MARKETING & PROMOTION

The paid free download promotion of LOST AMONGST THE STARS netted 2,600 downloads, which is very pleasing. I also got a small bump (from nothing) in page reads for the book and gave away over twenty free copies of the audiobook, and all this is with the aim of boosting reviews. Here’s a round up of how that’s translating into reviews.

UK Amazon – 17 – 3.9 stars

US Amazon – 19 – 4.1 stars

UK Audible – 2 – 5 stars

US Audible – 10 – 4.9 stars

I would consider this as successful so far and hopefully more will roll in. In addition, each person who downloaded the book should also be notified when the next book comes out.

The next stage in the quest for reviews is via a sign up to a reviewer finding service. They’re currently in the process of offering out the book and then in the next 60 days I should be getting a decent haul of reviews. Let’s see if it was worth the money! A great target would be to have both Amazon marketplaces sitting at 50 each, however I think that’s a big ask.

Sales of the IN THE END series have been poor this month. In an attempt to improve this I tried resurrecting some older ads but that just didn’t work, then after doing some research I decided to make a new ad using imagery similar to the other zombie book ads I see on Facebook. Day one sales were excellent, but it went downhill from there! I’m teetering on the edge of stopping the ads altogether, or do something radically different.

Here’s a copy of the ads I’ve used, with the last being the most recent.

WORK IN PROGRESS

The second book in the LOST AMONGST THE STARS series, currently titled ADRIFT AMONGST THE STARS is still progressing. I’m about 65% through a significant revision pass, and I think around 60% of the novel is very nearly at final standard. The rest of the book will need three or four more passes before it gets to the same level. At this rate it’s possible I might have the book with the editor before the end of the year. It will then be back to the question of what I write next!

My thoughts have turned to the second book in the STOPPING POWER series, or a new dystopian novel, or I may even look at finishing my weather apocalypse novel.

EVENTS

I had a strong event at Henley since the last post, hitting above average profit, and this weekend I have another event in Cranleigh. On average it’s not a great one for me, and I haven’t signed up for any next year. That said, my last event here was above average, so all hope is not lost.

Since my last post I’ve produced a taster paperback which includes the full novella, Beginning of the End, the full short story, Out of the Blue, the first part of Fate’s Ambition and the first part of Lost Amongst the Stars. The purpose is to use them at my events for those people that don’t know which novel to buy. I specifically designed the book to be as low cost as possible (£3.25 including shipping based on 10 units) so that I can offer it at a lower price to those who don’t want to buy a full priced book as their first look into my adventures. It also means that if I sell it at list price then it’s a decent profit. I’ve had ten printed so far as a trial and I’m excited (I’m always excited) to see how it works for the events. The books came well within time for Cranleigh where they’ll get their first outing!

Here’s a look at the cover.

That’s it for this month. I think the new frequency is working out well. Let me know if you agree.