In a previous blog entry, I mentioned I had a signing which went really well. Since then, I’ve appeared on a dozen or so talk radio programs. This Monday, I’m even going to be on local TV. The work is being put into this effort.
So it was a complete and total shock when my publisher, ever the cheerleader and big Bitter Things booster, announced that we have 795 books. That’s 795 left in stock – not sold! She was psyched to see the uptick in sales, but to me, this was only 35 books since I last checked – and to someone as new at this as me, that doesn’t sound particularly promising.
In fact, it made me think of the immortal words of Peggy Lee -- "Is that all there is?" All this work, and 35 books have been sold? Is that all... there is?
But the upside is this: I found my way onto a discussion board on Amazon, with people really supportive and encouraging.
Through them, I got hooked up with the Paranormal Romance Yahoo Group – who have been so spectacular! They’re energetic and supportive, creative, and they are both readers AND writers of really sexy books.
It’s through PNR that I was featured on Lisa Phillips’ site – she has a great section about other writers on her site, as well as fascination information about her own work. Check her out here: www.Lisa-Phillips.com
The people there are so enthusiastic and encouraging, that maybe that uptick in sales is due just to those people there! I know a few of them have picked up copies of the books, and some have written excellent reviews on the Amazon page, which is great.
I know it’s such a cliché, but really, whenever I start feeling disheartened and/or disillusioned about the whole thing, I just think of these really warm, up-beat people and I feel so much better.
Ok, what’s new and cool this week. I just completed my 7th radio interview. I only have three copies of interviews however, and one of them is on cassette, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to upload them onto this site.
But something really cool is I’ve got a TV interview tomorrow on a local cable station! Hopefully I’ll be able to get a copy of that which I’ll be able to upload onto my “Keep” page.
But now for one of the coolest things yet: none other than Anne Rice has been on an Amazon thread that I've been active on! Now, that's just cool. What would make it AMAZING would be if she responded to one of my posts -- which she hasn't done yet. I'm an unabashed fan -- and I don't care who knows it!!!
So even if I only sold 35 more books since I started on my path -- at least I'm close to interacting with one of my favorite authors... and even if in the end, that IS all there is, it's still pretty good.