S.L. Pierce's Blog, page 12

Math Can Be Fun

Today I discovered Analytics.  Yes, tracking of who and when my sites and twitters are followed!  What could be more fun (and no that is not sarcasm).  For those who don't know, I do have a PhD in Engineering so I am in 7th Heaven today.  I have been finding and analyzing my analytics for about two hours now and my how time flies.  Is anyone else out there having as much fun with this as me?  It's even more addicting that the Amazon KDP site (and if you are self published, you know what this is).  Sorry for those of you who will be overexposed to my tweets and facebook today, but I must experiment.  I have my own spreadsheet set up to keep track of the results myself. I better be careful, though, or I'll never finish that next book.  I suppose I'll have to treat it like chocolate - just a little a day.  Except the weekend, of course, or a really bad day, then all bets are off.  So, leave me a comment if you are monitoring your analytics or if you think I'm crazy.

Too Busy or Fear of Failure?

I have so many great ideas for books.  I think about them all day, getting more and more excited about how great the story will be.  But when evening comes, and I finally have time to start typing out that great story, I don't.  I tell myself I'm just to tired to really concentrate.  Tomorrow will be better because I won't have (fill in whatever thing I did today that I don't have to do tomorrow).  But I think the truth is I'm afraid.  Afraid to even get started.  Because while the idea is really great in my head, what if it's not so great on paper?  What would I do then?  If my dream of being a writer always stays in my head, then I can never fail, right?  Ridiculous, I know.  But getting over that hump of the first few sentences is so hard.  Am I the only one?

 

Free Gritty Short

Try this gritty short, The Warning, free on Smashwords

Experiment Part 2

So I started my promotion experiment two day ago (see April 5 post) and so far 79 copies of my short story have been downloaded.  The results?  One great review, which I wasn't expecting because it is a very short story.  Otherwise, no increase in sales.  Now I do believe it is really too early to see an increase yet.  People probably snap up free copies, but don't get around to reading them right away.  I know I do.  So I will wait and see and, of course, keep you posted.
Anyone who wants to can download the story free at Smashwords.  Feel free to comment!

Free Short

So the short I posted about earlier (see below) is live on Smashwords.  Check it out.

The Warning

I'll keep you posted on how this turns out:)

Experiment Time

As a scientist by trade (I have a PhD in engineering) I love experiments.  So I've decided to try an experiment in advertising I read about a few days ago.  I have written a super short story to introduce the main character in my book Secrets.  I'm going to give the story away on Smashwords and my website later today.  The idea is, the reader will love the short, go download a sample of the book, love that (of course) and buy the book.
Anyone tried this or have a thought?

I will post when the story is live.

Sample Sunday

Sample from Manhunt, the second short story in The Hate:


Right now there is a massive manhunt for me. There's almost no chance I will be found, but just in case, I need to set the record straight. I know you think you know what happened. I mean, it has been all over the news for days. The country in mourning, shocking act of violence, and on and on. But you only know what they told you. But once I tell you everything, tell you the truth, you'll be thanking me. I'll be a goddamn hero. Not that anyone will admit it. Doesn't matter though. I'll be long gone. So like any good story, I have to start at the beginning. I know you'd prefer me to just cut to the chase. But there are some things you need to know first. Bear with me, you'll be glad you did.  

The Hate

Nook vs Kindle

Nook or Kindle?
Why don't you just ask me which of my children I love the most?
Just like kids, they bring different things to the table.  One goes all day doing all kinds of things, bright and full of life and energy. Then just collapses in the evening. The other is slow and steady, concentrating on the task at hand, seemingly able to continue forever.  In case it's not clear which is which, the nook is the go all day then collapse at night.  I can read, search the internet, check my email, etc.  But the battery drains.  The kindle is an e-reader, and just an e-reader, but it will last a month on a charge, so it's always there, doing it's job, completely reliable.
Unlike my kids though, I never need a break from my e-readers.

Please check out my interview and book giveaway at http://www.nickijmarkus.com/2011/03/interview-s-l-pierce.html

Enter to win a copy of my new book, Secrets.

Interview and Giveaway of Secrets

I am excited to let you know about my interveiw and Secrets Giveaway now on
nickijmarkus.com

Please go check it out and sign up to win a copy of Secrets.

Bad Reviews

I'm sure many of you have followed the Jacqueline Howett fiasco.  It made me start thinking about what I am going to do when I get my first bad review.  Other than curl up in my bed and cry about how I'm a terrible writer and what was I thinking trying to write a novel...and on and on like that until all the chocolate in the house is gone.  Then I think I might ask my reviewer for an interview.  Why not?  It could be fun and certainly we could all learn about the reviewing process and how they probably struggle with giving a bad review.  So keep an eye out for that in the future and see if I am really brave enough to do such a thing.