Christine John - Christine John Books

Amazon’s New Rules for Self-Publishers

September 20, 2023September 16, 2023 Christine John

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has become very popular in the past few months, in particular, ChatGPT. People have been using AI for various purposes such as for healthcare, transportation, education, agriculture, and finance. And now people are using AI to write blog posts, short stories, articles, and novels. But not everyone likes to read the works of ChatGPT or AI technology. In self-publishing, people are now publishing works that were produced by AI and are being sold under the names of human writers. Amazon allows authors to self-publish their books through…

A Costly Mistake I Made While on Holiday in the Caribbean

September 16, 2023September 16, 2023 Christine John

I recently read in the Metro newspaper (11/09/2023) about a young traveler who received an unexpected sky-high phone bill when she returned from her Caribbean cruise. Instead of her usual monthly bill of £30-£35, she was charged a whopping £1186.59! When I read the story, I felt sorry for the person who received such a high phone bill. Unfortunately, something similar happened to me while I was on holiday. I traveled to Dominica for 10 days with my older sister and niece. I was also able to spend some time…

Why am I so Quiet? – A Poem

September 15, 2023August 28, 2023 Christine John

Why am I so quiet?Do you really want to know?I have several reasonsFor keeping my mouth shut Why am I so quiet?Because I was told over and overAs a childThat children should be seenAnd not heard Why am I so quiet?Because it is writtenIn the BibleThat women must remain silentIn the church Why am I so quiet?Because I’m afraidIf I open my mouth to talkI may say something really stupid Why am I so quiet?Because I’m afraid if I open my mouthI might revealSomething someone told meIn secret Why am…

Shapes and Stars – A Poem

September 8, 2023August 28, 2023 Christine John

Shapes and starsAre on my mindReminding me of all the thingsThat once were mine. Shapes and starsSummer holidaysReminding me of how we used toLaugh and play Those days of oldHave long since goneThe time has come for both of usTo now move on. I now look backOn what used to beHow the time has come and goneFor you and me The love we sharedWas so long agoThe time has passedAnd we’ve now grown old We can’t go backTo the way things used to beWe’ve got nothing leftBut our cherished memories…

Don’t Let Them See Your Weakness – A Poem

August 28, 2023August 28, 2023 Christine John

Woman silhouette - Don't let them see your weakness

Don’t let them see your weaknessDon’t let them see you cryI know it’s very difficultBut you need to keep it all inside. Don’t break down in front of themJust hold your head up highEven though they make fun of youDon’t let them steal your pride. They may think that you are weakShow them that they’re wrongDon’t let them shake your confidenceShow them that you’re strong! I wrote this poem when I was working as a secretary in the tourism industry in Dominica. I loved my job, but sometimes it could…

Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes When Designing Your Author Website

July 22, 2023July 15, 2023 Christine John

On the World Wide Web, an author’s website is a powerful tool for connecting with readers, showcasing your work, and building your online presence. However, designing a website can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to web development. To help you create an effective and engaging author website, I have compiled a list of the top 10 mistakes authors often make when designing their sites. By steering clear of these pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to building a website that attracts your audience. 1. Neglecting Mobile…

Finding the Perfect WordPress Theme for Authors: A Writer’s Guide

July 15, 2023July 15, 2023 Christine John

As an author, your main focus is on writing captivating stories and engaging with your readers. However, in today’s digital age, it’s essential to have an online presence to connect with your audience. And one of the best ways to showcase your work is through a dedicated website. WordPress, with its user-friendly interface and vast customization options, is a popular choice for authors looking to build their online platforms. But with thousands of WordPress themes available, how do you find the one that best suits your needs? Let’s explore the…

How to Create Your Own Online Bookstore

July 9, 2023July 9, 2023 Christine John

As an author, I have written over 18 books and have published them on Amazon and through Draft2Digital which distributes my books to various online retailers. However, I was facing the challenge of showcasing and selling from one online platform. I wanted a way to showcase my books on my website and provide buy buttons that would direct visitors to their favorite online store where they could purchase my book. I found a way to do this by installing a very useful plugin called MyBookTable on my WordPress website. This…

How to Create Your Own Author Website: A Step-by-Step Guide

June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 Christine John

In a previous blog post, we discussed the 7 reasons why self-published authors need a website. Some of the reasons were that an author can use a website to build their online presence, and increase book sales, and it is a place where readers can find more information about you. Now that you know why it is important to have an author website, we will now discuss the key steps involved in creating one. Here’s a general guide to help you get started: 1. Define Your Goals Determine the purpose…

Flatshare: A Heartwarming Tale of Love, Laughter, and Unexpected Connections – A Review

May 20, 2023May 20, 2023 Christine John

The Flatshare is a romantic comedy written by the Sunday Times bestselling author Beth O’Leary. This book has also become a major TV series on Paramount+. In this heart-warming novel, Tiffy Moore shares a one-bedroom flat with Leon Twomey. They also share a bed, but they have never met each other. Leon stays in the flat while Tiffy is at work all day. Then she takes over the flat the rest of the time while Leon works in the evenings and spends the weekend with his girlfriend. Their friends think…