Month: October 2015

John D. Ottini Wins Flash Fiction Challenge

John D. Ottini is the winner in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. Please note, this week we had a tie, and the IU rules state: In the event of a tie in the voting, the entry which posted earliest will be chosen as the winner. You can read all the rules here.

The winning entry is rewarded with a special feature here today and a place in our collection of winners which will be published as an e-book at year end.

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:

Continue reading “John D. Ottini Wins Flash Fiction Challenge”

My Kindle Scout Adventure, Part 2

kindlescout logoThanks for checking back in. As I mentioned in my previous article I submitted my new book to Amazon’s Kindle Scout program. Halfway in, I’d attracted the attention of a literary agent, figured out the timing of when the stats were shown on the Scout page, and I even knew what time the Hot and Trending category was refreshed. Plus I’d done some smart networking to generate traffic to my Kindle Scout campaign. This all might sound like a lot of work, but it really wasn’t. I wasn’t on every social network begging for votes. I spaced out my updates and always asked readers to check out the book and make up their own mind. The mail out, the blog I posted on my personal website, and the Facebook posts were the strongest tools in drawing traffic. It was difficult to gauge how much was going on behind the scenes, but I know many others were spreading the word too. Continue reading “My Kindle Scout Adventure, Part 2”

To Hop or to Tour? Some Options for Guest Blogging

author kangaroo hopping on a blog tourIndie authors are always looking for ways to get their names out in front of readers – and doing it inexpensively is a plus. One typical way is to contact bloggers and offer to write a guest post for them. This process works, but it takes a lot of time to line up your guest shots – time you would probably rather spend writing.

While you’re sending out your tenth or 25th email to some blogger you barely know, you might wonder whether there’s a more efficient way. Well, sure – you could do a blog tour or a blog hop. But what’s the difference? And will either of them sell any books for you? Continue reading “To Hop or to Tour? Some Options for Guest Blogging”

Thrifty Thursday: Great eBook Prices Are Here!

ksbnynyWhy the pout, little one? Turn that frown upside down with a great bunch of awesome eBook deals today on Thrifty Thursday!

If you have a book priced at 99¢ or less (that’s right, post your free eBooks here, too!), follow the instructions below and post it. If you see one you like, click over and buy it. How easy is that? Readers & reviewers – check these babies out!

We will convert your link to a clickable book cover. Do not attempt to insert an image in comments on your own. Just put the following information in the comment section:

1. Book title
2. Author name
3. A one sentence blurb (~140 characters – longer descriptions will be deleted)
4. ONE link to download the book (only secure retail sites – Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, or Apple/iStore)
5. Whether your book is free or 99 cents (and for how long/what dates)

Then let your friends and fans know your book is available here today. Use the share buttons below, or copy the link in the address bar above and share the news on your favorite social media platforms. The more, the merrier, right?

So let’s give it a try, shall we? Please make sure to follow the RULES above. Now, go ahead and tell the world about your cheap read. IU is a safe-for-work site. PLEASE do not post links to erotica, religious, or political titles.

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