Book Beat Babes

Book Beat Babes

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Sassy Texas Author, Jinx Schwartz, Shares Her KDP Select Experiences

Jinx Schwartz at her boat desk

Jinx Schwartz has written eight books, including five in the award-winning Hetta Coffey series. Hetta is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it!

Raised in the jungles of Haiti and Thailand, with returns to Texas in-between, Jinx followed her father's steel-toed footsteps into the Construction and Engineering industry in hopes of building dams. Finding all the good rivers taken, she traveled the world defacing other landscapes with mega-projects in Alaska, Japan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Like the protagonist in her series, Jinx was single, with a yacht, when she met her husband, Robert "Mad Dog: Schwartz. They opted to become cash-poor cruisers rather than continue chasing the rat, sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge, turned left, and headed for Mexico. They now divide their time between Arizona and Mexico's Sea of Cortez.

And now, Jinx Schwartz shares KDP Select with us:

Kindle Direct Publishing been berry, berry good to me by Jinx Schwartz     

Thanks for inviting me to participate in your new exciting blog. Since Book Beat Babes concentrates on tips, trends and secrets in books, publishing and promos, I'll share my KDP experience.

The title of my piece dates me, but many of us remember the Saturday Night Live skit with Garrett Morris as Chico Escuela, a baseball player from the Dominican Republic. Had it aired today, the catch phrase, "Beisbol been berry, berry, good to me," would probably go viral.

I share Chico's sentiment; Amazon's KDP program came along at a berry great time for me.

But first, here's a little timeline in my book career:
1. Wrote the Great American Novel, self-published it in hardback. Hint: Do not do this.
2. Okay, at least my GAN (The Texicans) was picked up by Books in Motion for Audio. Admittedly this was tantamount to winning the lottery, considering it was my first book AND self-published when the self-part was still a derogatory term.
3. Undaunted by dismal sales, I wrote more books and published them with iUniverse (when they were still relatively cheap): Sold a couple here and there.
4. Was picked up by a small publisher who re-pubbed all of my books, and some new ones. This publisher made money selling ME books, which I did my best to flog off on friends and relatives, and at book signings.
5. Had a parting of the ways with publisher. They were loathe to even put my books on Amazon, nor ebooks in Kindle format. A slow learner, I went INDIE and decided the join authors smarter than me who had already jumped on the Amazon train.
6. Still foot-dragging somewhat, I went with Smashwords for more distribution, but at least put my books into Kindle format. Sold almost nothing except through Amazon. October 2011 until June 2014: sold a grand total of 450 books...all on Amazon.

Well, duh. Lemme think, what should I do? Oh, yeah, how about I sign up with KDP Select?

Life in the freebie lane.

July 2012:   Gave away 18,145 books and sold 428. Note: See 6 above: I sold almost as many books in one month than I did in the previous seven.

If I had a day job, I still couldn't give it up, but in a little over a year I've sold almost 8000 books, and given away 250,000. Could have done better if not for a four-month speed bump: see below.

Social media been berry, berry good to me, as well.

And if you don't think social media sells book, I have this bridge over a swamp in Florida I'll sell you. We spent four months on our boat in Mexico last winter and without Internet, my sales SANK, not a term one who lives on a boat part-time uses loosely.

It was not until an August freebie this year (almost 50,000 downloads) and going with Book Bub and a bunch of other promo sites, that I am back in bidness.

My final take? Well, nothing in this business is final, but for now Amazon seems to shine, and I've hitched a ride on their star. Did I sign up for Matchbook? Yep. Why? Why not? My print books are through Createspace, so why not sell some? To me it seems a win-win.

About the Hetta Coffey Series:

Book One, Which Starts It All 
A note here: I have five books in my Hetta Coffey series, and freebies work well for series. I have no idea how a stand-alone would fare by a relatively unknown author such as I. I also have a boxed set of the first four in the series, and it is selling well.

Hetta Coffey is a sassy Texan with a snazzy yacht, and she's not afraid to use it!
She's a globe-trotting civil engineer with a swath of failed multi-national affairs in her jet stream.

Plying the San Francisco waterfront, trolling for triceps, her attention is snagged by a parade of passing yachts—especially their predominantly male skippers—and experiences a champagne-induced epiphany: If she had a boat, she could get a man.

In spite of a spectacular ignorance of all things nautical, Hetta buys her dream boat, but a shadowy stalker, an inconvenient body, and Hetta's own self-destructive foibles, give a whole new meaning to the phrase "sink or swim!"

Where you can connect with Jinx Schwartz:

Jinx's Blog: http://bit.ly/PSAAxI
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/QpYtAR
Twitter: @jinxschwartz
Please Welcome Jinx Schwartz to Book Beat Babes by Leaving a Comment Below.

48 comments:

  1. Welcome to Book Beat Babes, Jinx.
    Your example offers hope for all of us!

    Morgan Mandel
    http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com

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    1. Great to be here! Looking forward to many posts by the Babes and guests in the future. .

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  2. It's nice to hear from a fellow Texas writer, Jinx. I enjoyed your book-career timeline. What an inspiration!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your experiences. I am also a firm believer in the benefits of KDP select. Some people whine about Amazon monopolizing the SP industry, but when the others can do the same for authors that Amazon can, I'll give them a shot too. In the meantime, I'll stick with what works. :-) I have a book going free tomorrow, in fact. I love using KDP select.

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    1. Hi Alicia, and thanks for your comments. BTW, be sure to post your freebie on my Facebook page and I will. share.

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  4. Thanks for sharing! I've had success with KDP Select in the past, but no longer use it in favor of bargain book ads. Since I did a Book Bub ad I'm past overwhelmed with my sales. I'm glad that you found the success you were looking for and hope it continues for you.

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  5. I am not familiar with bargain book ads, but would love to hear about it! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I'm a big fan of yours, Jinx, having read all of the Hedda Coffey series. I'm also a big fan of KDP. Since I launched my book at the end of August I've sold just shy of 1,400 and 40 paperbacks. I haven't used the freebie component for my novel, but did have some success with one of my non-fiction titles. Yes, social media rules. Twitter and to some extent Facebook have given my books a boost.

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    1. Doesn't sound like you need to do a freebie, Russ. Congrats. And if any of you haven't read Russ's Grey Ship and you like historical/paranormal, check it out.

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  7. After eight traditionally published books with Harlequin Historical, I'm about to launch my first self-published title, THE WITCH FINDER. Thanks for sharing your experience! Hope I, too, will have an inspiring story!

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  8. Thanks for the personal view of Kindle. I especially took heart from your figures about the books given away and sold. It encourages me to participate in more freebie giveaways, now that I know it can actually translate into sales!

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    1. Just remember, the freebies seem to work best for series.

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  9. Interesting take, Jinx. I've got three of my non-fiction books on Select. Toying with the idea of putting my fiction back on - especially after Kobo pulled my indie books after the erotica debacle. And I don't even WRITE erotica!

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    1. I do not understand the Kobo thing. You are the third writer who doesn't write erotica to tell me they got dumped. I think
      Amazon will come out the winner here.

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  10. Loved reading your take on things, Jinx! Haven't done the freebies. Makes my teeth hurt to think about it.....but you've inspired me to consider the pluses.

    kcf - One of the few native Texans still living in the state!

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    1. Thanks for the comment and glad you are still there. I had to leave for work, but now am thinking of at least being a winter Texan! Right now though, still have a boat in Mexico...close enuf? BTW, I am a ninth gen-Texan.



      I

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  11. Hi Jinx,

    Your series sounds fabulous!

    Thanks for the write up on KDP. I've had one experience so far with the freebie days and one coming up next month. I did fairly well in the ratings and copies 'sold', but the jury's still out as to the long-term benefits as far as sales for me personally. I guess we'll see what happens with this next one. It's nice to hear you talk so positively about it.

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    1. I is a slow process, and takes a lot of work, but worth it! Thanks for your input.

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    2. Oh, dear. I think that dentist visit today was a bit too much.
      It is a slow...

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  12. Hi Jinx. This was very informative. Thanks for sharing all the details of your journey. Your series is so much fun. You deserve the best.

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    1. Thanks, Cindy and congrats on your success with the Dying series.

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  13. Welcome to BBB, Jinx!
    Your insight to the self-pubbed is inspirational. I did my first self-pubbed this summer and will try your freebie/ KDP approach. Thanks for being with us!
    DL Larson

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    1. Thanks, Deb. As I see it, a freebie is one way to get new readers, but not sure how good for "after freebie" sales is books are stand-alones. Let us know!

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  14. I've been right along with you, Jinx, but here I am going against the tide. I'm slowly removing my books from KDPS to try another path with a distributor that has the books I've assigned with them available to overseas distribution and libraries. It's still too early to get any numbers, and I know I'll take a hit with my sales, but I'm thinking about the long term. We'll have to talk again next year.

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    1. Hi Polly, I would love to hear how this is working, and who they are.

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    2. Jinx, I will keep everyone posted as soon as I know what's happening. I'm curious too.

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  15. Jinx, I always enjoy reading about another author's journey. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Congrats, Jinx. I must admit I am awfully fond of Texas writers. They are a big-hearted group.

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    1. Me, too. Love Larry McMurtry and Elmer Kelton, among others.

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  17. Jinx--No wonder Hetta's engineering work sounds so realistic. Great series, enjoyed your piece here. Elaine Orr

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    1. Hi Elaine, glad you like the Hetta series. And yes, Hetta and I have a lot in common, but she's my more outrageous alter ego.

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  18. Jinx, have been following you for some time. Oddly enough, I wrote a blog about my experience last Tuesday on doing the same thing for one of my series, the Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries. If you're interested, here is the url for it: http://heatherhavensays.blogspot.com. Like you, I wanted to share what a positive experience it was with my fellow authors. I have gained many new readers and made the money back in book sales within 3 days. It's something I will definitely do again. I started out with a publisher, but decided to strike out on my own. It's a lot of work but I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks again! Heather

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  19. Hi Heather, we do what we can and take our own roads...hopefully to success. Thanks for the comment.

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  20. I'm getting very hyped up about doing another freebie, but my trilogy has only 2 books out so far, and the rest are standalones. I want to finish up the series, but something always comes up. The house is torn apart because the painter will be coming to paint the living room and dining room. My desk and computer just happen to be in the dining room, so it will be kind of hairy here for a while!

    Morgan Mandel
    http://www.morganmandel.com

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    1. I think that freebie work for like-books...so maybe your same-genre books will draw readers. I guess we all have to get off social media and write, write, write...right? :-)

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  21. Thanks for sharing your story, Jinx. I'm doing a 3-day giveaway with KDP starting October 28 for the Halloween mystery in my "Rhodes to Murder" series. This is the first time I'm doing a giveaway, and I have to admit, I've been a little nervous about it. But I feel much better after listening to your story. Hopefully I'll see numbers similar to yours. :) Thanks again for the good advice.

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  22. Hey Jinx, thanks for the great insight. I take two thoughts from your story. 1) don't be afraid to try something new. 2) Don't stop writing or marketing. I am most interested in your success with Book bub and similar sites.
    Keep your sheets tight and say hey to Hetta for me.
    Richard Stephens

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    1. Hi Richard, I am sold on Book Bub, and convinced that unless I go with them on your free days, my book will not make the top 10 on Kindle's free list. So far the money I spend with them is returned in spades.

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  23. Great post. Jinx.
    You're an inspiration
    Love
    Jenny
    xx

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  24. Hi Jenny, glad to be of help...or (my goodness would my mom be proud or what?) an inspiration! Very kind words from someone who (whom? but that's a whole nuther blog) I've been following for several years now. I think social media has helped so many struggling authors reach a level of success unheard of ten years ago.

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  25. I used KDP Select in the past, but ultimately decided wider distribution is best for me. With Amazon, I sell through Smashwords and I've noticed my sales have increased via other channels, mainly Apple and B&N. I also use free stories, but they're all short stories as mini-ebooks. I use my mini e-books to hopefully hook readers toward my novels. I also have used BookBub by dropping my novels down to $0.99 and have sold over a 1,000 copies with a paid ad each time (for both books). KDP Select is just not my thing anymore.

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  26. Thanks for your input. I am curious about Book Bub for .99 cent books because for a mystery ad (paid) BB charges 500.00, and at a return of 350.00 (1000 books at .35 each) I see a loss of 150.00. However, if you are looking for higher ratings, maybe it is worth it?

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  27. This is such a great article. It's information like this that authors who are considering making this type of move need.

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    1. I think we all need to share. We are in a tough bidness:-)

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