Gone Fishing...

Well, I haven't really gone fishing, but would like to. Whenever I come off a freebie run I feel as if I need a vacation. The preparation time before, and work during the promotion, is a drainer of physical and mental energy. To get the most out of the free weekend I really should still be promoting the hell out of Fractured Facade, but I'm exhausted.

This last run was another success with close to 4,000 copies downloaded. The highest ranking I received was #2 on Family Saga and # 10 in Suspense...not too shabby. The biggest surprise was the hundreds downloaded in the UK. I do believe the one five-star review I received from the last promotion really helped. Germany was on the chart as well with 3 copies. I wonder if it was the same 3 readers who downloaded The Valentine's Day Curse during the last promo. Still, no paid sales from either country.

I decided to lower the price to $3.99 to see if I would get more action than the last time when I had it at $4.99. So far, no. In fact, last time I had more copies sold by the second day than I do now! And thus far, no borrows. My 90-day period is up July 2nd and unless my numbers dramatically improve over the next two weeks I will not be re-enrolling Fractured Facade in the exclusive program.

I think people are getting too used to free books. When an Amazon reader sees they can borrow the book, they know  the book is enrolled in Select and that the author has five free promotion days. I fear too many people are just waiting for those free days to happen rather than spend the money buying the book. An author cannot make a living that way. Hey, I download free books, but also buy books as well.

The only way for an author to make money is to write books, books and more books. The most successful authors are those that have many released, especially a series of books. When a reader likes one that they downloaded for free they will search out the rest of the series, and maybe even pay for them. I do not have a series of books. I am not a prolific writer. I do not write in a popular genre...and still don't know what the thrill is of zombies and vampires!

I read somewhere that an author needs to release 4-5 books a year to be successful. Ha! That's not me. Oh, if you want crap, I could do that with one hand on the keyboard, but that's not what I'm after. I just want to tell stories that mean something to me. Those tales take time. And you can't rush them. But there is something I can do to speed the process along. Get off the internet! Well, not totally get off, but definitely decrease my time, especially on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. All those FB writing groups and blogs about writing and publishing are valuable, however, they can take up too much time and actually hinder the writing process, so it's time for me to step away a bit. Throw a puppy, running a business, insomnia, & exhaustion into the mix, it's no wonder my creative spirit is sapped.

Although I have two books battling each other to "go first," my brain cannot make the simple decision of which one will. Should I deviate from the first two and go with the more popular haunting/supernatural genre, or, spill another New York story? I do believe I need to take some time and clear my head, and rejuvenate my spirit before proceeding.

So yeah, I'm going fishing...

Two Hep Cats

Two hep cats -- my Godfather and Dad. Neither are with us this Father's Day. This is how I like to remember them...young, vibrant, cool, and ready to take on the world. The promise of the fifties memoralized.

Both of them had a hard time with women when they found themselves alone. My Godfather's loss occurred after a divorce. Cancer killed Dad's marriage. The last time they dated before getting married, was probably around the time this picture was taken. When they found themselves single decades later, they were unprepared. You could have all the book smarts in the world, but it's useless without street sense. One picked up a brown beer bottle, the other found comfort in bottle blondes.

It's hard to convince a parent they're wrong about something when they "know" they're always right. It's easier to believe someone who tells you things you want to hear, rather than the person who tells you things you need to hear. I wish my dad would have listened to me...He's missed so much. I've missed him so much.

Today's the last day I am giving away my novel, written as memoir, "Fractured Facade" for free. My hope is kids will pick it up for their parents, and parents will share the story with their kids. Learn from our mistakes.

Happy Father's Day...

Marie DiLuca Interview

So you still haven't downloaded Fractured Facade? Check out this interview with Marie DiLuca on Writer's Block Party. It may change your mind. Oh, and the book is free today and tomorrow. Hopefully your dad is not dating a sociopath, but maybe you should download this for him just to make sure he never does.

Father's Day Freebie

Sunday will be the first Father's Day since I published Fractured Facade. Although I had reservations about ever giving it away free again, the guilt ate away at me. After all my dad went through...after all I went through...how could I not do something special for Father's Day?

A book dedication makes a poor substitute for a crappy tie, but that's the best I could do. Second best is getting this book into the hands of those people who need to read it. I'll take my lumps from those who have a problem with realistic dialogue as long as it finds its way into the hands of those who were meant to read it. Yes, there are curse words in it, as well as "unlikable" characters, so if you are easily offended by reality, this book is probably not for you.

I assume I'm never going to get rich off of it, and that's okay. That's not why I wrote it. Dad knows why I wrote it. Hopefully after you read it, you'll know why this book had to be written too. Still, I wish I never had to...

Free, for the last time -- today, tomorrow and Sunday...6/15-17th.

Click here for a direct link ---->  Fractured Facade -- "A father's death, a daughter's life, and a sociopath's vendetta."

Lost and Found Birthday

For as long as I could remember, my birthday has filled me with sadness. I couldn't even tell you why, although I have my suspicions. This year I decided I wouldn't ruin the day and wallow in pity. Instead, I will embrace the fact I'm still alive and reflect upon the past year...it's a lost and found birthday.

*I lost my beloved Welsh Corgi Max, and recently found a psycho Malti-Zhu.

*I lost my beloved cousin, JP, and haven't found anything to replace him.

*I found extra weight that is a struggle to lose.

*I found out my biopsy was negative.

*I lost a lot of hair and energy due to the chemo treatments, not for cancer, but for rheumatoid arthritis.

*I found ways around being unable to use my hands to their full capacity, ie. screw-top wine bottles and coaster brakes.

*I found that I was able to complete my goal of finishing and publishing my book, "Fractured Facade" as well as a short story, that didn't tear my heart out to write like my first book did.

*I lost my patience (only in my mind) with some readers who have been too judgemental regarding my life. I found those who prefer Christian books have been the most intolerant.

*I found joy in the knowledge that my story touched other readers' hearts, and thankful to those that have reached out to me.

*I lost respect for some people I thought would be more supportive of me, but found strength in the realization that they could only affect me if I allowed them to.

*I found cutting negative people out of my life is a positive step.

*I lost my desire to "try and fit in" and found what I've always known deep inside...I'm not for everyone and I don't need to be.

*I found as long as I keep in touch with my New York friends, or immerse myself in a good book, I will never feel alone.

*I found it's important to be a "friend" to your kids, but more important to be a "mother" first.

*I found what I've always known...my husband and kids love and support me unconditionally, and I feel the same way about them. Everything else is just gravy...

Congratulations Class of 2012!

Congratulations to my daughter and the entire class of 2012!

Puppy vs. Ivy

If she could, Bella would take down the oak tree. She can, and she will, take down the ivy growing up the tree. She's finally earning her keep...