With little deliberation I chose a book with no previous sales as an experimental subject for a trial with Amazon's Kindle Select program. I say it took no thought because it's the only one of my digital darlings that had not sold even one copy in the year it's been available. I don't think I'd even played with its price after uploading it.

Without changing a jot or tittle of it, I enrolled it in the KDP Select program and chose last weekend for a two-day freebie sale period. After blurbing it several time on Friday and Saturday, I discovered the price had not changed. It took a couple more punches to the KDP system before the title went on sale. I promoted it a few more times on Twitter and by midnight Sunday, 32 discriminating and frugal souls were proud owners of free copies.

It was also the end of a month in which the same number of other titles had sold, but Amazon now reports about 14 percent more sales in April than in March. Of course, I was heavily promoting IRS & WRITERS until the 17th, and that appears to have affected the rise in number of sales.

All told, I'm not impressed with the impact of taking advantage of a KDP Select promotion for a nonfiction ebook. Perhaps if sales rise dramatically for the month of May (barring any other marketing maneuvers on my part) I might be inclined to attribute it to the promotion. If someone buys the review collection, I'll be surprised.

The Select program is for titles only available on Amazon, which is no problems for me. I've yet to be persuaded that making my works available in alternate marketplaces would result in enough sales to justify the effort involved (all others use different types of files and can't use what I already have created.) Also, a recent fling with a little freebie on Smashwords introduced me to the danger of placing material on a site that allows anonymous reviews without opportunity for author feedback.

The weekend of April 28-29, 2012, marks a first for me -- my first free ebook offering on Amazon. Just another of many little experiments in marketing I undertake to report results to readers.  This time I am adding a Kindle ebook to the KDP Select program.

The book is Collected Book Reviews, Vol. 1: Eight Easy Pieces. It's a gathering of eight book reviews specially prepared for this ebook service for those using the most recent Kindle navigation features. Also included are images of the original books' covers and links to relevant websites.

Books in the KDP Select program are eligible for borrowing by Kindle owners who have an Amazon Prime membership. The author also has five days during the 90-day program period on which to make the book available free. If the reviews were purchased separately, their combined cost would be about $25, so this freebie is of greater value than most.

The reviews include:

FICTION

Review of UNFORGIVABLE by Philippe Djian
Review of BETWEEN THE ASSASSINATIONS by Aravind Adiga
Review of THE BOOK OF CHAMELEONS by Jose Eduardo Agualusa
Review of THE DANTE CLUB by Matthew Pearl

NONFICTION

Review of THE GENIUS IN ALL OF US by David Shenk
Review of THE HINDUS by Wendy Doniger
Review of THE MAN WHO LOVED BOOKS TOO MUCH Allison Bartlett
Review of ARIEL RESTORED by Sylvia Plath

You can read more details about this ebook in my Amazon Shoppe at http://astore.amazon.com/writersedge0a-20/detail/B005FYO4OO. The sale/freebie runs from midnight Friday to midnight Sunday, so get 'em while they're there!

Judy Reeves' perennial San Diego seller, A Writer's Book of Days is the "10th anniversary edition" newly revised and up-to-date.  The subtitle is:  A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life. It is neither a calendar nor a book on how to write, but a joyful collection about writers and writing.  It's more inspiration than mechanics; easy reading for beginners, good reminders for working writers and fun for published veterans to dip into.

The publisher, The New World Library, kindly provided an article on Creativity by Reeves for my website, A Writer's Edge.

I have no doubt that beginning writers who follow the plan in this great guide will achieve success much sooner than those who merely piddle around, playing at being a writer. And those of us with years of successes behind us can find more to learn from this book.

Long's guidance offers a systematic plan, a set of activities that fit into a larger whole, from learning language to dealing with success. It differs, however, in that she has all types of writers in mind — not just novelists — and all types of writing from poetry and flash fiction through essays, magazine articles to full-length books of nonfiction as well as novels. That is refreshing to find in a field dominated by a focus on novels.

She outlines how to use practice writing to improve craft skills and how to translate learnings into earnings. That grabs the attention of any journalist or freelance writer. It holds, too, through descriptions of keeping word lists, writing observations and descriptions for future use (maybe in novels or short stories) and trying out ideas in different structures. Long, a long-time writing teacher, integrates the "practice" with ongoing efforts to produce works for submission, stating

We do our assignment (and do get our practice). Then we go on to revise the piece, send it out, and ultimately see it published.

Daily writing practice is what Long advocates, and she does mean every single day. The variety of exercises she incorporates into the plan encompass writers' notebooks and timed writings as well as lists of sentences, objects, observations and a personal lexicon (a list of words to learn and use).

Richard S. Wheeler, winner of the Owen Wister Award for lifetime achievement in the literature of the West said, "I've waited three decades for someone to write a great novel about Montana's Vigilante era (1863-1864), and here it is." The noted author of westerns was talking about God's Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana. It won the 2009 Spur Award for Best First Novel from the Western Writers of America for author Carol Buchanan.

Hold onto your Stetsons, though, because this is a self-published novel. Unlike many (most?) books in that category, God's Thunderbolt has already passed the author's break-even point and is well into the territory of financial success.

With that sort of accolade, it is no surprise that Montana fans (not the Hannah Montana variety), lovers of Western lore, and readers who like the gold rush and Civil War era will enjoy this historic novel. Buchanan meticulously researched the story of Montana's Vigilantes and turned the nuggets she mined into the tale of Alder Gulch. While residents wrestle with Western settlement issues, the far-off Civil War also makes an impact on their lives. Throughout the novel of suspense and intrigue, a love story emerges that builds to a dramatic conclusion.

What was surprising was that a self-published book would win a prestigious national award. Past Spur winners include  Larry McMurtry for Lonesome Dove, Michael Blake for Dances With Wolves, Glendon Swarthout for The Shootist, and Tony Hillerman for Skinwalker. Spur Awards are not restricted to association members only. The honors have been awarded annually since 1953 for distinguished writing about the American West.

After astounding success with her first self-published novel, Buchanan has a second novel out, following the doin's of the folks in Alder Gulch. With Gold Under Ice, however she didn't have to do nearly so much work because it was published by the Missouri Breaks Press. She's a double, no, triple winner.

First posted 2009

Another useful handbook in Alpha's "The Complete Idiot's Guide to" series came out recently. Although it is geared for business writers, this book is invaluable for any type of nonfiction book preparations.

The information is presented in a clear and interesting format that includes call-out boxes with special tips, bullet lists recapping each chapter and references to many other resource books for writers. The author has mined his many years of experience as a writer, agent and book producer to give readers necessary insights to the book publishing industry.

From ensuring a market for your book before you start writing to marketing the book after it's published, Holtje includes vital information on shaping your idea and working it into a book proposal, finding an agent and what to expect at every step of the process of getting your book published. This is a must-have for any nonfiction writer who intends to write books.

This is not exactly a review, more of a mention of another reference for writers interested in writing book reviews and how the publishing industry works. Don't think reviews don't play a major role in book sales, so it is also good for writers, especially self-publishers, to learn how to treat reviewers, as THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING reveals.

You might wonder why someone who has reviewed books for years would want a book on reviewing. Well ... I am tired of trying to understand how to do it like the big girls in the New York Times Book Reviews. Some of the information in this little tome by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards did surprise me. For example, that I already must be a Big Time reviewer and simultaneously an amateur, but then, I'm also a blogger, so they cut me some slack.

No, seriously, I did learn quite a bit about constructing a review and enjoyed all the rest: controversies (who knew?), starting a web site, lists of outlets for both print and online reviews. I could have done without the judgmental attitude but hey, it's their book, just like this is my blog and I'll review their book as I wish. They should just be happy I didn't call them on the gross grammar mistakes involving singular subjects and plural personal pronouns and use quotations from the book to illustrate my point, as they instruct.

I will, however, quote from recent editions of the book's description:

Are you passionate about books? Do you have the desire to share your thoughts about a book with readers, yet are unsure about what makes a good review? Are you curious about the influence reviews have on readers, booksellers, and librarians?

If you're an experienced reviewer, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing will serve as an excellent reference tool and amalgam of resources. If you're a beginner, this book will show you how to write a well-written, honest, objective and professional book review. It will also teach you:
How to read critically.
How to differentiate the various types of reviews.
How to rate books.
How to prevent amateurish mistakes.
How to deal with the ethics and legalities of reviewing.
How to tell the difference between a review, a book report, and a critique.
How to start your own review site.
How to publish your reviews on dozens of sites and even make money while you're at it, and much more.

If you're an author, publisher, publicist, bookseller, librarian, or reader, this book will also bring to light the importance and influence of book reviews within a wider spectrum.

Sad to say, the next book in my stack to be reviewed is an ARC with a stern notice to not quote from it. Right there, I'm going to violate the steps Edwards and Calvani lay out for writing a decent review and respect the author's and publisher's wishes

Write That Book Already! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now is not about writing or how to write or even how to write a novel-length manuscript. The writing part occupies only the first 47 pages, more meta-writing than writing itself. It covers aspects like getting started, organizing yourself, managing time, and segues into building a platform as early as Chapter Two. This may be annoying at first, but beginning in Chapter Four, it settles down into a more logical progression.

This writers' advice book provides details and insights into the activities necessary to get a book published — like writing a proposal and a query letter to first attract an agent. Other helpful sections include how to work well with your publisher's editor, marketing and publicity. This assumes your agent sells the manuscript, of course.

The authors, Sam Barry and Kathi Kamen Goldmark come with heavy-hitting credentials as well as industrial-strength advice for those wondering how others get their books published. Barry is a marketing and promotions manager at HarperOne and the author of a nonfiction book. Goldmark has worked on publicity campaigns for many major publishers in this country. She is the author of a novel and coauthor or contributor to many other books. She also produces the radio program, West Coast Live. Together they write the Author Enablers blog at the Book Page website.

Not only are the authors experts, they persuaded some of the top writers in the country to contribute their insights, recommendations, and advice.  Wouldn't you like to know, for example, what other helpful writing books famous authors like Anne Lamott, Amy Tan, and Norman Mailer have suggested? How about a glossary of publishing terms from Acetate to Widow to make you sound in the know? These and more features will put you on the right path to writing and publishing success.

A compilation of posts that appeared a few years ago.

A book reviewer's productions are fraught with digital potholes in the Internet age. Sometimes, this is how it goes. A few days ago I mentioned a book in a post and then created a full review which went through the vet et edit process at BlogCritics.org.

Teasers for my review of MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE appeared on several pages of BlogCritics, as well as the full review on the archive page. Buy.com picked up the review, and displayed it at http://www.buy.com/articles/loc/63267/channeltype/3/channelid/120/subtype/2/101576.html - a dead end these days. Sigh. They seem to only sell books now.

When I had searched for any other websites which might have opted to run the review, so I could notify Putnam, the publisher that sent me the book, I came across the following from http://www.nytimes.com/ref/books/blog-powell.html:

Following are Blog references to "Julie and Julia," by Julie Powell:
...

Blog: Writer's Edge
By Georganna Hancock
Date: August 12
Text: My apologies if recent posts that direct readers to N.Y. Times articles lead to dead ends for you. Apparently they've reverted to demanding payment instead of just the annoying registration scheme.
READ MORE

Apparently on August 12, 2005, I mentioned the blog-to-book Julie & Julia by Julie Powell, and the site grabbed the post. Sadly, the link "READ MORE" is malformed and though I mentioned it to them, the malformation has not been corrected to this day. The right page is http://www.writers-edge.info/2005/08/blog-bestsellers.htm. My paranoid side suggests they deliberately mangled the link because I had earlier criticized Times' policy. The links to the other blogs worked.

*shrugs*

My apologies for the dead "READ MORE" in the quotation from a N.Y. Times article. Apparently they had reverted to demanding payment instead of just the annoying registration scheme. Fortunately, I thought, material from the Book Standard was still available. That's the site where I read the intriguing Blogs and Bestsellers: One and the Same?. Whoops! Another dead link with a message displayed by Nielsen, the book sales data people. No matter, here's what the old Book Standard people wrote:

If anyone is sure to have a real blog-to-print success story, it may be Julie Powell with Julie & Julia. After blogging daily about her year-long attempt to cook every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Powell attracted media attention and, ultimately, landed her book deal with Little, Brown.

At least my name appears in the New York Times, and it's probably the only time it ever will! It's just too bad the link to the full post about a bestseller works NO MORE. Reviews aren't always forever in the cyberworld. If your book gets one, be sure to save a copy of the entire web page and note the Internet address of the original appearance.

When I saw Jason Kottke's post on new rules for reviewing, I thought FTC. No. He has noticed something I thought was my personal problem: reviewing based on the quality of the media product. If the TOC in an ebook isn't linked to the chapter titles, the book falls in my estimation. If I find too many typos or outright errors in the printing--or any of a dozen other irritations--I may pan the product.

Kottke's point is that we are more often turning a blind eye and ear to the content. It's all about format. I disagree with him, though, that purchasers pay no attention to, say, the story and buy a format. If you have a Kindle, do you buy books just because they are in the Kindle Store? It's not like climbing a mountain just because it's there. She who dies with the most books on her Fire does not win.

That reader may well be a friend of mine who laughs about the number of books on her Kindle. And they aren't the free ones, either. She can afford to buy whatever she wants, but her paper purchases from Amazon have drastically shrunk since she bought her Kindle.

If I focus on the quality of the product, it's because I didn't find glaring errors in the content or the story didn't disappoint. I'm reading a hard cover of short stories right now. The book is nice, the cover attractive. The heft and feel of the product is pleasant. The stories suck. I thought the same about this author's last novel. She writes depressing tales of disillusionment and despair that simply peter out. Very European, but she's American. I'm glad to reach the end, emotionally exhausted from waiting for something good to happen.

However, rather than waste my time and the readers', I probably will skip reviewing this book I didn't want to receive in the first place. Why give more publicity to something just to tell you not to bother buying it? I'd rather tell you not to bother buying this particular format of a useful or pleasing book. Just because my reviews appear mostly in "new media" (in digital format) doesn't mean I'm not a "traditional" reviewer, either. I'd say or do the same if my reviews appeared in print.

Now, let's turn this around to the writer's perspective, especially self-publishers. Would you as the author want to turn off reviewers with a poor product? Ebook readers most often complain that the books they buy are poorly edited, full of typos and grammar errors. I'm thinking, "for ninety-nine cents, what did you expect?"