Now that Evolution’s Hand Book 3: Primary Target is live on Amazon, I have to make some decisions. I’ve already discussed how I intend to focus on marketing the first book in the hopes people will read the rest of the series. But there’re other considerations. Plus, I can’t forget to finish Evolution’s Hand Book 5: Split Infinities. That would be awkward, wouldn’t it? But before we discuss these ideas, let’s look at the numbers.
Progress Report 2023 Week 17 By the Numbers
The steam punk chapters flowed like water! Liquid water, too!
This week, I wrote several chapters in the steampunk continuum. I got to introduce the diminutive assassin Agnes Strikeflint. In my mind, I picture her as Rice Shower from Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2. She even has the blue flower in her cap. Unlike Rice Shower, Agnes Strikeflint’s knife is more than ornamental!
Those chapters have been among the easiest I’ve written in the whole series. I’m sure what that means, though one thing occurred to me: this particular continuum might have material for a few more books. It’s one of the worlds I’m considering for what comes after Evolution’s Hand Book 6: Unnatural Crypsis.
Once More into the Marketing Breach, Dear Friends
A post on the site Just Publishing Advice presented an astonishing claim: “The conclusion you can draw from this method is that at least 50,000 new Kindle ebooks are published on Amazon every month.” I’m not sure anyone outside of Amazon really knows the count for sure, but if you look at that post, their methodology is reasonable.
Why do I bring this up? Because in April I published Evolution’s Hand Book 3: Primary Target. It joined 49,999 other books in the store. It’s in this environment that I have to draw attention to my series. That means I need to learn marketing.
And to survive, humans need oxygen, water, and food. Yes, I know. It’s obvious, but I’m trying to psych myself up here.
I’ve experimented with Amazon Ads. Last week, I cancelled the two I had running, incorporated what I had learned, and launched a new one. It’s click-rate is higher, which means my tweaks worked. Probably. I’ll need to monitor the click conversion rate. Basically, I’ve monitored how keywords were working. I discovered that one set I expected to work didn’t, and vice versa. So now I’m doubling down on what worked and added a few new ones.
Maybe I should commission an anime girl to market Evolution’s Hand. It worked for Internet Explorer, didn’t it? Wait, maybe that’s a bad example… Image from Wikipedia.
I’m going through the book promo sites that David Gaughran recommended. Some of those sites only accept books that are on sale, and I’m not ready to try that. But I’ve scheduled an ad on The Fussy Librarian for Evolution’s Hand Book 1: Executive Action. I’ll evaluate the other sites after that ad runs in the first half of May.
Finally, I’m going to explore the possibility of packaging the first trilogy into a boxed set. I have no idea about the mechanics. I just know that it worked for me when I bought The Star Kingdom Omnibus by Lindsay Buroker. It would be something else I could market directly instead of relying on buy-through from the first book to Evolution’s Hand Book 2: Dying Breath.
My goal is to build experience in these various techniques and options so that by the time I finish the sixth book, I’ll know what I’m doing. Wish me luck!
Progress Notes
Here were my goals from last week:
- Finish Matsushita Sachi’s Mid Point: Done!
- Finish Matsushita Sachi’s Pinch 2: Done!
- Finish Melchizedek Conrad’s Pinch 2: Done!
- Finish Leon Weber’s Pinch 2: Done!
- Give consideration to Atticus Porter’s final chapters: Consideration given!
I’m still thinking through how I want Porter’s arc to end. The pieces are in place. I just need the final umph to give the arc a dramatic punch. I think the rest of the arcs are on track. Pending the character’s final acceptance, of course!
Goals for the Week in Progress Report 2023 Week 17
Here are my goals for the coming week:
- Finish Atticus Porter’s Pinch 2
- Finish Jadwiga Janczak’s Pinch 2
- Finish Leon Weber’s Plot Turn 2
- Finish Melchizedek Conrad’s Plot Turn 2
- Finish Matsushita Sachi’s Plot Turn 2
That’s an aggressive goal. Bit I’m getting close to the end, so I want to keep the pressure on.
What Do You Think?
What do you think of box sets? If you’re a writer, do they help you get your books in front of readers? If you’re a reader, do you like buying box sets? I’d love to know your thoughts — just leave a comment!
I like boxed sets. My main piece of advice would be not to release it too close to the release of any of the books inside.
I hadn’t considered timing — I’ll give that some thought. Thanks!