My Day on Pixel of Ink

Yesterday was my day on Pixel of Ink - and it was amazing.

I've been on Kindle Boards for most of the year now and I'd heard a lot about Pixel of Ink. A LOT. So I went to the website and saw she was closed to submissions, but that she'd reopen in April. I checked every day for a solid reopening date and once it was posted I marked it on my calendar. Then I submitted, I paid the $119 fee, and was given my date: May 10, 2011.

Three weeks seemed like forever, but it came faster than I thought. Unfortunately the universe conspired against me yesterday. My DSL went out - kaput. I desperately checked my sales as much as I could on my iPhone, but it was an inadequate substitute. Emails from friends poured in, congratulating me on my rankings. I felt like everyone was having a party and I was stuck in traffic. I even spent a decent amount of time on the phone with my dad teaching him how to take a screenshot of my rankings - this was the best comic relief of the day.

What had I expected with a POI ad? I didn't have specific goals. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best - and my results were far beyond my hopes.

I sold 111 ebooks yesterday (108 Kindle, 3 Nook). That's more Kindle copies than I sold the entire month of April. My Facebook fan page increased by more than 30 fans. I was invited to participate in two HUGE blog giveaways (more info on that in coming days) and asked to present a session on self-publishing at a local SCBWI meeting.

Did I make back my $119 investment? No. Not yesterday, but if I can keep the momentum going, this ad could be my big break. Of course, that's yet to be determined, but I want to have positive thoughts.

One of the most satisfying results of this ad was my Kindle ranking. I hit three bestseller lists, nestling my book between the likes of Cassandra Clare and Ally Condie - two Big Six-publishing novels. Could a self-pubbed author ask for more? Well, yeah, I'd like to be #1, but I'm willing to be patient.

Anathema also ranked in the 700s of ALL Kindle books. That's crazy-awesome.

Now I just need to keep the momentum going. I wish there was a secret formula, but there isn't. I'll continue to work hard and hope that I hit it big.

April Sales Figures

So, all the indies post their sales numbers each month. Why should I be any different?

For April I didn't have any expectations other than to beat March's total of 157. There's no magic formula to increase sales. How can I force someone to buy my book? I can't, so I just do my best and hope the word spreads.

In April I decided to reduce Anathema's price to 99 cents. Sure, there was a part of me that hoped I'd magically start selling thousands of copies a day. Who doesn't want to buy something for 99 cents? I even started this crazy little Twitter campaign where I made posts like this:

#99cents won't erase stretch marks, but it will buy Anathema, a #YA #fantasy! http://amzn.to/etHCN2 #kindle #nook #ebook

I honestly don't know if those posts did anything other than make my friends giggle. Those tweets were obnoxious at times, I admit, but that's part of my personality.

Okay, I'll get to my totals:

Feb: 82
March: 157
April: 162
Total: 401

Some people have suggested maybe I shouldn't share my sales since they aren't astronomical. You know what? Last year all I heard was, "No" from agents. Well, this year I've heard, "YES!" from over 400 people.

I think that's awesome and I'll take it! ;)

Peace out!

Megg

Anathema Launch Contest!!!!!

You've got to be wondering, What's up with the jelly beans?

You know those contests where you have to guess how many jelly beans are in a jar? Well, in honor of my release of Anathema I'm going to let you guys guess how many copies I'll sell of my book through March 11th!!!! (Hint - I've already sold 50!)

The prizes are listed below - keep reading because you'll want to win this contest!!!


You have to earn your chances to guess the total I sell.

Here's how to earn guesses: (You can pick & choose, you DO NOT have to do all of them.)

• Buy a copy of Anathema (links to everywhere it's sold at the bottom of this post) - 2 guesses

(must prove by emailing me a pic of you with the book or with your e-reader on Chapter Ten of Anathema - your picture may end up on my blog!!!! I cannot guarantee how fast Amazon will ship your book. If the contest is nearly over and your copy hasn't arrived, drop me an email.)

• Already a follower on my FB fan page - 2 guesses

• New follower on my FB fan page - 1 guess

• Promote & link to this contest on your Facebook page - 1 guess

(if we're not FB friends, take a screenshot & email it to me or send me a friend request & tag me in the post)

• Promote this contest on Twitter with a link to the contest - 1 guess

(tag me, @meggjensen1, so I can see the tweet for verification)

• Blog about this contest with a link to the contest - 1 guess

(link to your post in your comment below)

No purchase is necessary to play. There are plenty of options above to play for free!

Add up your total and post a comment below, telling me how you earned your chances to guess & leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. Don't forget to guess how many copies you think I'll sell!!! You can enter as many times as you. Want to Tweet about this every day? No problem - just leave a new comment each time. I will be checking to make sure they are valid!!!

Comment example (for those of you new to this type of contest):
Bought Kindle copy = 2 guesses (sending you my pic!)
Already FB fan = 2 guesses
Promote on FB (we're friends & you can see it) = 1 guess
5 guesses = 0; 343; 29,845; 1,243,984; 1 billion
contact: (your email address here)


Family & friends are allowed to guess because let's face it, I have no clue how many books I'll sell by March 11th. It could be one (thanks, Mom!). It could be a million. No one has an advantage over anyone else!

So, I'm sure you're wondering, What will I win?

I'm glad you asked!!!


GRAND PRIZE
One (1) Barnes & Noble nook. $149 WiFi b&w ereader or one (1) $139 amazon.com WiFi only Kindle - YOUR CHOICE!!!! And a free e-copy of Anathema!
(If you already own an e-reader, you can opt for one (1) $150 gift card to Barnes & Noble or amazon.com)
(International winners will receive an international amazon.com e-gift card equivalent to $150 U.S.)

First Runner-Up
$25 Barnes & Noble or amazon.com gift card and a free copy of Anathema (an e-copy or a signed paperback, your choice)


Second Runner-Up
DarkSide Publishing gift pack: a free copy of both Anathema and Into the Shadows by Karly Kirkpatrick (your choice of e-copies or signed paperbacks)

If no one hits the number on the nose, the closest person will win. In the event of a tie, I will let my daughter choose names out of a hat.


Ready? Set! GO!

(links in case you want to purchase Anathema)
Buy Anathema on Barnes&Noble - $2.99
Buy Anathema on Amazon.com, UK - £2.17
Buy Anathema on Amazon.com, ebook - $2.99
Buy Anathema on Amazon.com, paperback - $11.00 + s/h
Buy Anathema on Barnes&Noble, paperback - $11.00 + s/h 
Buy a signed & personalized paperback copy  of Anathema directly from Megg - $11.00 + shipping

Contest Ends: March 11th
Winner Announced: March 15th

Must be at least 18 years old to enter & win. Under 18? You need your parent's permission to claim the prize if you win.