1. Writing/research. Didn't make all my goals by this Sunday, but persevered with writing and revision. Wrote 660 of 750 words on WIP, posted twice on other blogs, and read 2 more chapters in Cowie's A Community of Adventurers. GOAL BY WEDS: Another 750 words, read two more chapters in Cowie, and two more blog posts.
2. Community. Posted review of Zafiro's book, Under a Raging Moon. Tweeted once. Read ROW80 x9. GOAL BY WEDS: write at least one crit for NOVELS-L (The Internet Writing Workshop), tweet x2, FB x 2. Read assigned ROW80 folks +.
A word about writer identity. I'm finding it all too easy to say I'm a writer to my friends and local folks I meet. I do enjoy the whole (although somewhat slow) process of researching, writing, and revising. And I'm pretty comfortable as an older-than-average writer with all the steps to self-publishing that puts my stories out there at the least expensive cost.
Last month I committed real money to a five-day marketing promotion through BookBub, and now I'm struggling a bit at the thought (and reality) that nearly 40,000 people (more than in a small town) downloaded my first book, Standing Stones, at no cost. Ripple sales are steady, and reviews are slowing coming in. One reader posted she stayed up until 4 am to read my book. Wow!
I feel so humbled and appreciative that others like my stories. But what about that next story. Will it be good enough? None of my other marketing efforts came close to reaching readers like this experiment with BookBub. I wish I could set aside doubt -- and somehow balance my own writing work, quietly researching and writing and telling my story . . . with an effective and methodical process of marketing.
If you have any secrets, please share!
Or visit other ROW80 writers HERE. And may your writing and reading week go well!
Hi Beth! I'm jumping in late to ROW80, with big hopes it will keep me focused!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on such a great result with Bookbub (and even for getting accepted by them in the first place--I hear they're very picky!). Hope it's just the start of great success for you.
Thank you, Marina, and welcome to ROW80. I'm intrigued by your last name which may connect to one of the early Scottish leaders of the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1840s (the setting for my current wip). The experience with BookBub may be a little intimidating, but the real story is about the writing. Have a great week!
DeleteWelcome, Marina! =)
DeleteThank you both for the welcome.
DeleteFinlayson is my husband's last name. The family has been in Australia for several generations now. Perhaps other branches of the clan migrated to North America. I imagine it's a fairly common surname, but we could be distant relatives!
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ReplyDeleteHi Beth. That's FANTASTIC about your Bookbub results! Wow! All that work is paying off. Great to see! All the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. The numbers of new readers are still a bit unsettling. This whole experience is reinforcing the importance of marketing . . . and marketing strategically. My new goal this year is to learn what others have done and keep experimenting!
DeleteSounds like things are moving along - on the ebb and flow of life. Some up, a little down.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that you'll get better with every book. You've got the will and the experience, and more wisdom as time goes on. =)
As always, Shan, thank you for your encouraging words. Perhaps writers need more tenacity (and less self-doubt). Ebb and flow? Definitely!
DeleteCongrats on your success with BookBub. I have never heard of them, but will have to look into them. Good luck from a ROW80 blog hopping friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting . . . and I wish you success with BookBub.
DeleteWow. 40,000 people? That's awesome, and I hope you celebrated. It should be a great boost for your other books. I have heard good things about BookBub, but it's good to hear a firsthand account of it being a successful marketing tool.
ReplyDeleteHave you read "How to Market a Book" by Joanna Penn? I found it extremely helpful and will have to read it again when I actually have a book or two to market.
Have a great week!
Thank you, Denise. I really like Joanna Penn and will check out her book. There's so much advice out there, but Joanna Penn writes consistently helpful advice for indie writers.I've been really stunned by the number of follow-through sales, a ripple that others have said may last a month or so. Not in the thousands at all, though still way more than I anticipated. Thank you for celebrating with me.
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