****
Today I want to welcome one of my favorite authors to Believe! She writes stories than make me forget about the housework, gardening and even my own writing. I get carried away by her increbile skills in drawing me into a world of Zombies! Really – I kid you not – Zombies!!!
Today I want to welcome one of my favorite authors to Believe! She writes stories than make me forget about the housework, gardening and even my own writing. I get carried away by her increbile skills in drawing me into a world of Zombies! Really – I kid you not – Zombies!!!
***
I recently
had another author ask me what was so special about the Indie Book Collective,
“They aren’t really that helpful are they?” was how the question was worded.
The real problem with that question, (other than being somewhat full of
themselves) is where do I start? The information the IBC gives? The support?
How about the tireless efforts to help authors of all genres reach the heights
of the top 100 paid in Amazon? (Which they have done numerous times)
had another author ask me what was so special about the Indie Book Collective,
“They aren’t really that helpful are they?” was how the question was worded.
The real problem with that question, (other than being somewhat full of
themselves) is where do I start? The information the IBC gives? The support?
How about the tireless efforts to help authors of all genres reach the heights
of the top 100 paid in Amazon? (Which they have done numerous times)
But, let me
go back to the beginning. I quite literally stumbled upon the Indie Book
Collective in December 2011, as they were preparing for an event. Checking out
the site, I could immediately see the professionalism and organization that I
soon came to equate with any IBC program. So, I signed up for my first event
and with that sign up, I was put into a web conference with Carolyn McCray. She
went over our cover art, explaining in detail why certain covers worked, and
why some didn’t.
go back to the beginning. I quite literally stumbled upon the Indie Book
Collective in December 2011, as they were preparing for an event. Checking out
the site, I could immediately see the professionalism and organization that I
soon came to equate with any IBC program. So, I signed up for my first event
and with that sign up, I was put into a web conference with Carolyn McCray. She
went over our cover art, explaining in detail why certain covers worked, and
why some didn’t.
Mine didn’t.
In fact, I had to go back to the drawing board completely. Some people couldn’t
understand why I was so willing to make a change. I’ve always felt that in
order to be successful in a business, you make sure to surround yourself with
successful people in that industry. Carolyn had the knowledge, experience and sales
to back up her concerns when it came to my cover art.
In fact, I had to go back to the drawing board completely. Some people couldn’t
understand why I was so willing to make a change. I’ve always felt that in
order to be successful in a business, you make sure to surround yourself with
successful people in that industry. Carolyn had the knowledge, experience and sales
to back up her concerns when it came to my cover art.
As soon as
my cover art was changed, my sales jumped by 800%. Yup, that was not an extra
zero that my editor missed. Eight hundred percent. In one month I went from an
author who wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to make it in this new
industry, to an author who saw that making it was more than possible. It was
happening.
my cover art was changed, my sales jumped by 800%. Yup, that was not an extra
zero that my editor missed. Eight hundred percent. In one month I went from an
author who wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to make it in this new
industry, to an author who saw that making it was more than possible. It was
happening.
Then came
February. My first Free Partay. I was nervous about it, scared that by pulling
my books from Smashwords in order to be a part of the KDP Select program and
thus be eligible for the Free Partay, that I was putting all my eggs into one
basket. Again, working with Carolyn and her absolute genius, we (there were a
number of authors in this event) rode the wave of the Free Partay. Right into
the bank. My sales, as in the money I made on my books after being free,
multiplied by over 2500% by the end of February. Again, not extra zeros; two
thousand five hundred percent. My ranking went from somewhere in the 30k to
consistently being well under the 5k mark.
February. My first Free Partay. I was nervous about it, scared that by pulling
my books from Smashwords in order to be a part of the KDP Select program and
thus be eligible for the Free Partay, that I was putting all my eggs into one
basket. Again, working with Carolyn and her absolute genius, we (there were a
number of authors in this event) rode the wave of the Free Partay. Right into
the bank. My sales, as in the money I made on my books after being free,
multiplied by over 2500% by the end of February. Again, not extra zeros; two
thousand five hundred percent. My ranking went from somewhere in the 30k to
consistently being well under the 5k mark.
So, while I
know that for many people, money is not what their writing is about, for me the
writing I do is going to soon completely eliminate my day job. It’s looking
like by the end of the summer, I’ll be able to do just that. Will I be a
millionaire? No, I’ll be the equivalent of a mid-list author, making enough
money to pay the bills. And I know for a fact that this would not be possible
without Carolyn, the IBC, and all the staff and volunteers within the organization.
know that for many people, money is not what their writing is about, for me the
writing I do is going to soon completely eliminate my day job. It’s looking
like by the end of the summer, I’ll be able to do just that. Will I be a
millionaire? No, I’ll be the equivalent of a mid-list author, making enough
money to pay the bills. And I know for a fact that this would not be possible
without Carolyn, the IBC, and all the staff and volunteers within the organization.
Announcing
Spring Fling Free Par-Tay
May 7th – 9th!
Celebrate the coming of
Spring!!!
What can be better than great
books at a great price?
How about “Dozens” of Great
books that are FREE!
Check out and see which one of Shannon Mayer’s books is free at the Par-tay!
Compared to “I am Legend”, Sundered will take you into the dark realms of an apocalypse, with a new breed of zombie that will have your heart pounding, your palms sweaty and the pages flying. A Novella with true bite.
A continuation from Sundered that will again shock you with life in an apocalypse with twists, thrills, monsters, and, of course, an undeniable love story.
In this final instalment, be prepared for death to come knocking, as the apocalypse and monsters stretch the bonds of love and friendship, demanding a reckoning of those who are willing to do what they must to survive.
***
