Facebook Ads August 1, 2025
As an independent author without a major marketing team behind me, I don’t sell many books. I knew that going in, and I knew I’d need to market myself if I wanted any kind of meaningful sales. I decided to test the waters with Facebook ads. It’s easy to do, easy to track engagement, and I chose a week where my eBooks were free. FREE!
The first ad highlighted both books. I included the one-line teaser, and the appropriate links—basically, idiot proof. The second ad was strictly for The Shores of Utopia. Naturally, I was excited when the messages began rolling in. After a few conversations with a couple of folks, I soon realized I was speaking with bots designed to steer me to their business. Some may have been people, but all of them weren’t interested in reading. I appreciated the hustle, but I’m not interested in paying for reviews, or book trailers (yet), or having someone design a strategy for me. Just about every message was a pitch to spend money on them. Zero readers.
I declined all offers; I will never pay for reviews, but I still discovered 5-star reviews had magically appeared on Goodreads—almost immediately. If you go to Goodreads and read the reviews, you’ll find that it’s obvious they’re all generalized bullshit praises from people (or AI) that haven’t read the book. There were more reviews as there were books sold. This was disappointing on multiple levels. AI is destroying business as well as art, especially for the consumer.
At one point, I’ll send my books to I woman I follow online. She reviews books for independent authors purely out of her love of reading. I know she’s ethical, and I’ll be risking a poor review if she doesn’t like it. (I also adore her silly little skits.) When I grow a set, I’ll mail them to her.
Okie dokie, artichokies, here are the numbers. The ads cost around $175. I sold 16 books. Even if the books sold at full price, I wouldn’t come close to recouping. If people love my books, the word will eventually get out. If not, well, I’m still going to write until I drop.
Free Stuff July 14, 2025
I’m in the process of buying a new home, but I’m not too busy to let you know that there are two weeks left of my 100% off sale. THE SHORES OF UTOPIA, and THE UTOPIAN ARENA are both free on Smashwords for the entire month of July.
The Shores of Utopia – The Utopian Arena
More Free eBooks February 28, 2025
From March 2, to March 8, Smashwords is again hosting another Crazy-Eddie type sale, (minus the slew of fraud crimes.) I’ve set the price to FREE. I’ve given away almost as many books than I’ve sold. As long as you guys are reading them, I’m happy.
The Shores of Utopia – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1433115
The Utopian Arena – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1632151
If you miss the sale, the ebooks go back to $2.99, which is still a bargan. If you prefer a physical book to hold in your hand, I’ve reduced the price 20%. All books are $19.99, which pretty much covers the cost of printing them out.
Free Digital Copy December 27, 2024
Did you get an eReader for Christmas? Do you want to load it up with some books?
The Utopian Arena is available for FREE on Smashwords until the end of the year. Intelligent folks read, and savvy readers take advantage of sales when presented with one. It’s on, but you have only a few days left.
Have a link >> https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1632151
You Never Know November 22, 2024
As I’d stated in my acknowledgements section of The Shores of Utopia, writers put months or years into their work, simply for the sheer love of writing, and not for financial gain. 99% of books sell under 1000 copies, and 95%, such as mine, sell under 100. That puts my hourly wage at fractions of a penny. We write because we are all insane. (My insanity is not news if you know me.) We write out of love and with passion, regardless of genre.
Aside from total numbers sold, we also get reports on where the books are sold. For instance, four copies of my first book sold in Germany. That was a shock. Also, the very first sale of my second book sold in Great Britain. Because of the 5 hour time difference, it sold in October, before the official November 1 release. My disturbed thinking is contaminating the minds of people globally. Who says one voice can’t have an impact?
The Utopian Arena October 16, 2024
The Shores of Utopia didn’t leave off with any loose ends, but readers wanted to know what happened to Cathryn, or Michael and Denise. They were curious about the Entity, and one reader wanted more about life on the Colony. Well, lucky for them, the story continues with my new novel, The Utopian Arena.
Meet Thomas Finn, a power hungry narcissist that’s envious of Professor Pryce because of his many accomplishments, and he’s overshadowed by Chief Allison Lee, who he feels stole his position through her connections. Chief Lee suffers a personal loss, and he uses that to orchestrate a political maneuver that lands him as the World Council Chief. Unfortunately, that gives him possession of the time traveling device. What could be more dangerous than a vindictive time traveler?
Michael and Denise, who finally adjust to their new utopian society, face their own heartbreaking tragedy when a criminal gang attacks their family. Michael is forced to resort to primitive 21st century methods of retaliation. WARNING: His response is not for the squeamish.
We get to see what life is like aboard the luxurious Colony, the massive spacecraft on the way to the new planet. We learn a little about the indigenous lifeforms on Jade, and we question whether humans should be there at all.
I truly hope you enjoy the latest chapter in the Utopia Saga. As always, let me know what you think; I always appreciate honest rapport with my readers. Shoot me an email at charlesrice361@gmail.com if the mood strikes. Both the print books and digital downloads will be available on November 1. You can pre-order either version now. I’ll have links for you soon. Thanks.
Smashwords Party! February 19, 2024
As you can probably guess, authors spend years creating their work, spend thousands on editing, artwork, website design, marketing and other promotional items/activities. At the end of the day, many sell only a few hundred copies, and that’s if they’re lucky. NO ONE writes to become wealthy or famous. We just want to share our stories to the world.
Smashwords understands this, and they throw these little parties to help authors get their stuff read. From March 3 to March 9, you can get a digital version of my novel for FREE. If you haven’t yet read my book and are considering picking it up, there’s no better time—and no better price!
Here’s the link. The Shores of Utopia
Cover Reveal January 1, 2024
The first cover originally was a temporary mock up that somehow made its way to the printer. By somehow, I mean I messed up. This is the proper cover of the print version. The digital version is a little different. Anyone purchasing the book in 2024 and beyond will have the updated cover.
Also corrected were a couple of typos that managed to sneak their way onto the page. Hey, it’s a learning process. Because I can, I added some dialogue here and there. That’s it – this is the final product!
The Official teaser for Shores:
Cathryn Delaney is an operative from the twenty-eighth century. She accepts an assignment to go back in time to twenty-first century New York City to collect data for a possible first-contact event. The assignment should’ve gone smoothly for the well-trained historian, but her foreknowledge of certain terrorist-related incidents arouses the suspicion of a relentless FBI agent, Vivian Wu.
To further complicate matters, Cathryn has fallen in love with her neighbor—something a time traveler must never do. With an atomic detonation looming, Cathryn races to avoid Agent Wu’s crosshairs and escape on time.
Happy New Year Everybody! That’s it for now. Happy reading.