of. A whole life is changing. And somehow, I will learn to belong to it.

A person in need isn’t a beggar, because anyone can easily become a person in need.

I’m trying to reorganize my life under these new circumstances, picking up the pieces and holding on to a quantum of solace. It feels strange, but I believe it may turn out to be for the best in the end. #books #booksky #art

Ok, world, I will tell you what has been bothering me. I trusted someone. Love affairs and parents are excluded. I just trusted someone else. Blindly. And that someone has been a VERY good actor for years and years. Maybe I need to write THE HIDDEN FACE 2.

I thought I had seen the best actors in the world. Now I realize there are some even better ones. Until recently, I had known nothing about acting.

I can’t believe what’s happening to me. Sorry, everyone, something personal. Still, I trust the bright side; it will shine its light on me.

There is only one way to deceive a smart, aware person: duration.

Last night, I dreamt of a new, good book review. I hope it happens.

You follow new users, expecting them to be genuine new readers of your book rather than generic scammers promoting junk literature. You cross your fingers.. #books

Yes, that is my reply below, and it's screaming, too: Algorithms don't help, real readers are very few, and most readers aren't real but generic, paid scams who are instructed to post bad reviews under indie books to ruin clientele or for their benefit promote commercial titles. Found out late.

There is something so soul-destroying trying to promote books you write during a time of unprecedented censorship, declining literacy rates, AI, and social media landscapes that set you up to fail. The struggle is real. I have no mouth, and I must scream. #writesky #booksky #indieauthors

Anyone who has read my book (I hope some of you got a copy) will know: A conversation I possibly had with the Ruler before coming down to the world of Hearths: "Do you want to go?" "Yes." "Your decision has consequences." "I don’t mind." Now I regret answering this. It made Жim stronger. #books

Anyone who has read my book (I hope some of you got a copy) will know: A conversation I possibly had with the Ruler before coming down to the world of Hearths: "Do you want to go?" "Yes." "Your decision has consequences." "I don’t mind." Now I regret answering this. It made Жim stronger. #books

The only mistake I’ve made is being way too sensitive for this world. They don't deserve it.

Media should stop spreading one-sided narratives about teachers. “Teacher charged with this or that.." Not all teachers are bad. There are teachers who sacrifice their comfort for their students. Teaching is a service. I am a teacher, and I'm a good example for my students. Speak about us, too.

Reasons I drifted away from some friends (girls): When we went out, one would ask the other, "What color are you going to paint your nails?" Meanwhile, I was listening, wanting to talk about Dostoevsky, whose work I had recently finished reading.. Hard to find friends who really match you.

A dusting of snow on the fells beyond the bookshop hustle and bustle.

Honestly, I tried, I tried, but eventually, I can’t stay silent. I’m going to speak up. Around 78 million people in this country don’t have a relationship at all. That’s not a small number. Dear consumption.. I wish you a happy Valentine’s Day.

Do some indie bookstores that claim to support indie books truly do so? Because the titles some of them carry aren’t that indie. #questions #facts

Illustration by the author from Algeria and Tunis by Frances E. Nesbitt, London, 1906. #booksky #artsky #travelsky

I read somewhere: "One person found this (bad review) helpful." Have they checked who that person might be? It might be the same person or their besties. One Clique Band has been on tour again.

Homelessness has become a tool of pressure and threat used by some wealthy people, when it shouldn’t even exist. Every person deserves a home.

Controversial replies be like, "You posted this because you want to sell copies, huh? Smart. -_-" Yes, of course I want to sell copies. Every decent author wants to sell some copies. They would, too. #books

"About happiness he said not a word, I suppose because he considered it something strictly private and perhaps, how shall I say, treacherous or elusive." ― Roberto Bolaño, 2666: A Novel #BookSky #Photography Harry Gruyaert. /Magnum Photos

The pain of others is my own pain as well. Anything can happen to anyone. We all emanate from the same source. #quotes

Some wealthy people say that their wisdom and smart moves helped them make money, when in reality, what really helped them was their luck in being in the right place with the right people.

"Old age was growing inside me. It kept catching my eye from the depths of the mirror. I was paralyzed sometimes as I saw it make its way for me so steadily when nothing inside me was ready for it." ― Simone de Beauvoir, La Force des choses #BookSky #Photography Daido Moriyama

Illustration from Bees Shown to the Children by Ellison Hawks, London, 1912. #booksky #artsky #naturesky

OVER THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS (2017) Acrylic on Illustration Board - 6” x 10” I bought some slanted brushes that I found fun to play with when I want straight edges in a picture. 1/4 #art #booksky

Some book competitors are a closed clique that benefits from the system. New good books disrupt their plans because the public’s interest gets divided among more. With negative reviews, they try to stop new books, so shares are less. I don't care. I live for this. Corruption, I will NEVER stop.

A tactic book competitors use: They tell you, ‘I bought your book,’ or comment on something about your book to force you to reply. Then, they use whatever you answered in their fake negative review. From now on, I’ll respond very selectively to comments. Everyone around us is a potential enemy.

My red bathroom was so cozy at night. My red kitchen had a window view overlooking the entire city. My room, with a wall made of red bricks and yellow/green glass pieces, had three windows and double doors, all facing the city. No wonder I wrote THE HIDDEN FACE in that room. I miss my old home.

Do you know why you don’t get good reviews for your great book? Because no one wants to praise others. On the contrary, they want to sabotage you. My latest bad review was inconsistent, irrelevant, and off-topic. Didn't mention anything about the plot. Did they even read it? #books #readers

Do you know why you don’t get good reviews for your great book? Because no one wants to praise others. On the contrary, they want to sabotage you. My latest bad review was inconsistent, irrelevant, and off-topic. Didn't mention anything about the plot. Did they even read it? #books #readers

Don’t forget: They attack the books they fear the most. #books #readers

And in the end, authors aren’t just authors anymore. They end up being full-time workers and self-marketers for their books. #books #quotes

Why do people think that writers are only writers and that they make coffee just to wake up and write? Do they know we have full-time jobs, too? #books #quotes

Review inconsistency (two review-type posts by the same person seem different from each other), plus claiming they read the book in just a few hours. That says a lot about the reviewer.

Most bad reviews are fake. They come from competitors to sabotage good books. Trust your feelings ONLY. #books

THE HIDDEN FACE is not meant for superficial interpretations. It penetrates the depths of metaphysical themes. When evil grows ever greater, it gradually consumes itself. Only then must it seek a way to be reborn. #books #booksky

Did they know... ...that I, M. I. VERRAS, have written another novel, a crime novel, but never published it? It's true. #books #booksky #art #bookseller

Many users claim they are "avid readers, indie author supporters, book hoarders, bookworms, lovers of books, bla bla"... ...but the real test is our book sales report. Grow that report. No words. Actions, please. Buy our books today. #books #booksky #booklovers

I cooked french toast. #cook #cooking

Did they know... ...that I, M. I. VERRAS, have written another novel, a crime novel, but never published it? It's true. #books #booksky #art #bookseller