Showing posts with label A Test of Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Test of Time. Show all posts

Thursday, 29 May 2014

KDP Promo can work...

Selling books via Amazon has its highs and lows! The effectiveness of the KDP scheme has been questioned by many over the last year. To be honest, I have rarely had many sales as a result. I think the conversion of free downloads to sales is very low overall. This is the reason I have kept HYBRID free permanently - it is the only way to get noticed in this world of overflowing cheap eBook supply.


Saying this, after running a free promo of FIRST DATE for two days, I got over 700 downloads in the US and yesterday had 9 sales already! Trust me, this is short of amazing! Highest my little book has ever been in the US! 



Check it out here via Amazon... UK US 



Now compare to my promo with A TEST OF TIME. I have posted on the same sites, tweeted and mentioned it on Facebook and Goodreads, yet, I have barely had any downloads... I think for the first day I had 10!

I guess romance sells, maybe? 

It is a shame since it really is a fantastic collection. I think many readers (like me) don't tend to go for short stories... and yet FIRST DATE is a collection of only 3 shorts (one being over 9000 words)!

I have to admit that I have given up on publishing anthologies now. The time and work involved to produce them does not seem to be worth it. I think I would raise more money for the charities by running a cake sale! 

However, I did learn a lot by doing them so I have no regrets, and on this one I even published a piece written by my dad.. so win win!


Another theory is that children's ebooks are not as popular. From my existing promotion for READING IS MAGIC, it seems to be another flop! I think the KDP scheme has run its course for the anthologies.

Anyway, I'm extremely grateful to anyone who gives my writing a go. 

Thank you. You keep me smiling... I hope my stories give you some enjoyment too.

All the best,
Vanessa

p.s.
For those interested, the final downloads were as follows:
FIRST DATE = over 750 :-) US ... 720 downloads!
A TEST OF TIME = under 50 :-( US ... 35 downloads!
Current promo for READING IS MAGIC = 39 :-( UK ... 22 downloads! (Beating the US downloads for once)

For comparison, this month HYBRID has had 2550 downloads in the US (helped by FREEBOOKSY) versus 191 in the UK... I guess people in the UK don't like FREE eBooks?

Wednesday, 28 May 2014

FREE eBooks

I have some promotions running this week... free eBooks via Amazon! Hope you get the chance to take a look. If you do, I hope you enjoy!
All the best,
Vanessa

SATURDAY 31ST MAY & SUNDAY 1ST JUNE

READING IS MAGIC - Perfect for the Summer!

FIVE STAR REVIEWS

"This is such a charming, funny and uplifting bunch of stories."

"This is a delightful collection of stories intended for children, but very enjoyable for anyone who likes a good read. There are a real variety of styles and themes here and genuinely something for everyone, from the fantasy realism of The Mermaid by Vanessa Wester to the Sci-Fi whimsy of Mr O' Rourke's Shed by Stephen Mark and the fairy-tale adventure of The Magpie Witch by Baz Baron. All the stories are highly enjoyable but there are some standout examples - No One Rides Red Horses by Jules Anne Ironside is one of the best stories I've read in ages and could do well in major competitions. Thoroughly recommended..."

"...a wonderful collection of short stories which, if nothing else, highlights the diversity of
the human imagination. As a hobby writer, I shy away from writing short stories simply because I struggle to present a well-rounded idea in so few words. All of those involved in this book, however, seem to possess the ability to quickly draw the reader in to their respective worlds, making us feel quite at home from the very first line. There is a story in here to suit everyone."

Lose yourself in a world were colour starts to vanish, a little girl's imagination runs wild, a cloth that considers itself ugly finds beauty, a cloud discovers magic, children thwart the witch, a teacher chats with school children, a mango seller finds and loses her fortune, humanity remembers the importance of birdsong, a mysterious neighbour disappears, and a knight arrives from the past...

All in all, a wonderful collection to read at your leisure whilst enjoying school holidays, waiting for a friend or unwinding after a busy day.

Dip into our world...

HYBRID (Still FREE on Amazon)

Steven Thorn has no trouble settling in at university. He is confident, hardworking and intelligent. When Caitlin Chance catches him off guard he is bemused by the instant attraction, and the more he gets to know, the more he likes.

Yet, Steven has a secret past that is destined to reveal itself, and he is soon to become a stranger to everyone. The wheels are set in motion for his radical upheaval. But first love is a powerful thing, and the connection forged between Caitlin and Steven is not easily broken.

The impossible is only the beginning...

Vanessa Wester's debut novel takes you from the University of Southampton to the depths of the Amazon. An imaginary citadel is waiting to be discovered full of interesting characters, traditions and cultures. There are so many twists and details you will not be able to put this book down.

*****

"A very original paranormal novel with great romance and a unique story-line..."
Christopher Fischer, TOP 500 REVIEWER

"When you first start getting into the story you automatically think Vampires, but as you discover more, Vampires is not the correct term for Steven's new family... It's well worth the read and as I got to the end I was frantically swiping my kindle screen looking for more as I wanted to know what happened next. I will definitely be reading the next book and would highly recommend it."
Orchard Book Club

"Not usually the kind of book I like to read, although I was a big fan of Anne Rice in my youth. The unexpected twist in the tale made for compulsive reading, literally forcing you to discover what happens next. This story had it all, brilliantly written, loads of interesting characters, mystery, romance with an unsettling undercurrent of tension. I cannot wait to read the rest of the trilogy!"
A Dawes

"I was not sure that this book was going to be my thing, but I couldn't put it down. I loved the characterisation and Vanessa's style of writing - these are 'unbelievable' characters made completely believable!"
Charlotte

"This is a captivating work that crackles and pops off the page with sparkling originality, wit, and insight into the larger themes of love and the human condition. Do yourself a favor and read it.
D. Byron

"Although the author is inspired by novels in the same genre there is nothing wrong in that - most of us take inspiration from one source or another. Vanessa Wester has clearly taken inspiration from her own life and from her imagination. She has clearly spent time creating the imaginary citadel and understands its geography and customs which are made clear to the reader. The story-line flows smoothly... I always think there must be something to recommend a book which you would not normally select..."
Christine Thompson, Gibraltar Chronicle
Full review at theevolutiontrilogy.blogspot.com

*****

HYBRID IS A NEWADULT PARANORMAL ROMANCE RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 12 & UP. 

The Evolution Trilogy continues with COMPLICATIONS & RETURN.

A BOX SET IS NOW AVAILABLE... read THE EVOLUTION TRILOGY


***PROMOTION ENDED - NO LONGER FREE***

FIRST DATE (Love & Regrets)

FIVE STAR REVIEWS: 

"This is Chick-Lit with a twist, and a squeeze of class. The style is comfortable, fluid and at ease with itself." 

"...a lovely little bite size treat easily devoured in a single sitting." 

"It is young love so fresh & new with all the trappings of heartache & embarrassment that can go with it." 

"three delightful shorts, each approaching love from a different angle. The first reminds us all of how tumultuous young love or "infatuation" can be, never knowing how your heart truly feels until it's forced to decide. The second was my favorite because it threw a bit of otherworldly interest into the mix. I loved the idea of a cupid sent from above to help us out. And the final short reminds us that what once was can never be again. This book was a great way to spend some down time without having to get embroiled in complicated subplots and character analysis. Easy beach or before bed read!"

In FIRST DATE, when Alice gets invited to a ball, on Christmas Day, she is bowled over. No-one had ever asked her out on a date before, let alone invited her to a ball. However, the bubble bursts too soon. It turns out she is filling in for an ex-girlfriend. Even so, she puts on a brave face and heads for the ball. She can have a good time even if it does not lead to love. A ball is still a ball after... (based on a true story)

In CARELESS CUPID, a mission becomes harder than expected... you are not supposed to fall in love with the person you are trying to help.

In THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY, Rachel might get a lot more than she expected on her big day. A stranger from the past flushes out feelings she had put aside. A lost love is hard to forget...


A TEST OF TIME is a fantastic anthology of short stories inspired by the theme of past, present and future.

Lose yourself in stories that bring together different generations through time travel as well as exploring futuristic ideas. Explore worlds where determination and resolve overcome impossible feats. Let your imagination go as you read about adventures under the sea, a magician's chair, dragons, and mischievous girls on a mission to prank their teacher.

All in all, a wonderful collection for children who are mature readers and adults.

Dip into our world of short stories...

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

A Time to READ...

I have just spent the day updating blogs... finally!

I have revamped the blogs for the Charity Anthologies, mainly to celebrate to release of the SIXTH anthology I have published. I know, six... amazing...

Anyway, the latest anthology is called "A TEST OF TIME".


I love this cover - it has to be one of my favourites... thank you "copyright free" pictures via word!

People seem to think covers are hard to do - well, I use PAINT via Microsoft! It was tricky to use at first, but now I have it sussed...

Anyway, this anthology is in aid of FOODBANK, so head on over to the blog to find out more... go on, scoot.

Actually, you might want to finish reading this first, maybe?

As an update, it's been a week since I published RETURN and I have had a steady stream of sales, and two 5 star reviews... YAY :)

I know a lot of authors are much more proactive than me at getting reviews - I barely have enough time to do what I do, let alone find time to get readers who want to review my book. I have managed to give my book away to a few readers & one "reading group" on Goodreads. I am always really worried, and convinced this is when they will tell me to go throw my writing in the bin... (still holding my breath).

Anyway, I am actually going to hold a book launch in Gibraltar this Christmas on Monday 16th December for my Trilogy (I decided to be brave, and luckily my dad is helping me by managing the promotional side of things) - so if anyone from Gibraltar is reading this, you are invited! Details to follow...

Either way, I think there is no point complaining about my lack of sales if I don't actually do much to promote other than tweet, Facebook and blog! I need a TV commercial... (dreaming now...)

So, if you feel like telling people about my writing, and my efforts to raise money for Charities, I would be extremely grateful.

Vanessa :) xx

As a thank you for reading a quick reminder ... (please review if you can - I have had loads of downloads and not a single review from this free promotion so far)

To celebrate the release of RETURN, please spread the word and download HYBRID for FREE.

Via smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/145641 (Use coupon code RJ72J)

ALSO FREE ON KOBO... http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hybrid-8

Valid until December 8th, 2013