Heidi Fisk's Blog, page 16
March 16, 2018
The Results of Changing My Keywords
For those who have been keeping up with my Blog, you may have known that I have recently changed a lot of my Keywords pertaining to my books.
All of them had at least 1 or 2 words changed to reach a wider audience. So, far I have been seeing a positive effect in both the amount of pages read and the total amount of sales.
However I do not know if that is due to me changing the keywords, or just the normal mid-month boost I seem to get.
Unlike a lot of other books and authors I tend to do rather poorly in the early part of the month before picking back up after the 15th.
I will spend a bit more time reading it out, it's kind of fun treating this as some sort of experiment
All of them had at least 1 or 2 words changed to reach a wider audience. So, far I have been seeing a positive effect in both the amount of pages read and the total amount of sales.
However I do not know if that is due to me changing the keywords, or just the normal mid-month boost I seem to get.
Unlike a lot of other books and authors I tend to do rather poorly in the early part of the month before picking back up after the 15th.
I will spend a bit more time reading it out, it's kind of fun treating this as some sort of experiment
March 15, 2018
Giveaways and Markdown Sales
Currently I'm running two events using Kindle built in system one for.
Those Who Love Monster Girls 2 is currently free on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012L6O9LG
And Those Who Love Monster Girls Bundle 2 is also 40%.
Those Who Love Monster Girls bundle 2
https://www.amazon.com/Those-Love-Mon...
I tend to hesitate when doing giveaways unless they are the first in the series. Less because I'm cheap and more that I think you should read it in order.
However I noticed quite a few people were reading the first bundle, so I decided to mark down the price for the second, and if I am in KDP I might as well use some of the perks and features for it.
Those Who Love Monster Girls 2 is currently free on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012L6O9LG
And Those Who Love Monster Girls Bundle 2 is also 40%.
Those Who Love Monster Girls bundle 2
https://www.amazon.com/Those-Love-Mon...
I tend to hesitate when doing giveaways unless they are the first in the series. Less because I'm cheap and more that I think you should read it in order.
However I noticed quite a few people were reading the first bundle, so I decided to mark down the price for the second, and if I am in KDP I might as well use some of the perks and features for it.
March 14, 2018
Delays and how I deal with them
Delays in releases etc have always been hard for me to get over. It's not a huge deal, but when an artist needs a break or when you don't have enough time to finish editing you have to push back a release.
I used to have a bad about that sort of thing, but recently I've gotten more relaxed with the idea. Rushing and pushing out a bad cover or poor editing is far worse than delaying it for a month.
That is after all the main point of self-publishing. While it's really important to keep some sort of schedule. (For me is 30K words a month) sometimes it's better to break it instead of stressing out about the situation.
I used to have a bad about that sort of thing, but recently I've gotten more relaxed with the idea. Rushing and pushing out a bad cover or poor editing is far worse than delaying it for a month.
That is after all the main point of self-publishing. While it's really important to keep some sort of schedule. (For me is 30K words a month) sometimes it's better to break it instead of stressing out about the situation.
March 12, 2018
Tsukihime Review
Lunar Legend Tsukihime, Volume 6 by Sasaki ShōnenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is more of a review of the series as a whole rather than just this issue. With that said Tsukihime is easily one of Nasu's best works. While it has some flaws here and there, the VN I think is where he is at his best in terms of writing and pacing despite it still being slow at times.
This manga takes the first route of the VN and covers mostly that while splashing in other bits of information from the other routes to make a whole complete story. If I am being blunt, this is probably the best version of this route.
I enjoy the romance between Shiki and Arcueid, plus while I think the artwork of the sequel series Melty Blood is slightly better, the artwork fits the more subdued feeling of the series and this story.
View all my reviews
Overall I am happy I read this series, mostly because the original VN is what got me into writing in the first place.
March 11, 2018
The Hardest Pill I ever had to Swallow
Recently I've been looking at other indie authors to see the key to their success was and what they went to get about it. The work and steps they took to do so and how they did it.
One such author was Brandon Varnell, one of the nicest guys I have met and author to A Fox's Love series.
Brandon Varnell
A Fox's Love
I asked him a few questions about his writing, what key words he used before finally looking at his Wattpad account.
It was then I realized something...
The level he was at was far above me, not just a bit but it was as if I was looking up at a mountain and I was a tree.
The sheer amount of work he put into even his fanfictions among other things was staggering and how he interconnected readers and promoted everything he did as well as the quality of it.
There...wasn't even a comparison to make. He was someone that I was never going to catch up to, at least not in the next five years of my career.
It's jarring to say the least to experience something like that and not be told it. There is a certain amount of weight in that realization that the three years it took you to make it that far is comparatively nothing compared to someone else.
The worst thing about it, is that it's not something you can react to or shrug off. It's a weight you have to carry and see if you can improve yourself upon.
I know it's a weird thing to state, even as a writer. However I don't know when was the last time I had such a feeling.
Feel free to comment if you had ever experienced something similar in your career or even n a hobby.
One such author was Brandon Varnell, one of the nicest guys I have met and author to A Fox's Love series.
Brandon Varnell
A Fox's Love
I asked him a few questions about his writing, what key words he used before finally looking at his Wattpad account.
It was then I realized something...
The level he was at was far above me, not just a bit but it was as if I was looking up at a mountain and I was a tree.
The sheer amount of work he put into even his fanfictions among other things was staggering and how he interconnected readers and promoted everything he did as well as the quality of it.
There...wasn't even a comparison to make. He was someone that I was never going to catch up to, at least not in the next five years of my career.
It's jarring to say the least to experience something like that and not be told it. There is a certain amount of weight in that realization that the three years it took you to make it that far is comparatively nothing compared to someone else.
The worst thing about it, is that it's not something you can react to or shrug off. It's a weight you have to carry and see if you can improve yourself upon.
I know it's a weird thing to state, even as a writer. However I don't know when was the last time I had such a feeling.
Feel free to comment if you had ever experienced something similar in your career or even n a hobby.
Cover-artist and Websites.
Lately I've been trying to expand my reach through different media sites etc. Since I don't have a website myself.
One thing I noticed is that Amazon Author Central is weirdly divided by region, so if I want to check things like reviews for the UK I have to sign-in and do it there.
It's not a big deal but a small inconvenience.
Though getting back to the actual topic, I tend to think I might put too much money in my cover art. Well it's not a lot of money persay, but more how the results pan out.
My best selling series is Those Who Love Monster Girls, but most of the covers from that are Royalty free covers that I found from various websites.
Half of Lord of Dusk Covers are also Royalty free before I finally found a cover artist and character designers.
Of course this means that on average I spend about $100 each month on designs, art and grammar checks.
So the average of $150 a month that I make isn't that great in retrospects.
On the flip side I found a ton of great artist and designers on Deviant art, and while some people might say it's not the most professional place I really enjoy it.
Sometimes to the point where I get designs made that I rarely ever get to use.
One thing I noticed is that Amazon Author Central is weirdly divided by region, so if I want to check things like reviews for the UK I have to sign-in and do it there.
It's not a big deal but a small inconvenience.
Though getting back to the actual topic, I tend to think I might put too much money in my cover art. Well it's not a lot of money persay, but more how the results pan out.
My best selling series is Those Who Love Monster Girls, but most of the covers from that are Royalty free covers that I found from various websites.
Half of Lord of Dusk Covers are also Royalty free before I finally found a cover artist and character designers.
Of course this means that on average I spend about $100 each month on designs, art and grammar checks.
So the average of $150 a month that I make isn't that great in retrospects.
On the flip side I found a ton of great artist and designers on Deviant art, and while some people might say it's not the most professional place I really enjoy it.
Sometimes to the point where I get designs made that I rarely ever get to use.
March 10, 2018
Amazon and Keywords
Recently I've been changing up my keywords, and my recently I mean yesterday.
For those who do not know, keywords are pretty much 7 search words you connect to your book to help the audience find it.
They are important to say the least, something I wished I knew a few years ago. keywords are less about pushing sales and more getting a product in front of people who will buy it.
To say my old keywords were bad would be an understatement.
I don't know how much it will help, but once everything is through I'll pay attention to the next five days to see if I got any increase in traffic.
For those who do not know, keywords are pretty much 7 search words you connect to your book to help the audience find it.
They are important to say the least, something I wished I knew a few years ago. keywords are less about pushing sales and more getting a product in front of people who will buy it.
To say my old keywords were bad would be an understatement.
I don't know how much it will help, but once everything is through I'll pay attention to the next five days to see if I got any increase in traffic.
March 9, 2018
Using Twitter and Posting
I always had a bit of a problem with Social Media and websites. Not that I dislike them, but a part of me wonders how I can even use them.
I once tried to start a website and I had no idea where to even begin. I ended up scrapping it simply because it was somewhat frustrating.
Same thing sort of happens on Twitter believe it or not. Rather most of my followers seem to be either bots or someone trying to sell something with a few genuine fans here and there.
There is nothing wrong with that. Just wish I could get more retention. Most who look at my twitter most likely few me as somewhat cold considering how little I post about events etc.
I wouldn't mind changing that look.
I once tried to start a website and I had no idea where to even begin. I ended up scrapping it simply because it was somewhat frustrating.
Same thing sort of happens on Twitter believe it or not. Rather most of my followers seem to be either bots or someone trying to sell something with a few genuine fans here and there.
There is nothing wrong with that. Just wish I could get more retention. Most who look at my twitter most likely few me as somewhat cold considering how little I post about events etc.
I wouldn't mind changing that look.
March 8, 2018
Ideas for Larger Projects.
Some of my Larger Project ideas tend to focus on demons and monster girls. I actually wanted to get to making a sequel to Lord of Dusk.
With a new cast of course. But since I enjoyed writing the first series so much.
Another one is a more serious Monster Girl series, one that is an action adventure (Still Erotica) rather than straight romance. Also closer to fantasy than urban fantasy.
I also wouldn't mind creating a Light-Novel, with illustrations in each chapter etc. Though that is far out of my price range at the moment.
With a new cast of course. But since I enjoyed writing the first series so much.
Another one is a more serious Monster Girl series, one that is an action adventure (Still Erotica) rather than straight romance. Also closer to fantasy than urban fantasy.
I also wouldn't mind creating a Light-Novel, with illustrations in each chapter etc. Though that is far out of my price range at the moment.
March 7, 2018
Crowd Funding and what I think.
Crowd funding is an odd beast for me. From Patreon to Ko-fi it seems that writers have trouble finding their footing in the area.
I suspect that it's due to the nature of it just being more difficult to justify it to the average consumer. Compared to something like Youtubers or Artist where it is quite easy to set up rewards the same could not be said for writers.
At most we could give them sneak-peaks at the novel, but they no doubt will have to be taken down once we publish the full thing properly.
Perhaps sneak-peeks at character designs etc, even then that would more fall under artist side than the writer side.
At most you could give anyone who pledges/funds you a free version of the novel/novella though at that point they are better off perhaps just buying it.
The only way I can see it working if you plan on making your work free to view.
Some people also believe that a writer should make money without the help of other sources simply through sales.
Despite all of this, I have never actually used crowdfunding before. My fanbase is nowhere near big enough and I have no idea what my rewards would even be.
I still think it is actually something worth looking into for writers with a sizable fanbase and people wanting to create larger and bigger projects.
Kickerstarter too if you funding for each individual project.
I suspect that it's due to the nature of it just being more difficult to justify it to the average consumer. Compared to something like Youtubers or Artist where it is quite easy to set up rewards the same could not be said for writers.
At most we could give them sneak-peaks at the novel, but they no doubt will have to be taken down once we publish the full thing properly.
Perhaps sneak-peeks at character designs etc, even then that would more fall under artist side than the writer side.
At most you could give anyone who pledges/funds you a free version of the novel/novella though at that point they are better off perhaps just buying it.
The only way I can see it working if you plan on making your work free to view.
Some people also believe that a writer should make money without the help of other sources simply through sales.
Despite all of this, I have never actually used crowdfunding before. My fanbase is nowhere near big enough and I have no idea what my rewards would even be.
I still think it is actually something worth looking into for writers with a sizable fanbase and people wanting to create larger and bigger projects.
Kickerstarter too if you funding for each individual project.
