My Take on Amazon’s #AmazonCart News!

I must begin by thanking Amazon for waiting until I enrolled my e-books in their KindleUnlimited Lending Library before they let us know that when we authors tweeted our books with their unique code the re-tweeter could place a downloadable sample of that book in their Amazon Cart!

For those who aren’t as dialectically challenged as I am it might have sounded like a big wow! For me it was a how do I do that? So today, I’m singing the praises of my gifted author and fellow tweeter friend, Susan Ricci, whose tweet about the AmazonCart showed me what to do.

So today, I’m going to break down the elements so that anyone…even someone like me can see that this is doable!

So to begin with:

   1.      Choose a small tweet for your book. Mine is a snippet of a book reviewers quote: "Deception, mistrust, love, betrayal, a must read romance

2. Add three dots so it looks like this: "Deception, mistrust, love, betrayal, a must read romance...

3. Now skip a space and add: Reply w/ /#AmazonCart, and if you remembered to skip a space between Reply and w and between backslashes, your tweet looks like this: "Deception, mistrust, love, betrayal, a must read romance... Reply w/ /#AmazonCart

4. The next step was/is easy even for me to add: for a free sample Amazon.com

5. Here's where it got dicey, so take heed for we are about to enter backslash and Kindles AISL Land because what follows looks well...you take a look and tell me if this makes any sense to you: /dp/B00JDVR57/ ...via@Amazon

6.  The alphabet soup with numbers intertwined that comes after /dp/ is your unique Kindle AISN that's on you Download Shelf, so copy and enlarge that info so you can see if some of the 0's are 0 and other are O so...

7. Now putting this all together may be fun/or NOT if you're me, but the proof as they say is in the pudding, so...now it's time to make sure what you've done works. Copy and paste your unique AmazonCart url link into Twitter and if you've done it right #AmazonCart and Amazon.com/with your unique ASIN/ plus @Amazon will turn the color you've chosen for your twitter page. 

8. If the text is still black try, try again!

If you’re wondering why I’m making such a BIG deal about this today, it’s because sales are needed if you’re an author who wishes to…and this new tool is very helpful!

This Author's Choice

When at last one decides to do this Indie Style, a whole slew of possibilities open up. And if you’ve gone from being published to doing that your – with a little help from your friends –self, you can enjoy the ride or feel stressed!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying one choice is better than the other because each choice has subcategories of choices. However, you slice or dice the situation up, there are many areas where a choice can make you feel like you’re blank if you do and blankly, blank, blank if you don’t.

This ying-yang reality of the ‘which way do I go?’ can be very stressful unless, you like me, are fortunate enough to know others who’ve tread where you think you’d like to go, and so in this post where I share about my e-books now being available on KindleUnlimited, I need to begin by thanking my author friends Katie Mettner and JC Peterson who helped me overcome so I could finally announce that as of now the books listed below are in Amazon’s KindleUnlimited Lending Library, so please enjoy!

"Deception, mistrust, love, betrayal, a must read inspirational romance!"  http://amzn.to/1tN7hEp

 "This inspirational romance draws exquisite parallels from the book of Ruth!"  http://amzn.to/1zK3rPC  

 'The Fairness Fallacy' is in 'The Purple Pitch Seduction of America: Inalienable Rights' http://amzn.to/WfYxaD

'The Kindness Principal' is in 'How Did We Become Angry? LAMB Ministries 7X7 Biblical Recovery for Women" http://amzn.to/1gljnYV 

Learning issues? In this biographical short I share mine and how God used me in spite of them, so that I can now declare that I am an overcome and inspire you how to do that too! http://amzn.to/SQetiN 

It’s been a long time in coming, so...

I'm excited to have unpublish my books at other online booksellers so I could enroll them in KindleUnlimited as soon as possible! To celebrate, The Naomi Chronicles Saga Books are $2.99 at http://amzn.to/1ssbBWa!

Although some might think my choice abrupt, I found myself doing more marketing and less writing. And writing, not marketing, is my passion! Though I did find time to write it was time sandwiched between that all important reality of market your work or…and the ‘or’ can, and in this case was a negative that was hard to overcome.

It is true that getting your book into a library puts it into the hands of readers. KindleUnlimited is the only online lending library set up by a bookseller/publisher that does this for a small monthly fee, and the results speak for themselves! 

However, there’s one question every author needs to answer before they take the plunge! It’s the same question that writers ponder when they think about publishing their work – the age old three pronged question of:

1.   Why did you write your book?

2.  What are you willing to do or give up or do to make that happen?

3. Who do you want to reach?

Now having given up control by using the standard publishing author model, I’m not in favor of that. And having spent too much unsuccessfully trying to let readers know about my work, I’m pulling back on that. So having answered questions one and two, I realized that my answer to question three would guide me to a happy resolution, for I had always wanted to reach as many readers as possible!

So there you have it in a nutshell… and no, I’m not nuts for putting my e-books into the biggest online bookseller’s lending library, and dropping my price so readers could easily afford all of my books if they want them! 

    

Growing up Author Style!

With the publication of my first book in December of 2012, I learned to endure the process of my on again off again publishing relationship with the one that was publishing my Naomi books. As the years passed what was a small irritation here and there became much more when I discovered that they were not in it to win it as far as my books were concerned.

Since I had asked God to gift me a work I could do for him, I knew I was responsible for every phase of each book as well as the outcome! While trying to figure out what to do, blessings from other authors I'd meet and developed wonderful friendships with online and spoken with on the phone were offering to help me go Indie, which I did a few months ago thanks to Karen Arnpriester, Katie Mettner, and the others that they suggested I contact! 

The release of my Naomi Chronicles Books: 'No Other Choice', 'Choosing to Be' and 'Beginning Anew' on October 7, 2014 was an amazing watermark in my author experience! For with their release I now had three fictions and three nonfictions. With glowing reviews and pricing set at what was thought to be a good price, I looked forward to sales....More sales than my publisher published books accrued since these e-books were half of what they charged. 

Sales were a windy road of up and down. Returns, one or two - so that was great! Days without sales and I had no way of gagging what the market was telling me. So I began to do what I think most Indie Authors do, I tweeted, and on my author, book and readers groups, on Facebook I posted posts about my book(s). Days were eaten up this way... If I saw a sale, or two I didn't get excited because I'd been there and seen that!

What was I doing wrong? 

Maybe nothing since every time I asked myself that question, someone offered to host me, or suggested I do...and it work, then it didn't. 

Quitting wasn't an option, but oh there were times that I loathed looking to see what was what’s because figures (reviews to the contrary) tell it all. And the figures for my books after a ten day free give-a-away when using the secret Smashwords code for my three romances proved that they were being read, so....Okay, book being downloaded and read. Great reviews! Not a lot of sales? What's an author to do?

Welcome to Growing up Author Style! Where the rubber meets the road and if you don't imploded, you like me, will....ask for HELP! And that's just what I did!

Now if you're as blessed as I am, you have become friends with authors who are willing to do what you aren't until...So calling one of my fave’s whose fearless, I discovered that a tweet link I'd followed and read yesterday was right! Instead of typing in any tag word that I thought was good, I needed to use the ones Amazon and the BISG (Book Industry Study Group) used since those tags were the ones readers were responding to! Here I am at long last admitting that being a creatively (as some have called me) gifted writer, did not equip me with the ability to know what word would tell shoppers that my book was one they were looking for. So change my books tags I did!

Then there's the pricing issues which I had been told was a non-issue since mine fell into the rage of the established norm, but ... a funny thing happened as it usually does, and when Amazon opened their KindleUnlimited Lending Library for a few dollars a month and stocked it with 700,000 plus titles, my price was suddenly to high when compared with their monthly fee! Now an author with fewer books or books that fall into vastly different categories may be sunk since I'm told that using this system works best for authors who have published lots of books within the same genre and that might be true. But what seems to be more to the point is that Amazon is playing for keeps. 

So this author has set her course for the long haul, or until things change again and as of today all of my e-books search engine tags are updated to reflect what shoppers are looking for and the price of those books are $2.99 except for my 'From 'Why Johnny Can't read' to "See Paula Write", which is still priced at 99 Cents.

These books are available at: 

Amazon: amzn.to/1xDeXuh

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/17539

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Paula-Rose-Michelson-nook?store=allproducts&keyword=Paula+Rose+Michelson+nook

About Paula Rose Michelson, Author

FREE Smashwords CODES for 3 GREAT Christian E-BOOKS!

A love story for the ages! Naomi’s faith journey in which she moves from being an illegal immigrant, bound by secrets, trapped by choices to a woman who agrees to marry a man she is forbidden to marry because of his faith is riveting. Within these books, Naomi lives a reality of secrets, shame, fear, and at last faith in God and in the love she and her husband have for each other.  

For “No Other Choice: The Naomi Chronicles, Book One" https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483100 the code KX64P, needs to be enter before you purchase your download. Since this code can be used by many and expires on April 30, 2015 you might like to gift this e-book download to other, so please do that! 

The code for “Choosing to Be: The Naomi Chronicles, Book Two" https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483114 the code is ZK42J, again enter this code before you buy and this e-book download is free. This code expires on April 30, 2015, so do gift the book to others for their enjoyment. 

Book Three of The Naomi Chronicles, “Beginning Anew: The Naomi  Chronicles", is TD86J. Enter this code before you buy is book at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/401017 . Unlike the other books codes this one expires on December 12, 2014, but I will extend the free price in time for holiday gifting, so let me know if you’d like the new code once this one expires. And please know that I want you to give these codes to as many people as you’d like.

 

Before Publishing Indie Author Style, do…

Waxing nostalgic, today I’m taking a stroll through all that got me here, so please come along as I admit that a lot goes into writing a book. And since I’ve become an Indie Author, I’ve discovered that more goes into the decisions and process of bring a book to publication. Depending on what you chose to have others do, and what you decided to do yourself, if you want to do everything yourself, which I wouldn’t advise, some of the key factors are: 

Editing the story for its arch, readability, and making sure that the facts you used are accurate. 

Creating enough tension to keep your reader engaged, which usually means having a lot and at least one subplot. 

Developing memorable characters, by finding something bad within your protagonist, and something likeable or good within your antagonist. 

Making sure that each time your reader turns the page eager to find out what will happen next. 

Then there’s the need to have good mechanics because when you submit your work to Kindle, Amazon’s Create Space, Smashwords, and most likely at all online publishers, each book is read and can be rejected because technically it’s not up to par. Also the savvy soon to be published writer yearning to have the title of author is well advised to make sure that their work is: 

Proof your work, and I must add that although you can do this with your word program it doesn’t pick up every error in spelling and punctuation. Furthermore, if you’ve several languages that system may have trouble switching languages in mid-sentence. 

To make your work more appealing select a professional layout for their work since readers seldom buy and have been known to return books that are a visually unappealing. 

Shoppers are attracted to cover art, so make sure that yours will catch their eye. A wonderful blurb on the books back cover in which you will grab the reader’s attention by sharing an important tidbit as to why your protagonist is doing what they are doing. And do be sure to have your picture and a little bit about you as well, since people seldom buy a book from an unknown author providing these things is critical. 

Since reviews matter, and you can use a stellar one on the back of your book, ask people to read and review your work before it is published. 

Pricing is critical, for once you set the price you cannot change it. If the price is to low you’re stuck. Set it the price to high and you’re book may not sell. So I suggest that you first publish your e-book at Smashwords because they let authors lower the price when they choose. Although the full price of your book won’t change when you lower the price there that price will lowered by the other online booksellers they are affiliated with. You cannot change the price for your Kindle book on Amazon. However, since Amazon checks pricing they will most likely lower the price for your book as well. Please note that Amazon can choose to put your book at full price while the discount is still in effect. 

In closing, I want to thank you for dropping by. I hope what I shared is helpful because while moving from being published by a publisher to becoming an Indie Author, I had a lot of help, which made my transition easy and the results a blessing.

Three books of The Naomi Chronicles released by...

Wow! I'm so excited! With the help of my wonderful proofreader, Julia Gibbs, Karen Silmick Arnpriester, who designs my book covers, and Marti Dobkins, who formats my books for e-readers and other devices, “Beginning Anew: The Naomi Chronicles” has been updated for what will now be the six book saga I originally envisioned! Since the Casa de Naomi Books are going to become part of The Naomi Chronicles Saga, there's still a lot to do. Knowing  that I’m a third of the way there, and having this wonderful team of caring women to work with plus being aware that my readers will be blessed has made all of this drama an amazing blessing! I hope to have the first three books of The Naomi Chronicles released in time for holiday gifting and would appreciate you keeping me and this work in prayer. Thank you and God bless!

Naomi will be sent back! She left her family and all she held dear, traveled half way around the word while accompanying a blind, old grandmother because they promised to help her enter America and find her uncle. Instead they handed her over to immigration. What she does now, she does because there is no other choice!

This is Naomi’s journey from adolescence to womanhood, from frightened isolation and captivity to the noble status of heiress. Trapped in a life where all who know her think her a saint, saddled with a mission and responsibility many would shirk from placed upon her shoulders, Naomi agrees to marry because that seems to be the easiest way to sidestep more issues.

As timely as the immigration debate of today, Author William Struse's  endorsement  says, "Duty, sacrifice and faith are carried in the arms of love by a courageous young woman, who rises above her own flaws to help others.

 Naomi cannot imagine a future. She cannot fathom restoration. She sees no hope of reconciliation with her beloved Chaz, yet finds herself embraced by people who deeply care. Will Naomi choose to become, or will she forever be trapped in and by her past? And what about Chaz; can he ever forgive her or himself?

“Author, Paula Rose Michelson, takes us on a rare spiritual journey replete with mixed emotions, honest interaction, and emotionally charged issues. This book is filled with truth, light and godly wisdom. Naomi feels the agony of rejection and the pain of being misunderstood. Suffering a loss of identity, subsequent worthlessness, shamed and hopeless, she ends up with a group of people who know and relate to her inner turmoil. They extend acceptance, gentleness, kindness and space so she can find what and whom they have found. I loved this story, for it is full of surprises, warmth, heart and soul. It is a love story, which beautifully reflects the author's sensitivity and love for Scripture, as well as her love for our Redeemer, our B'shert.” — Facilitator, Shuvah Yisrael Woman’s Writers Group, Dena Marie Oden 

Naomi and Chaz know that miracles really do happen, for at a friend’s wedding they reaffirmed their love and are Beginning Anew! Yet there are consequences that the couple must face. Will Chaz love and protect his wife? Will Naomi learn to trust Chaz?

“This is a story about redeeming love and the importance of letting God lead and carry you in times of turmoil. Beginning Anew is the renewed commitment to a love story of the ages. Chaz and Naomi’s story will captivate you and leave you feeling so inspired that you like me will be waiting expectantly for the next book so you can continue reading this labor of love that leaves you speechless, breathless and profoundly altered in your beliefs about love.” — Author  of spicy Christian romance novels, Katie Mettner

William Struse, author of the 13^th Enumeration said of this sweet Christian romance with a Messianic twist, ‘A heroine learning to love the man she needs and a hero in love with a woman whose duty is tearing her apart. Together they find the strength to face their fears with love built upon an unshakable faith. Author Paula Rose Michelson captures the complexities of human emotion like few authors I've read. Passion, duty, fear, revenge, courage, prejudice and love are woven into this truly gripping story which so well illustrates that which makes us human."

About the Author