Deadly Cozy – Just for you and yours… Muahahahaha…
The first time Sally stepped away from the house only to be chased back into the house by a crazed orange tabby cat was memorable. Memorable because, to hear her tell it, Sally has no pets.
She called the cat Spaghettio owing to its resemblance to a plate full of the popular canned pasta rings covered in that orangey-red sauce. For levity she labeled the cat a guy trying to dominate her activities.
But where did he come from? Why is he so determined to keep her a prisoner in her own house?
Between her mankin, Rodney’s, calamitous misadventures with his new bionic arm and the wheelchair and the berserk visiting cat, Sally’s got her hands full. Can she solve the insane cat mystery and save Rodney from his new arm?
You’ve come so very far. You’ve chosen indie as your publication platform rather than traditional printing houses. Your manuscript is cooling for its final edits before the launch. But how and where will you launch from?
FYI: The bedroom closet is not a launchpad. Neither is the desk drawer or your granddad’s old, beat-up briefcase.
There are, once again, so many cyberspace options to display and sell your baby on that it boggles the mind. Slog through them if you like, but here are the four venues I use and why:
Launch from Amazon (of course!) – For worldwide distribution of eBooks, print, and audiobooks through Amazon. I write, upload a print-ready package, and promote. Once I push ‘publish’, they do all the printing, shipping, and bookkeeping. I get royalties and a 1099 tax statement at the end of the year.
Launch from Draft to Digital – The one-stop warehouse of eBooks, Print, and Audiobooks for Barnes and Noble, Libraries, and your other favorite retailer like Walmart. They do the distributing and bookkeeping. I get royalties and a 1099 tax statement at year end.
Launch from Google Play – Another worldwide distributor of eBooks. It’s a learning curve that I’m just getting into. Stay tuned on this one.
Launch from Lemon Squeezy – The ‘Buy Direct from the Author’ payment processing platform for eBooks… through my website. They also offer a storefront… so, more uploading of covers and ready-to-read files to make it work. But for $2.50 whoosh into my pocket for a $3 book instead of $1.40 or 38 cents, I’ll do it!
Phew! I’m pooped just sharing all these publishing venues and platforms with you. But I’ll take a breath and grab some coffee to inspire the spilling of pertinent details for each platform.
Please email me here if I’m pouring too fast. It happens.
Here is the computer literate fast-track instructions for lift-off from these platforms:
Click on the ‘Create’ button and start at the top…
To publish an eBook, you will need:
A fully edited, read to enthrall a reader, manuscript including:
Title page
Copyright page
Dedication
Table of Contents
The story
The end matter:
About the author
Where to find more of your books
Review Call-to-Action
The description
A cover (I use Canva, but there are gazillions more)
Shelf categories – fiction, mystery, drama, etc.
Search terms for search engines and algorithms
Faith and courage
To publish a print book, you will need all the above with these exceptions:
A fully edited, ready to enthrall a reader, manuscript as above in a ready-to-print format. For a 6”x 9” book, reset the margins to 5 ½” x 8 ½” output. Scroll through to delete blank pages. Margin changes can bring surprises – like blank pages…
Back cover blurb
Patience
Amazon makes it easy to add your print book at the same time. Besides being worldwide, kdp makes large print books possible. Watch for an upcoming blogpost for print book formatting hints and tips.
Publishing your works in audiobook form is the subject for a separate blogpost to keep this post a digestible size.
Publishing on Draft to Digital (D2D or Books2Read)
You will need the same uploading packet as with Amazon. But D2D book upload forms seem faster and simpler to me.
It’s also fast and easy to add a print book after the eBook details, however, large print is not offered.
Publish on Google Play
The same procedure and packet. But so far, Google Play is keeping me at arm’s length. It’s an ongoing learning curve. I’ll share when I figure it out.
Publish and Sell Direct from Your Website and Story Origin with Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy is a new (to me) way for me to sell my eBooks directly to you. No middleman. The opportunity makes it possible for elbow-rubbing discounts that you can’t get anywhere else.
When I get the hang of it, you’ll see discount codes appearing here and there… hither and yon, so to speak. They might be through a promotional banner from Story Origin that I’ve added to a blog… or a single link in a blog… or even right on a book page of my website. The deal could be blatant or more of a treasure hunt. Only time will tell. It’s the learning curves…
But you can get right to it with Lemon Squeezy for your own website by:
Set-up your account for getting paid, etc. (They pay the sales tax, and more)
Upload your eBooks (Cover, Complete Content packet as above) into your own storefront on their site (required)
Share the link for each book to get the code for checkout from your website and ads you place.
What I really, really like about Lemon Squeezy rather than sites like Shopify (can I say that?) is the pricing structure. You pay a minimal fee for each sale. That’s it. No monthly subscription charges hitting my account.
I like it.
And that’s all I have to say about launching books for success. For today.
Book launch day is an event. I start with Amazon; then D2D; Google Play can wait; ending with alexielinnauthor.com and Lemon Squeezy. Story Origin for reviews and promotion is another event on its own.
Except this one more thing…
Here’s a freebie to introduce you to the Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery/Adventure Series. Click on the cover for the download button to grab it while you can.
Cheers!
P.S. Results of the call for votes on the last blog post was a landslide ‘Mix it up!’ Thanks for participating. You got it!
Family friendly… For young and old… Something for everybody… Including a single question poll. I need your input.
What would you do if you were visiting a cemetery and found a grave marker with your missing father’s name on it… from about a hundred years ago?
Mary Linn and Valinda are off and running again in their pursuit of helping others gain closure for their loved ones. But this time, the closure is for both Mary Linn and Valinda when the marker is discovered but the remains have been stolen. And the two girls witness it from their tent!
Because Valinda goes missing, the questions multiply and the tension heats up.
How will Mary Linn, Lonnie, and Valinda make it through the fire alive this time? Will Mary Linn find her father and get the answers she’s been seeking forever? Will Mary Linn and Lonnie finally succumb to…?
Family friendly… For young and old… Something for everybody… Including a single question poll. I need your input.
What would you do if you were visiting a cemetery and found a grave marker with your missing father’s name on it… from about a hundred years ago?
Mary Linn and Valinda are off and running again in their pursuit of helping others gain closure for their loved ones. But this time, the closure is for both Mary Linn and Valinda when the marker is discovered but the remains have been stolen. And the two girls witness it from their tent!
Because Valinda goes missing, the questions multiply and the tension heats up.
How will Mary Linn, Lonnie, and Valinda make it through the fire alive this time? Will Mary Linn find her father and get the answers she’s been seeking forever? Will Mary Linn and Lonnie finally succumb to…?
Imagine waking up from a nap to see a donkey and a horse peering through the screen door, both desperately thirsty. Would you give them a drink? And then what?
Sally, an energetic 87-year-old woman, faces this exact dilemma. Intrigued by the animals, she decides to investigate why they keep returning to her property. What she discovers shocks her to the core – their water trough is contaminated with a body. But whose body is it? And how did it end up in the water trough?
With no one else around but a goat, chickens and a pup, Sally wonders if the body could be their missing caregiver. As the mystery deepens, she must grapple with the fate of both the animals and the unknown person in the trough.
Join Sally on her thrilling and perplexing journey as she unravels the truth behind this mysterious misadventure.
Prepare to be captivated by the twists and turns in “The Secrets of the Tainted Trough”, a tale filled with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected revelations.
Attention Readers! Try Reviewing and Get Complimentary Books from Authors!
What if the author of the book you just read and yourself met at a crossroads. You have 1-minute to say what you think of the story you just read.
What would you say to the author about the story?
Would you say:
5-Stars! A great story that flowed like a babbling brook dotted with rapids! Rich, lively characters. You pulled me right into the middle of every turn and twist in the stream. I recommend it for a fun and interesting journey to escape into.
Or (heaven forbid) would you say:
1-Star. The misspells threw barricades at every turn. The plot was muddled. The characters snoozed more than they moved. I recommend it for a writing class editing and proofreading project.
So, what reader doesn’t have an important opinion of the story they just read? And isn’t the review the crossroads where the reader and the writer come together?
This post is two-fold. Two-fold because what author isn’t also a reader?
But for clarification, I’ll separate the reader and writer specific sections.
As a reader you will learn:
How important your opinion is
What a book review is and how to write it quick and easy
A place to download gratis copies of books to read and review
As an author you will learn:
How important reviews are
How to get your books reviewed
A place to sign-up to get your book reviews posted on major sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookbub and Goodreads.
Let’s get started.
But first, You as a Reader
Your opinion
Your opinion of a book is a powerful tool for both readers and authors. Prospective readers want to know your thoughts before they buy it for themselves or as a gift for another.
They want to know if the characters are lively and memorable; if the story flows; and if you enjoyed the journey.
How many stars do you give it? Would you recommend the book?
Future readers and the writers both learn from your evaluation.
And here’s the great news! Your evaluation does not have to be as monstrous as a book manuscript. Simply say with a few well-chosen words what you liked (or didn’t like) about the book.
Think succinct empathy.
What a book review is and how to write it fast and easy
If the characters are lively and memorable; if the story flows; and if you enjoyed the journey.
How many stars do you give it? Would you recommend the book?
You could add if you recommend it to a specific group of readers.
Search engines scrape up about 168 million ways to write a book review. All the same, but completely different. It’s all relative.
I, as a prospective reader and an author, want to know if the characters are lively and memorable; if the story flows; and if you enjoyed the journey.
And even more important, how many stars do you give it? Would you recommend the book?
If you approach writing a review by simply addressing the above concerns, I believe you’ve earned the giveaway aspect of the agreement. At least for me and my offerings. And I thank you for your input.
Where to sign-up to snag gratis Review Copies of books
Of the 21 million listings on Bing, I chose one to get you started. It’s the one I use for my own works after sifting through about 20 million of the listings.
My goto affiliate is Story Origin. The platform is easy to navigate. You can choose categories and tags to narrow down, peruse and select from. The instant download to your e-reader device is fast and easy. I like it.
As a matter of fact, I recently uploaded a free novelette that is a prequel to the Sally the Loner Series. Here’s where you can instantly download ‘Come for Coffee with Sally’ and get the skinny on how the series came to be.
If you like old people who speak their mind and cozy mysterious misadventures, you’ll get a kick out of Sally’s (87-years-old) antics.
Reviews make all the difference in a book’s success. No reviews screams failure to get noticed. Talk about feeling invisible…
But how to make it quick and easy to, at least, get stars clicked is an overwhelming ongoing challenge.
This writer gets lots of 5-star feedback. People relate to and enjoy my writings. Especially the characters that insist on writing the stories without me to referee. But the reviews are verbal or by email. Verbal reviews provide the oomph to keep me turning out fun, interesting, and provocative reading materials. Thank you. Thank you. Read these reviews on my alexielinnauthor.com website.
But verbal reviews do not guide worldwide prospective readers at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookbub, Goodreads, etc.
It’s the reviews that direct this writer to keep going or to sharpen weak prose and characters… to make the read more fun, flowing and attention grabbing. And I’m willing to give away my book to get a reviewer’s honest, well addressed opinion. And to have it posted where interested readers can see it. It’s that simple.
How to find reviewers
As a reader, I’m as bad at going back to the distributor to leave a review as the next guy. After I’ve paid for a book, I read it, form my opinion, and move on. I don’t ignore the request for a review… I just don’t seem to get it done. How to get over this hump of procrastination?
Go to where the people who review books in exchange for a gratis copy are. That’s what they’ve signed up for. Downloading an eBook, reading it, and posting a review to specific sites.
A place to find reviewers
One place to post your books for reviewers to find and review is Story Origin. It works. Not always overnight, but it works. You’ll see action on your book faster than molasses running uphill in January and you’ll get reviews. Here’s the guide to how it works.
The site is easy to navigate and relatively easy to follow-thru with posting and getting your works out into the world. Evan, the site operator, has both written and videoed tutorials to help you get the job done. And he responds fast to help emails. Thank you, Evan. Click here for a no-nonsense guide to email marketing.
Crowd promotion is what I see, affiliate with, and now participate in. I’m forced out of my recluse writing frame of mind to spend time and energy spreading the word on my own works as well as other’s.
In summary, reviewing books is an honorable side hustle that benefits both readers and authors. Be entertained while you crack your whip with love and empathy.
This is so important that I’ll say it again….8 Things Posting a Book Review Says About You… And Does for You
When you were in school, did you have a clue that you were prepping to shape the world? “What world is that?” you ask. “It’s just a boring old required book report.” I know. I lived it, too.
But with every book you read, (fiction or nonfiction) you gain knowledge; learn new ways of thinking or doing things; and have a hand in shaping our future.
In adult life, the book report becomes a book review. And it’s written and posted on books that you choose to read. Posting a book review says more about you than can be written in a paragraph. And does more for you than you can imagine.
Here’s what I’ve discovered and am sharing with you.
8 things posting a book review says about you
You care about readers. Whether it be your mother, your neighbor or your child, you want them to know if a story is quality or needs work. Thank you. You are a gem.
You care about authors. We aim to give you, the reader, a fun, provocative, and interesting experience. Only you can tell us if we’re succeeding. And reviews are the simplest, most direct method of helping us to get it right. Your efforts shape and influence our next offering to you.
You want to be heard. Book reviews are one platform that I guarantee you are being heard by the multitudes.
You’re worth hearing. When you take the seconds to minutes required to post a review, your thoughts offer value.
You want to learn. Your quest for knowledge is insatiable. It’s what keeps you moving and shaking in the world.
You don’t waste your time. While others are practicing potato heads, you are an escape artist with class.
You love diversity. Every story is a new adventure. And you choose the destination.
You’re prepping for a possible side hustle. There are opportunities to get free books, make pin money, and even big bucks in the business of reviewing books. Good for you!
Now turning to what’s in it for you…
7 things posting a book review does for you
Gets you free books to read
Informs prospective readers
Encourages writers
Educates authors
Gives you a platform to be heard from
Keeps your mind sharp
Adds skills that can be turned into a side hustle
And speaking of free books to read and review… Click here to get a free eBook novelette that’s only available through this link. It’s a cozy mystery. It’s called ‘Body Lost and Found’. And is the prequel to the Mary Linn, Gravestone Hunter Series. Mary Linn is a teenager with teenager challenges to overcome as well as…
And speaking of reviewing books…
I’ve joined and affiliate with Story Origin. Evan does a very fine job of connecting authors with reviewers all in a one-stop shop.
He answers questions almost faster than a raccoon can race over a roof with a steak in his mouth. Well, not quite that fast. But an overnight email, anyway.
I haven’t found a simpler or better way for writers and reviewers to unite. Thank you, Evan. Click here to learn about Story Origin.Join to get a never-ending supply of genre oriented free review copies of books to read.
Now it’s time to bid you adieu. And let you get on with your honorable passion… Reading and reviewing for the multitudes.
Did it happen again? Here you are… the clock is ticking… you need gifts that will entertain, encourage, and teach… in an hour? Yikes!
Take a breath. It will be fine. Your people will know that you searched and searched and then nailed it just for them. They’ll never know that you simplified and saved your sanity (shhh — if you don’t tell them).
Sit back. Relax. And let your fingers do the shopping with these fast and easy grabs.
Gander through… Click it… Voila! Phew!
For the little ones 4-6 years old:
The Scarecrow Series is available in eBook, Print, and Audible
Got teens? Here you are… Available in eBook, Print, and Audible
Siblings? Check these out:
Joan Freed Life-Changing Mystery and Adventure Series is available in eBook, Print, and Audible
Parents and grands and neighbors and the postman? These will tickle them:
Get it in eBook, Print and in Audible
In eBook and Print! Large Print!
In eBook and Print… Large Print!
To coin a phrase…
The cost for your sanity? Priceless!
Read to the end for your gift… the freebies…
Have a great one… whatever it is you’re celebrating.
Happy Trails and Tales from Alexie Linn, Aaralyn Rae and friends
But wait! You might also like…
A teenager who enjoys graveyards? What’s up with that?
A quirky teenager’s mysterious adventures.
Alexie Linn is intrigued by Mary Linn’s hobby. What moves a teenager to scout graveyards for other’s lost ancestors? Is she a ghoul? A vampire? A witch in a secret coven? What is she really in search of? Blood? Ghosts? Magic? Or is it her own bloodline? Her father’s secret past that Joan has mentioned? Or is graveyard hunting simply Mary Linn’s way of escaping from the trials and tribulations of being a teenager? So many options…
If you’re Running out of inspiration, here’s how to get a quick and easy refill.
The Symptoms of Inspiration Leaking
You feel it. You hear the tire slowly deflating but you don’t have a spare to yank out, crank on and get on down the road. That’s the miserable sound of inspiration oozing. It is warning you to stop overworking it and take action to keep your prose running smoothly.
Then there’s the inspiration leaking characters
Does it feel like your characters act like they’re all taking a long winter’s nap at the same moment. But it’s not winter! How will you wake them up? More inspiration oozing.
Here’s how to stop the outflow.
First, identify what’s causing the inspiration to drain.
Where’s the leak? Is it:
Lazy writing – it just lays there, refusing to dance
No interaction – Needs outside input
Mind-boggle – Too many distractions or demands to focus on your character’s needs
It is NOT Writer’s Block!
There are those that label the malady Writer’s Block. But blockage requires enemas. And, sometimes, trips to the hospital. On top of that, blockage requires lots of manual labor to get through, around, or over.
These are all negative factors in a productive life. In my opinion, that is.
But stop! Don’t make it harder than it is. I’m all about DIY positive fixes if it’s at all possible.
And here’s 6 ways of how to tell the inspiration attendant to fill-er-up.
Self-talk
Jot down, read, and repeat a mini mantra that goes something like this:
‘I am driven to write lively, entertaining prose from quirky, memorable characters. I listen to the characters. I hear the characters. I encourage their individuality to take over the story’.
Make it as long or short as you like. And in your words.
Just say what you want to do. And blame it all on the characters.
What-if game changer
Play the ‘What-if’ game with your characters.
What-if Superman came flying overhead and crash-landed in your pool? Would that be a topic of conversation? Do ya’ think?
Sally the Loner plays this game all the time. And what characters she meets up with! Even a kidnapping Big-foot and a man-size doll that worries about his designer shoes.
It’s fiction. Anything can happen. Encourage it. There’s always editing if its superfluous.
Throw a wrench into the works with a new character
If Superman crash-landing in your pool isn’t a wrench with a memorable personality, I don’t know what is. Do you?
Read the headlines
A few minutes ago, when inspiration to write this piece was deflating, a headline caught my eye.
It was about a solar powered water desalination plant that might fit right into the Second Chance Ranch scenario. The ranch that might become a spin-off of the Sally the Loner series.
What headline can wake up at least one of your characters?
Grab an inspirational quote
Is one of your characters a wise old guru? Will an inspirational quote fit right in to your dedication for the story? And fill up your inspiration tank at the same time?
Here’s one I like…
“Life is about accepting the challenges along the way, choosing to keep moving forward, and savoring the journey.” ―Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
If all else fails
Give the problem to an AI (artificial intelligence) app. That action and result is sure to get you throwing down the gauntlet to beat it at its own game. Isn’t it?
Refill Your Inspiration Summary
When you find yourself leaking inspiration, take action to plug the leak, refill the tank and get typing again.
Running out of inspiration is just that. Your tank (or tire) is frightfully low. You can make it to the air pump if you act fast. Before it fizzles to flat or that last fume is gone.
Are you re-inspired yet? Keep filling until you are. You can do it.
Cheers!
P.S. Grab a look-see at Sally the Loner. She’s an inspiration in her own right… or is it write?
You may also like…
And here’s TWO… Count them TWO Giveaways you should know about…
It’s a natural. Right? While you’re striving to hit the Bestseller list, you still need to eat and pay the bills.
One way to fill the coffee coffer is by affiliating with companies like Amazon to earn commissions on sales made through your links.
To affiliate is to band together to promote their products throughout your posts by way of links. When the reader clicks and buys through your link, you get a portion of the sale. Sounds perfectly simple. But is it?
Here’s some challenges with affiliating I’ve faced:
Most companies require you have a hefty minimum number of subscribers before you can join up. But not all.
If you spirit off a reader of your blog through a link to another shop, you’ve lost them in your store. Did they buy something through your link while they were gadding about? Probably not. Here’s why…
According to mycustomer.com, 90% of consumers shop around before buying online. Yet, according to Finder.com, 88.6% will impulse buy… if you hit their sweet spot.
When the decision to buy is finally made, does your customer come back to your site and order the product through your link? Or do they go right to the website, bypassing you? Cookie (memory that your link brought them in) duration varies. What’s your own practice?
Applying for; setting up; blogging about and keeping track of affiliate links is time consuming. What’s your priority? Writing and selling your own books or other people’s merchandise?
Is there a way to make money as an affiliate while writing?
Yes! But you may have to put your own work on the back burner while you’re focusing on applying for; setting up; blogging about and keeping track of your affiliate links. Why? Because you’ll have to put all your creativity into finding the listeners and writing the winning blogs.
On the plus side, it certainly never hurts to spread your name around as a credible, capable writer while you’re writing for others… Before your prose hit the market. Hint: Don’t write for others under another pseudonym. Post with the name your book will shout. It’s free advertising.
And while we’re on the subject, there’s a website (at least one) that touts the 30 best affiliate programs for writers. But ask your search engine for the link when we’re finished here. I don’t want to send you away before I refer you to my own latest book… It’s available now in eBook, print, and in audiobook.
It’s a cozy mysterious misadventure about 3 old ladies with 3 obnoxious husbands that die on the same day. Did the 3 old ladies murder them? Or what?
Is it foolish to affiliate to make money?
Not at all! I have read and heard of people making a very fine living partnering to promote other’s products. But while you’re promoting other’s products do include shouts for your own Bestseller in the making.
Think about it…
P.S. In case you missed it, click the link to glom onto your copy of my latest book. Then we’re almost done here. Just a couple of very important notices… Until next time…
Cheers!
You may also like…
And to be certain of something for everybody…. Here’s a limited time GIVEAWAY…