One Month Report

[SCENE III – EXTERIOR – The English Writer’s Camp]

WESTMORELAND

Oh, Rob, that we now had here but ten thousand copies

Of those books that do no work on Amazon’s shelves! 

That we had a hundred-thousand readers and all wrote five-star reviews!

ROBROY

What he that wishes it so? Not I, cousin.

If we are mark’d to read, we do our authors credit.

But if to review early?  The fewer followers the greater share of bragging rights!

God’s will, I pray not one fan more.

Not one who will bear falsehood, saying, “I knew him when . . .”

Then we raped the horses, and rode out on the women!

This day is call’d the Feast of Marrin.

It is one month since my book, Tears of Heaven released into the cold, apathetic world. 

And he or she that reads my book this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named.

He or she will strip Kindle or Nook and show the title,

And say, “To-morrow is Saint Marrin’s day.”

We few, we happy few, we band of readers;
For he today that turns pages with me
Shall be my fellow reader, be he ever so wise, cunning, smart and good looking.
Gentlemen and ladies now abed without my book,

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their Geek Cred cheap whilst any speaks

That reads with us upon Saint Marrin’s day!

 ANALYSIS

It’s officially one month (and a couple of days) since my first published book, Tears of Heaven, was released to an unsuspecting and largely unmoved public.

Crazy Train - WINNING!

What a crazy ride!

I got an editor (hi Shawn!).  I had a release, and sent out advanced copies.  I’ve had reviews.  I’ve sold books to strangers.

I actually have some statistics to share which are exciting!

Last month, I sold 13 copies of my book.  Thirteen is usually considered an unlucky number, which is why I went ahead and sold two more copies at the beginning of this month.  That averages to selling about a book over two to three or so days.  Not bad, considering my goal is to sell 200 copies this year.

I’ve had 19 reviews of my work, all of them four or five stars.  Some of them were NOT from friends and family, which made me feel like a really-real author who had talent and stuff.  My goal is to get 30 reviews on Amazon, at which point the site starts to show your work to other would-be readers.

Finally, my book has been reviewed by a couple of bloggers who know from books.  I’ve received pretty good praise for my efforts, which, again, has made me feel like a writer with some measure of talent.

Here’s to 2014!