If you're wondering what's up with the title of my blog post today - I've had this song blasting in my head since last night:
So, sales of the book have dropped off... which is to be expected, I guess, since I haven't done too much in the way of marketing. I really suck at tooting my own horn, and I feel stupid harassing other people to spread the word, even though word of mouth is the only tool I have at my disposal right now. Even the Wattpad reads have dwindled, since most of the people who were following along have now bought the book and so have stopped keeping up with the updates. I have gotten the impression that my first chapter is perhaps a little too slow and sad and it's putting potential readers off - but I'm not really sure what to do about it other than a complete rewrite of the beginning, which I really don't want to do again. Much of what happens in those first few chapters is integral, not just to the book, but the entire plot-line of the series. I wanted readers to see how Denora is before all the craziness starts, and why she is that way - how she carries that sadness, mistrust and pain with her throughout the story. Unfortunately, the snippet that Amazon gives potential purchasers to read is the beginning - and other than reviews (of which I only have 3) it is what they base their decision on whether or not to read the book. I'm finding this incredibly frustrating because I'm trying to work on the second book and don't have a lot of time to push the first one. I had all these grand ideas of making a book promo video and sending the book out to book bloggers - but without more reviews the book bloggers won't take much interest, and I simply haven't been able to find the time to make a video... I haven't even been able to finish the Crow website yet!
That being said, I'm close to half way done with the first draft of the second book in the Crow series (Yay!) But working on writing has gotten complicated now that my littlest one is walking. I'm starting to feel cross-eyed, since there are now four little hands getting into trouble that I have to keep an eye on! And in terms of messes and trouble, both my kids have been in rare form the past couple of weeks. HA. I'd probably be finished by mid-July, though I'm not holding my breath because that is right around the time that my husband and I planned to take our Stay-cation to go do activities around the city with our kids. We'll just have to see.
Also, I finally got my paperback copies of Crow in the mail yesterday. It's kind of strange, holding a book with my name on it, but exhilarating at the same time. I noticed a few small things that I want to fix, as well as some minor grammar issues that snuck past my editing program and my bazillion read throughs that I intend to fix and then re-upload the corrected books (just MORE things I have to find time to do ugh!) Once I've fixed the things that are nagging at me I'll be ordering more books and will probably host a few giveaways, including a Goodreads giveaway to try to spread interest outside my inner circle (no offense guys, you know I love you, but I need other people to read it too :P)
The Crow website is another project I'm still trudging through when I can squeeze out some time. It still needs a lot of work - I think I may start adding pics and excerpts today and try to get it more established before I unleash it on all of you.
On that note, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who has bought a copy of Crow. In my best effort to overcome my timidness, I'd like to ask you guys - if you know people who like to read the sort of stuff I write, please help me spread the word! Tell people about it, leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads if you have it and have read it. It would help me out SO MUCH and I would love you forever! At this point, no one other than you is going to find it unless someone sticks it under their nose and says "This book is awesome! You should read it!"
So thank you again, everyone who has been supporting me. You guys rock my socks off!
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