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| Bacon Maple Bar from VooDoo Doughnut used solely to lure you here. |
While I am not abandoning the KDP program, the time has come to make a few changes. Many articles have been written about the dearth of freebies out there. I DO NOT have a problem with using the KDP program as a tool to market my stuff. I have always felt that was the purpose of the program. I think some authors felt that it was going to translate into big number sales. I saw it as a commercial. And if you lured in some readers who actually read your book, AND THEN they liked it well enough, they would check out your other stuff.
So, if I am weaning myself from the KDP teat (nice visual, eh?), then what could I possibly do instead. The answer? 99 cent sales. Sites like eReader News Today and Pixels of Ink have had to adjust with Amazon's rules regarding portals for freebies. To make that change, they are featuring "bargain eBooks" in greater numbers and freebies in lesser. If somebody is willing to pay something...even 99 cents, then it is less likely that the book will remain unread. And if you have a good product, it will foster that reader's interest and encourage them to read MORE of your work.
Now, a few titles will remain in the program, but it just makes more sense to use the 99 cent tool. I believe that 100 downloads at the bargain price is going to net more readers than giving away 5,000 for free.
To that end, I have a couple of titles that are on the cusp of qualifying for the ENT bargain program. The requisites (besides the 99 cent price point) are a minimum of ten reviews with an average of no less than 4 stars. Eye Witness Zombie needs one review. SO, if you read it and liked it but have never gotten around to that pesky review...it would be GREATLY appreciated. And then there is the Special Edition, Dead: Steve's Story which is the compilation of the 18 chapters of Steve's story from the first three DEAD books (The Ugly Beginning, Revelations, and Fortunes & Failures) which needs two reviews.
To be clear, I do NOT canvass for positive reviews. People are more than welcome to post whatever they like. But for this instance, I am actually appealing to those of you who LIKED the work but have not gotten around to a review yet.
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So, on to my next subject. Some of you may know that MDP produces one anthology a year where 100% of the generated proceeds go to charity. My editing is free, the cover art, all costs involved with production. That includes the authors. The stories that are submitted are done with the author receiving no compensation (not even a physical contributor's copy, although an ecopy is made available). We do not ask for exclusivity, in other words, the author can do whatever they like with their story...we do ask that they give us at least a mention if it goes to pub someplace else, but even that is nothing more than a request.
This upcoming New Year's Day, we would like to be able to offer "Scaring up a cure for CANCER" with every penny generated in profit being donated in a quarterly check to the V Foundation which works tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that affects so many.
Okay...but this one is going to be different. So I am canvassing for interest from some of my writer friends. This will be an "invitation only" anthology. The story must be horror, but the writer can choose what SORT...and cancer needs to be involved in some way. So, I am throwing a few writers out onto Front Street...here is the start of my wish list (in NO particular order):
- Mark Tufo
- John O'Brien
- Armand Rosamilia
- Catie Rhodes
- Greg Carrico
- Suzi M.
- Stephanie Meyers
- Chantal Boudreau
- Michael McFarland
- D.A. Chaney
- Steen Langstrop
- Heath Stallcup
- Dana Fredsti
- T. Fox Dunham
Next week I will share some exciting news about an interview request that I just received. So stay tuned.
Umm...I thought I already sent in a submission for that charity anthology (or will you be doing two cancer-based charity anthologies?) I think that counts as a "HELL YA!" If you are doing two - sure, I'll send in a second submission.
ReplyDeleteActually, any of the stories already submitted will be read and scored as we have always done in the past (I won't know who they are until after being read and scored, and the ones accepted will be part of the project. We have pushed the pub date back to 1/1/14 to allow for the individuals being invited to have time to pen something.
DeleteHow dare you, Sir?!?
ReplyDeleteHow dare you use my name in a blatant attempt to get my tens, maybe even dozens of readers to...
Wait... Did you say fight cancer? Um, sure. What the Hell? Count me in! People born in June and July are just awful!
I'll even work with Catie again, if I have to ;-)
Just kidding. Love ya Catie!
Glad to hear you are in Greg. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me.
DeleteI am in, even though I hate being listed under Mark Tufo and John O'Brien... I am forever trailing those two fine gentlemen.. never the bride, always the creepy drunk uncle luring waitresses into a broom closet... er, I mean... Hell Yeah!
ReplyDeleteArmand Rosamilia
Ah, Armand, I'm sure if you ask, John and Mark will let you be on top sometimes. I think that I will sandwich you between them for the TOC (if both agree to participate). Glad to have you.
DeleteYou now have 10 with a 4.9 rating. I love the Dead series and Steve's character. :-)
ReplyDeleteRhonda, you are fantabulous.
DeleteAlso, I still have a dozen or so authors to invite for this charity antho...so...
DeleteThank you. I'd love to, if I can come up with a story idea. My grandmother died from cancer, so this is definitely a cause I believe in.
DeleteI'm in...if I can think of a short story idea. And I'm flattered that you asked.
ReplyDeleteMy Gran died of cancer. She was such a neat person.
No rush Catie. The antho is not set to release until 1/1/14. Great to have you. I have no doubts you will have something wonderful.
DeleteAnything to help fight cancer. It took my dad and my mother in law put up a heck of a fight as well. I'd be honored to participate. I just hope I can hold my own with the fine stable of authors you have invited.
ReplyDeleteHeath, you are just fine. Remember...I have read your stuff.
DeleteI'm in! My aunt survived breast cancer. My paternal grandfather fought prostate cancer for a long time and finally said his goodbyes when he couldn't get to his garden anymore due to lung cancer.
ReplyDeleteExcellent to have you on for this Suzi. I think many of us have been touched by loss due to cancer. My last Hospice patient was a victim of cancer. He taught me so much about being appreciative of what I have.
DeleteI'm in but solely from the perspective of a anxious reader! Lol
ReplyDeleteDear Dr Brown,
ReplyDeleteI have just enjoyed Steve's story ('characters in a zombie yarn - now who'd have thunk it') but I have a problem and wondered whether some of your other readers might have the same problem and whether that might even be holding back some sales.
My issue is that my entry point into your series was the "This is the End 2" box set and despite reading your author page on Amazeballs, the blurb at the end of the book, and your blog, nothing tells me (gently or otherwise) what I should buy next?
This is certainly an unusual sales tactic - everyone else has something like "Buy the second volume of Elspeth's stupendously amazing adventure here" (cue link) - but you don't?
I don't know where in the Dead series Steve's story weaves in and out - pls help!
Cheers
Mike
This is actually all of the Steve chapters from the first three books of the actual DEAD series which is in 3 rotating chapter story lines (Steve, Geeks, and Vignettes) these stories do not intertwine, but are each their own animal so to speak.
DeleteIf you would like a full run down on this series, I would love to help. email me at twbrown.maydecpub@gmail.com and we can dialog.