Prosperous soul in the making

MovingForwards

Some p0llyf1lla or caulk will fill the gaps, then paint when dried.

Do you know if many people are sharing details about your book, circulating links and putting reviews up elsewhere. That will help with word of mouth. Have you got separate social media accounts for you as a writer and have that profile follow and comment on other writers accounts.

Build your website as you go along, start with profile, history of writing and book 1. When book 2 is on the way add a bit more. Break it down into bite size rather than tackling a mountain.

Enjoy your takeaway!

savingholmes

HI MF - I think it is like anything. A few people will share between 1 and 3 times but probably few share consistently. They say even on your own author account that advertising your own book should be a sliver of what you do. I'll get the hang of it - I just have to accept it takes time. 140 people have downloaded my book in 2 months plus the ones that have read in on KU which is another 10% on top. My free period particularly helped as I was able to marshall a lot of people to download it. That's considered good for a first book - particularly given that it's only in e-book at the moment. If I had a paperback they reckon that would attract around another 10% - and potentially be more profitable. I'm hoping the two online interviews I did might get some more interest in the book but they're not due out for a couple of weeks yet.

I can read 5-10 books a week. The average number of books most people read is 1 a year. Even those who have downloaded my book and started reading it - some of them are taking weeks if not longer to read it - as they aren't normally readers... I'm grateful that they are reading it anyway - and hopefully they are getting an enjoyable experience along the way. I've started signing up to some other author blogs. One in particular is really good as she will give an in-depth view of individual characters and then offer quizzes to see what kind of character you would be in her world. I think because my series isn't finished - and I haven't really thought about it from that kind of stance yet - I can't easily do the same with my book. I'll get there I'm sure... Like anything new - it takes trial and error and time. I think I need to sign up to more successful author's pages to learn even more. 

I have got 2 more free days that I can use in March - I just need to pick the right time and then give advance notice and see if that helps spike interest in my book again. I think I have to be kind to myself and remember I am doing this alongside a demanding day job &during lockdown with a family of interesting characters LOL. 

Drawingaline

How do people only read one book a year 😱😱😱 I am in a slow mode right now and have still managed a book a week since Xmas. In normal times I can read about 10-15 a month. I kept a reading diary back in 2010 and read 108 books in a year. 

I suppose I class reading as one of my hobbies and prioritise it above other things. 

Blackcats

You are so productive with your writing! Would it be possible to connect with local schools to talk to the appropriate aged children and get them reading the book, especially if it was around the time of one of the free downloads ?  Kind of a meet the local author session? 

Bargainhunter30

I'd love to read more but I chose to have kids 😂 maybe when they're teenagers I'll get the luxury back!! I try to read occasionally but they get annoyed at me for ignoring them 🙈🤷‍♀️

savingholmes

Hi DIA - I am bemused by non-readers too. They often binge watch box sets instead. 

Blackcats - schools could be an option now things are starting up again. I would be aiming at secondary schools rather than primary though which may make it harder to fit in the curriculum. I'd definitely consider it but would need to fit it around my day job. Once I'm satisfied with my cover - I want to get some paperbacks printed and see if my local bookshops will stock them - and then see if I can generate any interest in a meet the author event... Given the pandemic and my finances - that is probably looking more like the summer rather than now.

BargainHunter - I am a compulsive reader. I cannot prevent myself reading anything in sight - including your upside work on your desk....  

lucielle

LOL at the upside down on the desk.  I love reading very eclectic taste, current genre is murder
L 

savingholmes

Hi Lucielle - I used to be more eclectic - but I've realised my common theme - I don't like books to be over-emotional or have subject matter that leaves me emotionally drained. That's why I lean to either romance or Children / Teens books. 

Well today is the day of the conference - it starts mid afternoon. We're supposed to run with web cams on... so tidying and cleaning the front room for the first time in a while LOL. DH and DD were skitting me - but I haven't seen them do it either... I've set the web cam up on the TV - which has meant the view is coming up quite high in the room - and I'm off in a corner which suits me. I figure I can just go closer to the camera when we come to a point where we 'break out' into groups. 

DD wants me to apply for apprenticeships with her today too. I'm also thinking of preparing some meals before we start. Busy day.

Drawingaline

lucielle said:

LOL at the upside down on the desk.  I love reading very eclectic taste, current genre is murder
L 

I am very into crime fiction right now. Never been a genre I have been bothered about before, but the past few years I have really opened up into thrillers and modern crime fiction. I have always loved historical crime fiction (read the cadfael novels as a teen) but have found since our local library pulled out crime and thrillers as a separate shelf category I have really gravitated towards it. Also there is a lot on Kindle unlimited which I am having to use right now. Can't wait to browse the library properly again!

jwil

Hope the conference went well

I'm a prolific reader too, I will often get through several books a week.  I also read anything going!  Whenever I'm out and about and see someone with a book, I always try and have a nose to see what they are reading   I do periodically binge on box sets too though.