December Updates
And a sorting hat quiz!
Here’s what we’re covering in today’s episode of “Amanda finally remembers to write a Substack”:
A Mothmar Gift quiz!
Shop is OPEN
Sales for November and Plans for December
Recent & Upcoming events
Writing and Reading Updates
The quiz!
Alright so one of my last stretch goals on my most recent Kickstarter was to create a Mothmar Gift Quiz. This fell to the wayside, got trampled, and slid into the gutter. I pulled it from said gutter, and now it’s here. It’s not pretty. It’s barely cohesive. But I think it’s fun. :P (And if you do take it, please comment or make a story on IG about what you got. I’d love to know *muahaha*)
Shop is Open!
Book inventory is updated! If you’re looking for a unique gift for the book lover in your life, consider getting them a copy of Daughter of the Sun or the entire trilogy! There are special editions also and they all come signed with bookmarks and a complimentary sticker (: Oh, and audiobooks are only $5 right now!
Sales
November showed a big uptick in sales. (October I sold 26 books, November I sold 177) I think this is due to two things:
I had a failed bookbub deal. - I misunderstood my dates and set my sale for the wrong ones, so bookbub didn’t advertise for me. (It had cost me $256). I was really sad about this and posted asking for people to spread the word that my first ebook was only .99 and man…did people deliver! I was amazed at how everyone shared my post and I ended up with 114 ebook sales that month and over 12,000 page reads on KU. I am so thankful! (And bookbub agreed to reschedule my deal to later in December or January so I’ll be back!)
I started marketing more. The Honor Anthology was running on Kickstarter so I was on there anyway and just started being more consistent. And surprise surprise, my sales increased. Thankful though I am, it is annoying knowing this is the cause. :P
I have had two friends who have graciously agreed to help teach me Meta Ads. So between the two of them I think I’m grasping it a bit better. I’ll be trying to launch some in the near future and keep you all updated on its happenings.
Events
I was able to set up a table at a local Craft Fair last week which ended up going swimmingly! Craft fairs can really be hit or miss as they aren’t book centered. But I sold two sets and 10 singles so I felt really good about that. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!
I have a tentative plan to attend an event at Iron Works in Raleigh on February 28th. Stay tuned!
Writing/Reading Updates
Still working away on short stories and pondering ideas for a future novel. I want to be reading more though as its the fodder for all good creative ideas when it comes to writing.
I just finished reading D.L. Jennings not yet published book, Dreams of Blood and Shadow. It was fantastic! He just got a trad pub deal with it so I can’t wait to see it on the shelves.
I’m listening to The Shadow of What was Lost by James Islington. I still have 8 hours left and honestly I’m struggling. I listened to his other book, The Will of the Many, and enjoyed it (though it took me a long time to get into it.) For some reason these two books feel so similar to me that it feels like I’m reading the older brother of TWOTM. Idk how I feel about it yet. I feel like I should just listen to the Strength of the Few!
I’m about to start The Heart of Betrayal by Mary E. Pearson, I read the first book: Kiss of Deception, last month and enjoyed it! I haven’t read a good fantasy YA romance in a while and it’s a cutie patootie with a bit of war sprinkled in. (And a great plot twist!)
Merry Christmas and all the warm holiday greetings to you all, thank you for reading!
Grace and peace,
Amanda Auler