Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 293

For that dream office of mine…

So, apparently, this is meant to go on a bathroom door, but I kind of like this idea for my office.  Buy it for me here.

 

KDP Select, by the numbers for Room 702.

15,439 – number of downloaded books in a 5 day time (significant numbers started in the 3rd – 5th days)

13 – current book sales (post free listing)

2 – additional reviews (one positive, one who really didn’t get the book)

0 – new follows on Twitter

3 – pins showed up on Pinterest

1 – new follow for the facebook page

a lot – number of adds on Goodreads

1 – request for Authograph

10 – number of adds on Shelfari

Given this is the first weekend that people might be actually taking the time to read the book, I’m optimistic for the week ahead.  Overall, I feel proud.  While the number seems a little surreal and I wish it were actual book sales and not just free downloads, I have to take a step back and think of what I accomplished.  My book didn’t have anyone else supporting it but me.  My book wasn’t traditionally published.  This was my first title as Ann Benjamin.  Would I do the same thing again with additional novels?  Hell yes and much earlier in the process.  Room 702 was always meant to be something I learned on, and for its success, I am very grateful.

Now, I’m ready to get back into working on my manuscript which I completely abandoned while all this was going on.

Offline until Sunday…

I realize with the timing of my book and all that’s going on with it, I should probably be around, but sometimes life needs to be enjoyed outside.  In this case, off the coast of Oman.

See you on Sunday!

On the topic of criticism.

“I’m the obsessive type. I’ll read every single review, every single email, every single rejection, every single damn Goodreads/Amazon review. I’ll read between the lines, looking for something that’s probably not there. I’ll take it personal. I’m aware of this character flaw so I steel myself and take a step back. I take it as objectively as possible. I look for a cue, something that pulls out the valuable nuggets from even the most negative criticism. I look for something constructive. If it’s not there, because it can’t always be there, I’ve got those friends and allies, those maniacs that remain at a writer’s side throughout good and bad. But ultimately, I don’t think anyone ever gets used to negative criticism. Either you grow numb or the negative undercurrent is always somewhat visible, audible, poking out from every batch of good reviews. The best anyone can do is steel up and remain objective. If not, a stiff drink and a night of friendly conversation never hurts to remind you that we’re all human and, in some way, hurting.”

– Michael Seidlinger’s most recent book is The Laughter of Strangers 

“For me it’s important to acknowledge the inevitability of negative criticism. If I continue to write and to publish, it is going to happen. It has happened. It is a fact of any writer’s existence. And when we get negative criticism, we are in excellent company, since it has probably happened at some point, if not at multiple points, to every writer we have ever admired.

Anyway! When faced with negative criticism, I first try to keep things in perspective. I remind myself that no one ever died from getting a 1 star-er on Goodreads or a shitty review. It sucks, but it’s not a national tragedy. Who said that thing about letting a bad review ruin one’s breakfast but not their lunch? I try to do that, or to use negative criticism as an excuse to have a cathartic dance party in the middle of the day or to do the boxing workout I am too busy/lazy to do 50% of the time. A bad review hurts, no doubt, but I try to remember that even though negative criticism can, at times, make me feel small and wounded and afraid, it will only paralyze me if I let it. I try to consider the source, which sometimes makes it better and sometimes makes it worse. I remind myself that nothing can be for everyone. More than anything, though, I try to funnel whatever hurt I might be feeling back into my work. I tell myself that one day I am going to write something so fucking amazing it will melt the eyeballs of whoever hated on my stuff in the past. I watch the Honey Badger video. Over and over. WHAT WOULD THE HONEY BADGER DO? I think we know! I remind myself that what matters most (always, always, always) is my ability to dig in and write through it.”

– Laura van den Berg’s latest collection of short stories, The Isle of Youth.

This article popped up on Flavorwire and the above sections jumped out at me.

With more than 12,000 copies of my book out in the world right now I’m sitting and anxiously awaiting feedback.  While I’m grateful for the success in getting the book out there, now I begin to wonder, will people like it?  Will any of the characters or stories speak to them?  Is it the type of book they would recommend?  Would they buy another book of mine?  The biggest critique so far comes from the amount of characters I have.  This was obviously a conscious decision of mine when writing, and appears on the cover of the book:  ’One hotel suite. One year. Many stories.’  I completely understand if readers don’t like this type of novel – if so, Room 702 is not for them (and in fact, they won’t like my current WIPs because there’s a lot more where that came from).  Room 702 was always meant to be a book that you could pick up and read a few chapters – it’s not a character study.  I know not everyone is going to ‘get’ the book, so it’s my hope that those who the book was intended for will read and enjoy.

Free e-book (success) story to date.

So, I made the decision to list my book, Room 702, for free (have you downloaded yet?  Go for it!).  I did this for a number of reasons, but mainly, it was the last thing left (short of dropping seriously bucks) to raise awareness for my struggling title.  In signing up for KDP Select, I focused on a day that would get a lot of traffic from my various groups across social media.  I ended up deciding on my birthday.  Knowing from previous free listings that it can sometimes require a day or two to gain traction, I set my free listing for 4 days (3/16 – 3/19 – and still have the option to add an additional day).  With my dates in mind, I then contacted some companies that help promote free days on Amazon (I would guess I spent about $50 all in).

And then I held my breath.  My initial goal was to crack the Top 100 in free e-books on Amazon.  I wanted this mainly for the exposure – as a reader, I rarely look past books in the Top 100.  When my book climbed to #113 yesterday, I got excited.  When it was in the 50s when I went to bed last night, I was pumped.  This morning, I peaked at #24, I was completely ecstatic.  Currently, there have been 7442 downloads – 10K is my hope.  With still almost two full days left, I’m not sure if the book will continue to rise, or fall.  Additionally, I’ve not started receiving any reviews (positive or negative) and am anxiously waiting to read what people think of my book.

It’s been an interesting ride so far and I’m hoping that it translates to some real sales this weekend.

#2 peak in a few categories.

#24!!!

Ann’s current mood.

Book Review: Life in Hotels.

Having written about a fictional hotel, I’m always on the look out for books about hotels.  Released late in 2013, I somehow managed to miss Life in Hotels by Mr. M Martin until recently.  The novel is a near opposite to mine – focusing on two people (almost exclusively) and the places/hotels their relationship takes them, rather than the many couples and configurations that make up the guests of Room 702.

Sexy cover is sexy.

This book immediately swept me in.  I was only to the second city when I had already mentally cast the couple of David and Catherine (I’m nearly certain the author had David Gandry (drool) in mind when he was writing and Catherine I pictured as Kate Beckinsale).  I don’t want to give much more away, but I would encourage anyone with a love of travel and character study to give this book a try.

I would only make small changes (the awkward attachment to labels and couture is a bit obnoxious as is David’s rather overeager, explicit and random fantasies that go nowhere), but other than those minute details, I found the story engaging and heartbreaking.  I’m actually looking forward to another read and would definitely by whatever Mr. Martin comes up with next.  I can honestly say, if you like Room 702, I would highly recommend Life in Hotels.

A reminder.

When sales are low and there is no motivation to be found, I have to remind myself of this.  Also, yay Sailor Moon – a great series with important lessons.

 

Spam messages make me giggle.

I keep getting spambots on an earlier post and this message from zumba certified instructor made me laugh:

I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.

The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.

nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering

the following. unwell unquestionably comme more formerly agaon since exactly

the same nearly verry often inside case yoou shield this hike.

There’s something strangely poetic here.

Seeing is believing.

Anyone know who said this?

I should probably ask Arabic speaking friends to make sure the translation is correct.

P.S. I…Like You (Sort Of)

In research for my current WIP, as mentioned, I am reading (in this case, re-reading) books and watching movies that have to do with the topic (widowhood).  Top of the list was P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern.  I must have read this around 10 years ago, because I didn’t remember much of it (nor did I remember exactly how whiny the protagonist was, nor how weird/annoying the supporting cast was, or how the book ended).  It should be no surprise then, that in this strange instance, I much preferred the movie to the book.  The book went a bit longer than I would’ve liked it to and I feel like nearly 15-20% of it could have been chopped (which is evident in the film).  I also like how the film deviated from the ending of the book towards something a bit more optimistic.

What I did like about the book was how the husband (spoilers – he’s dead!) was still very much a character in the novel (much more so than the whinefest of Year of Pleasures).  If there are any takeaways I have from my week of PS I Love You, it’s that even though someone is dead, it doesn’t mean they can’t be a great supporting character.

Never mind the strange language – the movie is a pretty decent RomCom.

Watch the movie instead!

Ultimately, my biggest question was, now that I’ve finished the book, would I read another Cecelia Ahern novel?  The answer, unfortunately, is no.