I was looking at a book recently that the title tells me is about how I can sell a million books. I don't want to identify the book because I don't want to be unkind to a fellow author. However, it made me think. The kindle sales rank for this book which came out just under a year ago is 1,710,869. That is not good. In fact it is very poor. So the obvious question is: why is this book not selling a million if the author knows how it is done? Are we flooded with these 'how to' books from people who don't know how to?
This post was edited by Fran Connor at December 3, 2015 6:15 AM PSTIn my opinion the character is more important than the name. If we think of ourselves, what does our name say about us? I would say that in my case it gives no indication at all as to who I am regarding my character or character traits.
Jason, your name, Jason Smith gives no real indication of who you are except that you a male. One could read far too much into it. For example, 'Jason' your parents were fascinated with Greek mythology? Smith? However, the name sounds good and trips of the tongue well and would suit many characters. And that is what is important.
Fleming got the name James Bond from an author of a bird book.
I think some names end up being ridiculous in novels and more so when film stars used to have a name given to them. 'Rock Hudson'?
Of course we have to stick to national and cultural names. I get most of my French names from a calendar that gives the saints' names. I google for gypsy names and Spanish. I'm working on a novel which is set partly in S Africa so I've been looking up Xhosa and Zulu names to make sure they are authentic. Other than ensuring the name one uses fits the culture and nationality and gender and time period I don't think names are important. Best to concentrate on the character, in my opinion.
Fran Connor
I've used the Bookmarketingtools.com site when my books have been on offer for free. It costs $15 and the free downloads were over a thousand on each occasion followed by spike in the sales and KU. Not a big spike, well more of a pin, really. Of course there is a valid argument that one should not offer one's books for free. But if you are, then this site helps.
Worth checking out on: http://bookmarketingtools.com/submission-tool-prices
Fran Connor
Like most writers I spend some time going through the Amazon novels reading the first few pages out of interest. And I look at who has published them. Most self published books seem to be just that. Using the Amazon Createspace and Kindle software on line is simple even for a technophobe like me.
But I keep seeing books published by publishers that one pays to publish the book. I isn't difficult to separate the ones you pay from the ones you don't.
So my question is: Why would one pay someone to do something one can do just as easily and probably better?
This is a different topic to paying someone to advertise your work.
Regards
Fran Connor
I would be interested in having a beta reader having a look over my future novels before I send them in to a professional editor. The more critques in the early stages the better. Though it would be non fee paying I would give an acknowledgement in the book.
The following are ready for beta readers:
I have a contemporary Romantic Thriller set in Cuba (it's tongue in cheek). This is first person present tense.
And a Victorian Historical Romance/Crime set in England. This is third person past tense.
To check out whether my style is something you would be interested in go to Amazon and put in Fran Connor for my past work.
Thanks
Fran Connor
