Anna’s Comments (group member since Mar 21, 2017)

Anna’s comments from the Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie group.

I've been thinking how quiet this thread must be - but it's obviously just cos, yet again, I've slipped off the feed. So sorry I've missed all the good things going on.

I noticed yesterday that on Amazon the number of ratings for my books had rocketed. From 22 reviews for one book, it became 38 ratings. And for another book it went from 38 to 59. It seemed that the number of reviews had not increased but there was a huge increase in those who had rated but not reviewed.

I've just looked again so that I could accurately tell you what was going on, but the ratings have fallen from 59 to the original 38.

Did anyone else notice this?

I got so exited - 59 ratings and a rise in the overall rating and then today... well, Amazon, make up your mind, what are you doing? Bit of a disappointment. Sigh

I'm only going to send my paperbacks. I haven't put my short stories into pb as I intend to add to the ebook as I go along. Though at this rate, it might be added to every 3 years or so...

Crikey, thanks for this you two. I assumed my work was not important enough to have to do this. Now I know that indies/self-pubs are also included, I'd better do something about it.

Yay! In the British Library... zippedoodah, zippedeeday...

I suspect you're right!

Ooh, now that is interesting. Tomorrow, when I am not half asleep as I am now, I'll follow this through.

Thank you so much.

It was incredibly easy, if a little alarming at first. I'm not sure it's going to be worth it, but as a mountaineer would say - it was there so I climbed it. It's been in my diary for so long, being pushed forward regularly.

The key thing is to start at your bookshelf page and not go to the sponsored ad campaign pages first.

Facebook is next... tremble, tremble. Maybe after I've moved... t

In my diary, yonks ago, I tried to encourage myself to extend my Amazon Sponsored Ads to Germany, just to try and catch the low entry prices for new territories. I've finally got around to it and I have set up, I hope, a campaign with a 0.40 default bid. It appears that I'm not allowed to choose the books I wish to be associated with and only have the options of their automated selection.

Be warned, it pays to speak a little German as I had a telephone call with a code in German.

I'm making a note in my diary to let you know if I sell anything!

I think there's something else that I said I'd let us Navi members know but I've forgotten what that was... typical, absolutely typical! Sorry.

I finally found that a book has to be assessed by a central team. So I contacted them through their online chat box and I am still waiting (about 6 weeks now) for a response... sigh.

This is embarrassing as I offered to take in/get assessed someone else's book too.

Patience is a virtue but I bet a kick up the pants - er sorry, I did of course mean a polite enquiry as to progress - might be necessary.

Welcome, Jenna - glad you found us.

Alexis wrote: "I’ve been writing every day since December 16.
Feeling happy about that!"

What a lovely run-up to Christmas! Not many Indies will be able to say the same as you. Well done.

My thoughts turn to those who are celebrating Hanukkah!

Well done, Alex. I'm sure a number of us here will wish you a better Christmas than you've ever had before.

A kind thought, Carmel. Yes, it is most certainly a time when many have a difficult time. Thank you for the timely reminder.

I usually help out in a homeless shelter over the cold winter months - can't do it this year, but I know that some have unhappy memories of better Christmases or even terrible Christmases.

Thank you again, Carmel.

Erica wrote: "I know an author who released a free short story last year right before Christmas when people are getting their new e-readers. He said he had some book sales in the weeks following from readers tha..."

Thank you for these reminders of opportunities Erica.

Thank you, Carole. And I also wish everyone those two blessings (cor what an old-fashioned word) and may the new year pour wisdom on us!

Congratulations - and free too!

Ooh ouch, Alex.

What we need is a teenager. Anyone got any spare internet savvy teenagers?

Thanks, Sam, it helps to know I'm not alone!

Thanks, E.M. The trouble is, for me, that group is far too organized and I'd never keep up.

Bump - it could be a crash. FB is frightening... and I've got my eyes shut half the time.