So what now, indeed? That is the question that has been dancing in my head since the Holidays. What more can I do to promote my book? I’ve done promotions. I’ve shared my good reviews on social media. I’ve done giveaways. I’m running ads on Amazon and Facebook/Instagram. I published the book trailer on YouTube, and I still have not sold more than 30 books. I’m scouring libraries in my city to see which ones would like to have my book on consignment.
I guess I can submit it to more reviews by other well-known websites, but that costs money, and I’ve long run out of review money. I can host another giveaway as I did on Goodreads. Yet, the interest in the book did not turn into a considerable amount of sales. There are still around 2000 people who have it on their to-read shelf, so hopefully, those people decide to buy the book.
I’m trying to score a BookBub Featured Deal. Notoriously difficult to get, having your book featured on their newsletter is a guaranteed success, or so I’ve heard. So, what’s the catch? You have to offer your e-book (the only kind they will take) at a significantly lower price or give it away for free to be considered for the gig. That’s right! Give away your novel for free to potentially thousands of people. Give your work away. For free. Now, I know what you’re going to ask me: what’s the big deal, Tania? You already gave several paperback books for free. Yeah, but I didn’t spend close to 500$ USD to do so. Ouch, right? Five hundred buckaroos if you want to have your book featured in what could potentially turn into some sales later on. Read that again, folks. The operative word is ‘potentially.’ There are no guarantees. The only guarantee is that you’ll be out 500$ USD, and you’ll be giving your novel away for free.
I can see how this deal can work for authors who’ve written a series. You put one of the books up for free, and it draws attention to the series. People have one book free and buy the rest of the series. But I’m interested in seeing how it works for authors with just one book.
Anyway, I’ve been rejected twice so far, and now, I’m debating whether or not it’s worth it. On the plus side, it will attract more readers to my book. Decisions, decisions.
So, that’s pretty much where I’m at with my quest. A little bit discouraged, but it’s only been five months. Right now, on Amazon, I’m selling, on average, maybe one book every ten days or so. So, I’m trying to find the right combination of bid versus daily budget versus running time of the campaign. It’s all very technical, tedious, and frustrating but necessary.
So, if ever I happen upon a magic formula that boosts sales, I’ll make sure to share it here. But, uh, don’t hold your breath.
My Foolish Quest to Get Published 
I totally understand you!
I have been struggling with the very same, so I can’t give you any golden advice.
But by self publishing, you are building a portfolio.
And one day if you decide to look for publishers or agents, you can at least say that you aren’t new to this!
I just got the ebook and I am excited to read it!
One suggestion I could give is that you posted the link to Amazon.ca.
In order for me to buy it in my region, I had to go Amazon.com and manually search your book.
Other countries will have their own Amazon page, e.g. For Germany it would be Amazon.de, for India: Amazon.in.
I don’t why Amazon makes it so incredibly difficult for all of us, but it could make people lose patience.
You could consider posting links to the different countries.
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Thank you so much for your purchase! 🙂
That is an excellent suggestion about leaving the links to the various countries where my book is on sale on Amazon. You’re right, Amazon does make it difficult.
You’re an illustrator! That’s interesting. I’m part of a writer’s group where several of them write children’s books. I’ll keep you in mind next time one of them is looking for an illustrator! 🙂
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Thanks so much.
That would be awesome! 😄
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