Reviews and Interviews

In the traditional publishing world, reviews and interviews are generally lined up ahead of launch. That's because it's important for books to sell well in the first week or two after they're released if they want to maintain shelf space in bookstores. Many bookstores only give new releases three weeks or so to prove their worth, and if they don't sell in that time, they're returned to the publisher.

Indie authors aren't as affected by initial sales. We can be in it for the long haul, especially with ebooks. There are countless stories of indie authors who only sold a dozen books in their first few months, and then suddenly took off and have now sold thousands (Lexi Revellian is just one such author, and I'm proud to say I was a beta reader for the book that has now done so well—if you like mystery and/or romance novels, go check out Remix!). So lackluster initial sales are nothing to fret over.

On that note, I'd like to line up some reviews and interviews in the coming weeks/months for Aboard the Unstoppable Aerostat Fenris. I'll be releasing the second book in the series sometime in March/April, and would like to get the ball rolling on the first book prior to that release.

If you have a book review blog, an author blog, a steampunk or Victorian/Edwardian history blog or any other kind of blog whose readers would be interested in the book, and you'd like to write a review or interview, please get in touch. To streamline this process, here's what I need from you if you'd like to do either:

For a review: Please email me with your site's URL (your site must be active/regularly updated), approximate readership (don't worry, I'm not going to deny reviews to small blogs, but I'd just be interested in tracking results for my own purposes), and when (approximately) you'd post the review. I'll then send you a coupon code so you can download the book in the format of your choice from Smashwords (if you'd rather purchase the book to review, there's no need to email me ahead of time, but I'd love to be notified if you do post a review). Send emails to thirteen [at] cameronchapman [dot] com, and please include "Fenris Review Request" or something similar in the subject so I don't miss your email.

For an interview: I'm happy to discuss either the book or my experience with indie publishing, and all I ask for in return is a link to the book page at the beginning and/or end of the interview. Please email me with the interview questions, your site's URL, approximate readership, and when you'd like the interview by (please give me at least a week). Again, email thirteen [at] cameronchapman [dot] com, and please include "Fenris Interview Request" or similar in the subject. If you'd like a free copy prior to the interview, let me know and I can send you a coupon code.

Giveaways: If you're interested in running a contest/giveaway for Aboard the Unstoppable Aerostat Fenris on your blog/site, let me know. I'm only doing this kind of thing for higher-traffic sites, and will only be doing a limited number, on a first-come, first-served basis. Email me at thirteen [at] cameronchapman [dot] com, and include "Fenris giveaways" or something similar in the subject.

Thanks in advance to anyone who'll host a review, interview or giveaway!