Jason A. Cheek's Blog, page 22
May 15, 2014
Reaching an amazon best seller rank!
On May 3rd 2014, Saturday morning, when I got up take Rowin and Kanchen out for their walk, I was stunned to see Flight had reached an Amazon Best Seller Rank of #23 for the category Fantasy Superhero in less than three months.
I can't even begin to tell you how incredible that made me feel. I can only thank everyone who has enjoyed the story so much and have shared the adventure with their friends.
For a new writer that's an incredible accomplishment that I hope to repeat with even more categories since Flight has started showing up under other Fantasy categories such as: Paranormal/Urban, Urban and Science Fiction Adventure.
From everything I have read, that type of response is way above the Bell Curve. It definitely motivates me to do even better for book two as I work to get it finished every night when I come home from work.
The only thing I would like to ask is for those of you who've enjoyed reading Flight is to post your reviews on Amazon. It would really mean a lot to me and help Flight become better known, which will only help me have more time to follow up with even better stories.
Again, I want to thank everyone who has made Flight such a success and for taking the time to read my first novel.
I can't even begin to tell you how incredible that made me feel. I can only thank everyone who has enjoyed the story so much and have shared the adventure with their friends.
For a new writer that's an incredible accomplishment that I hope to repeat with even more categories since Flight has started showing up under other Fantasy categories such as: Paranormal/Urban, Urban and Science Fiction Adventure.
From everything I have read, that type of response is way above the Bell Curve. It definitely motivates me to do even better for book two as I work to get it finished every night when I come home from work.
The only thing I would like to ask is for those of you who've enjoyed reading Flight is to post your reviews on Amazon. It would really mean a lot to me and help Flight become better known, which will only help me have more time to follow up with even better stories.
Again, I want to thank everyone who has made Flight such a success and for taking the time to read my first novel.
May 13, 2014
New music to listen to while writing!
I've been listening to this compilation for the last few days. While writing I always love to cycle through the images I've collected over the years of desperate battles of heroes fighting against incredible odds.
This music compilation really goes along well with the part I'm writing about with Startuem, Starfire and Frostbrand struggling to escape Loviatar's minions from Shadowfang Mountain.
Lately I've been checking out a lot of DOTA graphics. I especially love how they have such a wide range of heroes that cross the spectrum of species, which is always good to get the mind going with ideas.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the music. Let me know what you think.
This music compilation really goes along well with the part I'm writing about with Startuem, Starfire and Frostbrand struggling to escape Loviatar's minions from Shadowfang Mountain.
Lately I've been checking out a lot of DOTA graphics. I especially love how they have such a wide range of heroes that cross the spectrum of species, which is always good to get the mind going with ideas.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the music. Let me know what you think.
April 24, 2014
Goodreads book giveaway contest
Five autographed copies of Flight, Book One of The Last Paladin Series are available to win between now and May 25, 2014.
Please click the contest's link below to get a copy of this action packed Urban Fantasy story. .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; } Goodreads Book Giveaway
Flight by Jason Cheek
Please click the contest's link below to get a copy of this action packed Urban Fantasy story. .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; background: white; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important; text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #6A6454; border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif; background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596; outline: 0; white-space: nowrap; } .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(https://www.goodreads.com/images/layo... color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; } Goodreads Book Giveaway
Flight by Jason Cheek Giveaway ends May 25, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to winApril 7, 2014
Book 2 of the Last Paladin Series
The second novel to the series is well underway. I am excited about the story. Although the book's focus will be more on the land of Irlendria, there is still lots happening on Earth. I cannot wait to share the story.
I did a lot of research to bring this story to life and I can't wait to share it with everyone.
One of the things I love is a fun read. I want the action to flow and keep you flipping to the next page unable to put the book down.
I also love tying in real world events, places and current world issues whenever possible. Even though I am not an avid gamer now-a-days because writing takes so much time, I still keep in close contact with the community and new releases. I love to watch new game trailers whenever they are released.
I think it's awesome when you can bring in all the different things you love and build an incredible story with your own twist.
I can't wait to share the new novel with everyone. I guess I'd best get busy finishing the story up!
I did a lot of research to bring this story to life and I can't wait to share it with everyone.
One of the things I love is a fun read. I want the action to flow and keep you flipping to the next page unable to put the book down.
I also love tying in real world events, places and current world issues whenever possible. Even though I am not an avid gamer now-a-days because writing takes so much time, I still keep in close contact with the community and new releases. I love to watch new game trailers whenever they are released.
I think it's awesome when you can bring in all the different things you love and build an incredible story with your own twist.
I can't wait to share the new novel with everyone. I guess I'd best get busy finishing the story up!
April 6, 2014
selling and pricing your books / ebooks on amazon
There was also an option on Amazon for Bookstores and Online Retailers
and Create Space Direct, which is the option to sell to Amazon's competitors and give physical bookstores and other Online Retailers the option to buy your book directly from Amazon. Although this sounds like an awesome option for Self-Publishing authors, in reality this is not a choice these companies are going to make when your a new author. Possibly an option when you're very famous, but I would argue it makes more sense to go directly with each company directly if you are self-publishing and have complete rights to your novel.
What I noticed is that my book cost went from $8 and change to $12 and change in cost for a market that will not normally decide to buy my book or carry my book initially.
This means that your competitiveness on Amazon is dramatically reduced.
Your ability to compete against the other professional books being published by publishers is blown out of the water. From my research, many of the professional published books range between $8.99 to $12.99. Some even dip down to $6.99 and $7.99 which is not possible to compete against when your self-publishing with Amazon, since your book cost to produce is already in the $8 and change range.
The way for you to be competitive is to keep your costs down as much as possible and do as much of the work yourself. By doing this you can keep the price of your book down to an extreme minimum and still sell competitively. Remember, a known author going through a publishing company are only getting a few cents for each physical book they publish. Publishing houses get most of the money on the sale of a book because they need to pay for their professional services they offer their writers.
In this way I can usually beat or at the worst meet the price of a professionally publishing house and still make more money on each
book sale than what the author is making by going through a traditional publishing house. Traditional publisher houses have more options for getting their authors to be recognized, but with social media sites and the internet, there are a lot of way for the self-publishing author to get the word out about their book.
I also think many first time authors believe that should make a lot more money for every book they sale. This belief causes many new authors problems in marketing their books. If you follow the logic on how professional publishing houses make their money on physical book sales. You realize they are banking their sales on selling a large number of books at an average price. From what I've researched, If you're making three cents a book on physical media then you are making industry average on royalties as an author.
With self-publishing physical books you can easily get that percentage up to seven or ten cents per book and still match the prices of the professional publishing houses.
Ebook sales are even more money. You will make more actual money per book on your ebook sales in comparison to physical book sales. With ebook
sales, self-publishers are ahead of the game on making money per book and keeping their sales below the cost of traditional publishing
houses ebook sales. You can easily get your sales up to 54 cents an ebook
and still be competitively priced against the prices being sold of the larger publishing houses. This is because as a self-publisher we have done the majority of the work and marketing ourselves and are now using Amazon as the outlet to sell our books.
and Create Space Direct, which is the option to sell to Amazon's competitors and give physical bookstores and other Online Retailers the option to buy your book directly from Amazon. Although this sounds like an awesome option for Self-Publishing authors, in reality this is not a choice these companies are going to make when your a new author. Possibly an option when you're very famous, but I would argue it makes more sense to go directly with each company directly if you are self-publishing and have complete rights to your novel.
What I noticed is that my book cost went from $8 and change to $12 and change in cost for a market that will not normally decide to buy my book or carry my book initially.
This means that your competitiveness on Amazon is dramatically reduced.
Your ability to compete against the other professional books being published by publishers is blown out of the water. From my research, many of the professional published books range between $8.99 to $12.99. Some even dip down to $6.99 and $7.99 which is not possible to compete against when your self-publishing with Amazon, since your book cost to produce is already in the $8 and change range.
The way for you to be competitive is to keep your costs down as much as possible and do as much of the work yourself. By doing this you can keep the price of your book down to an extreme minimum and still sell competitively. Remember, a known author going through a publishing company are only getting a few cents for each physical book they publish. Publishing houses get most of the money on the sale of a book because they need to pay for their professional services they offer their writers.
In this way I can usually beat or at the worst meet the price of a professionally publishing house and still make more money on each
book sale than what the author is making by going through a traditional publishing house. Traditional publisher houses have more options for getting their authors to be recognized, but with social media sites and the internet, there are a lot of way for the self-publishing author to get the word out about their book.
I also think many first time authors believe that should make a lot more money for every book they sale. This belief causes many new authors problems in marketing their books. If you follow the logic on how professional publishing houses make their money on physical book sales. You realize they are banking their sales on selling a large number of books at an average price. From what I've researched, If you're making three cents a book on physical media then you are making industry average on royalties as an author.
With self-publishing physical books you can easily get that percentage up to seven or ten cents per book and still match the prices of the professional publishing houses.
Ebook sales are even more money. You will make more actual money per book on your ebook sales in comparison to physical book sales. With ebook
sales, self-publishers are ahead of the game on making money per book and keeping their sales below the cost of traditional publishing
houses ebook sales. You can easily get your sales up to 54 cents an ebook
and still be competitively priced against the prices being sold of the larger publishing houses. This is because as a self-publisher we have done the majority of the work and marketing ourselves and are now using Amazon as the outlet to sell our books.
April 2, 2014
What are ASIN and ISBN numbers and why do I need them?
After creating your account on https://www.createspace.com/ you can begin building your book. One of the very first questions they ask you is do
you want your own ISBN number or do you want to use one of Amazon's
own ASIN numbers.
Initially I thought I had to have an ISBN number to get my first book created world wide, but that is really not necessary. Also, if you're not careful it can be a very expensive prospect.
If you choose to get an ISBN number, it is important to understand what that means. First, the good part is that if someone wants to look up your exact novel they can go to an ISBN site and search for your exact book. Interesting enough, if you get an ASIN number from Amazon for free there are websites for searching out your ASIN number to find exactly your novel.
If you buy your ISBN directly from Amazon it is expensive. In my case it was $125 for one number.
Sounds great, you now have your ISBN and you can upload your novel as a Mass Market Paperback book, hardcover book and an Ebook with your ISBN, right? Wrong. Your one ISBN is only good for one of those book. Each type of print or ebook layout of the same book could use its own ISBN. At $125 a pop that could turn into a lot of money.
Interesting enough, Amazon offers ISBN's for you to buy from http://www.myidentifiers.com which sells, at this time, a set of 10 ISBN's for $250. This is a much better deal than Amazon's and only requires a little knowledge on your part. But, before you take the plunge to buy your ISBN's, let me point out a few other interesting bits of fact.
If you change from Amazon to another seller like https://www1.ingramspark.com or https://www.nookpress.com/ or a
bunch of other websites. Although your ISBN should work for whomever you are publishing through, it really doesn't. I'm not stating that I fully understand it, but to change your ISBN over to the new company that is offering your books for sale requires some major paperwork. From everything I have heard and researched about this subject. It is simpler to just use a new ISBN for the new company and the same book you're trying to sell.
After making the decision to buy one ISBN for $125 (and not the 10 for $250), I am now questioning how necessary it is to have an ISBN. Why not use each service's free or cheap numbering code they are using like Amazon's ASIN number? As I further prepare my hardback book I will do additional research on this option, but for now I would argue that buying an ISBN number is a waste of time when your self-publishing. It is an extra expense that is not needed if you're wanting people to buy your book directly from Amazon USA, Amazon Europe or the Create Space Estore.
you want your own ISBN number or do you want to use one of Amazon's
own ASIN numbers.
Initially I thought I had to have an ISBN number to get my first book created world wide, but that is really not necessary. Also, if you're not careful it can be a very expensive prospect.
If you choose to get an ISBN number, it is important to understand what that means. First, the good part is that if someone wants to look up your exact novel they can go to an ISBN site and search for your exact book. Interesting enough, if you get an ASIN number from Amazon for free there are websites for searching out your ASIN number to find exactly your novel.
If you buy your ISBN directly from Amazon it is expensive. In my case it was $125 for one number.
Sounds great, you now have your ISBN and you can upload your novel as a Mass Market Paperback book, hardcover book and an Ebook with your ISBN, right? Wrong. Your one ISBN is only good for one of those book. Each type of print or ebook layout of the same book could use its own ISBN. At $125 a pop that could turn into a lot of money.
Interesting enough, Amazon offers ISBN's for you to buy from http://www.myidentifiers.com which sells, at this time, a set of 10 ISBN's for $250. This is a much better deal than Amazon's and only requires a little knowledge on your part. But, before you take the plunge to buy your ISBN's, let me point out a few other interesting bits of fact.
If you change from Amazon to another seller like https://www1.ingramspark.com or https://www.nookpress.com/ or a
bunch of other websites. Although your ISBN should work for whomever you are publishing through, it really doesn't. I'm not stating that I fully understand it, but to change your ISBN over to the new company that is offering your books for sale requires some major paperwork. From everything I have heard and researched about this subject. It is simpler to just use a new ISBN for the new company and the same book you're trying to sell.
After making the decision to buy one ISBN for $125 (and not the 10 for $250), I am now questioning how necessary it is to have an ISBN. Why not use each service's free or cheap numbering code they are using like Amazon's ASIN number? As I further prepare my hardback book I will do additional research on this option, but for now I would argue that buying an ISBN number is a waste of time when your self-publishing. It is an extra expense that is not needed if you're wanting people to buy your book directly from Amazon USA, Amazon Europe or the Create Space Estore.
March 24, 2014
Self-Publishing - Finding an artist for your book
Before you even begin the createspace.com process, I would recommend determining the design you want for the cover of your book. I believe this is so important because of two things:
First, because for most of us this is a skill we will need to rely on another person to complete this, and the time and money it will take will depend on when we can complete the process of publishing our story.
Second, because we should have at least the outlines of our website determined before our book is published, and the art for the cover of our book is an essential element needed to make our website really stand out and promote our story.
I went ahead and found my artist at http://www.deviantart.com/ Just by going over artists websites and profiles you get an excellent idea of the different types of art available for your story, and normally you can see the going rate of what each artist is charging for the work they are doing. Also,
you have the perfect medium to communicate with them and arrange for the work that you would like for your cover.
Typical practice is for you to explain what you are looking for and a general price to be discussed. Once that has been determined, normally you work with the artist to get a rough sketch of what you would like to be drawn. The artist sends you the rough sketch for your approval to proceed with the final image, and you pay half of the cost at this time. The last half is due at the time the artist has finished the piece to both your satisfaction. You get full rights over the image for your website and book and to do as you like, and they get the option to post their artwork on their website.
Prices vary greatly between artists, so it really is important to do your homework. I did my cover with Leo Black http://dleoblack.deviantart.com/ who was a great artist to work with. He made me feel comfortable with making changes and brought my image to life. Not to mention, I think his artwork is incredible.
Once you have your cover finished for your book. I suggest getting your website created and setup if you do not already have one. I used www.weebly.com for my page. As long as you have your own content ready to go, aka artwork, everything else is drag and drop for the entire design. No other special software is needed and they link automatically with Twitter and Facebook and other websites to automate your posts and help you
establish your web presence.
This is important since you will be doing your own marketing.
First, because for most of us this is a skill we will need to rely on another person to complete this, and the time and money it will take will depend on when we can complete the process of publishing our story.
Second, because we should have at least the outlines of our website determined before our book is published, and the art for the cover of our book is an essential element needed to make our website really stand out and promote our story.
I went ahead and found my artist at http://www.deviantart.com/ Just by going over artists websites and profiles you get an excellent idea of the different types of art available for your story, and normally you can see the going rate of what each artist is charging for the work they are doing. Also,
you have the perfect medium to communicate with them and arrange for the work that you would like for your cover.
Typical practice is for you to explain what you are looking for and a general price to be discussed. Once that has been determined, normally you work with the artist to get a rough sketch of what you would like to be drawn. The artist sends you the rough sketch for your approval to proceed with the final image, and you pay half of the cost at this time. The last half is due at the time the artist has finished the piece to both your satisfaction. You get full rights over the image for your website and book and to do as you like, and they get the option to post their artwork on their website.
Prices vary greatly between artists, so it really is important to do your homework. I did my cover with Leo Black http://dleoblack.deviantart.com/ who was a great artist to work with. He made me feel comfortable with making changes and brought my image to life. Not to mention, I think his artwork is incredible.
Once you have your cover finished for your book. I suggest getting your website created and setup if you do not already have one. I used www.weebly.com for my page. As long as you have your own content ready to go, aka artwork, everything else is drag and drop for the entire design. No other special software is needed and they link automatically with Twitter and Facebook and other websites to automate your posts and help you
establish your web presence.
This is important since you will be doing your own marketing.
March 22, 2014
creation of amazon author page
So I just created my first Amazon author's page and finally hooked everything together, except for Facebook. The good thing is that if I post from my Blog it does hit everything. I'm still tweaking Amazon's website to make sure the links are functioning correctly.
Overall I'm super excited.
Overall I'm super excited.
Flight's audio book planned
Flight,
Book One of the Last Paladin Series, Author Jason A. Cheek, Audio
by Alexander Edward Trefethen.
Listen now on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/vGALHL6y1Fs
This is the Audiobook sample of the first several pages of Flight, about four minutes of audio. Alexander has an incredible voice and I think he brings the characters to life with his rendition of my story.
Please check it out and post what you think. Let me know if you like Alexander's voice!
The audiobook's planned release is around June 30th 2014.
If you can’t wait for the audio book, you can always find the ebook here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I42YWGO
Author: Jason Cheek
Blog: http://www.thecheekyfellow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-A-Cheek/1415815985327666
Voice Actor: Alexander Edward Trefethen
Website: http://trefethenvoice.com/
Book One of the Last Paladin Series, Author Jason A. Cheek, Audio
by Alexander Edward Trefethen.
Listen now on Youtube here: http://youtu.be/vGALHL6y1Fs
This is the Audiobook sample of the first several pages of Flight, about four minutes of audio. Alexander has an incredible voice and I think he brings the characters to life with his rendition of my story.
Please check it out and post what you think. Let me know if you like Alexander's voice!
The audiobook's planned release is around June 30th 2014.
If you can’t wait for the audio book, you can always find the ebook here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I42YWGO
Author: Jason Cheek
Blog: http://www.thecheekyfellow.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jason-A-Cheek/1415815985327666
Voice Actor: Alexander Edward Trefethen
Website: http://trefethenvoice.com/
February 24, 2014
Amazon breakthrough novel contest 2014
February 16th, 2014 at 12:01 AM was Amazon's Breakthrough Novel
Contest for 2014. This is one of the few free and 100% real and respected
writing contexts available for writers to join in hopes of getting recognition
and possibly a publishing contract. The judges for this contest are real
editors and publishers, and it also happens to be the only way to put in a
blind submission to Amazon Publishing.
So all around, it’s a win / win situation.
Rules and entry information is located here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000633821You still have until Midnight on March 2nd 2014 or until Amazon receives 10,000 entries.
If you’re a writer and want to be recognized and possibly find a publisher, I recommend taking part in this contest.
If you’re a reader and enjoy good books, then I suggest keeping an eye on this contest, because you will have the ability to vote for different aspects of the contest and the writers.
Around April 14, 2014 Amazon customers will be able to vote on which “Hooks” of the various stories that they like or don’t like. July 8th to 18th 2014 will be the time that Amazon customers can vote for which book they like the best that have made it to the final entry round.
So like I said, there are a lot of interesting opportunities for both writers and readers.
Contest for 2014. This is one of the few free and 100% real and respected
writing contexts available for writers to join in hopes of getting recognition
and possibly a publishing contract. The judges for this contest are real
editors and publishers, and it also happens to be the only way to put in a
blind submission to Amazon Publishing.
So all around, it’s a win / win situation.
Rules and entry information is located here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000633821You still have until Midnight on March 2nd 2014 or until Amazon receives 10,000 entries.
If you’re a writer and want to be recognized and possibly find a publisher, I recommend taking part in this contest.
If you’re a reader and enjoy good books, then I suggest keeping an eye on this contest, because you will have the ability to vote for different aspects of the contest and the writers.
Around April 14, 2014 Amazon customers will be able to vote on which “Hooks” of the various stories that they like or don’t like. July 8th to 18th 2014 will be the time that Amazon customers can vote for which book they like the best that have made it to the final entry round.
So like I said, there are a lot of interesting opportunities for both writers and readers.
