I know that's what you're probably saying.
I haven't written on this blog in a while. You're right. I slacked off on writing the blog.
Hey, I'll be honest, I slacked off on writing as well.
But, I'm back and redoubling my efforts once again. I've even written down a New Year's resolution to write at least 1,000 words a day. How has that gone you ask? Well, the first four days of the year were great. I knocked out almost 5,000 words, completing the rough draft of a new short story- not sure what to call it yet. But, then, I started editing it and I didn't write the 1,000 words a day. Finding a balance between writing and editing is going to take some time (along with everything else going on in life).
I thought I'd share some numbers that you might find interesting (or not):
My first short story, "Once Was Lost," which I posted to both Barnes and Noble's Nook and Amazon's Kindle sites, has sold a very modest amount at the $0.99 price point. Amazon sold 9 copies and B&N sold 5. The Amazon sales were all in a short burst- all 9 copies being sold within the first two months of posting it. The B&N sales were actually spread out throughout the entire year of 2011.
Recently, I've tried something new. I removed "Once Was Lost" from the B&N Nook store and signed the Amazon Select agreement. This gives Amazon a 90 day window to be the exclusive seller of "Once Was Lost." Why would I do this?
First, it gives me the option to give away "Once Was Lost" for FREE for up to 5 days during the 90 day window. It is still up there for a couple of more days for FREE (until January 24, 2012). You can get it here- "Once Was Lost." I see this as a way to get my name out there to a wider audience and promote myself and my writing.
Second, it gives me the ability to allow Amazon to "loan" the short story to any member of their Amazon Prime program. Amazon puts aside an amount of money ($700,000 in January) to divided among all the authors whose books have been "borrowed." I figured that was another way to promote my writing as well as make a little bit of money.
So, how's it been going so far?
From Friday, January 20, 2012 until today, I've given away 86 copies of "Once Was Lost" through Amazon.com. Another 22 have been downloaded through Amazon.co.uk (the British site), and surprisingly, at least to me, another 7 copies were downloaded through Amazon.de (the German Amazon). No copies have been borrowed yet, but why would they be, since you can get them for free right now? I see this as 115 people who hadn't been exposed to my writing as at least taking an interest and getting my name out there a little more.
That becomes important as I will be posting a new short story this week and perhaps some of those who downloaded "Once Was Lost" and enjoyed it will purchase the new story. Then, when I'm ready to post the next short story, I'll make this next one free for a few days as well, hopefully building on increased recognition.
Will it work? I don't know, but I'll let you know how it goes.