Almost 10,000 people downloaded Fractured Facade for free...yes, you read that right, 10,000! At one point it was #1 on Suspense, #1 on Family Saga and #19 in Amazon's Top 100.
I'd be lying if I said it wasn't exciting watching the ticker flick into the hundreds per minute, catapulting me to the head of the charts. Of course, it was the head of the free charts.
When I woke up this morning I checked to see if I had experienced what many authors have after giving their book away for free...sales! Yes, yes, I did. One! That's right you read that right, one sale. I checked my rankings and sure enough back down, down, down. Not quite in the netherlands where I began, but still low enough that I'm not on any potential customer's screens. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.
On the positive side, for the last two days I stopped crying. Those that know me, know Max, my dog, died last Saturday. The grief had consumed me and having this distraction was what I needed. I am also humbled by how many friends, as well as people I hardly know, rallied around me to support this promotion. I thank you all!
On Fractured Facade's page I received 64 likes and folks have placed it on their shelves in Shelfari. I heard from strangers telling me they look forward to reading it and expressing how they knew someone that sounded like they were in a similar situation regarding a golddigging abuser as the "character" in my book. I believe in my heart that people that "needed" to get this book, have. And that's why I wrote this book. So if I can help even one person, this promotion was a wonderful success.
My biggest fear is that a lot of folks won't even read it. Too many people just download free books and forget about them. My hope is that even if 10% read it, they will like it, rank it, write a review, and finally recommend it to someone. Hey, my family likes to eat too.
I've always been a gambler. I bet on the longshots. I only play the progressive slots. I wait until the lottery hits over $100 million before I part with a buck. For the most part I can say, I always lose. And that's okay. I only bet with what I know I can lose. It's the excitement of the potential win that keeps me going. And one day, I know I will hit. Today's just not that day.
Hang in there. When I get stuck, or hit a really tough part of my novel, it's your progress that gets me through it. I usually set it aside and write a short story or two. Hell, I may even pile up enough of those to publish the collection first.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alton, I really appreciate all your support. The promotion is so freaking draining, and it's disheartening to not see results one would hope to see. I'm looking forward to getting back to writing and let the chips lay. Writing is what will make me feel better, or, getting a new puppy :)
ReplyDeleteYou're like me, we don't quit. So you keep going on that novel! BTW, you don't have to wait for collection of short stories to publish. You can start publishing them now and then when you get enough, publish the collection. Get your name out there...it's done wonders for me, haha!
That is my fear with giving away an author's work. Those people with the free will never buy. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMari, I'm playing the patience game. Figure I have to give them time to read it...hopefully! And then maybe they'll seek out my other book, a short story, which is only 99 cents. By the way, since this post I've actually gotten a handful of "Fractured Facade" sales and one for "The Valentine's Day Curse." Tick...tick...tick :)
ReplyDeleteSorry about the death Elena--losing a friend like Max must be difficult.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I only pay for books and yours is still at the top of my list to purchase.
Thanks Slam on both counts.
ReplyDeleteI swear I can still hear Max walking down the hall in the middle of the night...click, click, click on the hardwood floors. Miss that little guy...
This is a test to see if the comments are working...I received a wonderful one this morning to my email but it's not showing up here, so I'm cut and pasting it.
ReplyDelete"Well I just finished your book, as my late Italian Brooklyn Taxis Cab driver father would have said you have Moxie! I grow up in Brooklyn too, love Brennan and Carr's, your story had me rooting for you. Your dad and mom are touching Jersus shoulder, and saying "look at our Daughter, fight for us!"
You have shown your children that it is possible to fight evil and win. I am 68 years old and live near Orlando, it the Evil one sent you mail from here, I would gladly track her down send her you love. Only kidding. God bless you and your beautiful family."
Carolee, thank you! You put a smile on my face!
Thank YOU Marie! Your story brought back so many good memories of Brooklyn. Your story keep my attention until the very end. Your husband wins for the best guy award; and you children proved what a loving family they have. After your mom died, your father was so lonely he met the worng kid of "companion " The blood sucking Evil One, you did everything to warn him, but he wanted to handle her himself. And he did from the grave, through you. You never giving in or giving up, kind of reminded me of myself. I am the same as you, because I rather fix it than this it away
ReplyDeleteI lived in Flatbush, but if we lived closer, I would have sat on your front steps and dared that red head to try to ring the bell.
I have only reviewed on other book before, and it was one that like yours made me root for the writer. If you look up my name on Google (Carolee Kaufold) you will see I write about the very same things you do....truth, justice and the American way. Read Ham Sandwiches and Little, it is my story about my mom. And Growing up in Brooklyn.
My email in ItsCarolee919@Aol.com. I think why I have this connetion to you, is because you dad died on my birthday
Carolee I'm so glad you wrote back...I didn't want readers of this blog thinking I "made you up." I have to tell you after I smiled reading your earlier comment, I teared up. I knew you "got it." Thanks for the kind words. They really mean a lot to me, and if you feel so inclined, please consider writing a review and rate the book on Amazon. It doesn't have to be long! That really helps independent authors :) Thanks again, and I'll check out your book too...
ReplyDeleteThe review on Amazon should be up soon. I hope you like it. If you ever come to Orlando look me up. I would love to give you a pat on the back from your dad.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carolee!
ReplyDelete