A time to reflect...

This year has been really interesting as far as book sales go. I did not know whether the complete trilogy would be a success or not, and had no way of knowing whether I would actually sell any books.

A few factors helped me along the way...

Being featured in the Gibraltar magazine in January & February meant a lot of downloads of Hybrid (especially in the UK), which resulted in sales of Complications & Return. The sales continued (to my surprise) and I was lucky enough to be featured on FREEBOOKSY recently, which again saw Hybrid downloads rocket (this time in the US)!

To have to be known you have to be seen...

Over the past few weeks, as downloads started to slump again on Amazon, I downloaded a new cover. I thought this might help. Unfortunately, it hasn't and my downloads have got worse. So, I have decided to revert to the original cover. It doesn't really matter since I am learning new tricks all the time, and I hope that I can use my new knowledge of making covers for other books.

As an indie writer, you have to be prepared to evolve and learn as you go.

In time, I might believe in myself enough to pay for a cover designer, editor, proofreader, etc. For now, I have been lucky enough to have brilliant friends who could help me with these jobs and I owe them a lot (they all got a signed copy at least!)

I have failed to mention or discuss sales on smashwords, iBooks, and Barnes & Noble. The reason for this is that they barely happened, BUT... smashwords have recently introduced a feature that allows you to see sales/ downloads on a daily basis (as you can via amazon KDP) and to my shock I am selling books regularly, especially via iBooks - WOW! So, I guess when it comes to smashwords... time will tell! A free book is a great way to get new readers.

ANYWAY... what I mainly wanted to say was ***THANK YOU*** especially to all new readers who give my trilogy a go. I know not everyone likes my books (I have had low ratings - knew it would happen...), but I am apparently connecting with a few of you.

I have to look at the bright side! For a while, I was selling at least a book a day, which was shocking at first... The strange thing is that when you make no sales, any sale is heavenly. When you make them regularly and they seem to stop you miss them more!

All I ask is that if you do read HYBRID and enjoy please make my day by leaving a review. I can only assume that the people who go on to buy the other books enjoy the trilogy, but I don't know since I rarely get reviews.

I know many authors are much more aggressive than me at getting reviews, but I guess my British nature dictates that I only ask those who I know have actually read it. I will never personally review a book I have not read.

Anyway, I will now update the pictures for Hybrid and see what happens.

As for my writing, it has been a real struggle recently. This blog is actually therapeutic! I find my time has been eradicated by family life, lack of motivation, migraines, dry eyes, etc... I guess I still need to recover from my lazer eye surgery operation since I find I can't stare at the computer for long periods of time.

I have started a prequel to the trilogy, but my main project is a historical fiction novel based on the life of my great, great, great grandparents. It is an exciting project, but extremely time-consuming since I have to do loads of research. Patience never was my strong point!

Well, to finish off (& try to get some writing done) I will remember the saying "Rome was not built in one day"... 

Have a great day & thanks for reading,

All the best,

Vanessa

HYBRID

I decided to have a play around to come up with an alternative cover for HYBRID, since I have a suspicion this is what lets it down on the FREE charts. Let's see if it makes a difference...

Some readers have mentioned that the existing cover tells them nothing about the story... so, what do you think?

(BITES NAILS... I have now changed it around 5 times!)

The paperback will have the original cover, since I do not sell or print many of these.

I would love some feedback...

Thanks so much (another 2 hours of my life gone by in a flash...)

All the best,

Vanessa

Read the first book of my trilogy for FREE today!

"A very original paranormal novel with great romance and a unique story-line..."
Christopher Fischer, TOP 500 REVIEWER

"When you first start getting into the story you automatically think Vampires, but as you discover more, Vampires is not the correct term for Steven's new family... It's well worth the read and as I got to the end I was frantically swiping my kindle screen looking for more as I wanted to know what happened next. I will definitely be reading the next book and would highly recommend it."
Orchard Book Club

"Not usually the kind of book I like to read, although I was a big fan of Anne Rice in my youth. The unexpected twist in the tale made for compulsive reading, literally forcing you to discover what happens next. This story had it all, brilliantly written, loads of interesting characters, mystery, romance with an unsettling undercurrent of tension. I cannot wait to read the rest of the trilogy!"
A Dawes

"I was not sure that this book was going to be my thing, but I couldn't put it down. I loved the characterisation and Vanessa's style of writing - these are 'unbelievable' characters made completely believable!"
Charlotte

"This is a captivating work that crackles and pops off the page with sparkling originality, wit, and insight into the larger themes of love and the human condition. Do yourself a favor and read it.
D. Byron

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