The issue is if they sue the united states. Trump will retaliate with more tariffs. Unless that's his intention to gaud them on.
Canadian Author of Beyond the Mark: Ashes of the Hero. 🗡🛡🔮✨️🧙♂️ https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beyond-the-mark https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM96B5J9 Singer for Violet Outburst 🎸🎤 https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Vf4w9Ze38rLniADBEGKSp?si=AcWduGX
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The issue is if they sue the united states. Trump will retaliate with more tariffs. Unless that's his intention to gaud them on.
The new White House TikTok comparing immigrants to Pokémon, set to the official Pokémon theme, is one of the most revolting things I've seen from the Trump administration. It may look trivial, but "gamifying" I.C.E. is putrid. It turns real human suffering into entertainment. I'm done with 2025.
My added cost to my business after tariffs, import fees, and shipping issues is 200,000$ annually. This is for a small collectibles business. 😅 R.I.P. to small businesses in 2025.
Do any authors here hop between projects? I want to pursue another idea I have, but I also was to continue Beyond The Mark. 😭 #Booksky #Author
I agree, unfortunately I have no profits going with UPS or FedEx we sell many low cost items that benefit from ground advantage and media mail.
I agree, but I don't think the small businesses can survive long enough to find out.
Keep in mind these are PAID labels brought into the country legally via import brokers, but are being rejected.
US is using loopholes on imports to stop Canadian small businesses: if a USPS label is printed outside US soil, it won't be allowed in. A new hurdle for Canadians shipping into the States. It's absolutely wild. If you import to the states and the tracking starts with 94. You're out of luck.
What was the best job you've had and why do you miss it? #flashback #work
I first thought finishing a draft would feel like climbing a mountain. Instead, it feels like reaching a cliff and seeing 12 more taller mountains in the distance. #booksky #art #writer
Life keeps testing me... My brakes completely failed while driving; not once, but twice in 2 months. Is anyone else this unlucky? 😅 On a totally unrelated note, if anybody has a car for sale in the Montréal area, I may be open to hearing prices . #luck #2025
Reached 50k in my first year. Honestly, with everything going on in the world it feels hard to "celebrate." But I truly appreciate every one of you for being here. Thank you. #booksky #bluesky
I think people will learn pretty quickly that when people have a reason they are willing to throw their life away for, no amount of protection will save you from them.
There are no winners in the direction we are racing towards...
Yes exactly.
I'm not sure it's wide distribution so it may be there!
To be clear, this is not an issue with an order or 2, but for businesses needing to do hundreds of orders for import, it's a total waste. Yes, I'm aware using A.I. is possible. However, the mom and pop shops who have been doing business with Americans for decades will not be able to adapt so easy.
Unfortunately that's why it's a difficult decision.
I've had many people ask for Beyond The Mark back on Kindle Unlimited. What's everybody's thoughts on this? F**k Amazon or submit? #booksky #author #kindle
Every year, I make a Bucket List for myself. So far, I've done 5/8 for 2025! Instead of New years resolutions, I always recommend this option. Having multiple goals per year gives you time to pivot and work towards more rather than being confined to one. Let creativity go at its own flow.
Being a writer with a bad memory means every "short break" from writing turns into a full reread of my own work. The upside? My first draft gets endless quality control. The downside? I've basically read my own book more times than anyone else ever will. #Booksky
For any Americans, remember this is your final chance to buy items worldwide (minus china) under deminimus (Section 321). Starting the 29th, everything from a plethora of countries will be subject to tariffs, whether it's $2 or $800. This will COMPLETELY change E-commerce for the worse. #PSA
I have a question for you all. I've noticed that many of the reviews on my book contain minor spoilers and at worst read like a synopsis. 😅 For those of you who read reviews prior to purchase on a book, is this something that is common or bothersome to a reader? 🤔 #Booksky #reviews
Fantasy
After over 10 years of running a small business, it’s wild to think how great it is to finally have things figured out... With the one exception of it all going out the window on a daily basis whenever a new tariff comes into effect. #Canada
❤️❤️❤️
Sarah Blue! It's a montreal artist.
Recommendations for what to do in London tonight? Preferably music adjacent. #travel #london
There's always a point when traveling, where the body gives out, and the exhaustion sets in. Today is that day for me. Take it easy and listen to yourself. Cheers from Paris 🥖🥐
Ps. I will answer all NEW DM there are wayyyy too many piling up right now from the last couple weeks... sorry.
Thank you!!
Much walking in the upcoming days! #Rome #Travel
Off to Rome today, may not get back to all messages! I'll be posting each city I go to with a couple highlights. If you have any recommendations for Rome especially open mics or night life drop them below. 🥰
With any media honestly. 🙃
Fortunately, I'm not in it for the money and in a world where reviews do most of the talking on good reads and amazon, I'm not too worried :). I did consider that prior! Making it free is a line I won't go for that reason.
Not an issue for me :)!
Thank you!
What field gets you death threats?!
Support small business, especially when prices match or beat the big guys. As owners, we sometimes sell at cost just to stay in the game, while giants do it to crush competition. Our goal isn't domination, it's survival. #SmallBusiness #SupportLocal
Thank you for all the Europe recommendation! ❤️ Found many hidden gems. I'm going next week, and I have a final question! Open mic recommendations? Would love to play there. Venice Florence Rome London Paris Madrid Any of the above!
Creatives beware: scammers are making fake accounts to befriend you, gain trust, then "refer" you to their "main/real account" for services. It's all the same person. Stay sharp. Don't trust random referrals in DMs. #ScamAlert #ArtistWarning #WritingCommunity
I heavily recommend you speak with a lisenced import broker if you are shipping for business. That is all.
When shipping to a different country a business is required by law to write the item, price, country of origin and hs code of every item.
It's not where it's shipped it's the country of manufacturing
Keep in mind this is just regarding China there are many more tariffs at play regarding canada
If the item is being shipped and sold canadian from a company in canada there will be no tariffs. The issue is that if the items go through the united states and then to canada from china, there are tariffs, but then the united states portion would be paying, for example at distributor level.
Tariffs are done based on HS code and country of origin, not era of creation. Even our vintage products are subject to tariffs .
2/2 I've had clients messaging me all day that purchased video games, toys or collectibles and are paying over 100$ for items they paid us 30$ for. STAY IN THE LOOP!
Genuine warning to all Americans. They are finally starting to enforce Tariffs from China made items. What this means is that if you order a package from ANYWHERE, even for example canada, but the item is made in China, you will have to pay 25%-245% tariff on the item before getting it.
I have many new authors reach out for sales and marketing advice. The truth is, I'm in the same boat as almost all of them! Only 1% of my followers are actual readers. Don't let big numbers fool you. We are all out here figuring it out. #booksky #Bluesky #kindle
Happy Canada Day! 🎉 *Can't find the maple leaf emoji, so just pretend it's here.* #Canada
Eventually that's the goal, its been paused as I don't have that much of a budget right now especially after the price réduction!
You can buy wherever it's not about the money so I don't mind!
Going to Europe for the first time next month! Any recommendations in the following cities? 🙂 I have ZERO planned outside flights and hotels. Rome Florence Venice London Paris Madrid #Travel
There's about 15 chapters over on Royal Road free of charge if you wanted to start it :)
I'm not sure if we are arguing two different things here, but the algorithm of all platforms rely on reviews for visibility, ads and much more. Beta readers and publisher reviews are great for reviews out the gate, but its continually support that makes or breaks books online.
Okay, but why? If people enjoy the story and the author ask to leave a review that helps the author continue the story why is that disrespectful ? This is the same practive in any artistic medium, business or trade.
Thank you to everyone who takes the time,not only to read Beyond The Mark, but to leave a review! ❤️🌹 #BookSky #Author #kobo #kindle
It is a series only 1 thus far.
I'm not entirely sure what your question is. For myself I was able to upload my word document after formatting it of course!
I keep trying to put out the fires in my life by starting bigger ones. Apparently, if the blaze is massive enough, the small ones stop mattering. #2025 #Business #Artist
UPDATE! 🌹🎉 I realize not many people have access to much right now, so I put the eBook version of Beyond The Mark down to the lowest I could on Amazon, which is $0.99 Hope this helps it become more accessible, I'd rather continue the story than make money, so I hope you enjoy! #Fantasy #Author
One of the hardest parts of surviving or going through something heavy is realizing that people around you can no longer relate. You've crossed a line they haven't. But no matter how isolating it gets, I'd never wish for anyone to understand by living through what I did
Just to reiterate the point on my last status. It's the idea of 'being an entertainer' that is very difficult on me. I love the process of music. However, having to give it my all every night on a stage would absolutely obliterate my mental health. I'm not being ungrateful i'm being honest.
Trying to balance writing and music feels like a tug-of-war lately. Writing lets me disappear into the work, but music feels like I'd have to show up and entertain every day and honestly, I'm not sure I have the energy for that kind of constant presence fans would deserve as a show. #Booksky #Music
Recommendations of things or skills to learn that are rather quick, but benefit immensely in the long run? #Health #Talents #Skills
SarahBlue
For anybody following along on Royal Road, I'll be taking a break from writing to focus on work during this tariff war. Hopefully, it's resolved soon, taking much more of my life than I'd hoped. #Tariffs #RoyalRoad
Did do my work, many of the cpost employees actually arent paid during the strike and against it. Forced to take time off and ones that are there are only paid 1/4 of their pay.
Yes i know UPS, Purolator and such exist. They have doubled and tripled their prices during the strike to account for the flooding of their networks.
Hello, link in in bio for kobo ebook unfortunately amazon is giving me trouble with the physical release elsewhere currently
That's only when crossing in a car as an individual. If its by post there's a strict process for imports they follow.
Unfortunately it's only amazon currently, however the ebook is available elsewhere !
I can't tell if I'm tired, dehydrated, overstimulated, or just alive in 2025. #2025
Our import broker shut down without notice. The reason was almost all of their clients needed to close their business temporarily or permanently in response to the tariffs... This is by far the worse and stupidest reason for small businesses to face closures. #Canada #Tariffs #Usa
The last 48 hours has been filled with canceling client orders for my canada small business due to the tariffs. I'm then met with clients yelling, saying I don't know how tariffs work and they won't be hit with 125% tariff, because the "other country" pays it.... It amazes me. #tariffs #canada
For anybody wondering good from China or Hong Kong are now exempt from section 321. Meaning that you can not ship them across the boarder without 125% tariffs.
Sneaky new tariffs going into effect today. If you are a small business shipping to the United States, do some reading prior on the new laws asap. #Tariffs
If anybody has advertising advice for ebooks lemme know in the comments. Feels like playing minesweeper without the numbers. #Booksky #ads #Author
Now available on Google Books! ❤️ books.google.com/books?id=5gp... #Beyond #Booksky #Author #ebook #google
Its exclusive as long as you're on the platform.
Unfortunately it's incredible bad for an author to go on Kindle Unlimited now so thats no longer feasible. Amazon forces the author to be exclusive to the platform.
I agree fb is definitely better for results!
Does any authors use Amazon ads? Even with professional guidance, I feel everything relating to amazon is just burning money recently... Zero results. #amazon #booksky #authors #author
Why not?
I'll shut up about kobo soon I promise, however... HOW?!? I'm not sure how Kobo ranks books, but i feel something is wrong 😅.. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... #kobo #fantasy #booksky
Normalize being the villain in someone else's story. You're not here to be understood by everyone. #Booksky #Bold
For anyone helping with breaking that resistance mark on Kobo of 100, thank you! ❤️ If you have been planning to pick up Behind The Mark, nows your chance during this push. Let's see how low it can go! www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... #booksky #kobo #ebook
Pdf has no security and when you do that you are paying platform fees, hosting and a lot of other expenses. It's a much better split on platforms compared to traditional publishing and I think its a reasonable percentage.
Advice to Authors & Readers: Kobo support is real! 💘. Breaking the chains of Amazon is always worth it. www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... #BeyondTheMark #Kobo #Booksky
Advice for debut authors. Do not join Kindle Unlimited. It will trap your book on their platform, and Amazon is not a company you want to be handcuffed to right now. Give people the opportunity to support you on all platforms. #Kindle #KU #Author #Booksky #Kobo
Why do I have more views on newer chapters over on Royal Road than older ones? Are y'all just skipping chapters 😅....
I'd say it changes yo uas much as any hobby or passion could. Depends on the person and what you take from the experience.
I was on Kindle Unlimited at first but the exclusivity agreement is awful. It locks your book to amazon so long as your on the platform.
With a disgusting amount of honey 😅
It depends on the individual. Most people will get 70% from ebook sales and a certain value of physical book sales depending on the price of the ebook after printing costs and shipping. Despite the hate for amazon and other platforms its substantially better than publishers give authors a time ago.
Q & A time! Leave questions in the comments the next hour and ill answer them 🙂.
Crazy how I can offer my book on Kobo Plus and everywhere else. However, if it's on Kindle Unlimited, it needs to be exclusive. 😅 Amazon definitely isn't a monopoly. 👀...
For all the Kobo lovers. Beyond The Mark: Ashes Of The Hero is officially out on Kobo! www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/... #Kobo #Author #Ebook #Booksky
For all the lovely people who wanted me to warn you when the physical revised edition was available, here's your warning! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0DM... #BookSky #BeyondTM #Release