Alissa Arford's Blog, page 2

White Marlin Open: Living the OCMD Summer of 2023 Right Now in 2025

One of the things I loved most while writing Welcome to Seagull Street was staying true to the real summer rhythm of Ocean City, Maryland, in 2023. I wanted readers to feel like they were really there, sweating in the salt air, walking down the Boardwalk, and enjoying their favorite beachy food, drinks, and activities.

This week in real life, Ocean City is buzzing with some of the excitement that also helped shape the backdrop of my story:

The White Marlin Open – The world’s largest and richest billfish tournament, and a spectacle whether you’re a seasoned angler or just in it for the weigh-ins at Harbour Island Marina. The excitement, the crowds, and the salty air, it’s pure Ocean City energy. In Welcome to Seagull Street, Evan’s Uncle Jack always joins a crew for Marlin Week.

Shenanigan’s Dueling Pianos – Shenanigan’s fills the Boardwalk with the sound of competing keyboards, crowd singalongs, and spontaneous dance breaks. It’s where strangers become friends over a shared chorus. In the book, Evan, Ray, and Olivia talked about going to see the dueling pianos at Shenanigan’s.

Marlin’s Point – In the pages of Welcome to Seagull Street, my fictional rock-and-roll bar (inspired by the legendary Purple Moose Saloon) sets the scene for tasty drinks, loud guitars, crazy dance floors, and those unforgettable summer nights that make the best stories later.

In Welcome to Seagull Street, events like these aren’t just background, they’re part of the heartbeat of Ocean City. The same activities you can read about in the book are happening right now. Maybe you’re even living it!

Let’s Talk Seagull Street: Discussion Ideas for Your Book Club

One of my favorite things about writing Welcome to Seagull Street has been hearing how it sparks conversation about the unexpected twists life throws our way. Whether you’re in a long-standing book club or just getting a few friends together over coffee (or cocktails), here are some questions and topics to explore after reading to supplement the questions included at the end of the book.

WARNING: If you haven’t read the book, the questions below may contain spoilers!

Discussion QuestionsRay, Olivia, and Evan each have their own way of starting fresh. Did you see yourself in Ray’s cautious nature, Olivia’s outgoing warmth, or Evan’s easy-going attitude?
How did you feel about the way Ray and Evan’s romance unfolded? Which moments between them felt most authentic or memorable?
Luke, Olivia’s ex-husband, is manipulative and self-absorbed. How did his behavior influence your perception of Olivia and her choices throughout the story?
Brandon (Evan’s brother) and Raymond (Brandon’s partner) provide some light-hearted moments. How did their relationship and personalities add to the book’s tone?
Andrea (Ray and Olivia’s neighbor) brings in a multigenerational perspective. How did she impact the main characters’ journeys? Do you relate to her perspective and observations?
Uncle Jack (Evan and Brandon’s dad’s brother) and Mary (their mom) each hold family histories that ripple into the present. How do you anticipate their story will be told in the Book 2 flashback?
The pets — Ruby (Olivia’s dog), Charlie (Ray’s dog), and Cookies & Cream (Mary’s kittens) — all play important roles in moving the plot along. Which pet scenes stood out to you? Have your pets changed your life’s path?
Harry (Andrea’s grandson and Olivia’s love interest) enters the story later in the summer, proving that everything can change in an instant — you never know what a season might bring. What life-changing moments have you experienced that arrived unexpectedly, like Harry?
The two quirky seagulls show up at key moments in the story. When did you realize they were their own distinct “characters” rather than just background? Have you ever had moments in your own life that felt like fate, coincidence, or a little nudge from the universe?
The story includes news events and pop culture references from the summer of 2023. Did they resonate with you or feel disconnected? If you think of this book as a “time capsule” of that summer — and maybe even future historical fiction — which moments will stand out the most?
Think back to your own summer vacations. Did they shape your adult life in ways you can still see today?
Many times when you finish a book, only a few things truly stay with you. Welcome to Seagull Street is not only a story, but it also brings Ocean City, Maryland, to life as a character. Did you learn anything about the town — its people, history, or atmosphere — that will stick with you long after reading?Themes to ExploreStarting over after loss or upheavalHow friendships can become chosen familyThe role of setting in shaping mood and storyBalancing independence and vulnerabilityWhen secrets protect and when they harmHow nostalgia and summer memories influence who we becomeThe subtle ways pets and animals influence relationships and emotional recoveryThe role of current events and pop culture in shaping a story’s “time capsule” feelingThe influence of family history on present-day relationshipsHow new people can change the course of our livesSymbolism in everyday encountersResilience in the face of manipulation or controlJoin Me at Sapwood Cellars – August 7

If you’re in Central Maryland, I’d love to see you in person! The Sapwood Cellars Brewery Book Club is discussing Welcome to Seagull Street on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 7PM (Columbia, Maryland) — along with two other books by fellow Maryland authors. Space is limited, so please RSVP.

Comment Your Book Club Answers Below!

Two Months Since Launch… Feels Like Forever!

It’s been two whole months since Welcome to Seagull Street officially launched on May 24 and if you had told me on release day how much would happen in just eight weeks, I wouldn’t have believed you!

It feels like I’ve been living on Seagull Street for years: signing books on the Ocean City Boardwalk, running ads, checking sales stats, making trips to the post office, and answering messages from new readers I’ve never met in real life but already adore.

The Reviews Are Finally Flowing…

Getting reviews and ratings is so important to keep the momentum going, and to help the right readers discover Welcome to Seagull Street. The readers who love small-town beach vibes, a little mystery, a little romance, and diving into complicated characters for a slice-of-life look at differing perspectives on timely issues.

Now, the reviews and ratings are finally starting to come in on Amazon and Goodreads, and they’ve been worth the wait. Here are just a few of my favorites:

“This book made me want to go to the beach!”“The story was heartfelt and fun and I loved the seagull twist.”“It brought back all the memories: the Boardwalk energy, the food, the quiet bayside sunsets…”“Even though I’ve never been to Ocean City, the author made me feel like I have.”“Brilliantly woven story lines that leave the reader wanting the next book!!”

If you’ve read the book, it would be great if you could leave a rating or review.

Leave an Amazon review
Or rate it on Goodreads

The Life Cycle of Book Reviews

When a book first launches, most of the early ratings and reviews come from friends, family, critique partners, and maybe some advanced readers who were rooting for you from the start. It’s an encouraging and affirming stage, but also a bit of a manufactured hype bubble.

As time goes on, casual readers start picking it up. That’s when reviews get broader, and more honest. That’s where the real growth happens and the overall rating will naturally start to fall. 

The Algorithm Doesn’t Love Silence

Amazon’s algorithm gives books more visibility based on momentum. Like how many ratings and reviews come in within a certain window. Written reviews (even short ones!) are more valuable than just star ratings. Consistency matters more than perfection.

That sparkling 5.0 average? It may look nice, but it can also seem suspicious. Many readers actually trust books more when they have lower ratings in the mix because it signals that the feedback is balanced and real.

Amazon ratings tend to skew higher because they’re usually left by verified buyers. Goodreads? Not so much. Anyone can rate a book, even before it’s released. Case in point: Welcome to Seagull Street got its very first Goodreads rating (four stars) before the book had been published or sent to any external readers. “Aubrey,” I don’t know who you are… but that was weird.

Happy reading, friends! I hope you’re enjoying your summer.

You’ll find me @alissaarfordauthor on all of the major channels:

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Rethinking What It Means to Be a Reader in 2025

Before I started writing Welcome to Seagull Street a few years ago, I admit that I wasn’t very involved in online book communities. I’d been in various book clubs, but they never really stuck. I was always reading books, except for the period when my kids were young and required all of my attention. Early on, I had a written list of books I read in a journal, then a spreadsheet, but I didn’t ever count them up or have reading goals. I also didn’t pay particular notice to new releases, unless they were from my favorite authors.

Then I became an aspiring author and found myself diving into Goodreads, BookTok, Bookstagram, and beyond. It’s been exciting, enlightening, and sometimes overwhelming.

I’ve learned a lot and I’ve connected with so many readers and writers. I’ve also noticed a few patterns that have made me stop and reflect.

The Pressure to Perform

One thing I didn’t expect is how much pressure there seems to be, on both sides of the book equation. Readers are setting huge TBR (To Be Read) goals, tracking every page and rating, feeling behind if they’re not plowing through dozens of titles a year. Goodreads makes it easy to see your stats in real time, which can be fun, but the gamification of reading has become a little too intense for me!

And authors? We feel the pressure, too. Not just to write good books, but to constantly show up online, explain ourselves, market creatively, and absorb all the feedback that comes our way. I’ve seen more than a few writers talk publicly about burnout or needing to step back, for their mental health, for their creative well-being, or simply to breathe.

If reading and writing start to feel like performance metrics instead of joy, maybe it’s time for a reset of expectations?

Taste Is Subjective, and That’s the Beauty of It

People feel very strongly about the books they read! That’s great because stories are meant to evoke emotion and spark conversation, but sometimes the feedback veers into drama. It’s not just honest critique, it’s performance. Posts are crafted for maximum reaction, with snarky takes or melodramatic takedowns designed to get likes, comments, or shares… positive or negative. The louder the opinion, the more attention it seems to attract.

Not every book is for every reader. That’s just the nature of art. Some of us love abstract paintings, others prefer portraits. Some people wear all black, others lean into color. The same is true with books, the genre, style, pacing, and tone… it’s all deeply subjective.

Honest reactions? Helpful. Thoughtful reviews? Always welcome. It’s okay to say, “This one wasn’t for me.” But the cringey hot takes crafted for clicks, the performative outrage, the content farming disguised as critique. It’s exhausting. Not every opinion needs to go viral. Let’s bring the conversation back to what actually matters: the love of books!

Because in the end, books are art. They’re deeply personal to those who create them, and beautifully varied for those who experience them. The fact that we don’t all agree? That’s part of what makes the book world so rich.

Scams, Schemes, and Shady Offers

Not everything is as genuine as it seems. While most people are in book communities for the love of stories, connection, and creativity, there’s a growing shadow side: scams, fake accounts, and low-effort content designed to make a quick buck.

Personally, I get dozens of DMs and emails every week from people offering to write me thoughtful reviews, create book trailers, or promote my book to thousands of readers. Some even ask if my book is on Amazon or Goodreads… questions that would’ve taken less time to look up than to message me about. That’s how I know they’re baiting me. These aren’t real readers or collaborators; they’re casting a wide net, hoping I’ll bite.

It’s not just the messages, either. There’s been a noticeable rise in low-content or AI-generated books flooding the marketplace. Everything from coloring books with stolen art, journals with random prompts, or fiction cobbled together by bots with minimal human input. These titles often mimic the look of legitimate work but don’t deliver the same substance or heart. When they’re padded with fake reviews or hyped through misleading endorsements, it makes the landscape even harder to navigate.

For readers, this can mean wasting time and money on something that wasn’t what it claimed to be. For writers, especially indie authors pouring their soul into their work, it creates frustrating competition against content that was never meant to resonate, just to sell.

The lesson? Be curious, but cautious. Check the source. Read the sample. If something feels off, it probably is. There’s still so much good out there, but it doesn’t hurt to look twice before clicking Buy Now.

What Counts as Reading?

In some corners of the book world, there’s still this idea that “real” reading means holding a physical book or scrolling an e-reader. But what about audiobooks? I’ve seen people post their reading goals online with a disclaimer that “X were audiobooks,” as if they don’t fully count. 

When you listen to a story, you’re still immersed in the world, still following the plot, absorbing the characters, feeling the tension. You’re still thinking about what happens next. Isn’t that the point?

Maybe the term just hasn’t caught up with the experience yet. Maybe we need a new word for the many ways people take in stories now: reading, listening, watching, interacting. It’s all evolving. But until then, I’m firmly in the “listening is reading” camp… even if it’s not the textbook definition.

Book Clubs, Bluffing, and Being Honest

Earlier this week, I came across a NYT Magazine post on Instagram about a woman who went to her book club and faked her way through the discussion using reviews and summaries. 

The commentary was all over the place. I wondered why she would lie about it. Then, I got to thinking about peer pressure and the desire to contribute. Maybe we need to normalize simply saying, “I didn’t finish it,” or “It didn’t engage me,” is acceptable and still showing up for the conversation.

Book clubs don’t have to be reading tests. They can be places for sharing, laughing, reflecting, and sometimes skipping the book and enjoying the wine. Let’s keep in mind that the majority of books bought are never finished, and many times never even started!

Rethinking and Reconnecting

The more time I spend in the book world of 2025, the more I realize how much it’s evolved and how much I’ve changed with it. What started as a weekly visit to the library and a simple love of stories in my childhood has become something bigger, more communal, and sometimes more complicated.

At the heart of it all, I believe books will always connect us… to ourselves, to each other, and to ideas we may have never considered. I’d love to keep the conversation going.

You’ll find me @alissaarfordauthor on all of the major channels:

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Building Something from Scratch

There’s a very specific kind of chaos that comes with independently publishing a book. It’s the kind that lives in browser tabs, thrives in bureaucratic portals, and flourishes in 2 a.m. “just remembered I didn’t do that” moments.

Over the last few months, I’ve jumped head-first into two new ventures:

Releasing my debut novel, Welcome to Seagull Street, a slice-of-life story set in Ocean City, Maryland (May 24, 2025)Setting up Red Hill Creek Enterprises, my marketing consulting and publishing company

Both have been labors of love, and stress, and spreadsheets. Just a month before my book launch, I lost my full-time job… and many of my bigger launch plans went under like a riptide. So, I pivoted fast, working to kick-start Red Hill Creek as a Fractional CMO consulting business as well as my publishing company.

What No One Tells You About Doing Everything Yourself

Indie publishing isn’t just writing a book. It’s ordering ISBNs and barcodes, wrangling metadata, applying for sales tax IDs, calculating shipping fees, adjusting printer margins, Googling how to send a 1099 to your editor ASAP because you had no clue, and answering emails like, “Your barcode placement is not up to spec,” at 1:27 a.m.—when all you wanted was to hit “publish.”

Starting a business isn’t just launching a website. It’s endless bureaucratic forms, wrestling with Stripe settings that refuse to save, chasing down domain records, troubleshooting why your emails keep landing in spam, shelling out for Canva Pro and then spending hours making all your templates look just different enough that no one realizes you’re using it. And yes, it’s lying awake at night wondering why you never once considered finding a traditional publisher instead.

And losing your job? It’s not just losing income. It’s losing part of your identity. Your confidence. Your sense of timing. It’s trying to keep your momentum going when your world tilts, and doing it with grace, grit, or at the very least, a halfway decent to-do list and some strong coffee.

What No One Tells You About Having Time

For the first time in years, I had time. Time to write. To edit. To build. To slow down enough to ask myself: What do I actually want to make?

But I also had… no money. To launch the book properly, I would be going into debt.

Every book order, social media ad, event ticket, shipping charge, and domain renewal felt like a gut check. Every decision became a math problem. I started looking at everything in terms of, “How many books will I need to sell to cover this cost?”

It’s an odd thing, to feel creatively free and financially stuck at the same time. It forces you to get scrappy, thoughtful, resourceful. It strips things down to their essentials.

ChatGPT Becomes Your Virtual Best Friend and Business Partner

I had a million questions about publishing a book and starting a retail business. Like:

Why am I only earning $3 per book? Why doesn’t Amazon offer a reseller sales tax break and IngramSpark does? (Amazon is all about Amazon. Sorry, not sorry.)What is a CRN and why does Maryland want it? (I needed to apply for a sales tax license. Duh.)Can I sell books on the OCMD Boardwalk or do I need a permit? (Artists don’t need a permit… and an author is an ‘expressive’ artist. Yay! That was good news!)But You Also Learn That Most People Are Cheering You On

From early ARC reviewers who take a chance on your story, to bookstore owners who give you five minutes to pitch, to neighbors who just get why this thing matters to you, there are little moments that make it worth it.

And if you’re lucky, you get to create something that resonates.

Something that feels personal but ends up feeling universal.

The truth is: most books that are bought are never finished, or even started. And no book is universally liked. It’s all so subjective. You just hope a few readers make it past the slow build, connect with the characters, and maybe feel a little hit of Ocean City nostalgia along the way.

That’s really all you can ask for.

If You’re In the Thick of It Too

Whether you’re launching a business, writing a book, freelancing full-time, or just trying to build something meaningful in a noisy world, I’m right there with you, and I’m cheering you on.

It’s messy. It’s humbling. It’s never a straight line. But it’s yours.

So here’s to the duct tape and the hope. The pivots and the sticky notes. The KDP dashboard refreshes and the late-night Goodreads review checks. And whatever your next good thing turns out to be.

If you want to follow along as I figure it out in real time — with a little chaos, a little creativity, and hopefully a little wisdom along the way — you’ll find me @alissaarfordauthor on all of the major channels:

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2025 Summer Reading List for the Beach

There’s nothing better than getting lost in a great book on a summer day, whether you’re reading with your toes in the sand, relaxing by the pool, or just curled up on the deck with a cold drink. I love making myself a fun summer TBR list each year, mixing new releases with a few tried-and-true favorite authors. If you’re looking for your next beach read, here are some recommendations… of course, I’m including my own novel Welcome to Seagull Street, which is set in my favorite summer vacation spot: Ocean City, Maryland!

Coincidentally, I was working on this blog post when I found out that the University of Maryland included Welcome to Seagull Street in their summer reading list for best beach reads by Terps! Check out the UMD article.

7 Great Beach Reads for Summer 2025

1. Welcome to Seagull Street by Alissa Arford (May 2025)
Romance • Mystery • Slice-of-Life
A reclusive cybersecurity analyst. A heartbroken teacher. A surfer chasing a fresh start. Set in Ocean City, Maryland, this summer read is full of friendship, suspense, Boardwalk shenanigans, and seagulls who never miss a thing.

2. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (April 2024)
Romantic Comedy
Two people with a bad track record of dating decide to help each other break the curse… and of course, sparks fly. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and heart.

3. The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin (July 2024)
Women’s Fiction
A lifelong circle of friends comes together at a beach house one fateful summer. Secrets, second chances, and the ties that bind make this one an easy summer binge.

4. Book Lovers by Emily Henry (May 2022)
Romantic Comedy
Still a modern classic of the genre and one that belongs on every beach list. A literary agent and a brooding editor face off in a small town full of unexpected turns. This is my favorite Emily Henry book!

5. The Paris Widow by Kimberly Belle (June 2024)
Thriller • Suspense
An American woman’s husband disappears during a business trip in Paris, setting off a dangerous search through the city’s glamorous and darker corners. Page-turning and tense. One for thriller fans!

6. The Summer We Started Over by Nancy Thayer (April 2024)
Women’s Fiction
A story of new beginnings, friendship, and family on Nantucket. If you love cozy summer settings and stories about reinventing life after big changes, this one hits the mark.

7. Audition by Katie Kitamura (April 2025)
Literary Fiction
An acclaimed stage actress begins an intense mentorship with a younger actor… a relationship complicated by the possibility that he may be her long-lost son. A layered, atmospheric novel about identity, memory, and the blurred lines between performance and truth.

Wherever this summer takes you — beach days, road trips, or quiet afternoons at home — I hope these books bring a little extra sunshine to your reading life. If you’ve read any of the picks on this list (or have other favorites I should add to my summer reading list), I’d love to hear from you! And of course, if Welcome to Seagull Street makes it into your beach bag, tag me. I always love seeing where the story travels!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | For Booksellers (PDF) | BookShop.Org

Ocean City Air Show Weekend: Where Real Life Meets Fiction on Seagull Street

Every June (well, most years), the Ocean City Air Show brings thunder to the skies above Maryland’s iconic Boardwalk. With fighter jets slicing through the clouds, beachgoers gazing skyward, and patriotic music blasting from balconies, it’s one of the most unforgettable weekends of the summer. It’s also the backdrop for one of my favorite sections in Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland.

On page 201, Luke, one of the characters in the novel, watches the air show from his oceanfront hotel balcony, taking in the noise, the nostalgia, and the tension brewing just beneath the surface. If you’ve ever been in Ocean City during the air show, you’ll know exactly what he’s feeling!

If you’re in Ocean City watching the air show this weekend, a limited number of signed copies are available at Raggamuffin Boutique (24th Street in OCMD), Caprichos Books (Ocean Pines), and Bethany Beach Books. Get the book now on Amazon, paperback or Kindle, or wherever you get your ebooks.

7 Things I’ve Learned in My First 2 Weeks as a Published Author

On the OCMD Boardwalk!Bethany Beach BooksWith Marc Emond, the cover artist in his shop: Raggamuffin Boutique (24th Street OCMD)Dropping off signed copies to Caprichos Books in Ocean Pines!Hoop Tea Partea on the Boardwalk… couldn’t miss it!Meeting up with Lizzie from Ocean City Vibes – the #1 place for OCMD happenings!Welcome to Seagull Street finally hits the beach!Welcome to Seagull Street finally hits the beach!

Publishing a novel is deeply personal, but as someone who has worked in marketing for years, I approached the launch of Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland, like any of my new product launches. The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of fulfillment, feedback, and spreadsheets. Here’s what I’ve learned so far from the business side of bringing this story to life.

1. Pricing Is Strategic and Tricky

Setting the price of a 366-page paperback sounds straightforward, but it turns out it’s one of the hardest calls to make. I started at $14.99, thinking it was reader-friendly for my debut author status and direct-to-customer audience, which is primarily buying on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites.

I set the price early in 2025. The economy changed dramatically over the first half of the year and there’s been a lot of momentum to shop local and support small businesses. After seeing how low my initial royalties were and talking with indie bookstore owners over the past couple of weeks, I learned it would be hard for them to stock it at that price due to low margins. I’m now adjusting the MSRP to $19.99 to support bookstore partnerships, while still offering a discounted $17.99 price on Amazon (as of June 10, 2025). (Get it now for $14.99 on Amazon through June 9, 2025!)

2. Publicity Starts Local

The weekend after the book release date, I drove to Ocean City to hand-deliver signed copies to beachside shops (Bethany Beach Books, Caprichos Books, Raggamuffin Boutique), donate copies to the Ocean City Library, and meet with local influencers (Hi to Ocean City Vibes!). I set up a book sale table on the Boardwalk (expressive artists can do this for free!) and talked with tourists and locals about the story behind the book. I even handed out seagull stickers and custom OCMD coloring pages to kids passing by.

These small, grassroots actions created genuine connections. I have always doubled down on “owning your backyard” as the most important element of a successful marketing strategy! This book is set in Ocean City and my primary target audience is people who live or vacation there. This is a niche audience, but that’s the point. Delighting someone who knows OCMD is much easier than someone who doesn’t!

3. Social Ads Are Doing the Heavy Lifting

My paid ads on Meta and TikTok are bringing steady traffic to my website and directly to the independent shops carrying signed copies of the book in OCMD. Depending on the day, I spend $3–10 on paid social ads. My website stats tell me that the majority of my visitors are coming from Facebook and are clicking on the link to purchase via Amazon. What’s even more interesting is that I’m seeing way less obvious engagement on Facebook. More people are seeing my posts and clicking on the links and literally going to the shops to buy the book, but they aren’t visibly engaging with the posts (likes/comments/shares).

Users on Instagram are more likely to engage with my posts than elsewhere. I have the most followers on TikTok and my #BookTok efforts are visibly successful, but hardly any of those followers are clicking on my website link. LinkedIn has the highest engagement on my few book-related posts, but hardly any clicks to my website compared to other social channels. I’m getting a lot of organic traffic to my website from Google searches. What helps? My name is unique and my book title is also unique, so I’m benefiting from great SEO and regular blog posts, like this.

4. Word-of-Mouth Is Still the Most Powerful Channel

Reader posts and casual social media shares have led to real sales. People still buy based on personal recommendations. Friends telling other friends about the book—the local buzz in Ocean City about it. I’ve been getting a lot of questions, like: Is JJ’s Cafe real? (No.) Is Seagull Street a real road? (No, but locals will be able to figure out what real road it’s based on!) A few of my friends are recommending it to their book clubs and purchasing additional books as gifts. Neighbors are texting me to come and pick up signed copies.

It’s only been two weeks, but I’ve already gone through almost 150 books from my personal stash at home! Fifty more books are arriving today for my book signing this weekend (June 7 @ 11–2) at Second Edition Books in Columbia, Maryland. I’ll have to order more books next week to replenish the stock at the indie bookstores in Ocean City later this month.

5. Amazon Rankings Are a Motivator, Not a Reliable Metric

Unfortunately, there is no real master dashboard to see how your book is doing across all channels. Amazon has a dashboard for sales (which I refresh a few dozen times a day!), but the only way to see the book rankings is to manually check each listing a few times a day, since it’s changing almost in real time. You need to click into each book category (for Kindle and paperback) and specifically look at the “New Releases” tab to see where you match up with the other new books in your category.

Welcome to Seagull Street is currently sitting at #37 in its top category (and in the top 100 in two other categories for new releases). Will it go up and down? Yes. Will I know? Not unless I happen to be perusing the rankings at just the right time. I also check IngramSpark regularly for orders via their distribution centers. My book is sitting at #7 in its main category there.

6. Reviews Are Hard to Get

Even when people love a book, writing a review takes effort. Each review helps boost credibility, improve algorithm placement, and guide future readers. Books (like any form of expressive art) are so subjective. I’m always reading a book, and on average I only really like about two out of every 10 books I read. I rarely ever leave a formal review, probably because I’d feel bad leaving something mediocre. I get that it’s not easy to leave a review, and it’s also hard to be in a business where reviews matter so much because many reviews are not even completely authentic. They say that the average reader only starts reading 20% of the books they acquire and DNF many of those. I’m also picking up new book lingo: DNF (did not finish) and TBR (to be read).

So my goal isn’t to chase reviews, it’s to drive real book sales and connect with readers who see it through to the final page. Most people won’t read the book. Those who do, many won’t like it. And only a small percentage will leave a review. Is it cynical to say, “Buy my book and I don’t care if you read it” ? Maybe. But if you do read it (and like it), I hope you’ll tell a friend.

7. You Can Launch a Book on a Shoestring Budget

The month before my book launch, I lost my full-time job. The timing was both the worst and the best. I hadn’t been devoting as much time to the book launch as I’d have liked, given my maxed-out work schedule. The book was a side passion project, so I felt like I couldn’t dedicate the time to make it a priority. Straight away, I had to cancel a lot of my more costly book launch plans. A fancy book launch party turned into a casual gathering at my house. I had already sunk a lot of money into a PR book box campaign, so that had to go on as planned and I’m so glad I did it, because I got the best response on social media from it!

The upside to my jobless situation was that I had more time than ever before to devote to launching the book. It was a blessing and a curse. I’d been waiting my entire life for this moment and I didn’t want to cut too many corners and have it be a total bust. So I ended up spending more money than I should have… but I have no regrets. The past two weeks have been some of the best learning experiences of my life, equal parts humbling and thrilling. Shall we say: a “if you write it, they will come” surreal moment.

Final Takeaway

Even the most heartfelt, creative product needs a clear go-to-market strategy. I’ve led launches for all types of products and services, but marketing myself as an author is a new kind of challenge.

If you need marketing assistance and could use a strategic partner, let’s talk. My consulting firm, Red Hill Creek Enterprises, is currently taking on new clients for marketing strategy, digital campaigns, content planning, and book launch consulting. If you need a fractional CMO, I’m here for you: alissa@alissaarford.com.

Paperback Price Rising

I didn’t want to write this post. But here we are.

After running the numbers (and re-running them several times), I’ve made the decision to raise the paperback price of Welcome to Seagull Street starting June 10. Until then, it will remain at the current price of $14.99.

Here’s why:
As an indie author, I’m responsible for every part of the process: from writing and editing to design, printing, distribution, marketing, and fulfillment. While I’ve tried to keep the price as accessible as possible as a debut author, I’ve had multiple conversations with independent bookstores who want to carry the book but can’t because the current price doesn’t leave them enough margin to make it viable. That was the deciding factor.

Between increased production costs since I selected the price earlier this year and the need to support bookstore partnerships, I’ve realized the price needs to reflect the true cost of creating and sharing this book. I want Welcome to Seagull Street to be available in as many places as possible: online, in stores, and on shelves you might wander past while on vacation. Adjusting the price helps make that possible.

If you’ve been thinking about picking up a copy (for yourself or as a gift), now’s the time to do it at the original introductory price of $14.99. It’s available through June 9 at Amazon, Bookshop.org, and several amazing indie shops (signed copies, if you’re local!).

And if you’ve already purchased a copy: thank you. Truly. Your support means more than I can say.

Beach Book Launch Weekend

One Week After Launch: The Stories Behind the Seagulls

It’s been about a week since Welcome to Seagull Street officially launched, and I’m still catching my breath, in the best possible way. I had a busy weekend (May 30-June 1) of book drops and surprise moments in Ocean City, Maryland!

Signed Copies Available (In-Store & Online):
Caprichos Books (11310 Manklin Creek Rd, Ocean Pines, Maryland)

Signed Copies Available (In-Store):
Raggamuffun Boutique (24th Street, Ocean City, Maryland)
Book Cover Artist Marc Emond’s Shop!

Signed Copies Available (In-Store):
Bethany Beach Books (99 Garfield Parkway, Delaware)

@alissaarfordauthor

Signed copies of my new book “Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland” are available now at Raggamuffin Boutique in #OCMD — Book cover artist Marc Emond’s shop! #books #booktok #newbooks #maryland #beachread

♬ Summer Feelings (feat. Charlie Puth) – Lennon Stella

Ravens Parade

With all of the book excitement, I didn’t realize that this was the Ravens Roost Beach Party weekend! As a huge Ravens fan, I knew I had to fit in the parade because it’s always so much fun. (In a past parade, we got to meet Jacoby Jones!) This year, the highlight had to be the performance by the Baltimore Twilighters. Check out my highlights video on TikTok!

@alissaarfordauthor

The best part of the #Ravens parade in #OCMD was the #BaltimoreTwilighters #band #dancer #maryland #baltimore

♬ original sound – Alissa Arford | Author BookTok

Conversations on the Boardwalk

I spent a few hours on the Boardwalk on Sunday, chatting with anyone curious enough to stop by my book sale table. The weather was cooler than usual for this time of the year, so it was not very crowded. I had to pivot my original Boardwalk plan due to the rain and hail(!) on Saturday. Note to fellow artists and performers: you can set up on the Boardwalk to pitch your own expressive arts (perform for tips, or sell your own crafts/books/artwork, etc…) (Official OCMD Boardwalk Performing Details.)

I sold a handful of books, but the best part wasn’t the sales, it was the conversations. Aspiring authors, beach-town locals, and the kind of characters who should be in books all stopped by. It was one of the most interesting, inspiring three-hour stretches I’ve had in a long time. Proof that stories (whether in books or real life) bring people together. To the man who recited his clever poem about anchovies, well done! I hope that one day that you too are a published author/poet!

@alissaarfordauthor

I’m on the #OCMD Boardwalk right now selling my new book! Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland!! 5th Street by The Kite Loft!! #welcometoseagullstreet #oceancity #beachread #books #booktok #newauthor

♬ Summer Days – Martin Garrix / Macklemore / Patrick Stump

Social Media Traffic

As a marketing consultant, I’ve been completely obsessed with my marketing stats for the book launch. I’ve been posting (organic and paid ads) across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. While Instagram and TikTok seem to get all the likes and comments, Facebook is quietly doing the most. Yesterday, three people walked into Raggamuffin Boutique in Ocean City asking for my book after seeing posts on Facebook. (Yes, really!) When I donated the book to the OCMD library, the librarian said she had seen the book on Instagram the night before. Social media marketing works!

@alissaarfordauthor

Get signed copies of WelcomeToSeagullStreet! #books #booktok #ocmd #maryland #bethanybeach

♬ Reggae Island – Julian Angel and Chiko U

Next Weekend

And if you’re in central Maryland, I’d love to see you at my upcoming signing event next weekend!

Second Edition Books & Music – Columbia, MD
Saturday, June 7
11am – 2pm

Thanks to everyone who’s shared a post about my book, bought a copy, or just said “Congrats!” The journey is just beginning, and I’m so grateful to have you all along for the ride.

See you on Seagull Street.