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Thread: Why is my Book Not Selling??!


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Permlink Replies: 11 - Pages: 1 - Last Post: Nov 25, 2012 7:53 PM Last Post By: 1001nightspress
Heather

Posts: 18
Registered: 09/30/12
Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 3:47 PM
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My Book has been out since late August.
and it really hasn't sold except for on its "Free" days...go figure...
the book has sold over 300 copies for the kindle but 99% of those were Free...
All my reviews for the book are great reviews, I've used up all my free promotion days in the beginning of Oct. So since October my book hasn't made a penny!
My book is Called The Heroes Of Time. if you want to take a look at it, you don't have to if you don't want to.

I am NOT asking to do book trading/reviews!
If you choose to buy and review my book, thank you.But don't come back to me and say "it's your turn"

This week I have reduced the price of both my paperback and kindle version of my story, but still no sales show.
Please help, I need advice!
I'd like to at least sell some copies of my book on Cyber Monday!

Edited by: Heather on Nov 25, 2012 3:52 PM
thetimucuan

Posts: 5,120
Registered: 09/14/10
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:19 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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I could not find a book called The Heroes of Time, but there were many of similar titles. All I can tell you since I could not find the book is that the great majority of books sell very few copies. Most writers never earn a living at writing. If you post your book's ID#, someone may be able to offer some help on improving your book. Keep in mind that not everyone is going to be concerned with your feelings. For all I know, your writing is wonderful, but any problems will be pointed out by other posters here. I know there are much more talented writers than me who sell fewer copies, so this is not a "fair" business. That's just the way it is.
1001nightspress

Posts: 3,873
Registered: 12/11/11
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:23 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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If it's this one

http://www.amazon.com/The-Heroes-Time-Beginning-ebook/dp/B009CKS0II

there are quite a few editing issues.

But there are a few books with similar titles, so I won't go into specifics unless that's really your book.
Peter Addison

Posts: 600
Registered: 11/21/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:32 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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Hi,

You need to make those first few pages really work for you. At present you're not grabbing the reader and involving them from the first sentence. Easy to fix, make it some really swift simple action, then later go for the explanations.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Heroes-Time-Beginning-ebook/dp/B009CKS0II

inyun

Posts: 5,850
Registered: 10/16/11
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:47 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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To make a link to your page go to the product page on Amazon. Look to the lower left. Click on share. This will produce your Perma Link. Copy and save for future use.
win kellly char...

Posts: 3
Registered: 10/28/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 4:52 PM   in response to: inyun in response to: inyun
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Use Facebook ok?
andresanthomas

Posts: 4,998
Registered: 01/01/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 5:11 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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Assuming this is your book...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Heroes-Time-Beginning-ebook/dp/B009CKS0II

Then it is editing, opening, but also category and cover. Who is this book written for? Is it for children? It isn't in a juvenile category but it has a childish cover. I think you should really read the 3 star review you have and pay close attention to what it is saying.
bethqbrown

Posts: 179
Registered: 05/09/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 6:30 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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Hi, Heather. Lose the prologue. It's too long, too wordy and too much going on, imo. For a movie, maybe this would all work, but not so for a book. I like when you started in with your characters and think you do a nice job of developing interactions and dialogue, movement etc. I do think when you get to the descriptions though you could intermix the dialogue a bit (easy enough to do). Instead of describing all three characters, wait until one is responding. Then have him respond and you can take the opportunity to sneak in the description.

You have some fabulous reviews! As for the 3 star, very critical (poorly written review btw), but still not bad at all. The others are great, I think. But, it's not selling. Maybe because of that long prologue? I don't typically read this genre, so maybe this is how these books begin? I just was turned off, thought it was all over the place. Many will open up, read this, and stop. Others won't get that far because your description (blurb) is messy! I would clean that up. Go right to Author Central and make the changes. It's quick and easy. That blurb should be perfect. Make it look neat! It makes a difference. Keep it short and intriguing. Don't give too much info. But, again, I really think the Look Inside is key. Get that prologue out (if you can) and just get right into the boy and the old man. I like that scene. It draws you in.

I forgot the price. Is it more then 0.99? If so, you may want to lower the price, temporarily, at least until you've made some steady sales. Oh one more thing (sorry) the title is not so good (sorry). I just returned to it and noticed. You need more bite! The title has to be unique but powerful. Also, The Heroes of Time (that's the way it should look but you've capitalized Of...should be of). Those small things make a BIG difference. At any rate, The Heroes of Time is too generic, too trite. If I were you, I'd consider another title. Your book, by now, should have a zillion links to it when you Google. If it doesn't, you haven't utilized the SEO (search engine optimizers) well enough. Those key words are the trick. Add a tag to the title too! The Dragon and Atem: A Dragon Fantasy with a Bite. (something catchy) idk, maybe that's horribly lame. LOL!

gl.
1001nightspress

Posts: 3,873
Registered: 12/11/11
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 6:37 PM   in response to: bethqbrown in response to: bethqbrown
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Well, the 3-star review was correct about there being serious editing issues.

One of the five-star reviews said he hadn't read the book! And then especially praised the line that went something like "He heard a twig snap and turned around to see a squirrel." That would be one huge squirrel... That would actually be a line I'd recommend changing.

But really, a spellcheck should be a first step (that will at least catch words with a missing space between them), and then a copy edit the second step. That's without even looking at plot and characterization. But when I see a book with a lot of your/you're errors and the like, I have no confidence that it's been through critique groups or beta readers or a development editor either. I'm not saying it hasn't--just that I'd assume that.

However, we don't even really know for sure if that is her book.
wizard1231

Posts: 25
Registered: 08/03/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:33 PM   in response to: Heather in response to: Heather
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I read it and thought it was pretty good. Perhaps a little light for my taste but that is no big deal. Maybe bite the bullet and pay for an edit. It was the best move I ever made.
bethqbrown

Posts: 179
Registered: 05/09/12
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:34 PM   in response to: 1001nightspress in response to: 1001nightspress
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I guess I didn't read that closely. But if there are your/you're issues, not good. I agree. And there should absolutely be NO spelling errors, especially with spell check. As for the reviewer not actually reading the whole thing? Hm. that's weird, too! I agree too with the twig snapping. I didn't get how that was so brilliantly done. I had to read it a couple times. Oh, well. I was trying to be optimistic. As for whether or not it's "her book" I assume it is but how odd if it's not. What would be the point? I'm confused and feel like I just wasted a whole lot of time on this thread, maybe another too (just posed LOL). I have so much writing I could be doing, and I'm procrastinating. Lazy, that's the word. Okay, I'm out of here.
GL to everyone.
1001nightspress

Posts: 3,873
Registered: 12/11/11
Re: Why is my Book Not Selling??!
Posted: Nov 25, 2012 7:53 PM   in response to: bethqbrown in response to: bethqbrown
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I meant, there are several books with that title, or close to it. We're just guessing that the squirrel & twig one is hers.
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