Category Archives: Mostly Me

Self-Pub Aftermath 4: Marketing Works, Sometimes

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After writing the book and getting it produced, the mantra for authors probably must be, “Reach out. Reach out. Reach ommmmm.”

Because of my experience with HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos, I am well used to rejection, or more frequently, to being ignored.

But sometimes, apparently, reaching out works, and people reach back.

Antioch logo

I queried the alumni folks at my alma mater, Antioch College, figuring that a story about one of their student’s year-abroad experience might be of interest. Last night, they contacted me and asked if I would be interested in talking with one of their writers. (Would I!)

To give them a leg up, I sent them links to the short QnAs I’ve done on Goodreads and Smashwords.

Lessons learned:

  • Slip a marketing message in wherever you can. (See previous paragraph.)
  • Sometimes it works. (Join the ORRRR Club. Order it. Read it. Rate it. Review it. Recommend it.)
  • Rinse and repeat.

 

Photos from The Early Days

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I’ve added five more photos from the earliest days of my almost two-year tenure in Laos.

Anou Hotel_EK_0216 copy

My first home in Laos: Chao Anou Hotel

In chapter 7 (Nice Town, Nice Guys) of HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos, I described where I spent my first night in country.

The Anou Hotel was that odd mixture of Vietnamese, Lao, and French commerce. It was named for the last king of the Lao Kingdom of Vientiane, not to be confused with other Lao kingdoms, Luang Prabang, Champassak, and Xieng Khouang. The Anou cost more than the Nong Khai dive we stayed at the night before ($3.60 vs. $1) and had fewer amenities: The cold water shower was down the hall, and despite the ceiling fan running at takeoff speed, my room was hot, stuffy, and noisy.

HOTEL CONSTELLATION is available online at: Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Scribd | Smashwords

Also available in paperback at Amazon. BUY THE PAPERBACK, GET THE EBOOK FREE!

Self-Publishing Aftermath 2: Still To Do

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A week after self-publishing HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos, I realize the aftermath is mostly about future math.

Did I hit all the available marketplaces?

No, but I’m working on it.

BookMark B small-FINAL

Bookmark 

It’s for sale online through:

It’s been submitted to the following distributors worldwide and should be available soon.

  • Baker-Taylor Axis360 / Blio and Baker & Taylor / Follett
  • cloudLibrary
  • Gardner’s Extended Retail and Gardner’s Library
  • Inktera Page Foundry
  • Overdrive 
  • Torino

I’ve been accepted as a Google Play Books author, but it’s taking forever to get everything exactly the way Google wants it. I have no clue what the issue may be.

For the record, Amazon controls about 85 percent of the online book market.

Have I sent it to all the review sites that might be interested?

No, but I have started the list, and I’m sending out queries today.

I’ll definitely post reviews, and I encourage readers to give it at least a thumbs up or thumbs down on Amazon and Goodreads.

How many books sold?

A lot.

I’ll let you know when I break even.

In the meantime, join the Hotel Constellation ORRRR Club. Order it. Read it. Rate it. Review it. Recommend it.

Tnx.