Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Another freebie
Fun, free, five stars! That's (A)Musings, my collection of humor, travel writing, recipes, and more! Click here to download, grab a hot chocolate, settle back, and enjoy!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Animal Cracker FREE for Kindle
That's right, from now through the weekend Animal Cracker is absolutely FREE for the Kindle. Fantastic news - it's climbed to #24 in the Kindle Free Store. Only 23 spots away from #1.
You have the power to create a best-seller AND get the book to #1. Just click on the link to Amazon and download the book with average reviews of almost 5 stars. And please, spread the word. Your friends will thank you, and it won't cost you, or them, a thing.
For those in freezing climates like me, it's the perfect antidote to a frigid weekend. Snuggle up with your furry friends, make some hot chocolate (or maybe some hot buttered rum), and enjoy!
Thank you all!
You have the power to create a best-seller AND get the book to #1. Just click on the link to Amazon and download the book with average reviews of almost 5 stars. And please, spread the word. Your friends will thank you, and it won't cost you, or them, a thing.
For those in freezing climates like me, it's the perfect antidote to a frigid weekend. Snuggle up with your furry friends, make some hot chocolate (or maybe some hot buttered rum), and enjoy!
Thank you all!
Friday, November 28, 2014
Critter critics rave about Animal Cracker
I invited some very special friends into my home to weigh in on Animal Cracker. The result: unanimous raves! To celebrate, I've lowered the price to $.99 for the Kindle. I'd love it if you spread the word and shared the video with your friends.
Happy holidays to all!
Critics rave: watch the video
Happy holidays to all!
Critics rave: watch the video
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Free books
Thanks to all who provided suggestions for ramping up sales of Animal Cracker. The ramp-up's working!
To wit: I've offered a giveaway of free books on Goodreads. These are actual physical, paper books. Please check it out and tell your friends.
Starting June 1, I'm offering a discount the Kindle. Stay tuned.
Also, the book will be available to 20,000 (I think, too lazy to check the real number)visitors to the nation's largest publishing event, BookExpo. Yay!
More to come. Happy Spring.
To wit: I've offered a giveaway of free books on Goodreads. These are actual physical, paper books. Please check it out and tell your friends.
Starting June 1, I'm offering a discount the Kindle. Stay tuned.
Also, the book will be available to 20,000 (I think, too lazy to check the real number)visitors to the nation's largest publishing event, BookExpo. Yay!
More to come. Happy Spring.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Help me market my novel
My comedic novel set in a pet shelter was unleashed upon the world last July.
Here's the good news. Reviews have been almost universally excellent - four and five stars on Amazon and Goodreads, and even a very nice one from the pros at Kirkus. So, great, right?
Well, not exactly. Truth is, I'm just not selling many books. Here's the dilemma, no doubt one faced by many self-published authors. I'm not reaching my audience. If the book had lousy reviews - or even no reviews - I'd give it up. But people LIKE it, and many absolutely LOVE it.
So I'm seeking help: I need some fresh ideas to market the book without bankrupting myself.
Before you start to make suggestions, I'm going to outline what I've done so far.
Social Media
Twitter: I've strategically acquired nearly 70,000 Twitter followers, most of whom are animal lovers and/or avid readers. I promote the book regularly on Twitter, and send new Twitter followers a welcome message containing a link to the book on Amazon. Plus, I engage my readers daily with witty, fun, thoughtful content. And Twitter, my friends, has been the sole successful effort to date. Nearly all my readers come to the book via Twitter. I definitely need to diversify, which I'm trying to do. Read on.
Facebook: Created separate Facebook page for the book, and post there as well as on my regular page.
Goodreads: Contacted top reviewers, mainly women, and requested reviews. A few did so, with mostly glowing reviews. Results: some sales, I guess. Not tons.
Amazon: The mother of them all. Like Goodreads, sent review requests to top reviewers who seemed a good fit. Again, received great reviews. Enough to generate business? Nah.
Pinterest: Have a bunch of followers there, and the book is part of my profile.
Women's interest e-newsletters
Sent the actual book or link to Amazon page to: Daily Candy, Pure Wow, Urban Daddy, Fab, Joyous, Hello Giggles (Zooey Deschanel's site) and Rookie. Guess the outcome.
Book Reviewers
Sent review requests to People, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle and even The New York Times (now there's a waste of postage).
The Dodo
This is in a category all its own. I read in the NYTimes that founder of BuzzFeed was funding his daughter's new animal focused website The Dodo. So I sent said daughter a copy of the book, and The Dodo featured a story I wrote about my dog on the site, with a link to the book's Amazon page. Guess I sold a few extra copies the days the story was featured.
Bookstore Readings
Did readings at two local stores. Frankly, don't have time to pursue this further and doubt it would do much for me. I also sent the book to one or two well-known independent bookstores around the country. Zilch.
Blurb and PR requests
Sent copies of the paperback to around sixty celebrities who are known animal lovers (yes, including Ellen DeGeneres) and to chick-lit writers, asking them to write a blurb for the book - or even, in some cases, option it for the movies. Yes, I have delusions of grandeur. Result: I received a lovely, handwritten note from author Meg Cabot, informing me that she was no longer doing blurbs, but wishing me luck, and - TA DA - an envelope containing nothing but an autographed picture of Charlize Theron.
Charity Tie-In
I approached animal oriented charities - ASPCA, The Humane Society, PETA and the World Wildlife Fund - offering to donate to them a percentage of the profits from sales of the book if they would promote it on their websites. All turned me down, though PETA does have an online store where I can list the book for $500. I'm considering it.
Pet-oriented businesses
I sent copies of the book to PETCO, Petsmart and a few other national pet supply stores to see if they would carry the book. All declined. Also tried a few local independents - same result.
Vets' offices
I tried my local veterinarian's office,which is part of the VCA chain. They said they couldn't make the decision to carry the book, and that I would need to approach VCA's national headquarters. I did so, and contacted the other big veterinary chain, Banfield, as well. Never heard from either - and yes, I did make follow-up phone calls.
Pet-centric writers
Sent copies of the book to a few columnists who write about animals. Nada.
What I've considered and haven't done
Placed copies of the book on subway seats and in airport waiting areas with a note asking finders to post reviews and/or spread the word any way they could in exchange for the free book. Any thoughts on this?
So, bottom line. I've done every free thing I can think of. Please share with me your ideas (whether more unpaid things or things I'd have to pay for) so that I can help my little baby find the audience it deserves. You can post here or email me at andib88@comcast.net.
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS, BOUGHT ANIMAL CRACKER, OR MAKES A SUGGESTION.
Here's the good news. Reviews have been almost universally excellent - four and five stars on Amazon and Goodreads, and even a very nice one from the pros at Kirkus. So, great, right?
Well, not exactly. Truth is, I'm just not selling many books. Here's the dilemma, no doubt one faced by many self-published authors. I'm not reaching my audience. If the book had lousy reviews - or even no reviews - I'd give it up. But people LIKE it, and many absolutely LOVE it.
So I'm seeking help: I need some fresh ideas to market the book without bankrupting myself.
Before you start to make suggestions, I'm going to outline what I've done so far.
Social Media
Twitter: I've strategically acquired nearly 70,000 Twitter followers, most of whom are animal lovers and/or avid readers. I promote the book regularly on Twitter, and send new Twitter followers a welcome message containing a link to the book on Amazon. Plus, I engage my readers daily with witty, fun, thoughtful content. And Twitter, my friends, has been the sole successful effort to date. Nearly all my readers come to the book via Twitter. I definitely need to diversify, which I'm trying to do. Read on.
Facebook: Created separate Facebook page for the book, and post there as well as on my regular page.
Goodreads: Contacted top reviewers, mainly women, and requested reviews. A few did so, with mostly glowing reviews. Results: some sales, I guess. Not tons.
Amazon: The mother of them all. Like Goodreads, sent review requests to top reviewers who seemed a good fit. Again, received great reviews. Enough to generate business? Nah.
Pinterest: Have a bunch of followers there, and the book is part of my profile.
Women's interest e-newsletters
Sent the actual book or link to Amazon page to: Daily Candy, Pure Wow, Urban Daddy, Fab, Joyous, Hello Giggles (Zooey Deschanel's site) and Rookie. Guess the outcome.
Book Reviewers
Sent review requests to People, Entertainment Weekly, Bustle and even The New York Times (now there's a waste of postage).
The Dodo
This is in a category all its own. I read in the NYTimes that founder of BuzzFeed was funding his daughter's new animal focused website The Dodo. So I sent said daughter a copy of the book, and The Dodo featured a story I wrote about my dog on the site, with a link to the book's Amazon page. Guess I sold a few extra copies the days the story was featured.
Bookstore Readings
Did readings at two local stores. Frankly, don't have time to pursue this further and doubt it would do much for me. I also sent the book to one or two well-known independent bookstores around the country. Zilch.
Blurb and PR requests
Sent copies of the paperback to around sixty celebrities who are known animal lovers (yes, including Ellen DeGeneres) and to chick-lit writers, asking them to write a blurb for the book - or even, in some cases, option it for the movies. Yes, I have delusions of grandeur. Result: I received a lovely, handwritten note from author Meg Cabot, informing me that she was no longer doing blurbs, but wishing me luck, and - TA DA - an envelope containing nothing but an autographed picture of Charlize Theron.
Charity Tie-In
I approached animal oriented charities - ASPCA, The Humane Society, PETA and the World Wildlife Fund - offering to donate to them a percentage of the profits from sales of the book if they would promote it on their websites. All turned me down, though PETA does have an online store where I can list the book for $500. I'm considering it.
Pet-oriented businesses
I sent copies of the book to PETCO, Petsmart and a few other national pet supply stores to see if they would carry the book. All declined. Also tried a few local independents - same result.
Vets' offices
I tried my local veterinarian's office,which is part of the VCA chain. They said they couldn't make the decision to carry the book, and that I would need to approach VCA's national headquarters. I did so, and contacted the other big veterinary chain, Banfield, as well. Never heard from either - and yes, I did make follow-up phone calls.
Pet-centric writers
Sent copies of the book to a few columnists who write about animals. Nada.
What I've considered and haven't done
Placed copies of the book on subway seats and in airport waiting areas with a note asking finders to post reviews and/or spread the word any way they could in exchange for the free book. Any thoughts on this?
So, bottom line. I've done every free thing I can think of. Please share with me your ideas (whether more unpaid things or things I'd have to pay for) so that I can help my little baby find the audience it deserves. You can post here or email me at andib88@comcast.net.
HUGE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS, BOUGHT ANIMAL CRACKER, OR MAKES A SUGGESTION.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Animal Cracker alive and well!
And she's off! The Kindle version of Animal Cracker has been out for 10 days and selling like crazy! If you're one of my buyers, thank you so much! Here's where you can buy it.
The best part is the comments from readers:
Been reading Animal Cracker, can't put it down. Almost burnt dinner. Great book!
And Kirkus Reviews weighed in: Wry comic voice,smart and enjoyable..funny..extremely satisfying
What a fun ride! Animal Cracker has great characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can. Plus, the writing is lively and laugh out loud funny. Original and clever as well.
What a great book! Andi Brown has created a brilliant cast of characters and a serious, yet comical story line. Loved Diane Salvi! Definitely a recommended read!
"Animal Cracker" is one of those books that captures your interest from the moment you pick it up and you just can't put it down until you finished reading it. I started reading "Animal Cracker" in the early evening and I stayed up until 4:00am reading it. The character development is superb and you get caught up in the drama right from the moment you start reading. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
We've all had lousy bosses. But this one truly takes the cake. Diane is a believable whistle-blower who is joined by an entertaining cast of supporting characters. I read this in two nights, staying up way too late to find out what happened. A smart "beach read" for any time of year.
This is one of my new favourite books. After discovering the author (@andibrownauthor) on twitter and she promoted her new book which I am so glad I purchased. It is entertaining and so hard to put down! It has mystery and animals- a brilliant combination. You'll understand the picture on the front once you've read it! Cannot recommend it enough!
I am so glad I found Andi on Twitter! This is a fabulous and fun read. The story kept me engrossed from the first page to the last. I just kept wanting to know what was going to happen next! The characters are very believable, we all have a Hal and Betty (to name two) in our workplace. Put this book on your 'must read' list. I highly recommend it to everyone :-)
So far, most of my readers stem from Twitter. I have several other promotional arrows in my marketing quiver. To be continued...
The best part is the comments from readers:
Been reading Animal Cracker, can't put it down. Almost burnt dinner. Great book!
And Kirkus Reviews weighed in: Wry comic voice,smart and enjoyable..funny..extremely satisfying
What a fun ride! Animal Cracker has great characters and a plot that keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can. Plus, the writing is lively and laugh out loud funny. Original and clever as well.
What a great book! Andi Brown has created a brilliant cast of characters and a serious, yet comical story line. Loved Diane Salvi! Definitely a recommended read!
"Animal Cracker" is one of those books that captures your interest from the moment you pick it up and you just can't put it down until you finished reading it. I started reading "Animal Cracker" in the early evening and I stayed up until 4:00am reading it. The character development is superb and you get caught up in the drama right from the moment you start reading. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
We've all had lousy bosses. But this one truly takes the cake. Diane is a believable whistle-blower who is joined by an entertaining cast of supporting characters. I read this in two nights, staying up way too late to find out what happened. A smart "beach read" for any time of year.
This is one of my new favourite books. After discovering the author (@andibrownauthor) on twitter and she promoted her new book which I am so glad I purchased. It is entertaining and so hard to put down! It has mystery and animals- a brilliant combination. You'll understand the picture on the front once you've read it! Cannot recommend it enough!
I am so glad I found Andi on Twitter! This is a fabulous and fun read. The story kept me engrossed from the first page to the last. I just kept wanting to know what was going to happen next! The characters are very believable, we all have a Hal and Betty (to name two) in our workplace. Put this book on your 'must read' list. I highly recommend it to everyone :-)
So far, most of my readers stem from Twitter. I have several other promotional arrows in my marketing quiver. To be continued...
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Animal Cracker reading by the author
Animal Cracker is out and selling like crazy! My book launch party was held Wednesday night at the fabulous Newtonville Books. I talked about my journey as a writer, and read from the book. Even if you couldn't attend, you can still "be" there via the magic of video. I will be posting additional videos from that evening, or you can find them yourself on Youtube.
You can buy Animal Cracker at Newtonville Books or on Amazon. If you prefer Kindle, never fear! The Kindle version will be available on or about July 9th. Happy reading!
You can buy Animal Cracker at Newtonville Books or on Amazon. If you prefer Kindle, never fear! The Kindle version will be available on or about July 9th. Happy reading!
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