Toni Anderson's Blog: Toni Anderson, page 39
December 31, 2013
Happy New Year!
All the Best!! Wishing You, Health, Happiness, Peace, & Wealth :)
December 23, 2013
Year in Review and New Release!
Wow--almost Christmas. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. I say it every year but this one seemed to shrink by at least a half. I've been looking at what I've accomplished this year compared to what I set out to accomplish. The problem when setting these goals is building in the unexpected--like not getting contracts, like being asked to be part of a boxed set. So there's no hard-and-fast pass or fail when it comes to this stuff.
What did I do?
I lost January to flu. A write-off except for completing copyedits for DARK WATERS. After that I worked on some opening chapters for some more books set in Bamfield, but I've since put these aside. THE KILLING GAME was edited and then I formatted it for publication in April. I wrote a book which features a vigilante-type hero (that's with my agent and I love it, but who knows what anyone else will think). In July, I went to RWA in Atlanta and connected with friends and writing professionals. DANGEROUS WATERS finaled in the Daphne and I had a blast. DARK WATERS came out in August and hit the Amazon Top 100 lists in three countries. I received the rights back to my first novel HER SANCTUARY and gave that a light edit before republishing it in November. After receiving many reader letters, I pulled out and dusted off a manuscript titled BLADE HUNTER. This is the follow up to HER SANCTUARY and is Marsh and Josie's story. I retitled it HER LAST CHANCE and it comes out today. (So three self published books out this year which rocks). We took a family holiday in Minnesota and Wisconsin, which doubled as a research trip. Such a beautiful setting. That I joined a group of nine other best-selling authors in October and we created and promoted and sold a box-set (including THE KILLING GAME) which hit the USA Today and the NY Times lists. That was a lot of work and a lot of fun too. The audio version of DARK WATERS and the German translation of DANGEROUS WATERS came out in December. More recently I've been working on my next book--set in Minnesota and the North Woods of Wisconsin. It connects to the vigilante book via an FBI male lead. I've written about half of it so far but it needs a really good edit (my stuff needs many many edits!).
Overall I didn't write as much new stuff as I'd hoped. I learned a valuable lesson in not writing for contracts you don't have. That work isn't lost forever but I could have been writing the vigilante story or this FBI book earlier. I also have a military/spy series I want to plan/write connected to the SAS squad in THE KILLING GAME, but international and more fast-paced. STRIKE BACK meets Nora Roberts. I just need to figure out what length of book to write and whether or not to look for a traditional publisher or release them myself.
I did get more books out than ever before. Yay! I learned a lot about the industry. A lot about promotion. A lot about different mindsets. It's been a fabulous year and here's hoping next year is also good!!
Happy Christmas/Holidays and here's to Health, Peace and Happiness in 2014.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HER LAST CHANCE is available now... Amazon , Amazon.uk, Smashwords, Kobo
Marsh & Josie first appear in HER SANCTUARY. This is their story.
Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of New York City.As a child Josephine Maxwell was attacked and left for dead. She learned the hard way that life is a constant struggle for survival. She can’t waste time pining over a man she can’t have. Now the killer has returned, and the only person who can save her is the FBI agent she deceived and betrayed six months ago.
Now he’s back to finish the job.Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes has made it his life’s work to fight on the side of law and order, even though it cost him the only woman he ever loved. The return of a serial killer gives him the excuse he needs to force his way back into her life. But in order to catch the killer and safeguard Josie's life, he has to break all the rules and risk losing his heart again.
November 27, 2013
In the Spirit of Thanksgiving
It's been a big few months for me. There's been a lot of hard work and emotional ups-and-downs that I rarely bring up online. You might not believe it, but I'm actually a very private person :)In the spirit of American Thanksgiving I want to say Thank You to all the readers who took a chance on our box-set, DANGEROUS ATTRACTION. Yes we had one week at 99c, (that's how we hit the USA Today bestseller list for two weeks running, and the New York Times this week). The box-set is now just $4.99 and readers are still picking it up--Thank You. Especial thanks to readers who write genuine reviews, even the ones who don't like my story (shocker I know :)) (Yes, I'd prefer everyone lied and gave it 5-STARS but some people are too damn honest. It makes the world go around). And thanks to all my other readers who've given me an incredible year as an author.
I want to say Thank You to my writer friends, new and old, best-sellers and struggling. Writing is a a long hard road and no one knows the intricacies and struggles involved unless you're living it and every situation is different. There's such beauty in creativity--don't let the world suck it out of you.
Thank You to my family and friends who often have no clue what I'm talking about. Your genuine happiness is appreciated and more than makes up for the glazed expressions I induce when answering that simple question: How's the writing going?
"Happy American Thanksgiving" to my friends south of the border! I'm craving turkey in a BIG way.
November 21, 2013
HER SANCTUARY--once again available in digital and print formats
Did I remember to mention I re-released my very first book, HER SANCTUARY, and it also contains a sneak peek of Marsh & Josie's story, HER LAST CHANCE. That book releases December 23rd, 2013. "Suspenseful, riveting and explosive, this reader absolutely loved this story.” ~5 ANGELS-FALLEN ANGEL REVIEWS
Blurb:
Running for her life, ex-FBI agent Elizabeth Ward escapes to Montana with a new identity. She craves peace and solitude, but instead finds handsome rancher, Nat Sullivan.Nat is trying to hold his ailing family together, while struggling to keep the ranch from bankruptcy. The last thing he needs is a beautiful stranger reminding him there is more to life than work.But Elizabeth isn't what she seems. And when a murderer and rapist track her down to the remote ranch, they all find out about the power of revenge. Revenge or Redemption. Which would you choose?
Amazon: http://bit.ly/TAAHSUS
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/TAAHSUK
Kobo: http://bit.ly/TAAHSKobo
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/TAAHSBN
iBooks: http://bit.ly/TAAHSiB
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/TAAHSSW
November 19, 2013
My 99c Box Set...
There's a lot of online debate these days about the 99c price point devaluing an author's work, and some derisive statements in general about box sets being sold for 99c. Some people suggest box sets are tawdry and full of sub-standard stories. Tawdry and sub-standard are subjective concepts that I can't speak to, plus it depends on the box set so... *shrugs*
The price is ridiculous. I'm effectively selling a book that it took almost a year to write for 10c--and actually I'm personally selling it for 3c because the retailer keeps the rest. That is ridiculous, except...
At RWA this summer one of the key catchphrases was 'discoverability'. How does one author stand out from another? There are so many books out there right now, how do you get your story in front of a reader? The general consensus from this year's conference was to be prolific (not always possible to pull that bunny out the hat), write quality work (I try), and a certain amount of luck (let's put everything on red shall we?). There are promo strategies that authors can use, but the bottom-line is there are no guarantees, and things that worked a year ago don't always make a bump in sales today.
What can we do?
The most commonly used idea is lowering the price/having a sale for a few days. It has worked in retail for years so why not ebooks? The trouble is now many readers probably expect an ebook to go on sale at some point and therefore wait before buying it. But this isn't unique to ebooks. I often wait for cheaper mass market paperbacks to come out rather than buying the more expensive hardbacks. I also wait for some of the big pubs to drop the ebook prices because, crap, I'm not paying 11.99 for an ebook! Or I'll borrow it from the library. But the problem is that 99c sales no longer make much of an impact for indie authors because everyone is doing it. Making something free only works (sweeping statement) if it's the first book in a series and not always then.
So what is an indie author to do?
I was approached in late September about being part of a box set of Romantic Suspense stories from a group of best-selling writers. Someone else had had to withdraw from the project for personal reasons and they needed another author (I was never the first pick at sports either :)). I jumped at the chance. My ebook would still be on sale as a single title for $3.99 and strangely people are still buying it in the same numbers as before even though it is in the box set for less. But by joining the box set I also had the chance to reach more readers, maybe find a few fans, maybe hit the lists (hello USA Today!) and to learn a hell of a lot about promotion from some really savvy authors.
If you think something sells itself because it is priced at 99c, think again.
I should say that again, louder...
If you think something sells itself because it is priced at 99c, think again!
So why did I believe in this box set? Firstly, we promised readers it would only be on sale for one week at 99c and we kept our promise. It will never be 99c again, nor will it ever be free. It's still a bargain at $4.99 and will only be available until the end of February. So if I'm devaluing myself it's for a short length of time. I have value. My work has value. But having a great book that no one knows exists doesn't get you anywhere, so this box set marketing idea really worked for me. The stories within the set range from traditional RS stories, to CEO billionaire stories with a sprinkling of RS, to military romances (my story is the least traditional I think; it is kind of a military RS/spy thriller). The heat levels range from sweet to scorcher.
I don't think all readers will love all the stories--they are just too spread across the reading spectrum. I do think most readers will enjoy most of the stories and every single book in the collection is worth at least 99c, so they got a bargain. I hope, no, I believe, that most readers will be pleasantly surprised by the collection.
So did the strategy work for me?
Well I can't speak about gaining readers overall yet, but this particular 5-STAR Amazon review gave me hope because it sums up why many of us might purchase a box set at a cheap price. It's a sampler of work. An inexpensive way of perhaps finding an author you'll love (and all readers want to find authors they love)
So was it worth it for me overall?
Financially I made back my investment and then some, but it hasn't made me rich. However, I've learned a lot. Actually being involved in this box set taught me more than I ever wanted to know about certain things. I experienced the usual outpouring of support from the author community (especially indies), which was lovely. I'll console myself about any negativity with my amazing friends and hopefully a few new readers.
Did I devalue myself and my work by being part of this box set? No. I did not. If the box set was forever at 99c then the answer would be different. As I said earlier, we had specific criteria and I like the timeline we developed. If only a quarter of buyers actually read my story in the box set it will still be a significant number of potential new readers. Will box sets work for other authors? Hard to tell. Again the market is becoming saturated. Plus, you can't live off that kind of royalty unless you are selling millions, and if you are selling millions you probably don't need to find more readers using this strategy. That's all it is, a strategy, to be used like a honed tool rather than an all encompassing blanket when selling your work. There's a lot of exhausting effort involved that many authors would rather use writing. I had no idea it would be such an intense experience. All ten authors spent at least four weeks promoting the hell out of our box set on a daily basis. I sweated for this project; I dreamed about it (I never told anyone that before). That's not even counting the work each author put into getting their own book into shape, organizing the legalities, finances, formatting, dealing with the retailers, banner design, book cover design, blurbs...you get the picture. So much effort. I can hardly believe it when I think of all the steps, all the intricacies. But working so closely with a bunch of great authors forged some wonderful relationships that I hope will last for years.
Okay, writing is what I'm concentrating on right now so I better get on with it. Wish me luck!
(PS. I'm not sure why Blogger is splitting my words at the end of lines. I've tried everything to strip it and fix it but, alas, Blogger has confounded me again. I'll try again tomorrow. That often fixes Blogger!)
The price is ridiculous. I'm effectively selling a book that it took almost a year to write for 10c--and actually I'm personally selling it for 3c because the retailer keeps the rest. That is ridiculous, except...
At RWA this summer one of the key catchphrases was 'discoverability'. How does one author stand out from another? There are so many books out there right now, how do you get your story in front of a reader? The general consensus from this year's conference was to be prolific (not always possible to pull that bunny out the hat), write quality work (I try), and a certain amount of luck (let's put everything on red shall we?). There are promo strategies that authors can use, but the bottom-line is there are no guarantees, and things that worked a year ago don't always make a bump in sales today.
What can we do?
The most commonly used idea is lowering the price/having a sale for a few days. It has worked in retail for years so why not ebooks? The trouble is now many readers probably expect an ebook to go on sale at some point and therefore wait before buying it. But this isn't unique to ebooks. I often wait for cheaper mass market paperbacks to come out rather than buying the more expensive hardbacks. I also wait for some of the big pubs to drop the ebook prices because, crap, I'm not paying 11.99 for an ebook! Or I'll borrow it from the library. But the problem is that 99c sales no longer make much of an impact for indie authors because everyone is doing it. Making something free only works (sweeping statement) if it's the first book in a series and not always then.
So what is an indie author to do?
I was approached in late September about being part of a box set of Romantic Suspense stories from a group of best-selling writers. Someone else had had to withdraw from the project for personal reasons and they needed another author (I was never the first pick at sports either :)). I jumped at the chance. My ebook would still be on sale as a single title for $3.99 and strangely people are still buying it in the same numbers as before even though it is in the box set for less. But by joining the box set I also had the chance to reach more readers, maybe find a few fans, maybe hit the lists (hello USA Today!) and to learn a hell of a lot about promotion from some really savvy authors.
If you think something sells itself because it is priced at 99c, think again.
I should say that again, louder...
If you think something sells itself because it is priced at 99c, think again!
So why did I believe in this box set? Firstly, we promised readers it would only be on sale for one week at 99c and we kept our promise. It will never be 99c again, nor will it ever be free. It's still a bargain at $4.99 and will only be available until the end of February. So if I'm devaluing myself it's for a short length of time. I have value. My work has value. But having a great book that no one knows exists doesn't get you anywhere, so this box set marketing idea really worked for me. The stories within the set range from traditional RS stories, to CEO billionaire stories with a sprinkling of RS, to military romances (my story is the least traditional I think; it is kind of a military RS/spy thriller). The heat levels range from sweet to scorcher.
I don't think all readers will love all the stories--they are just too spread across the reading spectrum. I do think most readers will enjoy most of the stories and every single book in the collection is worth at least 99c, so they got a bargain. I hope, no, I believe, that most readers will be pleasantly surprised by the collection.
So did the strategy work for me?
Well I can't speak about gaining readers overall yet, but this particular 5-STAR Amazon review gave me hope because it sums up why many of us might purchase a box set at a cheap price. It's a sampler of work. An inexpensive way of perhaps finding an author you'll love (and all readers want to find authors they love)
"I bought this by accident, then read the description.... Ex-military guys embarking into the civilian world. Being raised an Air Force kid, then joining the Coast Guard after high school, thought I'd read a couple novellas before relegating it to cloud storage; however, this is staying accessible. I have not yet read all nine, but the story I'm on now sort of demanded a review from me. He's SAS hunting a Russian spy/terrorist and she's a wildlife biologist trying to save the snow leopard, and when these two meet...? You'll have to read it! Well worth the money. Thank you, authors for sharing your tales with us!!"
So was it worth it for me overall?
Financially I made back my investment and then some, but it hasn't made me rich. However, I've learned a lot. Actually being involved in this box set taught me more than I ever wanted to know about certain things. I experienced the usual outpouring of support from the author community (especially indies), which was lovely. I'll console myself about any negativity with my amazing friends and hopefully a few new readers.
Did I devalue myself and my work by being part of this box set? No. I did not. If the box set was forever at 99c then the answer would be different. As I said earlier, we had specific criteria and I like the timeline we developed. If only a quarter of buyers actually read my story in the box set it will still be a significant number of potential new readers. Will box sets work for other authors? Hard to tell. Again the market is becoming saturated. Plus, you can't live off that kind of royalty unless you are selling millions, and if you are selling millions you probably don't need to find more readers using this strategy. That's all it is, a strategy, to be used like a honed tool rather than an all encompassing blanket when selling your work. There's a lot of exhausting effort involved that many authors would rather use writing. I had no idea it would be such an intense experience. All ten authors spent at least four weeks promoting the hell out of our box set on a daily basis. I sweated for this project; I dreamed about it (I never told anyone that before). That's not even counting the work each author put into getting their own book into shape, organizing the legalities, finances, formatting, dealing with the retailers, banner design, book cover design, blurbs...you get the picture. So much effort. I can hardly believe it when I think of all the steps, all the intricacies. But working so closely with a bunch of great authors forged some wonderful relationships that I hope will last for years.
Okay, writing is what I'm concentrating on right now so I better get on with it. Wish me luck!
(PS. I'm not sure why Blogger is splitting my words at the end of lines. I've tried everything to strip it and fix it but, alas, Blogger has confounded me again. I'll try again tomorrow. That often fixes Blogger!)
November 13, 2013
Win an iPad Mini!
iPads iPads everywhere. Don't forget to enter our raffle. There'll be a ton of prizes given away at the end of the week, including gift certificates and an IPad mini http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZTIzODQ5OWRjYmYxNmVkNTE3OTljMmQ3Nzg5ZWJmOjA=/
And since somebody asked for the iTunes link for Dangerous Attraction, here you go: iTunes: http://bit.ly/1cmZDsi
Enjoy!
November 12, 2013
Dangerous Attraction--out now!
The box set I'm involved with released last Sunday and is 99c for just this week (it won't be 99c again and nor will it be free ever!! Price goes up Nov 17th, just so you know :)) It's even cheaper in the UK! 77p.
Dangerous Attraction is already an Amazon Top 20, iTunes and Nook Top 100 Bestseller!
Thanks to all our fabulous readers who've already bought it--leave us a review to tell us what you think! I hope you enjoy and I hope you find new favourite authors from this fabulous group of writers. 99c for 10 books. Less than a chocolate bar. Gift it to friends or family for Christmas, they'll love you forever :). Today's my hard sell ;) Can you tell?
Dangerous Attraction is already an Amazon Top 20, iTunes and Nook Top 100 Bestseller!
Thanks to all our fabulous readers who've already bought it--leave us a review to tell us what you think! I hope you enjoy and I hope you find new favourite authors from this fabulous group of writers. 99c for 10 books. Less than a chocolate bar. Gift it to friends or family for Christmas, they'll love you forever :). Today's my hard sell ;) Can you tell?
November 5, 2013
Cover Reveal for HER LAST CHANCE (Marsh & Josie's Story)
So what do you think? Should have this one ready just before Christmas! Will update with buy links when I get them.
Blurb:
Eighteen years ago the Blade Hunter found his first victim on the streets of New York City. As a child Josephine Maxwell was attacked and left for dead. She learned the hard way that life is a constant struggle for survival. She can’t waste time pining over a man she can’t have. Now the killer has returned, and the only person who can save her is the FBI agent she deceived and betrayed six months ago. Now he’s back to finish the job. Special Agent-in-Charge Marshall Hayes has made it his life’s work to fight on the side of law and order, even though it cost him the only woman he ever loved. The return of a serial killer gives him the excuse he needs to force his way back into her life. But in order to catch the killer and safeguard Josie's life, he has to break all the rules and risk losing his heart again.
November 4, 2013
The old and the new...
My print proofs of HER SANCTUARY arrived. They look and feel wonderful. DS declared the new cover best because the people on the old cover look like they're cheating. Okay then. I've edited the book very lightly. It's the same story. I did include a sneak peek of Marsh and Josie's story in the back. I'm doing a cover reveal for that tomorrow! I'll post the links when the book is up for sale :)
October 31, 2013
Catch-up. Am I lazy or what?
Every time I sit down to blog here something comes up and I have to blog somewhere else, or compile interviews or, or, or... bottom line is I'm ashamed that I didn't even post my North Woods photos yet. *sigh*. I think I'll just put them on Pinterest.
So here's one of beautiful Wisconsin...
Yesterday was one of those days I felt like I did nothing so I sat down and thought about it. I gave the dog an extra-long walk and caught up with a friend while doing it (weekly event). I had a Skype meeting with the box set ladies (we are now available for pre-order on iTunes!), I had a book cover comp arrive in my inbox from my designer (I was told it would take 10 days and it took less than 12 hours). I sent the cover comp back with some minor tweaks. Then she needed a blurb so I had to write that from scratch. Then I edited a scene for a brand-new WIP working title SILENT WITNESS (I know it isn't that original but it is apt, so). I edited a friend's blurb. Another comp, more tweaks and more editing. So okay, no new words and that was bad, but I wasn't as lazy or ineffectual as I'd thought. Oh--and that doesn't include the usual Halloween costume disasters, TKD, or second dog walk.
Today I've finished a scene for SILENT WITNESS and now have to start the after edits read-through of HER LAST CHANCE (Marsh & Josie's story), which should be out before Christmas. I'll share the cover and blurb soon!
I should wish you all a Happy Halloween LOL. Excuse my lack of enthusiasm but blame my English upbringing. :) Where's my bonfire and Guy Fawkes effigy?
Working on this DANGEROUS ATTRACTION box set has been eye-opening for me. Some people think that if you put out something that is so obviously a great deal it will sell itself. Not true. I've never worked so hard and I'm only one of ten authors involved. But it's worth it. This is the most time intensive thing I've done in terms of self-publishing and it's thrilling to work so closely with other authors who share the exact same goal.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18Ya4Oc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ahU8nO
Smashword: http://bit.ly/1bOocy8
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1cmZDsi
So here's one of beautiful Wisconsin...
Yesterday was one of those days I felt like I did nothing so I sat down and thought about it. I gave the dog an extra-long walk and caught up with a friend while doing it (weekly event). I had a Skype meeting with the box set ladies (we are now available for pre-order on iTunes!), I had a book cover comp arrive in my inbox from my designer (I was told it would take 10 days and it took less than 12 hours). I sent the cover comp back with some minor tweaks. Then she needed a blurb so I had to write that from scratch. Then I edited a scene for a brand-new WIP working title SILENT WITNESS (I know it isn't that original but it is apt, so). I edited a friend's blurb. Another comp, more tweaks and more editing. So okay, no new words and that was bad, but I wasn't as lazy or ineffectual as I'd thought. Oh--and that doesn't include the usual Halloween costume disasters, TKD, or second dog walk.
Today I've finished a scene for SILENT WITNESS and now have to start the after edits read-through of HER LAST CHANCE (Marsh & Josie's story), which should be out before Christmas. I'll share the cover and blurb soon!
I should wish you all a Happy Halloween LOL. Excuse my lack of enthusiasm but blame my English upbringing. :) Where's my bonfire and Guy Fawkes effigy?
Working on this DANGEROUS ATTRACTION box set has been eye-opening for me. Some people think that if you put out something that is so obviously a great deal it will sell itself. Not true. I've never worked so hard and I'm only one of ten authors involved. But it's worth it. This is the most time intensive thing I've done in terms of self-publishing and it's thrilling to work so closely with other authors who share the exact same goal.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/18Ya4Oc
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ahU8nO
Smashword: http://bit.ly/1bOocy8
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1cmZDsi
