1001 Downloads!

Hi!

I'm having a little celebration.  Being Isobel has had an incredible 1001 downloads from Smashwords!

I am so grateful to everyone who took the time to download my story.  I can't thank you enough!

The idea for Being Isobel came about after seeing other authors pinning hunks on Pinterest and casting them in their romance novels.  I wondered what the authors would do if they ever met the objects of their desires?  My imagination ran away with me and I decided to write up the story for NaNoWriMo 2012.

Writing the story was quick, easy and a lot of fun!  I took a little break before editing it and in January 2013 I published it as a free novel on Smashwords.  I decided to give it away for free just to drum up a bit of interest in me an an author.  I'd already published Heaven Knows This Time and Another Perfect Angel but despite excellent feedback from my readers, I wasn't exactly challenging JK Rowling in the earnings department!

I quickly started getting five star reviews on Smashwords and Being Isobel featured in Heart of Glass magazine.  I joined an indie review group on Goodreads and received this really positive three star review from fellow author MC Lavocat.

The positive reviews were really uplifting but not everyone appreciated my story.  My mum blushed as she told me how she enjoyed it but she thought it was 'very explicit!' and a reviewer was not happy about me dropping so many F-bombs.  I know it was childish but that made me giggle :)

It's always hard an author to read bad reviews.  I was a little upset when a Goodreads reviewer gave me my first ever one star review: 'Awful writing style. It was free, but not worth the time. Implausible and annoying read.'

I know everyone is entitled to an opinion but it's hard to take criticism that isn't backed up with any reasoning.  What was so awful about my writing style?  And since when was plausibility a requirement for fiction?  Is it plausible for Harry Potter to go to school on a magic train?  Or for a little man with hairy toes to go on adventures with a magic ring?

Thankfully the reviewer was in the minority and I received many more positive reviews.

"Really enjoyed this book. Characters you can understand, romance, lust plus some real down to earth moments. I loved it. Nice and easy to read, didn't take me long at all."

"A Must Read! This book was wonderful!! I was very impressed with the author's ability to gain the reader's sympathy. Tracy is a wonderful character! Can't wait to read more of her work!!"

"I LOVED IT? THE WHOLE PLOT LINE FIT WELL TOGETHER? AND THE ENDING WAS GREAT!!! I HOPE THEY HAVE A BOOK 2 OR MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MANY MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

So may I say thanks again to everyone to downloaded the book and if you haven't already got it why not download it for free?  It's available from Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, Kobo Books and all good ebook retailers.  I hope you enjoy it!

Clair

Angel's Shadow - Pinterest Board

Hi!

I've been busy making another Pinterest board for my forthcoming novel, Angel's Shadow.  There are a few new characters and a few surprises!  Take a look HERE...

I'm kind of addicted to Pinterest.  I love how I can drool over my dream wardrobe of shoes and dresses, learn new crafts, tricks and tips and pick up great new recipes.  I've found I don't need to buy magazines anymore because I can put my feet up, use the Pinterest app on my tablet and check out all the wonderful things my friends are sharing on their boards.  It's also great for hearing about special offers and of course great new books to read from indie authors ;)

Anyway, no rest for the wicked.  I'm back writing again, I'm playing around with idea I've had for a short story about a goth and a vampire, but of course there is a twist...

Shameless Self Promotion

If I thought writing a novel was challenging, it's nothing compared to promoting one!  I'm sure all my friends and family are fed up with me spamming Facebook and Twitter with links to where they can buy my book from (and many thanks to all of you who did!) but it's very difficult trying to reach the wider audience.  People have to know about a book before they can buy it and with thousands to choose from it's difficult to get your book noticed. 

Why should you buy an ebook from an unknown author?  It's a risk, the book could be awful, unreadable, the self righteous rantings of a lunatic who has nothing better than to put every thought onto paper, or worse!!!  But in reality it's not a very big risk, I mean, you spend a couple of quid on a cup of coffee without thinking about it, so why not give an indie author a go?  You never know it might just discover the next big thing.  I've been pleasantly surprised at the high quality of work produced by indie authors and with books for under £1 buy an ebook is cheaper than your bus fare to the library!  It's certainly worth a go.

I don't have a budget for advertising so I've had to be clever with my tactics when it comes to book promotion.  I've used Pinterest to good effect and I've just made my own ecard which I hope you enjoy and will share with your friends.

Reviews are always helpful in selling books so if have a blog and you'd like to review my novel please email me at clair@clairlouisecoult.com with a link to your blog and I'll send you a free electronic copy of Heaven Knows This Time.