Today I was Googling my book, and I found yet another site that was giving away free copies. To date they have given away over 6-million copies! I did the math. That's over 15-million dollars. Sadly, we struggle to make ends meet, and pirates steal what I need to make a living. Make me so angry.
I am trying to have a positive attitude about it. After all, on this site, I found that my book is listed beside George R.R. Martin's book, A Dance with Dragons, and I've almost got as many downloads as his book. (I don't imagine he'd be happy his book is being illegally downloaded either.) So, with that said, I guess I am in good company. I have decided that makes my book a non-seller best seller. I have to try to get a positive out of this huge negative.
I have so many thoughts when it comes to book piracy. Part of me wants to think of it as free advertising. The other part tells me that it's no different than a library. Yet, the part that keeps shouting at me tells me, "You need money to pay health insurance, and the electricity bill and to buy food -- and they are stealing it."
I've heard the arguments. Some people say that books should be free. But, where does that leave the author, who has sweat and tears in a manuscript? The Collision of Fire and Ice took me eight years to write. Where is the justice? I honestly finally understand the anti-piracy warnings on music and video. People work hard. They deserve to be paid.
Anyway! Sorry, about the rant. It's just when your family needs and pirates take, it is infuriating! With that said, have you read The Collision of Fire and Ice? I'd love for you to check it out. If you read it, please leave a comment on Amazon.
I have known Katy for a little over a year now. She is a talented author and a really nice person. I'm hoping someday we can actually get together in person. Her fan base has been growing lately, and really it's no surprise. If you're not familiar with Katy's work. You definitely need to check it out. I hope you enjoy getting to know Katy as much as I have.
-Arwen
An Interview with Katy Huth Jones
If you could, would you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I was blessed to grow up in a creative family. My mother especially encouraged us to explore every possible way to be creative (writing, music, drawing, painting, sewing, needlepoint, woodwork, etc.) and as a result my sisters and I have brains that never turn off! I started writing stories in second grade, but by high school I was especially good at playing the flute, so I thought I had to major in music in college. I dropped out to get married and have children, and for over 20 years my focus was homeschooling, although I did teach private flute at the local schools as well as direct a homeschool band for 16 years. I decided in 1987 to write for publication, but I received over 600 rejection letters before my first sale. Eventually I made a steady income writing for magazines until chemo derailed me in 2005. Now I not only write novels but play piccolo and flute in a regional symphony. I’ve learned the secret of “carpe diem” (“seize the day”). Prayer and Tai Chi help, too! So, what have you written?
B.C. (before cancer) I wrote mostly nonfiction for magazines and a MG book about the Navajo Code Talkers, except for a few short stories (mostly fantasy or children’s) and two early readers published with reading companies. In the last 12 years, poetry and novels have poured out of me. I’ve published several poems in magazines and anthologies as well as one collection entitled Carpe Diem. I’ve published five YA fantasy novels; one series has talking birds, and the other dragons of all sizes. And in January of 2016 Pauline Books & Media published Treachery and Truth, my YA historical fiction about “Good King Wenceslas.”
Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
I made trailers for the two fantasies with talking birds, but I hired a talented woman to make trailers for Mercy’s Prince...
and Treachery and Truth.
Where can we find your books?
All of my books except Treachery and Truth are exclusive to Amazon right now. T&T is also at Barnes & Noble and available through the publisher’s website:
I just noticed it’s on sale right now, but I don’t know for how long.
What genre are your books?
YA fantasy and YA historical fiction
Is there something about this genre that draws you to it?
I’ve always loved fantasy, since living in my own fantasy world helped me cope with painful childhood illnesses and frequent moves as an introverted Army brat. Historical fiction appeals to me for the same reason: the distant worlds of the past are more interesting to me than the present.
Do you have a favorite book that you've written?
My personal favorite is Mercy’s Prince, but Treachery and Truth is a close second.
If you could cast anyone to play the characters in your most recent book, who would they be? This is a difficult question because I’m not terribly familiar with young actors. Ben Barnes in Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the closest I can think of for Prince Valerian, and Alexis Bledel in Tuck Everlasting is the closest to Mercy because of her youth in that movie, and her innocence.
Why do you write?
Because the characters in my head tell me their stories, and if I don’t write them down, the pressure of all those words, words, words gives me a headache. Literally! It’s also a fantastic journey to follow along with the characters and find out what happens, just like when I read a book.
Where do you see your writing taking you in the future?
I don’t really plan for the future now because I have incurable lymphoma, but I will keep writing as long as the Lord gives me breath.
Where do the your ideas come from?
It depends. Leandra’s Enchanted Flute came out of my first chemo experience when a Carolina wren sang outside my window every day. The wren became a character named Songcatcher. The first incarnation of Mercy’s Prince came about as a reaction to watching the movie Willow long ago; I wanted to write a strong female character who didn’t need to resort to violence. And I wanted to write Wenceslas’ story after reading a short picture book about his life; he inspired me!
Some authors use outlines, some just fly by the seat of their pants. How do you write?
I heavily outlined my nonfiction, but I can only write novel first drafts scene by scene as my characters tell me their stories. My WIP feels like hanging up scenes on a clothesline and rearranging as needed. How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Anywhere from two months to a year, depending on the length and how much research I need to do. The Mercy books are based on early 12th century Great Britain, even though it’s a made-up world with dragons, so I researched to make the details feel authentic. Do you have a special time to write or how is your day structured?
My best time to write is first thing in the morning, but I’ve learned to take a notebook and pen with me wherever I go, and I can write while waiting at doctors’ offices, airports, etc.
Do you design your own book covers?
No, I know my limitations! I have found a wonderful cover designer named Perry Elisabeth.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Absolutely! The cover is the first thing a potential reader sees.
How do you market your books? Not very well!
I’ve tried giveaways, Facebook parties, co-op marketing with different groups, Twitter, and Pinterest. With my nonfiction book in the 1990’s I developed a multimedia presentation to give at schools and civic groups and sold a ton of books afterward. I’m still trying to figure out marketing in the digital age!
Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
Do what you can to find your niche and focus there. But don’t let it steal all your writing time!
Do you have any advice on how to get book reviews?
I’ve gotten several good reviews by searching for similar books and finding out who reviewed those books (for Mercy’s Prince I looked for reviews of Jill Williamson’s Blood of Kings series, since MP might appeal to those readers). Just be sure to follow the bloggers’ instructions! What are your thoughts on good vs. bad reviews?
Some bad reviews are from people with a chip on their shoulder, but others will give insight into flaws that may need to be corrected. We all want the 5 star reviews, but there is no book that will appeal to every single reader.
Who are your favorite authors?
Jane Austen, Katherine Kurtz, Rick Riordan, H. L. Burke, and Annie Douglass Lima
If you could have been an author for any book, who would it be and what book?
I would love to have been E. B. White while writing Charlotte’s Web. I’ve loved that book since third grade, and to me it’s pretty much the perfect story. Great characters, the gamut of emotions, and wonderfully imaginative.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Just write the stories in your heart and keep perfecting your craft. If you’re writing to “get rich” you will probably be disappointed. Write because you love to write. The joy of writing is the most important thing.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Nothing we write is wasted, even if it’s never published. The process of writing helps us grow as individuals; having others read and enjoy our words is just icing on the cake.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I have been researching like crazy, because I have to find a way to make a living writing. I have no choice. In my quest for information, I've found some useful articles. Each article contains valuable information that I've learned through-out my journey. I hope you find these articles as valuable as I have.
Remember
There are no real get rich quick schemes when it comes to marketing, writing, and making money with your Ebook. Don't let anyone convenience you otherwise.
But, there are ways to make a living writing books. It won't just happen. You have to make a plan, and put it into action. Just like every business needs a plan, getting your books established requires hard work and a vision. Don't forget writing is your business, and if you are going to succeed you have to work at it. However, there are things that you can do to see quicker returns in the short time.
Most successful authors have already figured the following out. I've only recently changed my original works, and I've already seen a 277% increase in sales since two months ago. So, please start here, and then absorb the information in the articles below. You will be on your way!
Immediate Help for Your Ebooks
Revamp your cover.
Rewrite your book blurb.
Run a promotion.
--Arwen
1. From paying the bills, to £2,000 a day: making a killing from self-publishing
We were scrolling through Netflix last night and stumbled upon the True Memoirs of an International Assassin movie. It's a Netflix Original movie. I can't tell you how awesome it is. I relate to it on so many levels. I won't give away any spoilers, but there was something about it that I just have to discuss.
When the character, Sam, is writing, the film shows the characters doing exactly what Sam writes. Of course, we always imagine our characters doing what we write. Sometimes, I can even see them. However, when I'm not writing I imagine them stuck in the situations I've left them.
For example, in the novel I'm working on which is part of the Outer World Chronicles (setting of The Louvre Still Stands), the heroine, Babylonia Steele, is currently unconscious on a planet cruiser. I think about her all the time, but haven't had the time to write about her. So, she sits waiting.
In A Requiem of Fire and Ice, sequel to The Collision of Fire and Ice, the characters are walking single file to the Dragon's Keep. And, in the Militarian Job (prequel to The Louvre Still Stands), Gwyn and Adrik are under attack.
I couldn't help wondering if other authors think about their characters like this, or if they ever wonder what they might be thinking stuck where they are in the book. So, seeing it on the screen in True Memoirs of an International Assassin cracked me up.
If you haven't seen it yet, you definitely need to check it out. It is a great movie, and besides it stars Kevin James, and who doesn't love Kevin James?
I have been a notorious Black Friday shopper for years, but this year I am staying home. Every year I have either been run over by some person wielding a rowdy shopping cart, nearly trampled, or called names by someone who thought I was taking the last whatever they wanted. (Believe me, there is nothing you want that I will take from you.)
This year, I am leaving the world of bargain hunting behind.
Why am I missing out on all the great sales? It's because I have become an Amazon junkie. I don't have to leave home to get the best deals, and I will miss the crowds, the drama, and the random violence over the greatest newest item.
While the entire world is shopping on Black Friday, I will be celebrating my 40th birthday! Somehow that seems fitting. But, in honor of Black Friday and my birthday, I have decided to offer several of my ebooks for .99! This is a limited time offer, and I hope you will help me celebrate my birthday by downloading your copy today. Don't forget to leave a customer review. Happy shopping!
This holiday season escape the chaos and go on the wildest treasure hunt of the year. The Louvre Still Stands is a short story in the Outer World Chronicles. The first full length story, The Militarian Job, will be out in 2017!
In a perilous age where humanity lives under the control of the Militarian government, one woman risks life, limb, and ship, for a lost treasure trove on old Earth.
Gwyndalaria Casteliano, Captain of the starship Pleiades, leads her Ex-Militarian companion Adrik, and her childhood friend Rodrigo on the treasure hunt of a lifetime. While the common belief is that old Earth has been completely lost after the great alien wars, Gwyn knows it’s ripe for the taking. Intelligence, bought for a steep price, proves that the Louvre still stands. Gwyn leads her comrades on an adventure of a lifetime, as they make a desperate attempt at fortune. It’s too bad Militarian troops are hot on their trail.
The Louvre Still Stands is a piece of science fiction, that nods its head toward spacers like Malcom Reynolds, and is sure to leave readers wanting more.
Looking for a little romance this holiday season? How about skip all those sappy romances, and hitch your saddle to this thrilling suspense. You won't be disappointed.
For years famed rodeo photographer Laura Garrett never felt more comfortable than behind the lens of a camera. She’d made a career following her sexy, bull-riding boyfriend from their ranch in Texas to Wyoming and back again. Ever at his side, her trust in Clark wavers as evidence piles up he’s been having affairs with buckle bunnies. Suddenly, she finds herself stranded in the middle of the night at a bus depot in Blue Springs, Kansas. Alone, Laura has to face the consequences of her fast paced life. Will she settle for the sexy cowboy she’s loved for so long, or will she pull up her big girl panties and carve out a life of her own? Can she learn to trust again? And, who is that Italian gentleman that’s making eyes at her?
Blue Springs, Kansas is a romantic western read that takes readers on a whirlwind ride. Strap yourself down and cinch up your latigo. Can you hold on for 8-seconds?
Looking for an excuse to look away from the family football game? Why not escape into a thrilling short read?
Open the door to a gripping psychological adventure. Odds & Ends: A Collection of Short fiction abandons all restraints and takes readers on an intense journey through world after world of strange, scary and humorous events. Arwen compels readers to take part in a riot where the perpetrators are not what they seem, and introduces unsuspecting fair goers to a sexual sadist serial killer who frequents the county fair. She presents a dystopian world where teaching children outside of school is illegal, and the government destroys those who don’t comply. Odds & Ends is a gritty and thrilling work of short fiction. Brace yourself as turn the page, and see if you can survive in the shadow of the Ferris wheel. Remember, things are never quite what they seem.
In my quest to become a successful Indie author, I have been doing a lot of research. This research has had me combing the Internet, as well as reading as many Kindle Unlimited books as I possibly can. My husband is on disability from a stroke, so it is extremely important that I not only learn what works, but put it into practice.
The biggest question I have asked is, "How do I get more readers on Kindle?" I think this is a common question all of us Indie authors have. We often ask how to increase Kindle book sales, and how do I attract readers. Well, there are no get rich quick schemes that I have found that work. I have also found that nothing I do produces immediate results. Although, I have read some people who have claimed to have huge profits in just two weeks. I don't honestly see how. It has not been my experience. If you know the "magic" formula, please share it in the comments.
So, I have pursued various respected authors, and have found that there are several great self-help books out there. The following are my favorite so far. As I find more, I will share them with you.
One of the first people I came across on the Internet was Nick Stephenson. He writes the blog, Blog Your First 10K Readers. (He is also a respected thriller novelist. I want to read his books.) After spending a lot of time reading his information, and several of his self-help books, I have come to trust his opinion and I whole heartedly recommend his books.
Nick Stephenson's Books:
Supercharge Your Kindle Sales is an excellent resource for Indie writers. Instead of trying to review it, I will just say if you don't have Kindle Unlimited, it would be worth downloading a free trial just to get your hands on this book. It's worth the read.
I have implemented several ideas Mr. Stephenson had, and I have actually seen a change in my sales. I have not had a huge boost in sales that some authors suggest you can get after a few days (Mr. Stephenson isn't one of these people.) However, I have gone from selling just a few books, to seeing a broader number of sales across multiple titles.
In August 2016, I made a total of $19.09 on Amazon. In October, a friend found my books, and bought one of each of them. I won't count that part of the month. It was right around the time I implemented the changes I'd learned. So, after implementing changes in the middle of October, and after my friend bought my books, I have made about $72.07. Now, that is from October 15-November 21, 2016. Now, that still isn't something that I can live off of, but if I'm correct that is a 277% increase in sales. That is huge! So, just by using the things I learned in these two books, my income from book sales has grown dramatically!
Research is paying off. Thank you Mr. Stephenson!!!
Also, I started using the program Kbookpromotions, and I think that has helped to. There is a link to that program in the sidebar. I suggest doing the free trial, and see what you think. It has helped me find key words that I can turn into long tail keywords, and has shown me that there are people making a lot of money in Kindle books. That in itself tells me, "Don't give up!" One well-known author, I've learned makes more than $40,000 a month on one book title -- and that's just from Amazon Kindle. Other authors are making huge amounts in other segments; including, poetry. If they can do it. So can I! So can you!
Other books, that I have found useful in this journey are:
I found after reading this book, that my book blurbs were more than boring. They were dull and lifeless. Most authors hate writing a book synopsis, and I am no exception to that. However, I used the information found in Mr. Cohen's book to revamp my synopsis (es?) And, I think that has made a huge difference. It's still a work in progress, but I like them better. One of the great things about being and Indie author is that every time I learn something new, I can fix the old problem.
Howard is more than a little sexy in his designer jeans and knock-off Versace sunglasses, but his exterior hides a menacing truth that might just get you killed in the shadow of the Ferris wheel.
Arwen compels readers through the chaos of a riot, and takes them on a desperate walk with a sexy serial killer. She introduces a dystopian world where teaching children outside of school is illegal and the government destroys those who don’t comply, and much more. Enter a work of fiction that is one wild ride, if you dare.
Odds & Ends is a gritty and thrilling work of short fiction.
Open the door to a gripping psychological adventure. Odds & Ends: A Collection of Short fiction abandons all restraints and takes readers on an intense journey through world after world of strange, scary and humorous events. Arwen compels readers to take part in a riot where the perpetrators are not what they seem, and introduces unsuspecting fair goers to a sexual sadist serial killer who frequents the county fair. She presents a dystopian world where teaching children outside of school is illegal, and the government destroys those who don’t comply. Odds & Ends is a gritty and thrilling work of short fiction. Brace yourself as turn the page, and see if you can survive in the shadow of the Ferris wheel. Remember, things are never quite what they seem.
Now, I'm not sure if the new blurb is the most fantastic book blurb ever, but I see it as a definite improvement. It also contains important key words, and the title. (Always put your title in the book blurb. ALWAYS!) Since I've updated things, I've finally sold one and got a review on it. It has been on sale since November 2014, and it is only now starting to get noticed. This is because of the cover change, and the blurb change. I'm certain.
Well, I hope you look into the books I've recommended. I know they are responsible for the success I've achieved in less than 30 days. I plan to keep on learning, and pray that someday I will be able to support my family on what I've learned.
Have you read Eragon? If you haven't ever been introduced to the first book in the Inheritance Cycle, pay close attention. Eragon, is a fantastic dragon book that leaves readers wanting to read more.
I love Lord of the Rings, and this book is somewhat similar. Except, that it is easier to read. Any YA fan that likes Tolkien should check out Paolini. I actually own signed first editions of all four books, and they are some of my favorite possessions.
A few years ago, my husband, kids, a friend, her mother and her children all loaded up in the car and we took a road trip to get these books signed. It was a lot of fun, and each of us walked away with a signed book.
Christopher Paolini was very kind, and spent a little bit of time with each of us as we went through the line. He also encouraged me to keep writing. I thought that was a really great thing for someone to do. So, if you're new to Eragon, check out this book and know you will love it.
"Perfect for fans of Lord of the Rings, the New York Times bestselling Inheritance Cycle about the dragon rider Eragon has sold over 35 million copies and is an international fantasy sensation.
Fifteen-year-old Eragon believes that he is merely a poor farm boy—until his destiny as a Dragon Rider is revealed. Gifted with only an ancient sword, a loyal dragon, and sage advice from an old storyteller, Eragon is soon swept into a dangerous tapestry of magic, glory, and power. Now his choices could save—or destroy—the Empire."
I've heard the arguments. Some people say that books should be free. But, where does that leave the author, who has sweat and tears in a manuscript? The Collision of Fire and Ice took me eight years to write. Where is the justice? I honestly finally understand the anti-piracy warnings on music and video. People work hard. They deserve to be paid.
