Well, the sale for Dying Embers and Fertile Ground ended last night, so it's time to jot down the hard and fast numbers* for that. Residual sales may make these go up, but I don't expect much in the way of residuals off this.
Let's just say that while it did go, it did not go as well as I had hoped.
DE and FG were on sale from the 21st thru the 26th. 99 cents each. I sold 7.8 copies worth of DE and 4 copies worth of FG. (1.8 of DE sales were KU page reads.) Net gain was about $9.
I spent $41 on advertising. :shrug: That happens sometimes. And sometimes it doesn't. In September, I spent $28 on advertising and netted almost $90 - with another $60 so far in residual sales. Different genres, different times of the year, different strategies. I dunno.
This has been a low sales year overall. So, my expectations weren't all that high to begin with.
Anyway, I think DE is reaching a saturation point for the people I'm able to reach. Everyone in that sphere who'd want it has a copy. FG? Well, I can be pretty sure the idea of a book with a serial rapist scares the hell out of people, and there's really no way around that without giving away the whole plot shebang and constant reassurances that I wouldn't be graphic about that kind of thing. (Or maybe it is the reassurances that are turning people away... I dunno.)
Maybe when I put out the third SCIU book next year sales will go up for the other two. To that end, Early Grave will be the second book I put out next year. I have to edit it to a point where I can send it off the AWE (Awesome Wonderful Editor), and she has to finish editing what I have with her now. So, we'll probably start her on that in February with a potential release date in May or something.
Until then, I'll keep plugging along, advertising as the fundage allows. I didn't get a bonza return on my investment this time, but I still believe it's worth it.
*As always, your mileage may vary.
Sales have been way down this year for all the self-pubs, unless they have huge followings. I feel it too. I haven't advertised. I might once I get another book out. I don't bother with the Penumbra books. They have a very small following and those folks all follow me on various social media outlets and know anyway. I really should be a better marketer but it just isn't part of my DNA. :/ I'd hire someone but I don't have the $$ for that either at the moment. Ah well. Hopefully next year will be more profitable.
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