I won't give his name as his comments weren't posted on a public forum but somebody who has recently bought my book, Smugglers at Whistling Sands, has sent me a message via Facebook to say how much he enjoyed reading it - and also his 10-year-old daughter, who was particularly pleased and proud that she could relate to the photographs I have sprinkled throughout the book.
Furthermore, he stays in a place not too far from where I and my family stay while on holiday at Abersoch - and he's invited me to join him for a beer when I'm next up there. I have, of course, been only too happy to agree!
The buyer has also promised to spread the word about the book, based as you will know, at Abersoch. That sort of thing is crucial to my success as a fledgling novelist. Think of my book like a restaurant you've been to for the first time. If you don't like it, you won't recommend it - but if you do and you tell others about it, then word of mouth can work wonders. I've now had 13 sales and that's pleasing because it shows a steady trickle of orders.
Anyone reading this who are themselves fledgling novelists, do take a look at the site www.authonomy.com run by Harper Collins - it was recommended to me by a fellow writer. Absolutely excellent place to be for anyone seeking help, advice and feedback on their own writing. The only catch being, you need to dole it out to others. But one thing I am fast learning, is the sheer goodwill that exists in the writing community and towards writers.
As you may know, I am a journalist - and the reaction to that when I meet people socially for the first time can often be one of slight unease, curiosity, and a sense of wondering what sort of chap we have here.
No such qualms exist towards novelists, who are much loved by all. I'll raise a glass to that!
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A five-star review for Smugglers on Amazon
My book picked up a fantastic review last night posted on my Amazon listing from Canadian buyer Martin Jones in Toronto - and it may well be no coincidence that I had two sales overnight, taking me to 9, of which 4 were in the last 12 hours. (Click the Amazon link to my book on the right hand side to see Martin's review and info about the book).
I was sort of dreading my first review so I was delighted to receive such a good one and a couple of criticisms made by Martin were delivered gently and constructively. Book reviews are in the hands of the reader and can be as harsh or as flattering as people wish to deliver them and that's the way it should be.
What particularly pleased me is that he clearly enjoyed Smugglers At Whistling Sands and felt that it had pace and was a page-turner - which is what I wanted. I hope other buyers will also find the time to post reviews and I really do hope I can keep getting the book out there and selling. I am not interested in acquiring riches - what I want is readers!
Martin described my book as "fantastic value" at 86p and said that its low price didn't reflect its quality. He felt it must be a marketing strategy on my part to set the price at that level. He is absolutely right - the marketing strategy is to maximise sales - ie. readers. My research tells me that setting the price low is important for unknown and self-published authors like me if we are to have any hope of readers taking a risk on us. At 86p I am hopefully worth a punt - but why should you pay £4.99 when you've never heard of me before?
Longer term, I would love to make money from writing novels for this very simple reason: if it paid the bills then producing creative fiction is where I want to be. The important point though, is to write for the love of it, and if it pays, it can become the day job. Until then, as the saying goes: don't give up the day job!
I was sort of dreading my first review so I was delighted to receive such a good one and a couple of criticisms made by Martin were delivered gently and constructively. Book reviews are in the hands of the reader and can be as harsh or as flattering as people wish to deliver them and that's the way it should be.
What particularly pleased me is that he clearly enjoyed Smugglers At Whistling Sands and felt that it had pace and was a page-turner - which is what I wanted. I hope other buyers will also find the time to post reviews and I really do hope I can keep getting the book out there and selling. I am not interested in acquiring riches - what I want is readers!
Martin described my book as "fantastic value" at 86p and said that its low price didn't reflect its quality. He felt it must be a marketing strategy on my part to set the price at that level. He is absolutely right - the marketing strategy is to maximise sales - ie. readers. My research tells me that setting the price low is important for unknown and self-published authors like me if we are to have any hope of readers taking a risk on us. At 86p I am hopefully worth a punt - but why should you pay £4.99 when you've never heard of me before?
Longer term, I would love to make money from writing novels for this very simple reason: if it paid the bills then producing creative fiction is where I want to be. The important point though, is to write for the love of it, and if it pays, it can become the day job. Until then, as the saying goes: don't give up the day job!
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