Take 3 – Answers to Your Questions

Today I’m answering more questions I received.

Question 1:  How do you get your books in the proprietary categories i.e. “One-Hour Romance Short Reads?” Do you email Amazon and request it? Use a keyword? Just plain lucky?

It is my understanding that the category “One Hour Romance Short Reads” is a category that Amazon puts you in.  It is a best sellers category so it’s not a category you can request.

Question 2:  Do you set monthly income goals?

No. I just try to do better than the month before.

Question 3:  Hope, how long are your books? Is 6k-7k words ok I publish weekly? Thank you!

In the beginning my books were around 5,000 words.  Now, I write anywhere between 10,000 and 12,000 per book.  Whatever length you want to write – and the book is a complete story – that’s what you should write.  Publishing weekly is great!

Question 4:  How did you get so good at writing romantic fiction?

First of all, thank you so much for this.  I still struggle with comparisons and “I’m really not that good” feelings all the time, so your very kind words mean a lot to me.
I would say the number one thing that has helped me, is being an avid reader.  I read all the time.  Isn’t it great that now instead of calling it ‘reading’ I call it ‘research’.  But I ‘research’ all the time.  I love reading a book and I take a mental note of all the different feelings that a book evokes.  When I write, I want to do the same for my readers. I am not always successful, but I really do try.   I want them to feel sad, happy, longing, satisfied, wanting, etc.  If you can do that, if you can make your readers “feel” what they’re reading, you will do fine.

Question 5:  Have you written fanfiction before?

No. I’ve never written fan fiction.

Question 6:  Do you recommend pre-orders and when do you suggest we start our own FB group? Thanks!

Pre Orders:  My brain doesn’t work that way.  As of now, anyway.  I create a cover and blurb after my book is finished.  Plus, I do such a rapid release, I have not organized myself to be able to do a pre order yet.  So, I’m not really able to give you any good advice on whether to do a pre order or not.  I have heard that now you get a bump on preorder release day, but again, I don’t know if that is true.  I would suggest testing it out to see if it works for you.

FB Group:  This is sort of a biggie.  My first inclination is that once you have x amount of subscribers to your email ( I think I had 400), you should do a group.  However, before you start one, I recommend that you make sure you are in it for the long haul!  Groups are a lot of work.  You are socializing with your readers and you want to make sure the group is active and involved.  If you are not able to do that on a continuous basis, I would recommend just using your email subscriber list as a way to connect with readers.

However, if you have the time and are willing to put in the effort, definitely do a group!  I have gotten to know so many of my readers and it has been AWESOME!  Have I mentioned I have wonderfully, supportive readers! 🙂  Really, it is a great way to connect.

Question 7:  I know you are working on a course on creating book covers.  But I need one now.  Any suggestions where I can get one?

I have two author friends that also create covers!  You should definitely check them out.  Here is a link to their Facebook Groups!  (Not an ad.  I get nothing for promoting them.  I just like their covers.)

Covers by Juliet – Sweet Romance Covers

Forever Love Covers and Designs – PNR, MC, Sweet, Steamy, Suspense

Ok, that’s all for today!  If you have any questions, please fill free to click HERE and I will be happy to help!