It’s been a while, so I just wanted to quickly touch base with everyone.
As expected, my deliberate ceasing of promotional activities has led to a sudden decline in sales. Yet I continue in the knowledge that writing is more rewarding than selling. The thing that hit hard is the lack of reviews for BOUND. The reviews from magazines and blogs have been overwhelmingly positive, yet ordinary readers don’t bother. I think they don’t realize that even a single sentence can make a difference in how an author’s book is doing, especially on Amazon, because Amazon focuses its booster opportunities on books with a large number of reviews.
But I’ve come to realize it’s not a reader’s job to help me. Once I’ve written a book and the reader has paid for it, our contract is over. I value all my readers, though, so for those who are interested, I want to offer something special. As regular visitors to my blog know, I’m currently working on TRICKED, a novella that is part of the Silverton Chronicles. In many ways, it’s the first part, since its heroes are Josie and Graeme, Ivy Bell’s parents. Writing TRICKED is a wonderful experience, and I have grown very fond of Josie and Graeme. Actually, I’m sad it’s nearly over. Please understand, this is not a book I’ve quickly cobbled together. It will be edited and proofread as if it were a full-length novel.
I’m aiming to write at least one new novella a year, which I will make available exclusively to my newsletter subscribers. I’m also working on a special treat for Halloween. If there’s anything else you’d love to see, please let me know.
In other news, the GUARDED audiobook is in limbo, i.e. I have approved it and it’s waiting for distribution to Amazon, iTunes etc. Any day now it will be ready, so keep an eye (or an ear) out for it.
On a personal note, I’ve received happy news from home. First, my stepdad got his first Dan in Judo. Now, I’m from a judo family. My mom has a brown belt, my dad the fifth Dan (Dan = black belt), my godmother has a black belt, and I started when I was five. Yes, I’m lethal. In theory. Sadly, an injury spelled the end of my judo fun when I was only sixteen. Anyway, my stepdad has been coaching kids at our Judo Club forever (even when I was little), and he’d had a brown belt all my life — until now. He totally deserves the black belt. My mom, my dad and my stepdad have been at the heart of the Judo Club for as long as I remember. So any recognition of their service warms my heart.
My brother has also made me proud. For the past three years, he has sacrificed his evenings and weekends to attend school to further his education. He has passed all his exams and is now a professionally certified logistics manager, which means he’s entitled to train apprentices and run warehouses. Anyone who goes back to school as a grown-up to build a better future for himself is amazing, and I’m so, so proud of him.
That’s it for today.
I’ll let you know when the GUARDED audiobook is ready. Until then, enjoy your summer.
