So far the book is doing very well in the Amazon store, having sold over 500 copies!  This probably doesn’t sound like much (it’s not exactly a bestseller candidate!), but what it means for me is that the book turned a profit within its first month of release, which is something many books can’t claim.  It has been selling much better than I was expecting, especially because at this stage, sales aren’t important to me.

What do you mean sales aren’t important?

I’m glad you asked – sales are obviously important to any author, indie or traditional, but I’m building my writing business in stages.  Right now, the biggest enemy is obscurity, which is why I am giving away free copies of the book to mailing list subscribers.  In short, I need readers!

And on that note, with a humble hat in my hand and a palm against my face, I have to admit something: I made a huge mistake.

My Huge Mistake

I had everything all figured out – my author bio, book description, awesome cover, professionally edited content – except I forgot one thing.  People who have already purchased my book have no use for a free copy of the book they just purchased.  I feel like a complete moron for keeping my mailing list freebie exactly the same after the launch.  How many people probably came to my site thinking they’d like to join the mailing list only to see that they could have gotten the book they just bought for free?  If anyone reading this post is in that boat, I apologize.  You deserve better, and I should have been more thoughtful.  Join the list anyway, though, because I have an even better bonus freebie on the way, a piece of exclusive content you won’t be able to buy anywhere.

The New Mailing List Bonus

You’re probably wondering what that new free gift is that I just teased.  Suffice to say, it is related to “A Test of Honor” but isn’t part of the book.  It’s something that’s a bit above and beyond what most people would expect from an indie author like myself, but you subscribers are worth it.  If you’re already on the mailing list, then don’t worry – you’ll get access to this new free gift as well, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Progress Report

In the meantime, here’s what’s happening in my world right now.  I’m ten chapters into the rough draft for Aidan’s War Book 2, which will be called “The People’s Champion.”  It begins about a year after the beginning of “A Test of Honor.”  I hope to have it finished completely by the end of October, and that’s really all I feel comfortable revealing about it at this point.