Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 302

In the meantime…

While I try and wait patiently for reviews to come in, I’m going to try and keep busy by editing my current disaster work in progress, the sequel to my original Fates project.  I’m up to page 132 of 252 in the hand edits and it’s slow going red ink everywhere.  I’m trying to remind myself that this work is also important.  I’m also trying to remind myself that my initial book didn’t take off for awhile.  It didn’t sell thousands of copies ever in the first month.

Given patience is one of my weakest points, I’m glad I’ll be on holiday soon and can have a nice distraction.

Connect 4.

This weekend did not yield a lot of accomplishment – but I’m okay with that.  I finished up my book trailer and daydreamed some additional places to query.

Today I begin anew.

4 down, 9,996 to go.

3 – try and hold me back.

So, by the numbers, here’s what I did yesterday:

Contact 3+ industry related websites/blogs for potential book review
Worked on GoodReads profile (syncing up account, etc.)

Results?

Two additional industry persons requested the book, sent!  (At the moment, 5 total blogs are reading the book – looking forward to hopeful (positive) reviews).
Sold another book – trying to figure out if this was one of the books I bought to gift for an industry reader, or if someone legitimately bought Room 702.

What I Need to Do this Weekend

Finish the book trailer!
Be patient.
Edit another book.
Develop marketing plan for free book push in July (tbc).

2 is better than 1.

So, by the numbers, here’s what I did yesterday:

Contact 5+ industry related websites/blogs for potential book review
Contact personal / professional reference for book review
Finish press release

Results?

Additional industry person who runs blog I am a  fan of requested book, sent!  (At the moment, 3 total blogs are reading the book).
Sold another book – thanks Mom!

Additional Considerations

When should I start KDP Select?
Would listing my book for free to get it started be a good idea?

 

Holding at 1.

So, by the numbers, here’s roughly what I did yesterday:

Pin book details on personal book related Pinterest board (Nook)
Contact 5+ industry related websites/blogs for potential book review
Contact personal / professional reference for book review

Results?

Book is live on Nook
Book is live on iTunes
Alma mater is going to list the novel on Alumni Authors board on Pinterest and include in summer reading newsletter
Additional industry person who runs blog I am a big fan of requested book, sent!

More pieces of advice/lessons learned:

Have a press release ready!  (Website, naturally requested one which I am working on fast and furiously)
As always, have more patience.

Random:

My other books have seen an uptick recently – related or unrelated?

Dream book launch outfit and accessories.

Hey, even if I’m not a writer with a publisher or an agent, a girl can still dream, can’t she?  Given Room 702 takes place in a hotel in Beverly Hills, I do have a few options for a fake book launch party.  While in the book all the local properties are technically competitors of my fictional hotel, in reality, many of them served as research and inspiration for the Winchester.  And honestly, while many of the hotels in Beverly Hills are lovely, I think I would take the party to nearby The London West Hollywood.

While I’m dreaming, perhaps I should put together my Oprah interview and GMA outfits, too, right?

And the one for the launch of the film adapted from the manuscript, right?  I like to dream big.  Even if I’ve sold approximately one copy of the book.

Thanks Polyvore!

1 down, 9,999 to go!

In an attempt to repeat any future successes I might will have, I think there’s some value in reporting what I’ve done on a day by day basis to promote Room 702.  This book was (sadly) always intended as something to start an audience for a much bigger project I hope to launch in the next 1-2 years.  Room 702 is a place to learn again.  although I am essentially starting from scratch, I have to start somewhere.

So, by the numbers, here’s roughly what I did yesterday:

Reach out to select group of friends/family and beg ask for reviews on Amazon
Contact my alma mater about including the book in a summer reading release later this year
Announce book’s availability on my (unrelated) Tumblr account (5100 followers)
Pin book details on personal book related Pinterest board
Share book details on Ann Benjamin facebook account (linked to Ann Benjamin twitter feed)
Write blog post about how scared I am how successful I will be
Contact 4 industry related websites/blogs for potential book review
Prep and submit book to Nook (pending)
Prep and submit book to iTunes (under review)

Results?

1 book sold (thank you EEB!!!)
1 industry response who is interested in reading the book!

Optimistic about tomorrow.

In which I stop being precious and start publishing.

So, this is not my first rodeo.  Room 702 marks the seventh book I’ve published.  And yet…I was very hesitant to let this one go.  So much so that I still am being weirdly protective and haven’t let my greater community of friends (aka facebook) know of its arrival into the world.

I think I’m hesitant because after all this time, I’m scared.

With my YA books, I knew the audience and could gauge the reactions (i.e. everyone loves me and I love them).

Now, I’m in completely unknown territory.  Will people love Room 702?  Hate it?  Not even know it exists?  You’d think after six books I’d built up a relatively thick skin, but I don’t think I have.  What if no one buys it?  While I would never trade in the experience of my YA books, I think I’m ready for a truly successful book.  And what does that mean anyway?  How do I define success?  Actually, it’s a pretty simple formula.  12 months = 10,000 sales or else, sad Ann.

When I hit ‘publish’ last night I did get the usual sense of accomplishment and now that Room 702 is out there I can move to the marketing phase of the book, but…is it really ready for public consumption?  Only time will tell.

Oh wait, I’m still being precious, aren’t I?

As I’ve been editing at my new desk recently…

While not my dream desk, I was able to pick up something from IKEA that gets the job done.  It’s nice to spread things out, to have room to work.  To have a place for pens and notebooks and box of Kleenex.  Of course, as I’m also usually hungry and spilling cheese soy sauce crackers on said desk on a regular basis, I saw this keyboard and have to admit, I’m slightly interested.

Think of all the possibilities!

Gone for a month and I come back with this?

I get that it’s not a real post, but I read this recently and thought ‘wow, someone gets my insomnia.’

Although insomnia has not particularly been bothering me recently, this struck a chord.

Hoping to publish this month!