Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Thank you for the reviews!

Good reviews are the life blood of any author. This is especially true for us independent authors, since we have limited resources for advertising our work.

So I wanted to make a point of thanking everyone that's left reviews on Amazon for my books, and I'm grateful that overall they've been quite positive. Those reviews are what convince readers whether or not to pick up a book, and that in turn enables me to keep writing. So, thank you for helping me do what I love, and continuing to bring you stories you enjoy!

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Woo hoo!!

So here's something I never thought would happen in a bajillion years: All In has been holding in the number two slot in gay fiction on Amazon for the past couple days! Also incredible is that more people are discovering Way Off Plan, and that pulled it back up into the top 20!

I am abso-freakin-lutely thrilled!! Ok sure, we're gonna get knocked out of that number 2 slot any minute, but I'm just gonna love every second of it while I can. :) Thank you thank you thank you to all my readers!

Now for some updates:

For those of you that have asked, Christopher's story is coming right along and I'm tentatively shooting for a May release date. And Feral, my paranormal romance, should be released sometime in late March.

By the way, I was messing with Feral's cover this weekend, and the new version is over in the right margin. What do you think? Better than the single-image version? I'm trying to step up my cover game, lol!


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Thank you again!

I'm thrilled to announce that All In broke into the top ten in gay fiction today on Amazon. Wow -- just, wow! That's totally because of you, my awesome readers. So a million thanks again for your support!

I'm proud of the fact that it's also one of the only independently published books in the gay fiction top twenty. I take that as a victory for independent authors everywhere. We may not have the budget or resources of the big boys, but with wonderful, loyal readers like you, it kind of doesn't matter. :)

Monday, February 18, 2013

Thank you -- and a Call for Beta Readers

Thank you to my readers, each and every one of you! And an extra thank you to those that have taken the time to leave reviews on Amazon for All In, and emailed me with positive feedback. I totally appreciate it!

Most of you know I'm a very new writer. I had this crazy idea last year to start writing novels and self-publishing them on Amazon. It's basically been a learn-as-you-go process.

As it now stands, I kind of write in a vacuum. I don't ask my family or friends to read my stuff before I publish it (because my work is, as you know, quite explicit). When both my books were published, they'd only been read by me beforehand. And like most writers, it's really hard for me to have any perspective on my own work. Even something as simple as a typo can be elusive -- because I know what it's supposed to say, and sometimes read right over typos as if they're not there.

Well, I want to try making a change in my writing process. I want to try getting a bit of feedback on my books before I publish them. And that's where you come in! 

I want to put together a small panel of beta readers. These individuals will be sent my next book free of charge and before anyone else gets it (in PDF format, which probably means it'll have to be read on a computer -- Kindles do open PDF files, but I personally find it awkward to read PDFs on a Kindle). This position pays absolutely nothing. LOL.

So basically, you'd be doing this out of the goodness of your heart, and because you're dying to get your hands on my next book! Oh and also, because some of you just love telling others what you think of their writing. :)

What I want from my beta readers is basic feedback -- did you like the story? Where any parts unclear? Were there any WTF moments? ;) And where are those damn typos hiding?!

If being a beta reader interests you, shoot me an email at: alexalandwrites@gmail.com and tell me a little about who you are (name, age, location), what you think you'll bring to the reader panel, and why you want to volunteer.

I'm only going to need about five people. And I'm going to be very selective in putting this reader panel together, because I'm putting an unpublished manuscript in the hands of strangers and that takes a ton of trust. If you're someone that's been in touch with me in the past or that's left me a review on Amazon, I'm much more likely to select you.

The book I'll be looking for feedback on this time around is Feral, my paranormal m/m romance, which should be ready for beta reading in a couple weeks. And yeah, that genre isn't everyone's cuppa tea. But if getting an early look at Feral with the chance to give me feedback appeals to you, then shoot me an email!

This is a little experiment. If it seems to go well, I may do this for the Firsts and Forever series as well. But that all depends on how this first reader panel goes!

xxoo

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A Valentine for my Readers

All In, the second book in the Firsts & Forever Series, went live on Amazon today -- a day ahead of schedule! You can check it out here. Enjoy!


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Are You ALL IN?

Book Two in the Firsts and Forever Series is coming to Amazon.com this Thursday -- Valentine's Day -- February 14, 2013!


Monday, February 4, 2013

Thank you!

Today I discovered that Way Off Plan had been reviewed by a site called MM Good Book Reviews. Positive reviews are the life blood of any author, and I want to thank Pixie of MM Good Book Reviews for taking the time to read my book and write a review! It's a cool site, check it out.

Quick update on All In, book two in the Firsts and Forever series: my target publication date of Valentine's Day seems to be on track! I'm nervous to put it out there (just like I was with my first book) but am looking forward to hearing what you think of it. :)