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

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

I'll have a think, Alex, and I think you're right not to go with House of Cards but more because it's been well used and people will associate it with something quite different from what you are writing about.

Is there something like House of Cards that could be used? 'All Fall Down' or something? I've just checked Zon and that's been overused. ' Body' and 'woods' are evocative words to use, I think.

Put it in the diary, Alex :)

Excellent idea, Alex (promotions site). Will take up a good deal of your time in setting it up though. Cast around and see if anyone can point you in the right direction.

I learnt that too, Amy, and I believe in that strategy.

I'm glad you mentioned Bargain Booksy, Alex. I was trying to remember which one did that.

Bargain Booksy - take note everyone.

On here? https://medium.com/

Wow! Congratulations.

Good luck, Alex. I can enthuse about their newsletter featured deals but the ads don't seem to catch the eye so much. Things may improve - I can hope.

https://www.bookbub.com/partners

I am not sure if you have to become a partner but my ad shows on my partner's dashboard, so I suppose you do.

I don't find it cheap but I am desperate to break into the UK market. You pay by the number of impressions. As I have only had one sale in the UK of the advertised book (in well over a month) this is working out expensive. I cancelled the US ad because that was just running away with the money.

Proceed with caution! But your books may fare better than mine.

@ Dale: experimentation seems to be useful so long as we remember to monitor the outcome.

I'll be interested to compare notes with you, Alex, once you get started.

My books are all set in the UK and definitely in villages. Historical. I have fewer readers in the UK but they seem to 'get' my books more as the reviews are better.

I am trying out BookBub's advertising feature. As they don't log if any sales result, it is difficult to say if it works. So to help, I have cut out the US, and am just seeing if the UK and .ca works. Too soon to tell. This keeps the price down too.

One of the problems is that they give you a template to use which is not very attractive. Creatives and big publishers might do better than my amateur effort.

Thanks, Alex. I already use BookHippo as often as possible and without them, I doubt I'd sell any. I've also used BookAngel without much, if any, success. I'll look Bookrunes up - thank you.

I keep asking where people advertise in the UK. Someone must know... Always assuming that will help.

I increased the price of one of my books and has not affected sales at all. It also appears that Amazon are pushing that one more.
I only increased it from $2.99 to $3.25. I've kept the UK price at £1.99 - I hardly sell any in the UK.

Yes, good luck to you all. I wish you could all win. Wouldn't that be great! We could have a group party.

Atagirl! Well done.

Could you put a link to the exact pages you guys have your books on please? Sorry to be so lazy. My excuse is I'm always short of time but I'd love to help - if I've read them...!

I gave this book five stars with my review. Julia Bell is a good writer.

"First, the cover attracted me. Second, the blurb drew me in. Third, I've read other Julia Bell books, all well-written. Then right from the very start I knew this would turn into something different. And how!

For a while I was lulled into my comfort zone of beautiful descriptions and being transported back to the 18th century with accurate historical details adding even more interest. Then shock! Horror! Surely not! Should I read on?

If you like historical drama, love that brings tears to your eyes, a growing sense of unease, and surprises and shocks, then pick up this book."

Has anyone else seen this? I think you use Pronoun, Alex?

"Macmillan announced this morning it is closing its self-publishing unit, Pronoun, only 18 months after the publishing giant acquired the company.

Many authors use Pronoun as an easy way to distribute books to multiple platforms and also to reach Google Play, which has been closed to new accounts for a long time.

Pronoun is closing on January 15, but I would recommend moving your titles as soon as possible. Re-publishing the books will likely create new URLs at most retailers, so please be sure to email us the new links."

I'm not sure if I've put this in the right thread.

Oh this is so good. It's clear and colourful, attractive and striking.

However, Anita is right IMO, your name could be bigger. I like borders but I know nothing about them and it sounds like Anita knows her stuff.

Cor lummy! What a helpful bunch of people this group has!

I haven't read all the answers as it's bed time here in the U.K. so please excuse me if I repeat any suggestions.

In terms of getting the nearest thing to daylight from a lamp, the company that gets all the accolades from people who need perfect light is 'Serious Readers'. You could Google it and ask for a brochure. It's a British company run by Alex who even has a lamp called the 'Alex'. They provide light for space craft, forensic science labs and so on. Only drawback is they're expensive. Worth investigating though.

I imagine if you suffer from SAD and you write (i.e. you're sitting still for long periods of time) then having one of these lighting up your desk might make a difference. I don't suffer from SAD, but I do find mine has been worth having because, as it says in the brochure, it's close to being bright daylight on my desk.

I've just flicked through the responses, Alex, and there's some wise words scattered within.

Music, yes, music. It's a well known pick-me-up. Go for it, Alex. Eat the right foods, those that contain all the vitamins etc. or take a multi-vitamin tablet every day, vitamin D foods (or tablets) are needed more in the winter - but you probably know all this. As has been said, sometimes we just have to keep going, doing the best we can, until the glorious spring sunshine finally arrives.

That's very true and useful to remember when we start our wondering whys.

Theodore wrote: "Just saw this article in Indies Unlimited...the culprit, as you may have guessed, is Amazon:

https://www.indiesunlimited.com/2017/..."

Thank you Theodore. Very interesting.