The first week of release for Legends of Windemere: Allure of the Gypsies is done. It was a slow build, but I finally saw this when I checked this morning:
- #95 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Epic
- #98 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Sword & Sorcery
Even if it’s only for an hour or two, this means all three Legends of Windemere books have been on these Top 100 Lists within their first month. I’m not going to mention specific sale numbers, but I have noticed that things work differently with the $2.99. As Chris McMullen (READ TUESDAY IS COMING!) mentioned way back, the price probably factors into the ranking. The 99 centers flew quicker and that speed helped them get to the lists. This one has been a slower build, but it hit higher ranks and held them a little bit better than the 99 centers. I don’t know what I would say the ratio is. Still, it’s nice to be on the lists for a bit. Will I beat Prodigy of Rainbow Tower and get beyond #22 (or was it #21?)? Will I be nipping at the heels of a Game of Thrones book again? At this point, I can say with partial confidence that the heels of those books taste like cinnamon and the souls of puppies.
Anyway, today’s goals:
- Continue writing Legends of Windemere: Curse of the Dark Wind.
- Continue promo work.
- Help promo Read Tuesday when it hits on December 10th.
- Cook a few dinners.
- Handle toddler because parents are away.
- Pray that I don’t have to shovel snow.
- Watch Giants game . . . with booze.
- Contemplate the meaning of the word ‘contemplate’.
That’s the big week and we’ll see how we do. I’m going to try to behave with checking my rankings and stats. Apparently, I’ve already blown the indie author average for the first month debut of a $2.99 book out of the water. Best part about this is that it gives me more leverage for the end of the month then I have to discuss my ‘plan for the future’ with my deadline creator. Those that don’t know, I’ve been given a deadline of end of the year to prove I can be successful as an author. Things are iffy here for a few reasons that I can’t get into in public. That’s down the road though. Thanks to everyone who has helped me and bought my books. To those that haven’t bought them:
Legends of Windemere 
Well done, all the hard work is really taking off.
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Fewer nervous breakdowns this time too. I’m improving. 😉
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I’m goalless again now NaNo is over…
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Time for simple goals? I’ve found after a big project, I spend a week with things like ‘design a character each day’ or ‘learn 2-3 new recipes’.
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I might start on the next installment on The Scrolls of Sion next week… I have one person proof reading the first story over the holidays… hoping to find a few others and then I’ll figure out what to do with it… a few people are urging me to publish it…
By the way forgot to say… congrats on the performance of Allure…
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Thanks. It was a little scary for a bit earlier this week. 3 of the advertising sites are either gone or been inactive for over a month, so I have less to work with this time.
I’d urge to publish, but I also understand that one has to be ready for that path. I’ve learned that forcing someone to publish isn’t the way to go. Still, it sounds like a fun story that people would be interested in.
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it looks like I might be leaning towards publishing… but I’m going to have to figure out the technical side of it and that intimidates me a bit…
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You thinking the indie author circuit? It’s easier than one thinks to set up with Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. If you don’t want to go Amazon exclusive (KDP Select) then start with Smashwords. They do a formatting check and walk you through it unlike the others. I found that made starting out a much less intimidating step.
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what are the costs associated with Smashwords???
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Zero plus zero and a second payment of zero. Amazon and Smashwords don’t charge for publishing, but that means you’re on your own for advertising and have full control of everything.
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thanks Charles…I appreciate the info…
do you know any sites that offer free fantasy art… for cover art…
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Don’t know any free cover art places. That might be hard to pull off. Unless you find a fantasy artist who only wants exposure.
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I don’t know of anybody and I really can’t afford to pay anyone… I guess I’m on a search of public domain images… will they work for a cover…???
Sorry to be asking so many questions…
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Public domain will work since there’s no copyright behind it, but you have to make sure it’s public domain and not been overused as a cover. It takes more research, but a lot of indie authors do it.
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TJ … I’d be happy to be added to your list of proofreaders. email me at mpaxson55@gmail.com
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thank you Mark… will send you the draft…
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Reblogged this on Year 'Round Thanksgiving Project and commented:
I hope to finish this book today. I know that I can already highly recommend that you read it. And if you haven’t read Beginnings of a Hero and Prodidy yet – you can get them ALL for less than $5 – where else will you get a deal like that? It will provide you hours of entertainment and a lifetime of memories. Charles is very creative and these books are well written. BUY THEM!!!!
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This is great info! Thanks for sharing. I’m going to go check out your books on Amazon right now!
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Thanks. Hope you enjoy what you see.
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Awesome Charles! I am following your lead in what to do and not do. Your experience shared has really helped me.
Having put three in a series out there and maintained such a strong foothold speaks volumes to your work effort.
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Thanks. I’m really hoping it keeps going since I’m out of advertising sites. Working off Tweeting and Facebook again.
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I know that is demanding. It only takes a fews minutes but you have to keep going back to it. I am just starting to look at the other sites. I was going to try out the one Kevin Brennan used. Haven’t talked to him since yesterday morning to see how his promo went. That’s a new site.
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Which site is that?
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I can’t think of the name of it but it is on a reblog I did yesterday. i will go check and get back with you.
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Thanks.
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That Part Where
Is the name of the site. You get to post an excerpt of your book and they do their facebook page as well.
It cost $10.00
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They have a $25 thing too, which seems interesting too. I can set that up today probably. Just need to pick a juicy scene, which is always the challenge.
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Yeah! But that can be fun. I can’t think of a really good scene in my book that wouldn’t give away spoilers except maybe where Sybil and Nathan meet at the train station, while good…it is not an action scene.
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Just submitted for both packages. I used the Trinity Vs Nyx battle scene.
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Terrific…it is all about exposure! i have to catch up on your books…you write faster than I read! :;)
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It’s an illusion. I had the first three books done by the time I decided to self-publish. I also have everything planned, so it’s more me working off 18 years of preparing than speed.
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Looks like a winner. Plan looks good as well. I liked the Giants and booze combo.
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Thanks. Just submitted to two new advertising sites too. Feeling positive even though I feel off the lists.
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I’m glad you reached the top 100. I hope it keeps improving. 🙂
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I fell off, but it means I’m hovering nearby when the sales jump again.
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Congratz!!
As to the goal list, definitely with you on the no shoveling snow 😀
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It sounds like the snow will hit and get covered in freezing rain overnight. Nothing says fun like icy roads.
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