ABNA discussion

Have any of you thought about doing a goodreads giveaway for your ABNA book? It's easy to set up, just click on explore at the top of the screen then giveaways. I have one going for Ella Awakened that ends in a few days.

S.E. wrote: "Have any of you thought about doing a goodreads giveaway for your ABNA book? It's easy to set up, just click on explore at the top of the screen then giveaways. I have one going for Ella Awakened..."

I did one a while back for Blood on the Sand to boost a a contest had alongside it on my blog. I would say it was pretty successful for my first giveaway/contest.

I'm on the fence about this. Maybe it's the old advertising guy in me but a somewhat famous CD told me once, "if you're going to give something away for free then it must not be worth a damn anyway." Now he wasn't referring to writing but this still sticks in my head when I consider a giveaway. Also when I consider that my book is only $3.99 that doesn't seem to be too steep of a price for something that can entertain you for hours. That is if you like it but who hasn't spent a small fortune going to a movie that you didn't enjoy. Did you ever demand your money back?

I digress, sorry. I guess my thinking is that the cream rises to the top and maybe patience trumps all. Thoughts?

Dave wrote: "I'm on the fence about this. Maybe it's the old advertising guy in me but a somewhat famous CD told me once, "if you're going to give something away for free then it must not be worth a damn anyway..."

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think that adage necessarily applies to books in today's market. I consider giveaways a form of advertising in itself and a fairly inexpensive way to go about it for a self-publisher who is going to have a very difficult time with discoverability otherwise. We need people to take a chance on our writing -- a hard thing to do with so many books coming out daily. I went from selling a few hundred books a month to thousands, and I credit the rise in readership entirely to my giveaways and the resultant reviews. That's just my personal experience, of course, but it's something to consider. You can't combat obscurity with patience, unfortunately. There are just too many other authors competing for the same readers not to use, or at least try, any marketing advantage at your disposal.

Just my $0.02.

I sat through a marketing seminar at the Writer's Digest conference this year. I'm pretty convinced after that seminar, that freebies are the way to go. A. They show goodwill, and B., they get the merchandise out there. People say that nobody knows for sure what exactly works in marketing, but free promos I think are always a smart idea.

Hi, I have run already a Giveaway for Daimones in here.

Over 1400 subscribed to and the book is on the TBR list of over 650 people.

Sales have been picking up but maybe that's due because the novel won the 2012 PRG Reviewer's Choice Award in Science Fiction.

Couldn't say. In any case, winners of the novel all did a review here and on Amazon and they all liked it. I got four 5-stars and one 4-star.

Quick question for those of you who have done a giveaway, you have to have a print version of your book, yes?

I'd like to know more about this as well. I've done the KDP select thing; I put the first book of a kids' trilogy on free over Christmas, hoping that I'd pick up sales for the next two as a result. Nothing dramatic, but it was well worth doing.

Lakrysa wrote: "Quick question for those of you who have done a giveaway, you have to have a print version of your book, yes?"

Yes, you have to mail the winners a pint version.

S.E. wrote: "Lakrysa wrote: "Quick question for those of you who have done a giveaway, you have to have a print version of your book, yes?"

Yes, you have to mail the winners a pint version."

I'll have a Guinness, thank you :)

Massimo wrote: "S.E. wrote: "Lakrysa wrote: "Quick question for those of you who have done a giveaway, you have to have a print version of your book, yes?"

Yes, you have to mail the winners a pint version."

I'll..."

HAHAHA - that's what I get for trying to check this during work lol

Okay you guys convinced me. I will do a giveaway but I'm confused can I only do the giveaway if I have a print version too? Currently my format is eBook only. Available on kindle, itunes, nook, and smashwords.

My ABNA entry, Kianda, is available for giveaway (ends 1/31/13). I did a giveaway before on Goodreads for my first poetry collection, and the reviews were favorable. In answer to the question about book format, yes I had to mail a copy of the book to the winner.

Dave wrote: "Okay you guys convinced me. I will do a giveaway but I'm confused can I only do the giveaway if I have a print version too? Currently my format is eBook only. Available on kindle, itunes, nook, and..."

Yep, Dave. Only printed editions are accepted. No ebooks. My second giveaway is running now and will end on the 31st.

Massimo, SE

Thank-you.

And on the pint tangent I'd love a New Castle

Lakrysa wrote: "And on the pint tangent I'd love a New Castle"

That one too :)

Lakrysa wrote: "And on the pint tangent I'd love a New Castle"

Mmmmm New Castle - better than a free book any day!

S.E. wrote: "Lakrysa wrote: "And on the pint tangent I'd love a New Castle"

Mmmmm New Castle - better than a free book any day!"

AHHAAHAH after work? ... sure thing :)

I ran a giveaway for my first book, had several hundred entries and about 70 people added it to their to-read list. I got nice reviews from the winners. But, not one sale as a result of this giveaway. So for me, I don't think I'll do it again. Not worth the cost of 3 books and postage from Australia, with no follow up sales...

Ana wrote: "The beautiful land (last year ABNA winner) is at 0.00 on Kindle. Just FYI."

It looks like that's still the excerpt that is free. Check out the length (17 pages).

Ana wrote: "Mikhail wrote: "Ana wrote: "The beautiful land (last year ABNA winner) is at 0.00 on Kindle. Just FYI."

It looks like that's still the excerpt that is free. Check out the length (17 pages)."

Mine..."

hmmm...can you post the link?

I just downloaded the only free version I could find on amazon, and it's only the first couple chapters. The full kindle version of it doesn't even come out until this coming June.

Ana wrote: "Mikhail wrote: "I just downloaded the only free version I could find on amazon, and it's only the first couple chapters. The full kindle version of it doesn't even come out until this coming June."..."

That's ok...(I was hoping you were right!)

Yesterday: A Novel of Reincarnation has been submitted to the ABNA and it is in a current Giveaway, until 2/1/13

My ABNA submission, the Dragon Egg Curse, is currently on free promo on Kindle.

I have had good luck with free promo's on Kindle.

My Goodreads giveaway is open until Feb 13th:

Emancipating Alice

-A

Ana wrote: "The beautiful land (last year ABNA winner) is at 0.00 on Kindle. Just FYI."

It actually isn't free. That is just the beginning excerpt. The book won't be released for sale until this summer.

Regina wrote: "Ana wrote: "The beautiful land (last year ABNA winner) is at 0.00 on Kindle. Just FYI."

It actually isn't free. That is just the beginning excerpt. The book won't be released for sale until this s..."

I love the cover on your profile image. Really well done!

I'm having a free promo today!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZ2BV0G

Thank you so much. That is the cover from my self-published edition. Penguin is releasing it with a new cover in May, but I have to admit I am partial to the first one.

The first novel of my Hamfist Trilogy, Hamfist Over The Trail, will be a free Kindle download 18-19 Feb 2013.
http://www.amazon.com/Hamfist-Over-Th...

Another short book, Happy Hancock, which is a compilation of a few chapters from the two sequels, is a free download until midnight tonight. http://www.amazon.com/Hancock-Adventu...

As usual, reviews on Amazon are appreciated!

George Nolly

I downloaded your book and look forward to reading it. I am so glad for you, that you were able to write a book so different than my first book, Death Panel (not my ABNA entry)

Hi Deena. Well into your book and enjoying it, the writing that is :) Needless to say my book has an entirely different outcome. Cancer is a fiendish disease and while it starts out as bad luck, you need to hope it is followed by good luck. usually I tell people dealing with cancer that perhaps they should avoid my book, Death Panel, but in nursing I suppose you have seen it all anyway, and at least their is a love story intertwined with my story, despite the sad outcome. It is on Amazon as is my ABNA entry, Midnight Departure. Dan

Thank you for being able to read between the lines when I said I was "enjoying the writing, at least". it's amazing how few people have that skill.

Hi Deena.

Thanks for the review! Used up all my free days with KLL and took it off the program in order to have more options for distribution, though not sure where
I go next. Being an Indie ain't easy!

I am having a free day for my book Lost Memories this Friday, March 1st.

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Memories-e...

My book did not make the cut in the competition, but it still has another 8 days left as a goodreads giveaway if anyone is interested. I meant to post this earlier, but I have been in the home stretch of finishing my next novel.

Bright Horizons giveaway

My YA novel, Screwing Up Time (a 2012 ABNA quarterfinalist)is available for free on Smashwords this week during their "Read An E-book" celebration. Use the coupon code RW100 at the checkout. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Mikhail wrote: "S.E. wrote: "Have any of you thought about doing a goodreads giveaway for your ABNA book? It's easy to set up, just click on explore at the top of the screen then giveaways. I have one going for ..."

I have posted my book, In Our Midst, for a Give-away -- open until March 27. I hear it is a good move although requires a lot of work (mailing books, etc.) So far 230 people have "bid" for the give-away in the first week.

Here's a giveaway that isn't a book. For some strange reason unbeknownst to me, Grammarly.com has selected me to hand out free trials of their product Grammarly. All you have to do is PM with your email address and they'll send you the links. I'm not being compensated in any way, shape or form, and I don't see them loudly promoting my books on their website in exchange. However, free is good and so if you want it, let me know. You can read my review of Grammarly here: http://jnaomiay.wordpress.com/2013/02...

My book is free this weekend. Check it out if you haven't already! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AZ2BV0G