Friday, October 16, 2015

The Phoenix Rises!



It’s been a while since I posted on this blog. Like many writers often do, I decided to take a break from marketing and social networking and concentrate on editing and revising my books. For the last three months, I have done nothing but re-read and tweak my stories until every single page entices the reader to want more.

I finished the revisions, let them stew and mature for a while, and then read them again, just to be certain they are ready for the world market. I believe they are! I am planning a massive marketing campaign in the near future that will feature all eleven of my books simultaneously. Genres ranging from contemporary fiction, to thriller, to middle-grade sci-fi, to Dystopia, to paranormal adventure; every single title will get promoted in the coming months. Only then, will my ambition be satisfied and I can go back to being the creative introvert tapping away at the keyboard.

To all the readers, the books are ready.

To those who have read them. Thanks for the new reviews since DROP OUT hit the top 5! Check them out!


DROP OUT

By louise zaccagnino on October 15, 2015
One of the few books that made me emotional, and had to wipe tears from my eyes while reading like this one did, esp at the end. Did have a happy ending tho. One of the best reads.

By Amazon Customer on October 13, 2015
Very good story from beginning to end.


By Francis X. O'Connor on September 28, 2015
A quick read that was good on detail

By B. Marcus on September 17, 2015
This book was so well written. I could not put it down and neglected my to do list until it was finished. I actually felt like I was in the twin towers on 9/11. I did think the end was a bit of a let down, but that was because I wanted the story to continue. One of the reviews criticized one scene as too much sex. I strongly disagree with that statement. There was no graphic sex, it was actually a beautiful scene of caring, compassion, and a turning point for Nathan.

Monday, August 24, 2015

New review!

Simple and to the point. I like that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 *****  Five Stars
By Mary Pruetton
August 21, 2015
Format: Kindle Edition - Verified Purchase

Really enjoyed this book.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FX0K7U

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Never give up the dream!



It was very exciting last week when my contemporary suspense novel, DROP OUT hit #5 on the paid Amazon best seller list. I was thrilled to have Nicholas Sparks as my #4 competitor. How I got to this list is no secret. I booked promotional spots on high-traffic websites and spent the days leading up to the spots marketing and promoting my a*s off. I stayed at that #5 position for an entire 36 hours before slowly slipping back into the 100’s; about where I am now.

Did I ever in my dreams imagine that as an independent writer I would ever achieve such heights… honestly, never. My point is, that every writer has an equal chance of hitting the list. Sure, you have to write a great book, have a great cover, and an even greater blurb, but it is possible. I am living proof.

I’ve chronicle the last five years of my journey as an independent writer on this blog. There have been many dizzying highs and terrifying lows along my journey to get my books read, but with perseverance and a never-give-up attitude, I feel as if I’ve finally “made it” and all the lonesome hours writing and all the sacrifices have now been worth the struggle. There is no greater feeling then having dozens of friends and fans messaging me their congratulations at hitting the top 5. It is a high better than any ingestibale substance on Earth.

If you’re a writer and can’t understand why no one is buying your book it may not be that the book is not good, it may be you just don’t know how to market and promote the story. My advice is to check out the Alexa ranking of any site you’re interested in advertising on before you invest your cold, hard cash. Join Facebook groups, join online writer’s and reader’s clubs, post discussions, anything to get your name out there and get your book noticed.

Getting your book on the best seller list can happen but it won’t happen without effort. I hated the hours upon hours of promoting along with most writers, but as with any art form it is necessary to achieve recognition. Check out my blog for the list of sites that helped me achieve #5 in the country. And never give up the dream!!

Thursday, August 13, 2015

#5 in the country!

Okay, here's how I did it step by step. 3 weeks ago I got a promo on ENT so I knew I wanted to do a big blitz and I had plenty of time to book spots. ENT was on Aug. 11th, so I also booked FKBT, Bargain Booksy, and Digital Book Today. On the 12th I booked Choosy Bookworm, Ereader cafe, and Kindle Nation Daily. In addition, I did heavy promotion on Facebook groups, Google+, and my Blog. I think a big word-of-mouth, and shares by my readers also helped a bit. Now, I'm just waiting for new reviews and movie offers (LOL). I'm planning another blitz for my sci-fi books next month. Will use the same strategy and see how it works a second time.

Soooo close!

So as my promotional blitz winds down and sales are beginning to slow to normal, I got all the way to #5 paid in the country right behind #4 Nicholas Sparks. Not bad.


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

More Promo!



In my quest to have the #1 downloaded paid book in America, Day 2 of my two day promotional blitz for my previous bestseller DROP OUT finds me on these major ebook sites.


Kindle Nation Daily - http://bit.ly/1J3HOgn

Ereader café (Deal of the day) – http://theereadercafe.com/

Book Gorilla – a subscription based book mailing list.

** Thank you all for your support and shares. I’m close to hitting it!

Getting there!

Woke up to these stats. Have another 5 major promo sites today. Getting close to #1 in several genres.


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Blitz #2



In my quest to have the #1 downloaded paid book in America, Day 1 of my two day promotional blitz for my previous bestseller DROP OUT finds me on these major ebook sites.




http://www.bargainbooksy.com

In additional to numerous interviews and blog visits, I’m also inviting my large, fan-based platform to put out the word. Though Amazon stats claim to be real-time there is actually a several hour lag between paid sales and bestseller ranking. According to paid sales at this moment, I should be getting close to the top 1,000 in the entire Amazon library of more than eleven million books with another 36 hours of heavy promotion to go. I’ll post ranking as I (hopefully) near #1.

Here we go to #1



And so it begins. Today’s blitz is starting with DROP OUT being featured on these sites.



More features to come.