As more experienced indie authors know, competition for kindle space is fierce, even for free ebooks. Many of the free book listing sites now set minimum requirements before considering promoting your books to their audiences. If you're fortunate enough to be picked up by a couple of the biggest sites (Pixel of Ink and E Reader News Today, to name but two) can mean the difference between "going big, or going home" to paraphrase Sean Campbell.
Less than a month after its release, and "The Griffin Cryer" has seven customer reviews of five stars; which means we're ready to start planning our free promotion. I'm not going to re-hash old posts, or run over ground all ready covered – if you're new to the indie scene, I recommend you read Sean Campbell's excellent post 'Freebie Marketing Blueprint' or better still, download a copy of the Campbell Brothers' invaluable "Can't Sell, Won't Sell." Ask Morgen Bailey to add you to her "5am free flash" and visit the Gallery Cat who also provide a list of sites to list your freebie on.
Apart from running Facebook and Goodreads events, appearing as a 'guest' on bookish sites is another way to get the word out about your freebie. "The Griffin Cryer's" mini blog hop kicks off courtesy of Rebecca Ryals Russell very popular "Spellbindings" site, join me there to discover why "Griffins Rule – Dragons Drool!"
Finally, this post may be titled "Helping hands, not sharp elbows" but that doesn't stop a little bit of friendly competition. The person I regard as a master of marketing, Sean Campbell, achieved a staggering 50,000+ free downloads on his last promotion of "Dead on Demand" (co-written by brother Dan). I think this record breaking number surprised even Sean, and is way beyond my wildest dreams! Instead I'm aiming for the top twenty in young adult fantasy free downloads. If you can lend a helping hand, (which you can be sure I'll reciprocate), you know where I live!
free from next Saturday, 12th January until midnight 16th January, download from
Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk
Frankie Shaunessy's friends are out of this world!
It's an easy mistake to make - instead of whistling and calling for her dog, fifteen year old Frankie accidentally summons a griffin and his rider from another world. The Rider is tall, blond and extremely rude. On the other hand, Balkind is the sweetest, most lovable griffin Frankie's ever met, and Frankie is determined to help the Rider and his griffin find a way back to their own world.
Dealing with parallel universes, disgruntled warriors, and hungry griffins is the easier part of Frankie's life. At school, Frankie learns friends can become enemies, teachers aren't always right, and the boy of your dreams can be all too human. Told in approximately 53,000 words, suitable for young adults, and all those who've ever dreamed of riding a griffin.
Cover art by Laura Wright LaRoche of LLPix.com Designs