SFFMP 163: Successfully Launching as a New Author and Is Kindle Worlds Worth It?

Science fiction and superhero author, Jeffery H. Haskell, joined us this week to talk about his experiences with Kindle Scout, writing in two different Kindle Worlds, and launching his superhero series last summer as a relatively new author.

Here are some of the specifics of what we covered:

  • How Jeff honed his writing skills by ghostwriting on Upwork.
  • How his experience with Kindle Scout went (he published urban fantasy under a pen name).
  • Why he decided to try writing in a couple of different Kindle Worlds, including Lindsay’s Fallen Empire world.
  • Whether Kindle Worlds was useful in gaining readers that would check out his other work.
  • How his passion for comics led him to publish in the superhero genre.
  • How doing a monthly giveaway on Amazon, using their giveway program (scroll to the bottom of most books, and you can find the option to host a giveaway) helped him gather followers on Amazon, some of whom turned into buyers for his books. This turned out to be a very inexpensive form of advertising for him.
  • Why he went with a full-price book launch for his Book 1 and how he kept things rolling over the following months until Book 2 came out.
  • Whether a “publishing coach” is ever a good idea.
  • What we should be doing to maintain a lifelong writing career.
  • Suggestions for new authors starting out now.

You can visit Jeff on his website, where he’s happy to answer questions, and you can check out his first superhero novel, Arsenal, at Amazon.

If you’re in need of cover art, you can also check out Vivid Covers, which is run by Jeff’s wife, Rebekah.

 

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SFFMP 53: Jill Nojack Dishes on Kindle Scout (why to consider it and how to win)

On today’s show, we chatted with Jill NoJack, fantasy author and Kindle Scout winner. The first book in her Bad Tom paranormal romantic comedy series, The Familiar, was selected for a publishing deal with Amazon. We asked her all about the Kindle Scout program, who might want to consider trying out, and what’s in it for the authors who are selected by Amazon.

Jill talked about what it takes to be chosen (excellent copy-editing and a great cover for starters) and how Amazon promotes those books that are published through the program. Winners receive $1500 and a 50% royalty split, and the ebooks get marketed through Amazon, are sometimes eligible for Daily Deals, and sometimes get submitted to Bookbub on Amazon’s dollar. For a self-published author who has been struggling to gain traction, it can get a new series or stand-alone book off to a solid start. Jill did a thorough write-up of her experience on Steve Vernon’s blog.

For more on the program or to submit your book (make sure it’s publication-ready), visit Amazon’s Kindle Scout page.

Don’t forget to check out Jill’s winning book! You can also visit her on Facebook or get updates on her website.

 

 

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