I'm currently in the process of attempting to convert my children's books into eBooks.
I say attempting because this is a stressful experience, so far. It was easy using Book Wright to create a layout for my books, then even easier to have them exported into my Blurb account, and getting them ready for sale and distribution was the easy-peasy-ist thing I've done in my life.
This isn't easy. This is awful.
I'm having to get an Adobe ID to sort out my own PDFs of my OWN work, as well as trying to not lose any resolution on my images and text whist creating a layout. Why is this so difficult?
I've also decided to use Amazon KDP for this - as I found going through Blurb to be less than helpful in regards to creating an eBook - so far it looks promising, although there is next to no progress on my behalf... But I will get there - there will be at least ONE eBook under my name by the end of the week.
When I do manage to get into the swing of things, I'll be putting online versions of my work online - this is due to the fact, readers within the Twittersphere seem to request more recommendations of what they should read next on their Kindles. People prefer books at the touch of a button, and that's cool. Plus, the pricing of eBooks are a lot cheaper than that of paper copies - so hopefully it'll reach more people who prefer digi-books?
We'll see how I get on in next weeks episode of: Indie Author Tackles Technology.
In the near future, if you see an eBook of mine knocking about on Amazon, smile and know that I've finally cracked it. Oh, and download the book..
Showing posts with label Amazon Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon Books. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
Indie April : Ups And Downs
Indie April has come to an end!
It's been an opportunity to meet other indie authors, promote my books, and have an input to what indies are struggling with. It has also had a few negatives!
UPS -
This month my highlights have been plugging my books without feeling guilty - there has been so many threads asking people to share their Amazon links, it is a chance to self-promote and find what other people have been working on.
I have also enjoyed interacting with other indies - I'm usually quite shy, but I have found so many people I'm comfortable talking to or reacting to their posts, which is a huge step for me!
I have started so many writing projects this month - I don't know if it's due to bouncing creativity off of one another, or just seeing the pride people have in their WIPS have driven me to write as much as I can.
I've found a pattern in what people look for in indie authors - I have written about this in a previous post. I am aware what is popular in the community, so I can either work with that, or decide to go against the grain of what people are doing.
DOWNS -
This month has also had a negative side, I have noticed that people don't look for children's books when requesting work from indie authors - it's not their go-to genre or something they want to read by choice. So this made me feel like I need to work on other things!
Also, I have had more rejection emails than ever before. I don't know if it's due to deadlines being at the beginning of April, and they've replied immediately, but there has been far too many for my confidence this month. It did knock me, I did want to get some of those projects. It's annoying now, and I will get over it.
Either way, there's more good than bad - Indie April is a success and a positive thing to happen to the writing community. I can't wait for next year - and hopefully, by then I'll have no negatives!
One last Amazon link plug for the road:
The Macroodelzig
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese
Charlie Cheese Travels The World
Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance
It's been an opportunity to meet other indie authors, promote my books, and have an input to what indies are struggling with. It has also had a few negatives!
UPS -
This month my highlights have been plugging my books without feeling guilty - there has been so many threads asking people to share their Amazon links, it is a chance to self-promote and find what other people have been working on.
I have also enjoyed interacting with other indies - I'm usually quite shy, but I have found so many people I'm comfortable talking to or reacting to their posts, which is a huge step for me!
I have started so many writing projects this month - I don't know if it's due to bouncing creativity off of one another, or just seeing the pride people have in their WIPS have driven me to write as much as I can.
I've found a pattern in what people look for in indie authors - I have written about this in a previous post. I am aware what is popular in the community, so I can either work with that, or decide to go against the grain of what people are doing.
DOWNS -
This month has also had a negative side, I have noticed that people don't look for children's books when requesting work from indie authors - it's not their go-to genre or something they want to read by choice. So this made me feel like I need to work on other things!
Also, I have had more rejection emails than ever before. I don't know if it's due to deadlines being at the beginning of April, and they've replied immediately, but there has been far too many for my confidence this month. It did knock me, I did want to get some of those projects. It's annoying now, and I will get over it.
Either way, there's more good than bad - Indie April is a success and a positive thing to happen to the writing community. I can't wait for next year - and hopefully, by then I'll have no negatives!
One last Amazon link plug for the road:
The Macroodelzig
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese
Charlie Cheese Travels The World
Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance
Monday, 1 April 2019
Finding Feedback - The Struggle
It's fairly difficult to source your own book bloggers for feedback, and being an indie only makes it worse. Here's how I went about finding people willing.
I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.
Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.
Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.
Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.
I had to contact people on several different social media sites to find people willing to fit my work in to their busy To Be Read list.
You can't expect people to drop what they're doing to deal with you.
The people I spoke to were writers, bloggers, book reviewers, parents and carers, and people who enjoy children's literature, and fortunately, I managed to get some feedback.
Some of the feedback I received were posted on the social media that I had contacted them on, so I had featured on their Instagram stories, was retweeted on Twitter, and the cover of my book reposted on Tumblr. Not all feedback comes to Amazon - that's why you have to share their feedback on your own, as others may not see it. It's always good to request that they share their comments on Amazon, if they can, bonus, if they can't, it doesn't matter, they've spent time giving your work feedback, so you should take the time thanking them, sharing their words, and returning the favour if possible.
Don't go into thinking that people owe you anything. Yes, you have a new book. Yes, it's super exciting. Yes, the people you contact do this for a living. It doesn't mean they read your genre, or they prefer books that aren't indie, or they just don't have time - some people make a living from reviews, and therefore would expect a payment for their time. If you cannot pay them - don't ask them. I don't pay for reviews, as I feel you'd want more bang for your buck, and expect a glowing review as your hard earned money went towards it - which may not be completely honest or reflective of your work.
Top tip: Do not expect the review to be perfect and sparkly, they see your work in a different light and will point out the flaws, imperfections, and will inform you of their opinion - it's honest work, and it's better to hear the truth from someone who has built a career on book reviews, than to be told it's amazing and that feedback being useless to you.
Thursday, 14 March 2019
Amazon Bestseller : The Maths
Ever wanted to work out how books reach the Top 100 on Amazon? They have a Best Sellers Ranking system which gives each book a number - this number changes with reviews, sales, and other books being added on to the Amazon website. So, I was wondering what it would take to hit the Top 100 from standing...
My best sellers ranking (at the minute) is 130,706.
So, I would need to have at least 130,606 reviews or sales within a limited period - as I said, if more books are added the book can be knocked back. (ARGH!)
I have approx. 450 Facebook friends, and 750 Twitter followers.
Providing there is no cross over with accounts, that's 1,200 people - so even if they purchased the book or left a review, it wouldn't scratch the surface. To smash this realistically, you'll need the best advertising and promotional team going - but who has the money for this?
It's near impossible - in my opinion - for an indie author, to promote, advertise and even know enough people to have them ALL help accomplish this goal.
I'm still attempting to boost the ranking number - for a personal achievement / for fun - it gives me something to work towards with this book.
The ranking doesn't mean the content of the book is no good - don't forget this!
Want to try and help bump my number up?
Grab The Macroodelzig on Amazon now!
My best sellers ranking (at the minute) is 130,706.
So, I would need to have at least 130,606 reviews or sales within a limited period - as I said, if more books are added the book can be knocked back. (ARGH!)
I have approx. 450 Facebook friends, and 750 Twitter followers.
Providing there is no cross over with accounts, that's 1,200 people - so even if they purchased the book or left a review, it wouldn't scratch the surface. To smash this realistically, you'll need the best advertising and promotional team going - but who has the money for this?
It's near impossible - in my opinion - for an indie author, to promote, advertise and even know enough people to have them ALL help accomplish this goal.
I'm still attempting to boost the ranking number - for a personal achievement / for fun - it gives me something to work towards with this book.
The ranking doesn't mean the content of the book is no good - don't forget this!
Want to try and help bump my number up?
Grab The Macroodelzig on Amazon now!
Saturday, 2 March 2019
Are Amazon Book Reviews Important?
Well, are they?
I try to review everything I purchase on Amazon - even if I don't write much, I'll leave some stars.
My children's book series is available on Amazon, but unfortunately, it doesn't have many reviews. I have had to request that customers leave a review in the past, as not everyone does give feedback on Amazon. It's not like I'm asking for great reviews, because that's not the case, and the review would then be null and void for other people checking the books out. I am looking for honest feedback which accurately reflects people's opinions on the books - as this can make or break, and is valid to me.
I do think reviews are important, in a way.
I have had amazing feedback on social media sites, via email, or in person - but they are private reviews and not seen by possible readers, which limits me.
Word of mouth is also incredible to get the news out, but it's not often people find themselves in a discussion about moustache sporting cheese men...
If you do have one of the books, please, please, leave some honest Amazon feedback /
Thanks in advance!
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese
Charlie Cheese Travels The World
Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance
I try to review everything I purchase on Amazon - even if I don't write much, I'll leave some stars.
My children's book series is available on Amazon, but unfortunately, it doesn't have many reviews. I have had to request that customers leave a review in the past, as not everyone does give feedback on Amazon. It's not like I'm asking for great reviews, because that's not the case, and the review would then be null and void for other people checking the books out. I am looking for honest feedback which accurately reflects people's opinions on the books - as this can make or break, and is valid to me.
I do think reviews are important, in a way.
I have had amazing feedback on social media sites, via email, or in person - but they are private reviews and not seen by possible readers, which limits me.
Word of mouth is also incredible to get the news out, but it's not often people find themselves in a discussion about moustache sporting cheese men...
If you do have one of the books, please, please, leave some honest Amazon feedback /
Thanks in advance!
Don't Eat Charlie Cheese
Charlie Cheese Travels The World
Charlie Cheese And The Food Dance
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