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Would you buy a book like this?

Idea threads

Woud you buy and read a FICTION book written by MJ DeMarco?

  • Yes, and it doesn't matter what genre.

    Votes: 20 32.8%
  • Yes, but only a life story (Alchemist, etc.)

    Votes: 8 13.1%
  • Yes, but only a world political/CIA/crime drama/thriller.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Yes, but only mystery/pyschological thrillers (James Patterson, Koontz).

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Yes, but only a sci-fi or fantasy.

    Votes: 1 1.6%
  • Yes, but it is highly dependent on the story and genre.

    Votes: 18 29.5%
  • No, I'm only interested in business stuff, if at all.

    Votes: 13 21.3%
  • No, I haven't read anything he's written and don't plan on it.

    Votes: 1 1.6%

  • Total voters
    61

MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
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As many know, I've been wanting to write a fiction novel for some time. My first foray into fiction writing was The Great Rat Race Escape which portrayed a struggling family seeking to escape the rat race through business. That book, however, is still classified as "non-fiction" despite the embedded novel.

The question is, would you buy a book written from me that was entirely fiction and NOT business related?

Some of the genres I'm thinking about tackling...

1) Life Wisdom (Think "The Alchemist" or "Tuesdays with Morrie")
2) Mystery Thriller (Think James Patterson)
3) Psychological Thriller (Think Dean Koontz)
4) Spy or Intelligence Agency Stuff
5) Fantasy / Science Fiction (Think Star Wars but something not LOW-IQ)

I'm asking because I'm not sure if I want to create a new penname for these books, or just leverage my existing name which has some partial brand recognition.

My initial thought was to write under my name, and not use a penname.

Please vote (votes are confidential) feel free to share any comments as well.
 
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MTF

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You can publish under a pen name and use this forum to kickstart sales by admitting that this pen name is in reality you. I wouldn't group everything under one name as it will confuse and potentially alienate people (name any bestselling fiction authors who under the same name publish non-fiction).

Out of the five you posted, I might only possibly be interested in 1 though I think it's very hard to write these without sounding pompous or trite.
 
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MJ DeMarco

I followed the science; all I found was money.
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"No, I haven't read anything he's written and don't plan on it."​


Is there anyone here who hasn't read one of his books?

The door's thataway...

You'd be surprised. In fact, I just had to delete someone from here who thought he knew everything, namely, that we all should ride bikes and love each other while dutifully wearing our masks. He also knew a billionaire, LOL.
 
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How would you feel about some kid books?

I am sure there are a lot of people out there who want to help educate the upcoming generations. Feels like there is a massive gap in the market for a Fastlane style book someone under the age of 12 could understand.

—-

But ya personally I’d love to read some spy stuff!
 

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How would you feel about some kid books?

I am sure there are a lot of people out there who want to help educate the upcoming generations. Feels like there is a massive gap in the market for a Fastlane style book someone under the age of 12 could understand.

Andy Frisella's Otis and Charley books for inspiration:

 
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MJ DeMarco

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How would you feel about some kid books?

I am sure there are a lot of people out there who want to help educate the upcoming generations. Feels like there is a massive gap in the market for a Fastlane style book someone under the age of 12 could understand.

—-

But ya personally I’d love to read some spy stuff!

Love the idea, didn't even think about that. @Vigilante what every happened to your project? You still selling it?
 
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Zenden

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I anwered "Yes, but it is highly dependent on the story and genre. ", genres being life wisdom, lovecraftian horror and fantasy/sci-fi.
 

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You'd be surprised. In fact, I just had to delete someone from here who thought he knew everything, namely, that we all should ride bikes and love each other while dutifully wearing our masks. He also knew a billionaire, LOL.
I was always looking forward to his posts lol. He was going to change the world.




I’d definitely read something similar to The Alchemist. Although fiction, it has principles that can be used in everyday life. That is a different genre but not too far away from your books, per se.

For complete fiction - as in : guy kills another guy, what weapon did he use? I’d recommend a pen name.

You have a strong personal brand.
How much impact did the sales from the forum had for TGRRE?

Anyway, I’m pretty sure everybody that bought the books so far would read something similar to The Alchemist, pen name or not.
 

MJ DeMarco

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I was always looking forward to his posts lol. He was going to change the world.

Yea, while selling bad music for billions.

In his defense, he asked to be deleted as I did not do so arbitrarily (although many asked for it). I think the account was deleted about 19 seconds after he asked-- I never moved so quickly.
 

Antifragile

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MJ, your brand is being an expert on entrepreneurship.
Fiction is different and I think would take something away from your brand. If you choose to do that, don’t use your real name.
 
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You'd be surprised. In fact, I just had to delete someone from here who thought he knew everything, namely, that we all should ride bikes and love each other while dutifully wearing our masks. He also knew a billionaire, LOL.

RIP Whizrock. Now he will never get his 1.5 billion for his music.
 

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RIP Whizrock. Now he will never get his 1.5 billion for his music.
He was on my ignore list, so I didn’t even notice he was gone until this thread.
 
D

DeletedUser84644

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MJ, your brand is being an expert on entrepreneurship.
Fiction is different and I think would take something away from your brand. If you choose to do that, don’t use your real name.
Nah I think it would be a harmless addition to his brand (as an author that is). He could become like another Felix Dennis author wise.
 
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I don't normally read/listen to fiction but if I saw something with your name on it I'd probably pick it up and give it a chance
 

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You'd be surprised. In fact, I just had to delete someone from here who thought he knew everything, namely, that we all should ride bikes and love each other while dutifully wearing our masks. He also knew a billionaire, LOL.
Since we're on the subject of people on the forum who haven't read your books.

There are three people that spring to mind due to not having a forum flair badge for that.
Very conspicuous by its absence.

It's always intrigued me.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders why.

@Simon Angel
@Johnny boy
@Walter Hay

Care to enlighten us?

If you don't like badges, a pic of you holding a book will suffice.

And to the two of you who've posted shirtless pics here before.

Please no!
 

MJ DeMarco

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Since we're on the subject of people on the forum who haven't read your books.

There are three people that spring to mind due to not having a forum flair badge for that.
Very conspicuous by its absence.

It's always intrigued me.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who wonders why.

@Simon Angel
@Johnny boy
@Walter Hay

Care to enlighten us?

If you don't like badges, a pic of you holding a book will suffice.

And to the two of you who've posted shirtless pics here before.

Please no!

No need to call anyone out. I appreciate that they are here, having read the books or not.

And I know johnnyBoy has at least peeked into my last book because he discovered (and then mentioned) one of his posts made it into the book.
 
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If it would be just a book for pure entertainment then no, but if it would be interesting fiction story that has a lot of value then maybe yes.
 

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I don't regularly read fiction, but I do often read new books from authors I already enjoy, so yes.

If it would be just a book for pure entertainment then no, but if it would be interesting fiction story that has a lot of value then maybe yes.
Isn't the entertainment factor the value of fiction?
 

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I would read fiction you write, but I'd recommend using a pen name and keeping them mostly separate.

A person can be good at different things. However, when we're used to a certain persona, we subconsciously try to force everything from that persona into the familiar box. To minimize that, a pen name can help re-calibrate a reader's mind to the default neutral position.

So instead of reading a Spy Thriller by MJ DeMarco, and having a nagging anticipation for any business nuggets woven in, the reader can instead relax and read a Spy Thriller by NK LeTaco and enjoy it for what it is.
 
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MJ DeMarco

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A person can be good at different things. However, when we're used to a certain persona, we subconsciously try to force everything from that persona into the familiar box. To minimize that, a pen name can help re-calibrate a reader's mind to the default neutral position.

Very good point. Thanks for sharing.
 

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This post has two main questions but neither of them are what I really want to delve into… I’d much rather talk about what type of leader you are and see if it melds with what type of writer you want to be. (*cough Dune *cough Jack Reacher *cough Vegan darklord *cough) But instead of being too ENTPish I’ll just answer the questions.

I’d read anything you wrote (and attempt to write a review on it even if Amazon later rejects that review cuz I used the wrong word and they’re obviously assholes) because

1. Dorothy Sayers. She legit wrote one freaking essay and there’s a freaking LEGION of ppl dedicated to the beliefs she espoused in that ONE essay! She’s famous for it. But if you Google her you’ll see like 14 crime novels which to this day are loved and fawned over because the characters in them rival Sherlock Holmes.

2. I like encouraging intelligent introverts who are being brave. Also, I’d be curious as hell.

3. When you write because you’re pissed/passionate, it’s fascinating.

4. You need a good editor who will push you to get to the level of complex fiction your brain is capable of but which your writing skills don’t yet match. I suggest whatever you write that you plan on making it a series with a really loveable hero so we can keep reading as you grow as an author.

5. Everybody’s gonna figure out the pen name because that’s what we do.. just start with your name. You already have a fan base, why make it inconvenient for us to follow you and give you cash?
 

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I would read fiction you write, but I'd recommend using a pen name and keeping them mostly separate.

A person can be good at different things. However, when we're used to a certain persona, we subconsciously try to force everything from that persona into the familiar box. To minimize that, a pen name can help re-calibrate a reader's mind to the default neutral position.

So instead of reading a Spy Thriller by MJ DeMarco, and having a nagging anticipation for any business nuggets woven in, the reader can instead relax and read a Spy Thriller by NK LeTaco and enjoy it for what it is.
@MJ DeMarco Please go with NK LeTaco. It's perfect
 
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name any bestselling fiction authors who under the same name publish non-fiction
Stephen Pressfield. Stephen King. James Patterson. Michael Crichton.
 

MTF

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Stephen Pressfield. Stephen King. James Patterson. Michael Crichton.

I should have clarified my thoughts that these authors not only publish under the same name but are also notable and recognized for their non-fiction writing.

Stephen King's only bestselling non-fiction is his autobiography/how-to writing guide. It's nothing compared to dozens of his novels. Same with Crichton (very few recognizable non-fiction titles compared to fiction).

James Patterson is not really a "regular" writer. He's more of a brand for the work done by other writers who follow his process.

Stephen Pressfield is a good example though in my mind he's primarily a non-fiction author and I've never read any of his fiction.
 

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@MJ DeMarco Please go with NK LeTaco. It's perfect
@MJ DeMarco I will only read the new book if you let us vote on the penname to be used for it. I feel assured that my ultimatum will have a favorable outcome resulting in level-headed, well-thought-out results.
 
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You’re my favourite author. Even though I really like your work mainly for the knowledge (why Unscripted is my favourite) I would read the next book no matter what. Your last book showed your skills in creating a compelling story.
 

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No need to call anyone out. I appreciate that they are here, having read the books or not.

And I know johnnyBoy has at least peeked into my last book because he discovered (and then mentioned) one of his posts made it into the book.
Not my intention to call people out, it's just that I notice these things and I've always been curious about it.

Anyway, I apologize if I offended anyone.
 

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