Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -8
|
Post by Ria Stone on Apr 16, 2020 7:43:39 GMT -8
Hola, I am so behind in checking in on all my accounts.
I finally checked my SW account and to my shock, somebodies have been buying my books. And on Kobo. I just shake my head in wonder. It not much $ but it was such a surprise, I started laughing. I haven't made enough money to stop calling this writing thing a hobby, yet.
I am grateful that people like my work.
Also, I see that a few of my books have been downloaded during the "free" COVID19 promotion. I guess it's a positive that I can't wait for that promotion to end.
Also, I can not help but feel redeemed because I got the idea for Gina's Dream around 1991 and though I finally published the novelette in 2013, I feel the basic premise of the book was ahead of its time. I do know that dystopic novels have been in existence for centuries.
Excerpts:
“Earthers sense their future in the knowledge their sun will eventually go nova. We know our ancestors’ home planet’s sun also exploded. Many earthers believe in an end-of-the-world myth where they will have immortal life after they die, so they are eagerly participating in destroying their world at a rapid pace. Xactans would say they were mentally unstable.
“Yet, they promote one aspect of the theory, ‘survival of the fittest by natural selection,’ to an extreme, applying it without regard to corollary theories such as survival through inter- and intra-group cooperation and generosity. Earthers see the “weak” as liabilities. They “legally” kill off the elderly, the poor, the sick, and the disabled through artificially-induced famine, social isolation, neglect, and legislative regulations that terminate the social and health benefits for these vulnerable groups.”
Your science has been hijacked. Earthers’ refusal to deal with global warming which threatens the existence of all life is astonishingly suicidal. The rich will build underground fortresses. They will become de facto biological laboratories and insular communities that will require vigilant biosafety procedures due to the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, contaminants and warfare. Millions will die as a result of these changes, and most of the earth’s resources will be hoarded and wasted by the rich.” Ria Stone. Gina's Dream (Kindle Locations 65-68).
My best wishes to all during this COVID19 crisis and all that goes with it. Take care.
|
|
chelsfield
SWF Writers
Posts: 700
Joined: Mar 28, 2012 3:07:24 GMT -8
|
Post by chelsfield on May 8, 2020 23:06:16 GMT -8
Great news, Ria! I am so happy for you. I have been a bit remiss as well, so am catching up...
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 9, 2020 1:11:59 GMT -8
167 downloads from smash this month. Don't get too excited though, nearly all freebies. Drifta's Quest and Last Flight for Craggy doing well but the shorts do well also. The surprising one for me this month is my tiny book of poems, words and other stuff, which at 9 hits equals Drifta.
These spikes can be put down to the lock down I guess, so nice to know I'm entertaining a few folk. The Drifta 1 interest inspires me to push on with Drifta 2 which I see being ready towards the end of the year. I like doing series because readers can get into the characters as long as we keep consistency for them.
|
|
|
Post by unclegarf on May 18, 2020 23:12:46 GMT -8
Happy days. A big spike on smash. 105 downloads of the freebies overnight. People need something to read during this virus. Smashwords readers have always been a bit reluctant to review, either good or bad ones. Feedback is always useful to keep writers on track. Does smash need to do more to encourage reviews?
|
|
|
Post by djmills on May 19, 2020 13:04:07 GMT -8
Probably. Or we (the authors) need to write clear instructions at the end of the novel asking/requesting reader reviews on Smashwords, and other sales channel sites. I need to check my Smashwords page, I might have a sale or two.
I am slowly getting my ebooks up on D2D. And getting print books back into Amazon and Ingram via D2D. Still can't understand why it is so complicated to create the cover file via D2D when I have the cover pdf files that used to work on Amazon now having to be changed to work on Amazon. I also need to buy an author copy of my nonfiction book and check out how it looks. D2D uses a POD printer in Melbourne, so should be relatively quick to deliver to me. I assume it is via Ingram since Amazon does not do author copies to Australia.
Oh, the fun of publishing. I do need to get back to writing now even if I only get 10-15 minutes blocks of time to work on my story. :-)
|
|
|
Post by ChrisLAdams on May 20, 2020 4:48:14 GMT -8
Happy days. A big spike on smash. 105 downloads of the freebies overnight. People need something to read during this virus. Smashwords readers have always been a bit reluctant to review, either good or bad ones. Feedback is always useful to keep writers on track. Does smash need to do more to encourage reviews? Good Heavenly Lord, that's a lot of downloads, free or not. My spikes are in the 20s, or 30s. Man, 105? Ah, just think if those were paid sales, and it was like that day in day out, Gary. You'd have a wee bit more jingle in your pocket.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisLAdams on May 20, 2020 5:14:15 GMT -8
Probably. Or we (the authors) need to write clear instructions at the end of the novel asking/requesting reader reviews ... I actually do this, even tailoring the Review request to each story. Can't say that it works any better than not putting anything at all. I rarely get ratings or reviews. Here's the review request from my winter horror story, On a Winter's Eve. An Invitation
My dear reader, I do hope you enjoyed this wintry little tale. I wish to extend an invitation to leave feedback for this story in the form of a review should you be so inclined. You should know that your ratings and reviews are crucial, as it is through your opinions that one who writes stories gains much coveted encouragement to continue to fashion and publish tales. So, join the discussion about On a Winter’s Eve. Revisit the site from which you downloaded this story, or my author page listed below, and let me know what you thought of it. Did you like it, or was it meh? Did it remind you of a favorite author? It is entirely possible because I write the kind of stuff I love to read. If you enjoyed this story you might be interested in my other works. Visit ChrisLAdamsBizarreTales for descriptions of stories you might find appealing. I’m always working to add to my published library, so check back for news on new additions. And thanks. Best regards, Chris L. Adams
I also recently redid the cover for this, adding a brownish overlay, and flames flying out of the cabin. Speaking of reviews, I also added a quote from one on the cover! Looks better, I think.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisLAdams on May 20, 2020 5:19:38 GMT -8
Here's another one, this time from The Hunter and the Sorcerer... I've had a few sales of Hunter, but only one or two reviews (both very favorable). I certainly don't think this can hurt. An Invitation!I hope you enjoyed this romp through the Pleistocene! I wish to extend an invitation to leave feedback for this story in the form of a review should you be so inclined. As a new author, good honest reviews are invaluable in their net worth. So join the discussion about The Hunter and the Sorcerer! Did you like it, or was it meh? Did it remind you of a favorite author? That's possible, because I write the kind of stuff I love to read. Edgar Rice Burroughs, A. Merritt, H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard, Clark Ashton Smith, Edmond Hamilton and so on come to mind. Never heard of them? I encourage you to check them out. There is much more to Burroughs than Tarzan, and greater depths to Robert E. Howard than his creation, Conan the Barbarian. If you liked this story you might be interested in my other works. Consider visiting the site where you downloaded the story and visit my author page for descriptions of other works that might appeal to you. I’m always working to add to my published library, so check back from time to time for news. And thanks. Chris L Adams' Bizarre Tales Homepage Best regards, Chris
|
|
|
Post by djmills on May 20, 2020 9:31:36 GMT -8
I like your review requests. :-) I hardly ever visit Goodreads, but do get a few reviews there. I wasted yesterday recreating a cover using the downloaded template generated from D2D, then the pdf file not uploading to D2D. I gave up and asked what file, (pdf, jpg or other) to use for their cover file on their contact form. Now waiting for a reply. :-)
|
|
|
Post by jaydax on May 26, 2020 4:59:12 GMT -8
You just sold another one on Smashwords (now that it's no longer free) and I've added it to my promotion list.
|
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -8
|
Post by Ria Stone on Oct 24, 2020 14:56:32 GMT -8
167 downloads from smash this month. Don't get too excited though, nearly all freebies. Drifta's Quest and Last Flight for Craggy doing well but the shorts do well also. The surprising one for me this month is my tiny book of poems, words and other stuff, which at 9 hits equals Drifta. These spikes can be put down to the lock down I guess, so nice to know I'm entertaining a few folk. The Drifta 1 interest inspires me to push on with Drifta 2 which I see being ready towards the end of the year. I like doing series because readers can get into the characters as long as we keep consistency for them. Well, while your downloads may be freebies, you are getting downloads. I have often wondered about the "long tail" of freebies and whether they eventually lead to sales.
|
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -8
|
Post by Ria Stone on Oct 24, 2020 14:57:50 GMT -8
Happy days. A big spike on smash. 105 downloads of the freebies overnight. People need something to read during this virus. Smashwords readers have always been a bit reluctant to review, either good or bad ones. Feedback is always useful to keep writers on track. Does smash need to do more to encourage reviews? I would like to see changes on Smashwords and more marketing is one of them.
|
|
Ria Stone
SWF Writers
Posts: 1,055
Joined: Oct 30, 2013 14:12:26 GMT -8
|
Post by Ria Stone on Oct 24, 2020 15:06:41 GMT -8
Probably. Or we (the authors) need to write clear instructions at the end of the novel asking/requesting reader reviews ... I actually do this, even tailoring the Review request to each story. Can't say that it works any better than not putting anything at all. I rarely get ratings or reviews. Here's the review request from my winter horror story, On a Winter's Eve. An Invitation
My dear reader, I do hope you enjoyed this wintry little tale. I wish to extend an invitation to leave feedback for this story in the form of a review should you be so inclined. You should know that your ratings and reviews are crucial, as it is through your opinions that one who writes stories gains much coveted encouragement to continue to fashion and publish tales. So, join the discussion about On a Winter’s Eve. Revisit the site from which you downloaded this story, or my author page listed below, and let me know what you thought of it. Did you like it, or was it meh? Did it remind you of a favorite author? It is entirely possible because I write the kind of stuff I love to read. If you enjoyed this story you might be interested in my other works. Visit ChrisLAdamsBizarreTales for descriptions of stories you might find appealing. I’m always working to add to my published library, so check back for news on new additions. And thanks. Best regards, Chris L. Adams
I also recently redid the cover for this, adding a brownish overlay, and flames flying out of the cabin. Speaking of reviews, I also added a quote from one on the cover! Looks better, I think. Great idea and a great invite. Just thought wonder if Smashwords is doing a Halloween promotion. The whole scary theme thing.
|
|
|
Post by ChrisLAdams on Oct 26, 2020 4:36:36 GMT -8
I actually do this, even tailoring the Review request to each story. Can't say that it works any better than not putting anything at all. I rarely get ratings or reviews. Here's the review request from my winter horror story, On a Winter's Eve. An Invitation
My dear reader, I do hope you enjoyed this wintry little tale...
I also recently redid the cover for this, adding a brownish overlay, and flames flying out of the cabin. Speaking of reviews, I also added a quote from one on the cover! Looks better, I think. Great idea and a great invite. Just thought wonder if Smashwords is doing a Halloween promotion. The whole scary theme thing. If they are I haven't heard anything and the season is a bit long in the tooth to do so now unless they're thinking just the 'day of' sort of promotion. Gilbert Stack has what he calls Occultober going-on on his Facebook page where he highlights a different book each day. It's really cool, and gives authors a chance to respond, promote their story, offer up links or coupons or what not. Unfortunately, not many of them participate which I find odd.... unless they just don't need the advertisement or sales.
|
|
|
Post by jaydax on Oct 26, 2020 5:19:33 GMT -8
I finally checked my SW account and to my shock, somebodies have been buying my books. And on Kobo. I just shake my head in wonder. It not much $ but it was such a surprise, I started laughing. I haven't made enough money to stop calling this writing thing a hobby, yet. It's not just Smashwords. Here's a post I made to the ASMSG group on Facebook: Have you noticed a surge in ebook sales recently? I have even though I've done little to generate it. The reason it seems is down to COVID-19. More people are at home and looking for entertainment. They are buying ebooks as a result. According to PublishDrive, who have researched this, you can best take advantage of this trend by not limiting yourself to Amazon only - I find that's also true since my sales via Smashwords and Google have shot up. PublishDrive's report on this is at blog.publishdrive.com/september-2020-book-sales-update-best-book-genres-more/ Look for the white paper, a pdf report, and download it.
|
|