How Are Things in the World of Book Selling?

Shhh! Be vewwy vewwy quiet!

Any day now, my novel will become a bestseller, but until then, I'm busy catching up on my beauty rest. I just took a peek at my sales report and nope, no bestseller status yet! I did sell one copy this month, though.

Meanwhile, I've done a couple of halfhearted things. There's a site that its owner posted about on X where I could add my book(s) for free. He's just kicking things off right now, so I was happy to add to his inventory, if that's the right term. The process was so simple that I decided to add a few more books, but alas. I kept getting trapped on the "add your cover" screen. It kept telling me my cover was the wrong size, so I dutifully changed its dimensions, then changed them again, and again; no dice. I think it's a website glitch. I made my second cover the exact same size as my first, but no. Too bad. I was looking for an activity. If things get cleared up, I'll gladly share a link to the site, but right now, it appears things are in flux.

I received a nice email from the owner of a site* I previously reviewed. I suppose companies set up Google alerts, which is how he found my post. My review was fair and based on my experience, but he wanted to set up a one-hour Zoom meeting with me to go over what I'd written. My PC doesn't have a webcam and my flashbacks of doing Team meetings using my phone bring back unsavory memories. He also doesn't know that I am camera-shy. So I thanked him and declined. I offered to revise my review if he wanted to email me pertinent corrections/clarifications, but I never heard back. Guess he really, really loves Zoom meetings. Kind of odd to be contacted, but he obviously cares about his business. If it's any comfort to him, my site doesn't even have any subscribers. Thus, he's likely the only person who read the review.

*I won't post company names unless I have a valid reason to do so. Certainly not looking to shame or embarrass anyone. The website owner contacted me in good faith, so nothing to be embarrassed about at all. I wish I could have honored his request. I just couldn't. 

Speaking of odd, two of my giveaway winners sent me nice messages. Readers never contact me, because I have no readers. I have to say, their emails were heartwarming. They haven't yet read the book, but they still took the time to send "go get 'em!" words. It's a good reminder that there are still good people in the world.

I haven't bothered to check if any reviews have been left on Storygraph. One, it's pretty early, and two, would I want to read them anyway? I envy those authors who are so confident, they expect good reviews. Who are these people?? I brace myself for the exact opposite. Yes, yes, I know authors aren't supposed to read their reviews, and I generally avoid them--for the sake of my self-esteem. But I can't help being curious as to whether I've gotten any.

I never thought that emails would be the high point of my week, or at least the most interesting part of it. I'm supposed to be, you know, doing marketing and touting my success. Well, I'm not touching my "marketing coffers" until August, when the bill comes due on my eReader News book of the day. 

As for other marketing:

One expense per month is plenty; more than plenty. My 1-year window for this novel is winding down. 

That bestseller ranking is gonna hit any day now.