Red Phoenix's Blog, page 29

Playing Around with Shelfari

Recently, I was introduced to Amazon's site called Shelfari. It's a place readers can go to review and talk about their favorite books - even add extra details. It also allows the author to interact with the fans and give a little info behind the books.

As a new writer, you learn about websites you never knew existed. I remember how thrilled I was to find my work Sensual Erotica: Loving Amy reviewed on a website called Goodreads. It was so exciting that I took the time to put all of my writing on the site and made some friends there to boot. :)

However, I noticed while looking at the description of the same short story on Amazon that someone had listed all the characters of Loving Amy on the Shelfari site. Imagine a reader so excited about your story that they take the time and effort to list who all the characters are. It totally blew me away. I just wanted to hug the person!

Since then, I have been going through my published work and providing a ridiculously simplified synopsis (140 characters or less) for each one. So much fun! I also include a discussion question to see what readers think about certain issues brought up in the books. Example:

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis for Loving Amy ~ Boy wants girl. Girl wants boy. Mistletoe gets in the way... 
Discussion Question: Have you ever had someone you wanted, but fate just seemed dead set against it?
Of course, all of this takes time - and time away from writing is precious but I believe it will prove well spent. I am always open to interacting with readers in a new way and having a little fun in the process.

I will post at a later date if I still feel Shelfari is a good investment for authors.

Tidbits about Red Phoenix

Yes, I wear a mask and I wear it for a reason. As a writer of erotica, I might shock my friends and family if they knew the naughty things that go on in my head.

I am a woman, which is why I write women's erotica. However, I like to write stories from both points of view. I've known men all my life (wink) and always wondered what it would be like to be one. How would it feel to slam your rod into a moist pussy instead of having that rod slam into you? Truthfully, I think it might be quite delicious.

My stories come from past experiences and fantasies I hold dear. Have I done everything I've written about? No. However, what I haven't tried I have researched to find out why women like the particular act and what it feels like to them.  

I am married and have children. Luckily, I partnered up with my soulmate. I am as in love with him now as I was when we first met. He makes me melt when he looks at me a certain way and he never forgets to tell me he loves me. I think all women deserve that.

I have had an... interesting past. People who know me now would not suspect where I have come from. Good or bad, all my experiences have helped me to grow and I am who I am because of the successes and failures. Life is truly a journey and a gift.

Which leads me to my last little tidbit: I have experienced significant loss. It is the reason for the sadness in some of my stories. I know pain, but I also know you can survive it. Mourn yes, but keep moving forward. Don't waste the amazing gift that is you .

~Red Phoenix

Indie Authors - Don't Let the Amazon Returns Scare You

Keep in mind that there are an overwhelming amount of readers who wholeheartedly support authors. They far outweigh the few misguided souls.

When I first started publishing on Amazon, I totally freaked out when someone returned one of my books. It was shocking, it was embarrassing, and it... hurt. I felt sad that someone hated my work so much the person felt the need to return it - even when it was free. 

Now that I have been doing this for five months, I've come to realize a few things and don't allow returns to mess with my head or my writing. The fact is people have different reasons for returning an eBook.

There are legitimate reasons:
They didn't mean to buy it. The formatting of the book was bad and made it unreadable.There were so many errors in the writing that it detracted from the story. I also know (having read some of Amazon discussion boards) there are a few misguided Kindle users out there. Some readers do not understand if they read the book, they are expected to pay for it.

Unreasonable returns:
A few readers think it's a library. (I've had people buy an entire series and then returned each and every one.) They enjoyed my work, but they had no qualms about returning it.Some think they can return a book if they don't like the ending or one of the characters.Others don't take the time to read the description or check out the sample and end up buying a book they don't really care for. Reasonable or not, I believe authors should watch the returns to see if a book has real problems. Normally, I experience between 1-5% returns on all of my books. However, there have been months where some of my books saw 10-20% returns and it upset me wondering what was wrong (especially when no one left a negative review). Funny thing is the following month those same books had only a few returns. So, there may not be any rhyme or reason to the returns but it is worth going back over your story to make sure there aren't any serious issues.

What time has taught me:

Amazon allows for eBook returns, so there will be people who abuse it. As a writer, there is nothing you can do. Amazon currently has the greatest number of readers so even taking into account the loss of sales, you will still see more success there than on any other site.

My Love/Hate Relationship With Smashwords

As an Indie Author, Smashwords has been a great place to start. The set up is very friendly for newbies and you have explicit instructions on how to get your work published. I recommend it to anyone thinking of jumping into eBooks.

Based on the instructions there, I was able to figure out Amazon and publish on there are well. Awesome!It also affords me the ability to price my books and change the pricing whenever I want. I can even put books up for free permanently. It gets people to check out my work and those that like it buy my other books. Nice!Another thing I like about Smashwords is that they distribute my books to B&N and Apple as well as other eBook sites. They even collect the money and give detailed payment information (even though they only pay out quarterly). Still, it's great! Smashwords stands up for and believes in the little guy. I feel supported there as an author, especially as an author of erotica. Bravo! Best of all - it's FREE! Well, at least the publishing is. Naturally, they take a small cut of everything you sell. Yay!
But....

I don't know if they struggle due to a large influx of authors flocking to the site or they have bad software or they are simply understaffed because Smashwords definitely has issues:

Books do not show up on certain sites or take months to show up. While my books were having success on Amazon, I didn't make money on Apple and B&N because the books just simply weren't there. (And I am still waiting on some...) Growl!Changes you make in price, book cover, or edits are not necessary going to show up on the other sites. Really???Your books must wait to be "okayed" for distribution and sometimes this can take up three weeks to happen. And then you wait another 2, 4, 8 weeks to show up on the other sites. Crickets...The support team will answer your email, but it usually takes between one to two weeks for them to respond. Sometimes when they respond, you are told to send another email with specific information and then you may have to wait an additional week or two to get a follow up response. Worse, I get a different person each time. So, even though it is the same issue I've been dealing time and time again, I have to go through the whole situation from scratch. It sucks.The payments can be really delayed when the big companies like B&N and Apple are behind in paying Smashwords. The money you made in March may not be paid out until the end of August. Despite all that, I continue to use Smashwords because it is the best option open to me at this point. I apologize to all my readers on Apple, B&N, Sony, and Kobo. You are either getting old versions or you are still waiting for books to show up. I am sorry. I wish I had some control over it.

In the end, I figure if I was using a traditional publisher, I would experience even more delays, have less of a say concerning my books and be expected to pay a ton of money for the favor.

So I still love you, Smashwords, but there are times I just want to slap you.

Play With Me at Noon: A Sexy Tale of Naughty Nooners

Play With Me at Noon on Amazon, B&N and Apple

When I wrote Play With Me at Noon, I basically lived out a fantasy of mine. There are certain guy-types we girls can't help dreaming about. Normally, when you marry you give up on experiencing the unique qualities these men bring to the sexual table.

How many of us see the love we once shared for our partner slipping away? Tina makes a desperate attempt to shake things up, hoping to change the course of her failing marriage. She takes fate into her own hands and enjoys the forbidden fruits of five strangers. Sad thing is, what she really wants is to be loved by her husband. The hot, sexy roller coaster ride seems to be going only one way for her - up, up, up. That is until the day her hubby confronts her.

Join Tina on her five-day sexapade in this steamy novelette devoted to finding a path back to the one you love. 

Play With Me at Noon:

Tina needs to feel desirable again and invites five different men in five days to “play” with her - The Construction Worker, The Executive, The Virgin, The Biker, and The Kink. The sex is AMAZING, but what she really desires is to reconnect with her husband. The twist at the end will renew your faith that true love can conquer all.

Extended Description:

Tina is in a sexless marriage. Although she loves her workaholic husband, she longs to feel treasured by him. Out of desperation, she decides to fulfill her fantasies by inviting five different men in five days to “play” with her. Each sexual encounter is steamier than the next, but her husband’s love is what she longs for most. Can their marriage survive the day he finally confronts her?

Adult Reading Material (18+) This book is for mature audiences only and contains sexually explicit content.

Why Does Red Phoenix Write Novelettes?

In reviews, many have asked why Red Phoenix writes novelettes (7,500 - 20,000 words). Some readers are disappointed that they aren't full-length novels.

Well, I have several reasons for preferring novelettes:

1) When I read erotica, I want an engaging story with good characters and a little backstory but not a lot of useless details. (Basically, I want to get hot in a short amount of time.) I've read erotic novels before and had to sift through some boring sections to get to the good stuff.

2)  For me erotica like a poem, concise and to the point.

3) I enjoy writing in the same way (serial publications) as some of the greats like Charles Dickens. The shorts leave you hanging, wanting more... Yum! It also allows for more interactions with the fans as the story unfolds.  * Now don't think for one minute that I am comparing my writing to his, just saying I like the set up.

4) I have a short attention span. These days I prefer reading shorter stories, so it only makes sense that I also enjoy writing them.

5) I want it to be a quick read so people can jump into bed and have a little fun afterwards.

6) Besides, the word "novelette" just sounds cute and sexy. Don't you think? ;)

The simple answer to why Red Phoenix writes novelettes: She likes it that way.  
  I hope you do, too.

May Numbers for Red Phoenix on Amazon

Oh wow, what a month May has been for this indie author! I noticed at the end of April that my book, Brie Learns to Obey, was rising in the ranks even though it had just been released. I had no idea then how well she would do in the month of May. So well, in fact, that I ended up continuing that series and putting my other projects to the wayside.

Brie's success on Amazon means that people are starting to look at my other work.  All of my books have done better this month than previous months. The month of May has been a joy ride. Whoop!

For the Month of May 2012:

6,079 books purchased (Keep in mind that I get .35 for every book sold)
71,212 freebies downloaded

Best Sellers for the Month of May: (Numbers not as laughable as the past few months.)

Paid - Brie Learns to Obey 2458, Brie Learns Her Power as a Submissive 1448 and Blissfully in Love 498
Freebies - Deeper Baby! 18158, Brie's First Day of Submissive Training 16983 and Blissfully Snowbound 11098

* For the month of May I added two books on Amazon and no additional books went FREE.


Quick Recap of Past Months:
Starting to rise
April:
878 books purchased          29,879 freebies downloaded 

March: 693 books purchased
27,571 freebies downloaded 
February:
298 books purchased          12,386 freebies downloaded 

What I am Learning:You need to keep the momentum going once a series gets popular. Brie Lives Her Fantasy was just published May 30 and is doing impressively well in that short amount of time. I plan to publish the next Brie book by the end of the month. Doable if I work hard.

Part of my success is due to the popularity of Fifty Shades of Grey. I know this for a fact because I have fans on Facebook who have said as much. I am a lucky author because of timing.
There are small time "publishers" who will try to cash in on your indie success. Unless they can do more for you than you are doing now, my advice is to avoid them. They will just slow down the process and take 50% of what you make. (That is not to say there aren't reputable small publication companies out there, I just haven't been approached by any.)
I will update you next month to see how June pans out. You may or may not experience the same success, but there is no reason not to try if your heart is set on writing. 
Right now, I am one blown away indie author.  A big hug to all my readers!

Brie Lives Her Fantasy... The Fourth in the Series by Red Phoenix

The fourth book of the series is now on Smashwords and will be available on Amazon tomorrow! Brie is about to find out how a Russian Dom can make her Indian Warrior fantasy a delicious reality. But that is not all that happens in this sexy novelette. One of the girls has made a willful mistake and will pay dearly for it. 

Brie Lives Her Fantasy

Brie’s fourth day of Submissive Training is upon her – Auction Day! Brie finds herself in the hands of a new Dom, one who has quite the reputation. The sexy Russian fulfills her fantasy in creative ways she never expected. It is a day filled with anticipation and hot steamy sex. But not all the girls are as lucky as Brie...

This delicious novelette continues Brie’s fourth day of sexual adventures as a student at the Submissive Training Center.

Brie has eagerly anticipated Auction Day, curious how her Dom will be able to fulfill her favorite fantasy. The man who wins her turns out to be a highly respected Dom from Russia (which only means good things for Brie). Sadly, one of the girls fails to disclose an important part of her past and suffers greatly for it. It is a lesson none of the girls will forget. To end the day, Brie has a brief moment alone with Sir - the first time since the huge fallout.

* Adult Reading Material (18+) This book is for mature audiences only and contains sexually explicit content.

A big shout out to Tameika Ortiz who agreed to edit the piece and did it tirelessly so I could get the book out today. Thanks a ton, missy!

The Importance of a Book Review

Spawned by a review. The Significance of the All Mighty Book Review

As a reader, you hold great power. You can express to the world your thoughts and impressions concerning the book you just read. Most people are busy and even if they like the book, they don't have the time to leave a response. It is a crazy world - it's understandable.

However, when you leave a review you not only help those who are interested in the work, but you can also have an influence on the author as well. In my case, I had a reviewer who left detailed information letting me know exactly what she enjoyed about the story and went on to say that she hoped to see more in that genre.

I was just experimenting with the Dom/sub world and her review of Sensual Erotica: The Flame inspired me to delve into the world with my novelette, Brie's First Day of Submissive Training. The positive response I received concerning the novelette spawned an entire series - all based on that one reader's review.

Until I started writing, I didn't understand the significance of the all mighty book review.

The reader holds great power.

Brie Learns Her Power... The Third in the Series by Red Phoenix

“There is nothing more intoxicating than looking down at my sub trembling at my feet in breathless anticipation for my next action or command.”
  ~ Mr. Gallant
Brie Learns Her Power as a Submissive is free on Smashwords for the next few days. It's fresh off the presses, but still needs a little tweaking as I work out the kinks. If you just have to know what happens to Brie on that third day, feel free to check it out. Otherwise expect to see it on Amazon sometime next week for 99 cents.
Book Description:
Brie’s third day of submissive training is a hot sexy mess. She has no idea that her actions from the day before have serious consequences. Training becomes intense, stretching Brie in ways she could never imagine as the trainers determine whether she should remain in the program. In the midst of the turmoil, Brie comes to understand her true power as a submissive.

The novelette, Brie Learns Her Submissive Power, continues the sexual adventures of the Brie Bennett as she explores the Dominant/submissive world via The Submissive Training Center.

Extended Description:

Ms. Clark is not happy with Brie’s performance after the second day and makes it her mission to put Brie in her place. Unfortunately, that is not the only issue. Others know of her intimate session with Sir after school hours. Such an infraction could tarnish the school’s reputation. Brie is about to discover new avenues of fulfillment – just not in the way she would have preferred. Her final practicum includes a passionate encounter with Marquis Gray, the ghost-like man with eyes that pierce the soul.

* Adult Reading Material (18+) This book is for mature audiences only and contains sexually explicit content.