#1, #2, #3…
Those of you who know me will know that Gisborne: Book of Pawns had its first ever free promotion last weekend.
So what, you might say?
Indeed, so what?
It was an enormous thing for me to do as an independent author. The KDP Select programme is a scheme devised by Amazon to potentially give a book high visibility – a chance to advance in the ratings. For the writer, (more so for me because I am essentially an anxious individual) it is quite nerve-wracking because one worries if anybody will download the book to their Kindle. Or if one will have any sort of ranking. Or if any sales will follow-on to other books.
And then there is this advice:
“CONS – Before you put your book out there for free, wrap yourself up in thick skin because the reviews are coming … It’s widely known that when an author gets hundreds or even thousands of … downloads on their book, then they are almost certain to get some bummer reviews. A lot of readers download free books simply because they are free. They get books they wouldn’t normally read in genres they don’t know. And then they review your book. Get ready for it…”
So one sits there tracking the results with breath in mouth, heart beating roughly, head aching.
Perhaps I was lucky. I had thousands of downloads which propelled the book to Number #3 in historical romance at the end of 2 days. I was pipped from advancing any further by fellow Australian and good friend Lucinda Brant, and by Jane. When Lucinda told me ‘Jane’ had beaten us both, I said Jane who?
She replied Jane Austen.
I sat reading and re-reading her message. Jane Austen was #1, Lucinda was #2 and I was #3.
Really? Yes!
It will never happen again. My contorted gut tells me this, which is why I have a screencap of the result.
Thrilling though and it prompts me to think about doing a similar promotion with A Thousand Glass Flowers. ATGF is currently one of five finalists in the international 2012 Readers Favorite Awards Whilst the winners are announced in September, the actual awards are made in Miami at the humungous Miami Book Fair, which I understand is the biggest book fair in America.
It would be astonishing to win a gold award, but to have been nominated as a finalist is marvellous too and the book will still get the highly prized Finalist medallion for its cover. ATGF was the most visual writing I have ever done; it played through my mind in ‘3D and surround sound’ – like watching an epic from Indian cinema, and for me this is the reward.
Now you can see why it was more than a ‘so what’ weekend. They don’t happen a lot but when they do, they’re very special.
And to boost you even further – Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice is handed out free by Amazon every time someone downloads the the Kindle reader app for their computer. – So people don’t even have to click it to get it, while every download of your book was a click with a mind behind it (If that makes sense).
And in plainer English – Congratulations! *grins*
:} Cathryn
Actually now I come to think of it, Carhryn, my Kindle arrived with Jane already downloaded. I thought how lucky as it is my favourite Jane. And thank you for the congrats!
and to think I knew you “when”!! I for one, am not shocked. I knew it all along! Congrads, my Tasmanian friend!!!!!!!!
Thanks best cookie friend!
Major Congrats, Prue. I got pretty excited when my KDP Select book, The Gatsby Game went higher than To Kill a Mockingbird, but I sure didn’t make it anywhere that close to the top. And congrats on the nomination. Celebrate!
Wow, Anne, higher than To Kill a Mockingbird. That’s amazing. The Gatsby Game is wonderful and deserved it. And I believe your new non-fiction ‘HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE…And Keep Your E-Sanity’ is rocketing up the charts!
This is stupendous! I know I’m not alone in this: when I read a book I really like, I hunt down all that author’s other books. I have no doubt this will happen to you. Go Prue!!!
Thank you partner!
. . .and I know you and Lucinda, but who is this Jane Austen person?
Laughing!
Congratulations! This is such wonderful news. I am very happy for your success.
Thank you Phylly. Fleeting as that success may be.
Hello from Posie GE. And congratulations to you, Prue. A very, very exciting thing to have pulled off. Gonna download and read…
Posie
Thank you Posie. It was exciting at the time. I’m so looking forward to the next Posie Graeme Evans his.fict release.
Hello! Lovely to hear from you Prue. Your work looks impressive indeed – very interested in Reading your books. Which one should I start first?
Meanwhile, “The Island House” comes out this November. I can send u a proof copy if you like. What’s the best address?
Posie
Sent from my iPhone
Posie, I will email you. I have got to the point where I am loathe to put up any private detail on soc.med.
Don’t Iunderstand. Do you have my email address?
P
Sent from my iPad
Only the one from your website to which i have just sent an email. I spoke to you via that email address early this year re a strapline for Gisborne before publication.
Hello again Prue
Not sure if you wrote back to my website with your address? i.e. haven’t received anything from you as yet (via that means) and would love to send you a proof of The Island House, as I said.
Posie
http://www.posiegraemeevans.com