From Rags to Riches: How to increase sales

Last week I wrote that my sales have been down the last couple of months. I'm not the only one with this problem, but I think I know the way to correct the problem. Write more books.


This is not something I've discovered on my own. Joe Konrath has written about this, as have several other e-book authors who sell well. I scoffed at this solution at first, after all, writing another book is a lot of work.


Instead, I tried posting about my books on facebook and advertising on GoodReads and blogs like The Kindle Nation. I saw some sales increases, but when my new book, Dog River Blues (A Wes Darling Mystery), came out last month I saw even more of an increase, especially for sales of Key Lime Blues (A Wes Darling Mystery). I'm not talking big numbers, but a definite up-tick in sales.


My new book, Weep No More, will be available next month. This book is a standalone and completely unlike the other books I've written. For one thing the protagonist is a woman. This is a dark thriller; here's the blurb:


For Linda Morgan, an investigator with the Minnesota Department of Health, murder is the last thing she expects to confront while pursuing a sexual misconduct complaint against an egotistical psychotherapist. 


Just out of an abusive marriage to a charming alcoholic, Linda fills her life with work and volunteering at a local women's shelter. She has little time to dwell upon the lack of a man in her life. 


But in the course of one fateful week, Linda's life is unexpectedly overflowing with men. She meets a guy who considers her someone special, her ex-husband returns and tries to seduce his way back into her life, and a stalker takes an obsessive interest in her affairs. 


Surrounded by dead bodies and deceit, Linda is forced to answer a question that's haunted her since childhood. Who can she trust? The clock is ticking down and the wrong answer could kill her.


Will the release of this book result in another increase in sales? I don't know, but I do know I've got to try. I'll you know what the answer is in a couple of months.


In the meantime, I know I have to get started on the next book ASAP. The next book will be a Wes Darling Mystery and I hope to have that completed and ready to publish by the end of next summer.


Why so long? Because November, December and January I will be working on the boat. The plan is to get the next book written while sitting at anchor somewhere in the Bahamas. Looking at maybe Abaco Blues or West End Blues for a title. Let me know what you think. 


Amazon.com Widgets


Share on Facebook
 •  3 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 16, 2011 21:01
Comments Showing 1-3 of 3 (3 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by [deleted user] (new)

Great news Mike, every time a new person discovers one of your books, he/she will most likely want to read more and will give your earlier books a look. (Plus, greedy readers like me will have another opportunity to read a new tale from you.)


message 2: by Mike (new)

Mike Jastrzebski Thanks, Richard-your support over the past year has been great. Maybe we can clone you--what a great idea, instant readers.


message 3: by [deleted user] (new)

I think you'll find that we "Instant readers" are not all that uncommon. You just might find a few more every time you publish something new. There are so many excellent authors such as yourself out there and it is not easy to find the ones you like. Keep writing and I'll keep reading and each new book will find some more of us to folloe you.


back to top