Angela C. Castillo's Blog, page 5

Why Didn't My Promo Work?

Photo by Cherie Haines fairygirlphoto.weebly.com


So if you are an Indie author, you've probably heard you must spend money to get money. And unless you're living under a rock, you most likely know Bookbub is the king of all promo sites. But what about the countless other sites? You know the ones. Pay them some money and they'll promote your book deal on their site. Or perhaps you've gone to sites who offer FREE promos... if they have the space. Otherwise, you can pay money for a 'guaranteed' listing.

As for free sites, yes, they might be free, but it does take lots of time and effort to submit books to them... time that might be better spent writing if they don't sell you any books.

I've spent a lot of money... more than I care to admit ... on promo sites that didn't work. And I wish I had taken the time and trouble to do this a LONG time ago. Oh well. Maybe I will save YOU some time and money.
I made a spreadsheet of promo sites. Now, this is not a complete list, I'm sure there are hundreds more. But they are the ones I found today. Then I went to Alexa.com and found out the website rankings for the sites. This shows monthly updates for how websites are ranked in the USA. The lower the number, the more visitors the site has. (for example, Facebook is number 2) 
Here are the top ten ranked sites as of March 20, 2016, and a link to a Google doc. with the rest I researched. Please feel free to share any other sites that have worked well for you, and don't forget to compare notes with other writers. Some genres might do better on some sites than others. (Note; Pixel of Ink is not listed, since it's not currently taking submissions)
1. BookbubRanking:  1866Price: 50.00-2000.00      
2. E-reader IQ Ranking: 8955 Price: 20.00-150.00
3. Robin Reads (I've had great results with these folks, but they are picky)Ranking: 9954Price: 15.00-20.00
4. BooksendsRanking: 17147Price: 10-125.00
5. One Hundred Free E-BooksRanking: 20054 Price: 75-100.00
6. FreebooksyRanking:22774Price: 40-200.00
7. Bknights (Fiverr)Ranking: 28153Price: 5.50
8. Daily Free E-booksRanking: 32626
9. Book LemurRanking: 32700Price: 25.00-35.00
10. E-reader News Today
Ranking: 33828
Price: 15-50.00 (This site has done great for me and many others)
Here is the link to the Google spreadsheet. Hope it's helpful! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BL0TCWKI8Ny05_iZpkllZvxT60zVSg12GNZUVPnHRXg/edit?usp=sharing
Please feel free to comment with thoughts/experience. 

Cover Reveal: Steampunk Fairy Tales Anthology

Merry Extremely Early Christmas to all you steampunk lovers! Some of the best and brightest Scribophile members have penned some absolutely FANTASTIC steampunk re-writes of your favorite fairy tales, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Bluebeard, Little Red Riding Hood and more! Today, I am proud to present our cover, designed by the one and only Indigo Forest Designs! http://indigoforest.weebly.com/
'So... when do you get to read this amazing collection? Have no fear! March 28th is the release date!

Cover Reveal: The Saloon Girl's Journey

And heeeeere's the cover! Book will be out April 7th, 2016!

Thank you so much to Gracelyn Fullilove, my lovely model, Cherie Haines, my photographer, and Elaina Lee at For the Muse Designs for another wonderful cover!

Win a Kindle Fire FILLED with clean fantasy fiction!

Win a FREE Kindle fire chock-full of AMAZING clean fantasy from some of the best Indie authors around, including ALL THREE books from my Toby the Trilby series. Who cares about blizzards when you can curl up with a Kindle Fire?  a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Year's Goals

I just came from a fantastic sermon from my pastor at Foundations Christian Ministries in Bastrop, Texas. He talked about setting goals for the New Year, and I think they are relevant for writers as well.
He talked about using the word S.M.A.R.T. to remember how to set goals.

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant
Time-bound.

The one thing he said that made the most impact on me was to write them down. Today. When you write down a goal, your brain automatically starts working to figure out how you will obtain that goal.
Writing out my goals has been the number one biggest motivator for me to get four books completed and out in the last two years. This is my process.
I write a list of basic goals when I start a book. I have a certain number of drafts and edits I know it will have to go through, along with a critiquing, beta reading and editing process. So I take those processes and divide them by month.
Then I take each month and divide it by days. I have one of those desk calendars with extra-big spaces for days. I give myself two days off each week, for emergencies and breathing room.
Then I divide each month's goal by 20. I write a word count on each day of the calendar, along with edits, cover progress, etc.
When I wake up in the morning, my goal for the day is in mind. I'm already figuring out how I will fit it into the day, and what section of my project I will be working on. I already know how much time I will need, and how I will accomplish it.
At the beginning of every month, I decide when my promo days will be and write them on the calendar. About a week before each promotion, I figure out what my budget will be for that promotion and apply to the marketing sites.

How do you plan for your writing year? Do you have goals for 2016?

Fresh Fiction Giveaway!

Need some new ideas for fiction reads? You have come to the right place. Join our giveaway for books from some awesome Indie authors! Seven prizes to be won! a Rafflecopter giveaway


Find other great contests at http://www.contestheat.com/

What Book Goodies Do You Want on Black Friday?

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When An Editor is Not Enough

I know I tend to ramble, but I really hope you aspiring writers will read this through, for your own sakes.

I've been in the world of Indie publishing for over two years now, and I've heard all the snarky comments about "People only choosing to self-publish because they can't get accepted by a traditional publisher," and many other accusations and assumptions. I made a choice to go Indie, and I'm thrilled with my choice. But I've also made a great deal of effort to break stereotypes. I've put time and effort into honing my writing, gathering critiques, and making sure my books are as professional looking as possible. I don't just dash off a manuscript, slap together a landscape snapshot from my phone and add a font for a cover, and send it fluttering off into the Amazon world.
Since I'm an Indie writer, I think it's only fair to support others in my trade. So I'll see an intriguing Indie book with a great cover, and buy it.
Sometimes the book is fabulous. But many times, I will start reading, and the book will have typos from the first page. Now, I'm sure my books might have one or two mistakes the army of people I have help me edit might have missed. And we will all agree we've found typos in even books published by major publishing houses. But I'm talking about many typos, often several to a page.
I don't want to be horrible, I want to be helpful. And as irritating as it is to me, I would like someone to tell me if they find a typo or a mistake in my published work. Better a friend find one and tell me behind closed doors than a reader blast it out on Amazon! So if the author of the book I'm reading is a friend on Facebook or other online group, I will often tell them, "Just to let you know, I saw several typos in chapter so-and-so."
The most terrible thing happens. Every. Single. Time. They will tell me, "But I paid a professional editor to edit for me."
Oh, this makes me so upset! Indie authors shelling out hard-earned money for edits, taking that manuscript and putting it on Amazon, thinking that everything has been taken care of for the 200.00, 500.00 or even 2000.00 that they have paid. I can't even imagine how they must feel when well-meaning people like me tap them on a virtual shoulder and say, "excuse me, but on page 42..."

Here are some things to keep in mind before you upload your book to Amazon, or if you are going the traditional route, send your child off to an agent or editor.

1. Run your story through a good critique group before you even think about editing. Find a local critique group, or an online group with subjective folks who don't know you from Adam who will comb through your story, line by line. This has been the best thing I've ever done for my writing. the great thing about this sort of group is you will learn writing techniques and find out what editors and readers are looking for. Two good groups are www.scribophile.com and Critique Circle.

2. Know the difference between types of editors. I have two wonderful ladies who get my book at the very last. One is an English teacher, and one is a retired copy-editor. They are fantastic at finding grammatical errors and spelling issues. But I need more help then they can give as far as plot, story line and character development. Sometimes copy-editors might not be familiar with your genre. They may be more familiar with non-fiction, which is a wildly different style than fiction. Make sure you are getting the type of editor you need.

3. Don't depend on family and friends as your only feedback. Why? Because they will LIE to you. Lie. Or they will tell you it's wonderful because in their eyes, everything you do is wonderful. Ten adjectives in the paragraph? They are all wonderful because they were written by you! But Amazon reviewers... they don't care.

4. Research your editor before you hire them. You can check up on several types of publishing services on the Preditors and Editors site. They also have lots of other helpful information. Another good way to find a good editor? Contact Indie authors of books in your genre that you have enjoyed. Ask them who edits for them and the prices.

5. Always ask for samples. Before you shell out a penny, ask for a sample of their work. An honest editor will be glad to oblige. Again, have another few pairs of unbiased eyes check over the sample before you agree to it.

6. Expect to pay a fair wage. Don't expect a good editor to be cheap. But they are worth their weight in gold!

I would love to hear any comments or stories you might have to add to what I've written here. 

Cover Reveal! "Blue Hydrangeas" By Marianne Sciucco

I wanted to share a new cover from author Marianne Sciucco. This design was done by Perry Elisabeth and I think it's just lovely.


What if the person who knew you best and loved you most forgot your face, and couldn't remember your name? A pair of retired Cape Cod innkeepers struggle with the wife's Alzheimer's. A beautiful love story written by a masterful storyteller who Enter the Goodreads drawing  to win a copy of Blue Hydrangeas.
Readers say:Heartbreakingly beautiful.I felt drawn to Jack and Sara from page one and find myself wondering about them even now. The book is very well-written and believable.A heartfelt tender story that is entertaining and emotionally gripping!A real page turner and it gives you insights of the daily life events living with this crushing disease called Alzheimer’s.While not a "happily ever after" love story, Blue Hydrangeas is sure to be one you will ponder for some time after you have finished reading it.
Purchase Blue Hydrangeas in ebook, paperback, and audiobook Amazon Amazon UK Audible Barnes and Noble iBooks iTunes Kobo
About the AuthorMarianne Sciucco is not a nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse. A lover of words and books, she dreamed of becoming an author when she grew up but became a nurse to avoid poverty. She later brought her two passions together and writes about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. Her debut novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, is a Kindle bestseller, IndieReader Approved, a BookWorks featured book, a Self-e Selection, a 5-star Readers Favorite, and winner of IndieReCon’s Best Indie Novel Award, 2014. She's currently working on a YA novel, Swim Season, about the new girl on the team who challenges a longstanding school record, to be released in 2015. A native Bostonian, Marianne lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, and when not writing works as a campus nurse at a community college. She loves books, the beach, and craft beer, and especially enjoys the three of them together.Connect with Marianne SciuccoWhy did I Write a Book about Alzheimer’s? An Interview with Author Marianne Sciucco
Website Facebook Goodreads Google+ Pinterest Twitter Connect with Perry Elisabeth Website Book Design

Cover Reveal and Pre-order for "The Comanche Girl's Prayer," release date Oct 15th!

I'm pleased to reveal the cover for my new book, The Comanche Girl's Prayer, which is Book 2 in the Texas Women of Spirit series. It will be released October 15th.

Huge thanks go out to Cherie Haines with FairyGirlPhoto (website HERE) for taking the photo, Elaina Lee at For the Muse Design for designing a gorgeous cover, (website HERE) and the incredibly lovely Sara Vanderbush for being my Soonie.

The book is available for pre-order on Kindle HERE
You can order it in paperback at my website, http;//angelacastillowrites.weebly.com

It's 1891. Called by God, nineteen-year-old Soonie Eckhart travels to an illegal Comanche and Kiowa settlement in North Texas to become a teacher for the children in hiding. 
Despite her Comanche roots, she finds many in the group, including a volatile young man named Lone Warrior, refuse to accept her. 
After a chance encounter in the hills with a band of dangerous men, Soonie must draw on the deepest parts of her faith and courage to survive.