SFFS: An Eighth Snippet From Escape

Welcome back, everyone! For those who haven't kept up with my latest releases in the past several months, Escape is a brand new novella I have out (a collaboration with Lyndon Perry), the first in a young adult steampunk alternate history series. In fact, I posted up the first except just last week. It's been a while since I've written anything outside of the Aston universe, so I'm excited to see how my fans react to this new title. And now that it's finally out over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can pick it up today (of course, you can also get a paperback too). Be sure to check out all of the wonderful authors on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blogroll. And now, here's a snippet from Escape:

Slipping it onto my lap face-down, too nervous to look at it, I mumbled, “Thank you, Mrs. Tittlesworth.” She harrumphed and moved away.

The others just waited in silence and I caught Sadie’s eye. She gave me one of her looks. I sighed and glanced down, turning the letter over. Mouth wide, I nearly gasped. The letter was from my father!

I held it there as if opening it would bring about the end times they always taught us about in the Sunday services. Looking at the postmark, I saw it had been stamped nearly five years ago. I wanted to ask our headmistress why she’d waited so long to present this, but knew better than to cross her so soon after she’d offered me this gift.

Not to worry, I do plan on coming back to post another snippet from this one next week. But why wait? Pick up a copy of Escape using the links above!

SFFS: A Seventh Snippet From Escape

Welcome back, everyone! For those who haven't kept up with my latest releases in the past several months, Escape is a brand new novella I have out (a collaboration with Lyndon Perry), the first in a young adult steampunk alternate history series. In fact, I posted up the first except just last week. It's been a while since I've written anything outside of the Aston universe, so I'm excited to see how my fans react to this new title. And now that it's finally out over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can pick it up today (of course, you can also get a paperback too). Be sure to check out all of the wonderful authors on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blogroll. And now, here's a snippet from Escape:

I set my fork down, cleared my throat, and raised my hand. Mrs. Tittlesworth saw me but took a tour of the dining commons before coming up behind my chair. The other children stopped eating and tracked the headmistress’s every move.

“Yes, Mr. McCannor?”

I swallowed nervously. “If I may, ma’am, can I have my letter now? I...I would be truly grateful.”

“Hmm.” She frowned. Without fanfare, and to my great relief, she pulled out the envelope and gave it to me.

Not to worry, I do plan on coming back to post another snippet from this one next week. But why wait? Pick up a copy of Escape using the links above!

Some E-Book Sales Statistics

So, I was putting together some figures the other day for tallying up a "total e-book sales" number (because it was being asked for). And as I'm big on stats as it is, I decided I'd post a few. Since we've only been through three full months this year, I'm ignoring my 2014 sales.

Heroes Die Young was released in 2008.

Friends in Deed and Seeker were both released in 2010.
Dead or Alive, The Cure, and my first Triple-Shot (Dead Man's Forge) were all released in 2011.
Death Brings Victory and my second Triple-Shot (Temptation) were released in 2012.
My third Triple-Shot (Downtrodden) was released in 2013.

Total sales across all of my titles (again, only through 2013) is 645 since Heroes Die Young was released. A rather piddly sum, I know, but that's life. All of that in mind, I've had the following sales per title per year (for convenience, I've also included total sales per year.

	HDY	FID	DBV	DOA
2008	95
2009	33
2010	9	28
2011	27	15		13
2012	50	22	35	47
2013	14	5	13	2

	DMF	TEMPT	DT	Seeker	Cure
2008
2009
2010				10
2011	6			38	15
2012	22	8		27	42
2013	16	15	10	13	15

	Total
2008	95
2009	33
2010	47
2011	114
2012	253
2013	103

So, I hesitate to start making conclusions based on these stats, since it's been proven over and over that sometimes blind luck can cause sales. And looking through the numbers, there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to sales leading to more sales (of later books in the series, etc.). However, even with all of that in mind, at least one thing seems to stick out.

Generating new material for publication can generally help sales. I had three releases in 2011, and saw a marked increase. I followed that up with two more releases in 2012. With those five new titles, my sales in 2012 were five times higher than in 2010. Granted, in  2013, I had no major releases (other than the third Triple-Shot), so my sales dropped off last year. So, not only is it necessary to continue to produce new material, but it's also important to continue to do so on a regular pace. This is something I struggle with, myself, and need to work on. Hopefully this can help motivate me...

SFFS: A Fifth Snippet From Escape

Welcome back, everyone! For those who haven't kept up with my latest releases in the past several months, Escape is a brand new novella I have out (a collaboration with Lyndon Perry), the first in a young adult steampunk alternate history series. In fact, I posted up the first except just last week. It's been a while since I've written anything outside of the Aston universe, so I'm excited to see how my fans react to this new title. And now that it's finally out over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can pick it up today (of course, you can also get a paperback too). Be sure to check out all of the wonderful authors on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blogroll. And now, here's a snippet from Escape:

Twenty pairs of eyes were locked on the paper as she waved it back and forth. She stuffed it back into her apron and wiped her hands. “What are you all doing gawking like street urchins at a candy shop window? Bow your heads!” One of the church volunteers offered a brief prayer while most of us fidgeted in our seats.

After the ‘amen’ we all dug in. Well, except for me. I was too preoccupied with that letter! I caught Sadie’s eye from across the room and she gave me an encouraging nod.

Not to worry, I do plan on coming back to post another snippet from this one next week. But why wait? Pick up a copy of Escape using the links above!

Weekly Goals - April 9, 2014

Trying to get back into a rhythm...we'll see how it goes. I've also taken over administrative duties for the  SFFS blog (which I've been posting to for some time), because I'm a glutton for punishment. Here's the latest recap on the writing side:

 

1. Write 1,300 words on Resurrection - Nothing completed
2. Write 1,000 words on the new short story - About 500 words completed.

 

Progress toward my monthly goals for April:

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words) - 500 words completed.
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards" - Not started.
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection - Not started.

 

Now for this week's goals:

1. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards"

2. Write 1,000 words on "Reciprocity"

Next week, I'll recap my weekly goals and report my results.

SFFS: A Fourth Snippet From Escape

Welcome back, everyone! For those who haven't kept up with my latest releases in the past several months, Escape is a brand new novella I have out (a collaboration with Lyndon Perry), the first in a young adult steampunk alternate history series. In fact, I posted up the first except just last week. It's been a while since I've written anything outside of the Aston universe, so I'm excited to see how my fans react to this new title. And now that it's finally out over at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, you can pick it up today (of course, you can also get a paperback too). Be sure to check out all of the wonderful authors on the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday blogroll. I've skipped ahead a bit, and the boys have joined the girls in the orphanage's dining area. And now, here's a snippet from Escape:

“Abraham,” called the headmistress, “you’re late. That’s one demerit for you and kitchen duty for the boys.”

We found our places in silence as Abe scowled at us, looking for someone to blame. His eyes narrowed when he focused on me. “Max McCannor held us up, Mrs. Tittlesworth.”

“Oh?” she said, eyebrows arched. “How unfortunate. I may have to hold on to this letter for another week.” The headmistress produced an envelope from her apron pocket and held it above the gathered crowd, taunting me with all the malice I’d expected from her.

Not to worry, I do plan on coming back to post another snippet from this one next week. But why wait? Pick up a copy of Escape using the links above!

Monthly Goals - April 2014

Sorry for the  lack of weekly updates. The past couple of weeks have been a bit rough on the personal side. Things should slowly get back to normal soon...

For those who missed it back in January, I set up the writing goals I aim to accomplish in 2014. Right after writing that post, I then read Dean Wesley Smith's post about how to be successful at your writing goals.

One of those suggestions was to report in to someone, whether you miss your goals or accomplish them. So, I to report it to you, my loyal fans, bringing back my old habit of weekly goal-setting and reporting. In addition, I've decided that a set of monthly goals would also be good to do (since they'd end up being more "grand scheme" and would be easier to tie into the annual goals).

So, another month has gone by, and it's time to recap my results from my March goals.

1. Publish the print version of Seeker - Completed.
2. Complete the first draft of a new short story (estimated 2,000 words) - Title and plot completed
3. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards" - Not Completed
4. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection - 1700 words completed

Sadly, I hardly accomplished anything this month. Hopefully April is better.

Here are my goals for April:

1. Complete the first draft of "Reciprocity" (the new short story, estimated 2,000 words)
2. Edit the final version of "Just Rewards"
3. Write 3,000 words on Resurrection

As always, I'll report my final results on the first of next month. In the meantime, check out my weekly goals postings to see how I'm progressing.

Here's to everyone striving to accomplish their writing goals for 2014!