Tag: Amazon

Converting Paperbacks from Createspace to Amazon

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

I’ve got over 30 books in paperback.  I’ve been with Createspace, KDP and Smashwords from the beginning.  Now Createspace is closing down.  Amazon started it and is folding it back into Amazon. 

I’ve tried the Amazon paperbacks and the process is about the same as Createspace and the quality is there as well.  Changing from Createspace to Amazon isn’t horrible but what to do about the 30+ novels I already have.  Do I want to keep them all in paperback?  Should I consider not publishing in paperback since most of my sales are ebooks?  What about the journal I created?  Should I keep that in paperback form?  It isn’t in ebook – obviously.

It’s a lot of work to set up each book.  When I’m publishing, it takes around 3-4 hours just to get them uploaded and all the settings the way I want the book to be.   Do I really want to take all that effort for items which I don’t get a lot of sales on? 

Also if I’m going to do this, then I want to redo some of the manuscripts.  I know there are spelling / grammar errors as I’ve reread them and been annoyed by them.  A lot of the newer books, I have a better routine so there are fewer but the earlier it was published the more likely I am going to want to update the manuscript.  In reality, I’ve already done updates to the ebooks.

All of this ran through my head but I decided I do want to continue offering paperbacks and it’s good to have paperbacks for my own purposes.  I wasn’t sure how it would work to discontinue my Createspace copies and go to the Amazon copies.

Thankfully all of this was addressed by Amazon.  I went in to see how complicated it would be.  It wasn’t.  The paperback option is listed right with each of my books.  For the latest, I was able to go in and use the same file and convert them in a under 15 minutes (roughly).  The longest part is when they do the review, which is typical.  Their message is slightly humorous and suggests a cup of coffee or making a sandwich. 

So far I’ve converted about half of them over to Amazon.  The ones I have left, I will spend a little more time reviewing the manuscript before I convert.  Hopefully this review won’t take me too long.

The nice thing, my prices to the public have gotten slightly lower in most cases.  This might encourage sales.  I had one book at 19.99 which no one bought but I revamped a little, changed margins and so on in an effort to reduce the number of pages.  To be fair, the book is long but still few people are going to invest that much in a book.  I managed to get the price down $7. 

Hopefully the rest of the conversions don’t take me too long and I’ll be all set.  The only other thing I have to figure out is how to get the books which don’t have an ebook converted over. 

Back to Couponing and Crocheting and Publishing

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Saturday afternoon I spent a chunk of time clipping coupons – for myself, my sister, and my daughters.  For the first time in nearly six weeks, I made a grocery list based on my apps and coupons.

Ken went grocery shopping early on Sunday as he usually does.  He overspent by a little but I knew he would because we haven’t really shopped while we’ve been helping our daughter move.  He used a bunch of coupons – saving over $32.  In apps, he saved over $5.

I meant to spend my Saturday working on publishing but by the time we were done with errands, I was wiped out.  I tried napping to get rid of a headache and get some energy back but spent the time talking on the phone with multiple people including some of my daughters.

Sunday I managed to get one book published – Draconian Peace.  Here’s a brief description of it:

Racial tension has destroyed the relationship between the Draconians and the humans, leaving thousands of mixed breeds disenfranchised.  Prejudice and suspicion mar the joining of Dewi Bradon, half and half, and Lord Lachlan Camdon until they learn to look passed their race and trust in each other.  As they begin to trust, changes ripple through society and expose rampant corruption and crime.

It’s available on Amazon and Smashwords for now.  It will get out to all the other options as time permits.  There is a paperback as well on Createspace.

I kept getting interrupted so only one item published.  I did work on a holiday gift and have it about three quarters done.  I’m pleased with the pattern and how it’s working out but it means I’ll have another pattern to publish.  I might submit it for publication first to see if I can get it in a magazine.

Do I Gotta?

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Last night I finished the manuscript I was working on.  I wrote about 15,000 words yesterday.  It was a good day.

After I finished I was tired and rung out (like I normally get after a manuscript) and opted for a little tv.  I watched an episode of NCIS LA and Person of Interest.  I crashed.  At 1 my phone beeped with a text message and woke me up enough I struggled to go back to sleep.  However, a scene played and played in my head.  I’ll have to see about getting it written otherwise it is going to annoy me.

I woke up this morning groggy – not unusual as I didn’t sleep well after I woke up at 1.  After I talked to my middle daughter, I realized I had to get dressed today.  Since I left work on Tuesday I’ve just been hanging out at home in my jammies.  I did shower and change, just put on jammies both days.

This morning I’ve been busy with paying bills.  I called my credit union because I had a question.  The woman I spoke with was polite and friendly.  We ended up talking about yarn and I learned she was a crocheter as well.  Crafters are everywhere!  You cannot escape them!!!

My hubby comes home tonight.  I have about five hours more of my alone time.  I’m not sure what I plan to do with it, probably write, but I definitely want to make the most of it.  I guess I should find some clothes as I don’t think I want to drive to the airport in my jammies – tempting but no.

Defenders series I have one more book (I hope it’s only one) to write.  I have maps of the villages I’m currently writing in and I am going to look for a list of which people went to which group.  If I can get that info in paper form (yes I know but sometimes I just gotta have paper) I will go sit in my recliner and fall into Bri, Tof, and the other defenders.

I could use another week of alone time.  Do you think Mother Nature might snow us in for that period of time?  Probably not.  I guess I should just be grateful for the time I’ve had and keep working.

At this point I have two manuscripts in paper form to edit and one electronically to edit.  Electronically, I do a search for a set list of words I know I overuse and look at them to see if I can rewrite without the words and I do a spell / grammar check.  Then I print.  Either way, I have three manuscripts in the edit phase.  I should add them to my spreadsheet where I track these things.

Don’t forget, Wayfarer is on sale for 99cents!!!!  Go to Barnes & Nobles, Amazon or Smashwords to get it:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wayfarer-eileen-troemel/1120325459?ean=9781501093852
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NDF36LO
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/473960

12,000 Words

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing

Yesterday, I woke up and intended to write.  I started writing and didn’t make a lot of progress.  My day was somewhat putzy with conversations with my middle daughter and work.  I spent a chunk of time taking care of work stuff and waiting on business stuff for my writing.

This of course means I was playing games on the computer while I waited.  I enjoy the games but by the time I had lunch I was annoyed with myself.  Here I am alone in my house and instead of being productive, I was playing Royal Envoy, Backgammon and Rummy 500.

To be fair, I was waiting on Amazon to process my change in price on Wayfarer.  After I quit playing and got lunch, I started writing.  I wrote all afternoon.  I wrote well into the night.  I nearly forgot to eat but my stomach was grumbling at me.  I heated up supper and ate before going back to writing.

I quit writing when I couldn’t keep my eyes open.  I came to a scene where I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go so I wrote as far as I could and quit.  This was a little after midnight.

Turning out my light, I slept almost immediately.  Until 2:30 this morning when I woke up, looked at the clock and told myself I needed more sleep.  I dozed until 5:30, frustrated I told myself I was going to sleep.  I woke up again at 6:00 and gave myself 15 minutes and I was going to just get up.

I hate mornings like this because I wake up feeling groggy and grumpy.  The good thing is at 2:30 I woke up knowing what I wanted to do with that scene.  Now when I’m done with my morning routine of checking email and such, I can hit the scene and move forward.

Yesterday with all my putzing, I still managed to write 12,000 words.  I got so much further in my story and am pleased with all the scenes I wrote.  I have two more scenes in my head to play out.  Now I’m finding with this book that the characters and story are taking me to scenes I hadn’t expected so those two scenes will likely turn into several other scenes but for now, I am going with two scenes.

I have today and most of the day tomorrow alone still and I’m planning to make the most of it.  I will write the scene in my head, take a shower, and get breakfast.  At some point I have to pay bills,  However, if that doesn’t happen until after Ken’s home it isn’t a big deal.

If I put another 12,000 words into this story today, I’ll have met my goal for word count (and then some).  If the story is done in 12,000 words that would be very nice.  I’ll just have to see how it goes.

Oh…Amazon

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

I had reviews for Secret Past and Moon Affirmations.  I worked my bum off asking everyone to please write a review.  I got an Barbara Ardinger to write one for Moon Affirmations (Thanks Barbara!) and two other people to write reviews of Secret Past.

I was on Amazon the other day (okay I admit I’m there daily) and noticed the reviews were gone.  My first reaction was that something my be wrong with my computer or something I’m doing.  I checked back regularly.  They didn’t come back.  I emailed Amazon.  Their standard response was people take their reviews down all the time.

Of course people take down their reviews.  However, I find it hard to believe that all three of the reviews I had were taken down at once.  I told them this.  They came back with, these people know you – they should post in the discussion area.  My response was to explain that while one of the people who did the review I am close with the other two were not.

I talked at length how I asked Barbara to do a review because she is known in the community that I’m targeting the book to.  While I know Barbara, she isn’t a close personal friend.  Plus she gave an honest and insightful review (which is what I asked for) not a gushing “hey read this book it is fab” review.  They finally put that review back up.

The other review for Secret Past was by someone I know but it isn’t like we are close personal friends.  She’s a librarian and friend of my daughters.  When she was done reading the book I asked her to please post a review and to be honest.  She did so.  And now Amazon has wiped it away like it meant nothing.

I get they are trying to maintain integrity in the reviews.  Here’s the thing.  I’m a newly published author.  Every positive thing – like these reviews – I worked my ass off to get.  They count.  They make a difference in whether someone will buy or not.  I need them to help encourage sales.  If Amazon takes them away, it affects my sales.

I tried calling them and got the excuse that the reviews department doesn’t have a phone line which I call shenanigans on.  I’m going to give it till Monday and if the review isn’t back for Secret Past, I will try calling again to talk to the Author’s Central department and bitch again.

Here’s the thing – if you are reading this and you’ve read my books.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords or wherever and post a review.  Please be HONEST.  If there were things you didn’t like that is okay and normal.  I expect to be criticized.  It is the nature of being an author.  Please post a review on any of my books.  I could really use them and they all help a lot.

If Amazon is being a shithead about it, please go to the discussion area at the bottom of the page for the book and start a conversation about it.  I don’t know if that will help with getting sales but at least it will get information about the book out there and people’s opinions about the book out there.

Reviews

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

At some point I’m going to have to cope with negative reviews.  I can only hope I handle them with grace.  However, for now I’ve got two reviews on Secret Past and they are both wonderful and positive! 

These reviews help promote my book.  If someone reads the reviews, they may decide to purchase the book.  This could lead to them looking for more of my work which could then lead to more sales.  Plus it could lead to more reviews – hopefully positive reviews.

I write reviews and try to be as informative as possible so the people who read them understand where I’m coming from and can make an informed decision.  If I list why I don’t like or do like something then the reader of the review can say – hey I know that bugs me about books or that wouldn’t bug me. 

Reviews are key.  It helps to get information out there about the item – whether it is a book or other item.  I know when I look at products I’m influenced by well written and insightful reviews. 

Here is a link to Secret Past on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Past-Eileen-Troemel-ebook/dp/B00JL38Z7C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402493230&sr=8-1&keywords=eileen+troemel

If you’ve read my books, please go out and take a couple minutes to review them on whatever site you purchased them from. 

Here the books I have available:

Secret Past
Available on Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-past-eileen-troemel/1119169953?ean=9781499159868
Available for sale at:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/426548
Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Past-Eileen-Troemel-ebook/dp/B00JL38Z7C/ref=la_B00JL4PEJ8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398097355&sr=1-1

Moon Affirmations  Daily Meditations Using the Moon Phase to Focus Your Energy

Available for sale at:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/432900
Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Affirmations-Daily-Meditations-Energy-ebook/dp/B00K08TF3K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1398791925&sr=8-5&keywords=moon+affirmations
Available on Barnes and Nobles:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moon-affirmations-eileen-troemel/1119387496?ean=2940045859738
 
Moments in Nature
Available at Barnes & Nobles:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moments-in-nature-eileen-troemel/1119566668?ean=2940045940085
Available at:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/437602
Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Moments-Nature-Eileen-Troemel-ebook/dp/B00KBFOWSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400077630&sr=8-1&keywords=moments+in+nature

Moon Affirmations is on Amazon!

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

The paperback of this book is now available on Amazon!  It looks a bit raw as I think they are still working on the page but it is available – see the link below.

Now I need to start working on how to create an audio book because that is the next step for this book.  I want it available in all formats that I think the end user will find helpful.  It is a matter of figuring out how to create an audio book. 

I know that sounds ambitious but I think for this book an audio book will help the reader to perform the meditations.  It will become like a guided meditation rather than having the reader memorize what they are supposed to be meditating on. 

Check out the paper copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Affirmations-Daily-Meditations-Energy/dp/1499300069/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399383798&sr=1-2&keywords=moon+affirmations

Technical Difficulties

by eileentroemel, posted in Life, Writing
Every day this week I’ve worked on cleaning up images and getting the document ready for print format.  Unfortunately I’ve had technical difficulties. 
First I had to learn how to change the dpi (dots per inch) of each image.  Fortunately it was fairly simple once I had the right program. 
Second I had to take the new images and clean it up.  Because my images are drawings that have been scanned there was a lot of gray surrounding the lines.  For a digital image that has to be cleaned up as well which I did but when you increase the dpi then more imperfections appear.  In print , the gray surrounding the lines makes the image blurry or fuzzy.  With 45 images for the entire manuscript it is time consuming to pull each one up in Paint and use the eraser to go along each line.  However, every spare moment I’ve had this week I’ve been working on them.
Unfortunately, I’ve had additional technical problems.  I sat in my office chair early in the week and one of the wheels broke off.  Now if it had just fallen off, duct tape would have fixed it but it actually broke.  This meant I didn’t have my comfortable chair.  At first I was using a dining room chair which is okay for short periods of time.  When I spent any amount of time in it though, my back and legs hurt worse than normal.  Ken brought up an old office chair from the basement last night and it is okay but still not as comfortable as my chair. 
This mean after I worked on fourteen pictures last night I couldn’t stand to be in the chair any longer and had to give it up for the recliner.  With the precision work I have to do, I need a desk and solid surface for my mouse to be on.  I’m down to eight pictures with each one taking about an hour or so depending on how complex the picture is. 
Since I had to redo all the images, I made a point of double checking that they were working.  I uploaded a partially finished manuscript to CreateSpace to see if their system liked the new photos.  This gave me a double check that all was well and I just needed to finish the images.  I was thrilled to find that the document had no errors and the images looked amazing.  Plus by doing that I was able to rearrange images so they worked better. 
Images in a digital format have to be in line with the text.  There is no creative placement.  With print I’m able to move them around and place them where I think they look the best rather than where they work digitally.  While it has been a lot of work to change up the images, I feel like it has been a good lesson learned as it has allowed me to produce a better product.
At this stage, all I want to do is work on finishing the images.  Unfortunately, I have a lot to do this weekend.  My todo list is filled with grocery shopping, errands, gift wrapping, food prep and so on.  I’ll still carve out time though.  Barring any more technical difficulties, I’m hoping to have a paper version ready by the end of the weekend.  Fingers crossed and chair situation resolved, I hope to accomplish this.  Then I can look at poetry books next.   
Smashwords:
Amazon:
While you are out shopping, take a look at Secret Past too.  It is available here:
Available on Barnes and Nobles:
Available for sale at:https:
Available on Amazon:

Moon Affirmations on Amazon!

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing

Last night I had Moon Affirmations go through final approval for Smashwords.  This means I’m able to use the same file – with a few adjustments – submit to KDP which is the e-publisher for Amazon. 

After an hour or so working on it, I submitted it last night and now it is available on Amazon.  I’m very excited about this book.  It is completely different from other meditation books because it uses the phase of the moon to focus your energy.  This means during a new moon, you would focus on beginnings or starts to the projects, relationships, and so on. 

Next step for this meditation book is to get it in print.  I’m working on that but discovered all of my images need to be reworked to a higher DPI.  I was four steps from being done when I discovered this.  This means I have to work on it as I’m able and hopefully will get all the images updated, cleaned up and ready for print this week.  However, time is my most limited resource. 

In the meanwhile, go check out the meditation book at:

Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/432900

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Affirmations-Daily-Meditations-Energy-ebook/dp/B00K08TF3K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1398791925&sr=8-5&keywords=moon+affirmations

While you are out shopping, take a look at Secret Past too.  It is available here:

Available on Barnes and Nobles:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-past-eileen-troemel/1119169953?ean=9781499159868
Available for sale at:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/426548
Available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Past-Eileen-Troemel-ebook/dp/B00JL38Z7C/ref=la_B00JL4PEJ8_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398097355&sr=1-1

Secret Past

by eileentroemel, posted in Writing
My book is now available on Amazon.  You can find it by searching out my name or here is a link:
Sunday I published on Smashwords.  Monday I worked on improving the files so the document and cover picture would be accepted into their premium catalog.  Tuesday I redid the file.  Wednesday it was accepted into the premium catalog.  Now today I’ve got it set up on Amazon and it can sell around the world. 
My story – something concocted out of my brain – is available to people all over the world.  It is astonishing.  The process was daunting to start and even to finish the prep work.  Part of me kept trying to make everything perfect before I could “finish” the book and publishing process.  I made excuses – I have to finish organizing the office, bills, craft room, and so on…
I don’t know what hit me on Sunday but I sat down to my computer and went through the last few steps and then just got it done.  I was surprised at how simple it was to get it out there.  I’ve had anxiety – in a good way – about making sure it is accepted and then getting it out for publication on Amazon. 
Now I wait to see how it is received.  But I can’t just sit around and wait.  If I want to make sales then I have to figure out how to market my book. 
I’ve worked in marketing and it is not as glamorous as people think it is.  It is a lot of grinding to get people to take notice.  My little romance novel is sitting on the shelf amongst the hundreds, thousands and maybe even millions of other novels out there it is bouncing up and down saying “Pick me, pick me.”  But then so are all those other novels.  The question now is how do I get my novel to be noticed? 
Suggestions?  I’d love them.  Additionally if you want to write a review – I would love that too.  It is easy with Amazon, you can post it right on the page.  Do you know someone who likes to read romance novels?  Let them know mine is there waving its hand just waiting to be picked.  Meanwhile, I’ll be doing research on marketing…