Indie Book Club discussion

Have you ever been to the Top Lists in your category at Amazon? For those of you who feel like the little guy doesn't stand a chance against the "Big 5" publishers, you should go check out what's making the lists. You'll be surprised!

In my eBook's category (Fantasy > Contemporary), in the Top 20 List, only 10 of the top 20 are held by big name publishers. The rest are all independent authors like us. (and somehow I'm still holding on to that #20 spot... but that's another thread entirely.) My point is -- those big-name publishers may seem like towering giants, but your audience knows what they like even if the Big 5 don't. So laugh at those rejection letters and proudly publish your book. Cheers and a round of applause to all our INDIE BOOK authors.

Charles wrote: "Have you ever been to the Top Lists in your category at Amazon? For those of you who feel like the little guy doesn't stand a chance against the "Big 5" publishers, you should go check out what's ..."

I know, it's pretty awesome! As far as my writing career goes, self-publishing was the best decision I ever made:-)

Amazon has two lists. Paid and free. When I first got Amazon to drop Bakkian Chronicles, Book I - The Prophecy to free, it went to #1 on the sci-fi list and #4 on fantasy. Right now it's holding about #40, so I can't complain.

In the UK, it's holding at #12 in sci-fi! :)

Just a couple of weeks ago my second book, Bakkian Chronicles, Book II - Insurrection, made it to #67 on the paid list!! Totally made my day!

Yeah, it is a huge ego boost! Take that Big Five publishers!!!

It can happen! With minimal marketing, both of my books made it into the Top 20 in paid epic fantasy on amazon US, and have only recently slipped out of the top 100 in the UK. Readers are realizing they don't need to spend $10 - $20 on a book from the big publishers to get a good read.

I'm going to print out this thread, grind it into little pieces, reduce it to an extract, and then consume it while muttering the incantation from Army of Darkness. All this in the hopes that I'll experience similar success. :)

Klaatu, Berata, Necktie... Now why didn't that work? :)

I love that movie! Your 2nd Hemlock is awesome! Try dropping the first to fre for a while and see how #2 does! I'm sure there are tons of prospective Merit fans out there!!

Go Merit!

I guess that makes my goal of top 1000 reviewer on Amazon seem a little easier. Not sure that it'll happen though lol.

Thanks Scott and Jeff! Jeff, I think I will try that after I complete the 90 days of Amazon Prime. I did have a free weekend w/ 6000 d/l's and sold well for about 3-4 weeks afterwards. I guess Amazon isn't penalizing the perpetually free titles. Scott, what helps you become a top 1000 reviewer? Do you need people to vote your reviews as helpful on Amazon? You could probably organize your fans to help out with that.
And Charles, congrats on your success, as well.

Thanks B. I can't believe the success my book is having right now. I'm #15 in paid eBooks for Contemporary Fantasy (third day in a row being in the top 20), which just blows my mind! I'm featured on the front page of Popular Kindle Books in Featured Categories. I look at that, then at my stack of rejection letters I got several years back, and it makes me smile a wicked, evil smile. Take that, Del Ray. Now if only SyFy would contact me about making a TV series...

B wrote: "Thanks Scott and Jeff! Jeff, I think I will try that after I complete the 90 days of Amazon Prime. I did have a free weekend w/ 6000 d/l's and sold well for about 3-4 weeks afterwards. I guess A..."

I'm not sure all of the aspects that go in to advancing the rank on Amazon. Number of helpful votes, percentage of helpful votes, and number of reviews are big parts of it I think.

B wrote: "I'm going to print out this thread, grind it into little pieces, reduce it to an extract, and then consume it while muttering the incantation from Army of Darkness. All this in the hopes that I'll..."

LOL! And how!

Jeff

Charles wrote: "Have you ever been to the Top Lists in your category at Amazon? For those of you who feel like the little guy doesn't stand a chance against the "Big 5" publishers, you should go check out what's ..."

IT is a good thing to keep in mind. Congrats Charles, and to everyone else experiencing great success.

Jeff