Scattered: KDP and Free Promotion!

So, I have been looking into removing Scattered from KDP's select program.  As apart of the publishing program, I have to keep that specific work exclusive to Amazon.  There is nothing wrong with exclusivity if you have a killer marketing team or great promotional skills.  However, I feel that exclusivity has its drawbacks.

For one, your work only appeals to those with Kindles or Kindle apps.  Now, I happen to know that the Kindle app is very popular among android users.  That is a plus, but I have found that I receive the most sales from Barnes and Noble, not Amazon.  While being enrolled in KDP Select is supposed to change that, giving you work more exposure, it hasn't for me.  I made it onto a list of highest downloaded shorts with a mere 24 downloads.  That is nothing compared to the readership on Barnes and Noble.

Another drawback is that on Amazon your work has to be sold at a price.  I prefer my short stories to be free, but in order to do that, I have to space promotions that last only 5 days over a few months.  My short stories allow readers to get to know my writing style and so they become promotional tools within themselves.  If people like my shorter works, they are more likely to buy my novels; however, if I can't give them away for free, it defeats the purpose.  I do like that if I post this particular short to other outlets, Amazon should have a price match, making it fee on their site permanently.

Looking into my arrangement with KDP Select, I can place Scattered on Smashwords and other outlets in August where it will be FREE!!!  Right now, I decided to use my five days of free promotion.  So, from 5/22/15 to 5/26/15 Scattered will be available to download for FREE on Amazon.com.  Please take advantage if you are interested in reading it.  Otherwise, the next time you will see it free is in August.  Click the link below tomorrow for a free download.

Link: SCATTERED on Amazon

Updated Collector Short Story Trailer

Hello, everyone.

I just updated The Collector's trailer.  Compared to the old... it is a vast improvement.  Check it out.

OLD

NEW

Special thanks to the artists at DeviantArt.com who have great .png images for public use.  It saved me a bunch of time in creating these images.


CREDITS:
- ROYS-ART for pointing statue - http://roys-art.deviantart.com/art/Statues-02-PNG-Stock-420147732
- OILUSIONISTA for stairs - http://oilusionista-stock.deviantart.com/art/Stone-stairway-stock-354790265
- MOMOTTE2STOCKS for all of the crows - http://momotte2stocks.deviantart.com/art/crow-9-212724189
- ALz-STOCK AND ART for gravestone - http://alz-stock-and-art.deviantart.com/art/Gravestone-PNG-405097600
- ALz-STOCK AND ART for stone arch - http://alz-stock-and-art.deviantart.com/art/Painted-Archway-332423585
- ABSURDWORDPREFERRED for window - http://absurdwordpreferred.deviantart.com/art/Window-transparent-PNG-163124311
- TIGERS-STOCK for hand - http://tigers-stock.deviantart.com/art/604-Hand-Png-349714283
- ENHANCERS for key - http://enhancers.deviantart.com/art/JJ-s-PNG-1-Keys-191539860

Updated Weeping Willow Short Story Trailers

Hello, everyone.

I just updated my Weeping Willow Part 1 and 2 trailers.  I was happy with the originals, but I wanted more original artwork that told a bit about the story.  So, while the old trailers will still be posted on YouTube.  My new trailers will be posted on my website and Smashwords.  I am posting the old and new ones on her for comparison.

As my skills have improved, I am trying to make my trailers better representations of my work.  I will try to create and upload new versions of some of my trailers.  Also, don't be shy.  Tell me what you think by posting a comment on YouTube.

WWSS1 - OLD

WWSS1 - NEW

WWSS2 - OLD

WWSS2 - NEW

Download Scattered for FREE

Hi, everyone.

By now everyone knows that it is impossible for an author to place any work on Amazon for free for more than five days.  I have seen works marked free for longer, but I can't figure out how it is done.  I usually post my short stories on Smashwords for that reason.  Yet, I decided to post Scattered on Amazon.

I have put Scattered up for free, but it expired after five days. So since I have waited three whole months to get the right to post it for free again... I am spreading the news that after Christmas I will be making Scattered free for another five day period. Please download it and leave a review to help me spread the word.

Thank you!

Droplets of Inspiration

Hi, everyone!

So, I wrote a mini short story about the Jersey Devil (don't judge me :P) for a magazine submission, and it was such a good experience, I decided to do it again.

The reason it was such a great experience was because I literally wrote it in one day. A short story should really be like 5000 words or less. The one I wrote today was 1500. My other published shorts are more like novelettes or mini novels of 10,000-20,000.

There is no problem in writing novelettes, but they just take way longer. I think the shortest time I ever spent writing one was a month and the longest was three months. While I love bringing you novelettes and I will continue to write them, I will only release one a year...maybe two, because my priority is my novels.

So, I was thinking of removing my shorts from this blog. Don't worry...Weeping Willow will always be available on Smashwords and B&N for download.

In return, I will add a poem and a mini which will not be published anywhere else. I don't know how many minis I will do. Maybe one a season of any genre. You guys can even recommend one for this month. I was thinking werewolves or ghosts, but give me some recommendations. Remember these will be really short so don't expect anything of length.

These writings will only be published on this blog. NO WHERE ELSE. They will not even be on my website. These will satisfy those fans who are always looking for more of my writing while allowing me time to finish my novels. Plus, they will help me stay in touch with my audience and improve my writing skills.

Look out for these changes really soon. Thanks!