Free Book Friday Oct 13: “OK. It’s Friday the 13th. Nothing scary here…or is there?”

Newsletters. (Scared?)

You might dislike them, but you put up with one to get the free book and promptly unsubscribe. I lovingly call them “Freeders”. This is not an insult. I respect people’s choices, that’s why I have an unsubscribe link*. If you didn’t like my book, fair enough. there are many indie author books I have read that I didn’t care for. Some I couldn’t even finish, but that’s me.

*That and the legal requirement.

Authors want you to buy their books. That’s why they are willing to give away their hard work, kind of like those free samples you get at the grocery store. “Sure I’ll try a bologna stuffed mushroom.”

(I just remembered I wrote a post on that:)

Free Book Friday Jan 20: Free Books and Supermarket Samples

Anyway, newsletters are a lot of work, and on average, usually less than 50% of subscribers open author newsletters. So why do them?

“Thanks for consistently producing one of the few enjoyable writer newsletters.“

This is a message I received from one of my newsletter subscribers at the end of one of my always entertaining* semi-annual Lines by Leon survey.

*Based on the 2022 J.D. Powers award for “most entertaining survey attached to a bi-weekly newsletter by an obscure author with less than 1000 subscribers.**”
**Not an actual award.

I know what you are thinking, “Hey, Leon. Quit jabbering on, shut your gob, and give us the link to the survey.“

Take the survey: Lines by Leon Survey 2023 You won’t regret it*

*Not a guarantee.

The story behind Free Book Friday:

I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available?

Readers don’t just read one author – they stick with their favorite genres. Therein lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma.

Some free book offers require a newsletter sign-up, which is a small non-monetary price to pay to try out a new indie author.

Featured Author: Despoina Kemeridou

Craving You

Thirsty for even a tiny drop of your love
For others will never be enough.

Feelings go wild at your every touch.
My soul safe only inside your darkness.

Little by little my mind falls apart.
Senses numb between weak breaths.

The traces of you erased by empty dreams
Remnants and pieces of what could have been.

What would I give to taste that sin?
How would I love to play with your fire?

Even my heart can’t stay still anymore.
Thirsty for even a tiny drop of your love.

Despoina is looking for some ARC readers for this collection: Here’s the link to her ARC team on Booksprout: Whispers of the Soul

If your don’t use Booksprout but still want an ARC, you can email her at dkemeridou@gmail.com and she will send the ARC by email.

Featured Author: James Dain

Free for a limited time

The murder was swift and brutal…

When ex-Afghanistan vet Keith Gainey bounces a guy from a Philly nightclub, he thinks he has the situation under control–until violent mobster Shawn Toomey joins the fight and kicks the patron to death.

Now there’s a body in the alley, and Keith’s going to prison–unless he can beat the gangster who’s trying to frame him.

Enjoy the roller coaster ride of this fast-paced novella by best-selling thriller writer James Dain, Best Novel Winner at the Los Angeles Neo-Noir Festival.

Visit: jamesdain.com

Reads From StoryOrigin and BookFunnel

StoryOrigin and BookFunnel allows authors to advertise their books to each other’s audience. I hope you have been able to discover a new favorite!

Since my newsletter goes out bi-weekly, I offer book promos on those dates, so here are what’s running right now:

Free Books Sept 15 – Oct 16Kindle Unlimited

Current promos: Discover New Authors

Review Copies (These are free!)

Review copies: Like reviewing books? Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book (poetry or science fiction or both): Leon’s Newsletter

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, and a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/

Sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter and receive a free book!

Oh, pick me! C’mon, space stuff!