Claire Ridgway

Best-selling author and blogger

Aug
17

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6 Months of Self-Publishing – My Progress

Category: Books, Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection, The Fall of Anne Boleyn Tags: , , 3 Comments

Today marks six months since my very first book, The Anne Boleyn Collection, went live on Amazon.com and what an amazing six months it has been. I wanted to share my story with you to inspire you and to show you what can be done with some hard work and perseverance.

First, let me tell you a little about myself and my book projects…

I’m a non-fiction writer and my two books, published in February and April 2012, are both about Queen Anne Boleyn. I’m writing, therefore, for a very niche market. I’m also not an academic historian, I’m a researcher and blogger. I’m unique in the history world in my style of writing, I believe, because I present real history, based on the primary sources, but in a conversational style; that means I’m writing for a niche within a niche. I’m not writing for the masses, my target market is actually quite small when compared, for example, to thriller authors or romance authors.

I didn’t even bother taking my two book projects to a publisher because I knew that they would be deemed as “not commercially viable”, I just decided on self-publishing. Small niche, unknown author, not an academic historian… It was all bad news, but the good news was that I had been blogging for three years and my website had become known in the online Tudor history world. I therefore had a platform, a following who should, hopefully, be interested in my published work. It was all a complete unknown, though, and I had no clue how my first book would be received, particularly as it was a collection of blog articles (re-worked and with some new material added).

I decided to aim for sales of 100 per month and 1000 for my first year. I felt that these targets were realistic and do-able.

I’m now going to share my progress. Here are my monthly sales figures rounded to the nearest hundred and not including borrows or free downloads, just hard sales.

February

The Anne Boleyn Collection went live for sale as a Kindle edition on 17th February and as a paperback a few days later.
Number of titles: 1
Price: $2.99 Kindle, $12.99 paperback
Sales: 600

March

Number of titles: 1
Price: $2.99 Kindle, $12.99 paperback
Sales: 2400

April

My second book, The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown, went live for sale on Amazon on 27th April 2012 so was only for sale for 4 days of this month.
Number of titles: 2
Price: Both $2.99 Kindle, $12.99 and $11.99 paperback
Sales: 1400

May

Number of titles: 2
Price: Both $2.99 Kindle, $12.99 and $11.99 paperback
Sales: 4500

June

Number of titles: 2
Price: Both $2.99 Kindle, $12.99 and $11.99 paperback
Sales: 4000

July

On 27th July my third title, Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors, went live on Amazon, but Tim and I didn’t launch it until 31st July.
Number of titles: 3
Price: All $2.99 Kindle, one at $12.99, one at $11.99 and the other at $10.07 paperback – The Fall of Anne Boleyn was reduced to $10.07 from $11.99 by Amazon due to price matching.
Sales: 2900

Sales up to 16th August 2012

Number of titles: 3
Price: 2 at $2.99 and one reduced to $0.99 as a special Amazon Kindle promotion. Paperback – one at $12.99, one at $11.99 and the other at $10.07.
Sales: 1st August to 16th August: 5100

6 Months Grand Total

20,900 sales, not including free downloads or borrows.
My Anne Boleyn books have also been No. 1 best-sellers in their genre.

My Thoughts

Well, I know that I don’t compare to the likes of Bella Andre and CJ Lyons who are selling over a hundred thousand books per month, but am I happy with 20,900? Of course I am. My target was 1000 in my first year and I’ve sold nearly 21,000 in six months, so I am ecstatic! Over the moon! Bouncing off the wall and ceiling!

But it’s not just about sales, I’m also loving hearing from readers on a daily basis. It makes my day to receive an email from someone thanking me for my work. It’s an amazing feeling to know that your book is out there and being enjoyed.

What’s My Secret?

I don’t have a secret, a magic recipe or a quick fix to share with you, but here is what I did:

  • I blogged regularly – Over the past three years, I have blogged at least three times a week on my Tudor history blog, www.theanneboleynfiles.com. The accidental outcome of this was that I built a platform, a following who enjoyed my writing.
  • I built a list – I offered freebies to people who subscribed to my website and so had a list of emails to send news of my books to.
  • I used social media to share my blog posts, to communicate with people and to spread news – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Goodreads etc.
  • I wrote quality books – I wrote the books I knew that my followers would want to read and I got them professionally copy-edited and hired a graphic artist for the covers.
  • I made my books available on Amazon – Amazon is the giant in the book retail world so I listed my books on Amazon. I actually published them via CreateSpace and Amazon KDP.
  • I marketed my books – I blogged about them, shared release information via social media, added them to book sites such as Goodreads, LibraryThing etc., I made use of KDP select to run free promotions, I did competitions and giveaways, I did virtual book tours on Tudor history blogs… You name it!
  • I communicated with my readers and potential readers – I answered emails from readers, I replied to comments on my blog, I replied to tweets and posts etc. I engaged with my readers.
  • I built relationships with other bloggers and authors in the Tudor history world – By the time I released my first book, I had lots of friends and contacts who were more than happy to spread the news about my book.
  • I kept writing and publishing!
  • I kept my integrity – I didn’t spam people and I didn’t leave fake reviews on my books. I believe that we reap what we sow.
  • I treated my writing and publishing as a business – I re-invested some of the royalties I earned in my business by spending money on advertising on book sites.
  • I learned from other authors and read books on self-publishing, writing and marketing.
  • I gave – I gave free information, I did free promos, I did giveaways and I was giving of my time and information. I love answering people’s questions and giving people advice.
  • Pricing – I chose to price my books low to give readers a great deal and also to encourage people to take a chance on me. My books took a few years of research, a lot of hard work and I also spent money on the cover designs and editing, but an author cannot expect readers to shoulder this cost.

In short, I worked hard.

There is no short-cut to success and self-publishing is certainly not a “get rich quick” scheme, but you can succeed if you are willing to work hard, learn from your mistakes, learn from others and help others. It’s a steep learning curve and I learn something new every day. I don’t know what’s round the corner for me, but the last six months have been amazing and I am continuing to work hard on my writing. If I can make a success of this, then you can, and I hope that my experience and the figures I have shared here will motivate and inspire you.

You can find out more about me and my books on my Amazon Author page – Claire Ridgway Author – and please do check out my other blog posts here.

Jul
31

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My New Book – Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors

Category: Books, Self-publishing Tags: , , , , 3 Comments

Today is the official launch of Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-Published Authors, so a very exciting day!

Let me share with you the story behind this book…

Tim and I were inspired by my journey into self-publishing in February 2012. I found lots of books to help me with the technicalities of self-publishing, but what inspired me and helped make my own books successful was reading the stories of authors who’d been there and done it, and done it successfully. I wanted to learn from the masters and find out what tools and techniques they used to ensure success. I knew it wasn’t down to luck, but hard work, and I wanted to get it right. As my own books hit the bestseller lists, I began to be asked how I’d done it and what advice I could share. That’s when the idea for Interviews with Indie Authors hit me. I knew that different authors had very different stories and strategies, so why not collect them all together and publish them to help newbie authors? The book was born.

It’s a wonderful book because the authors concerned have been so giving. Their stories are truly inspiring and their advice is sure to help other authors navigate their way through the minefields of self-publishing, marketing and promotion.

You can find out more about the book over at the book website – InterviewswithIndieAuthors.com or click hereto go directly to Amazon.com.

Book Blurb

Learn how to succeed in indie publishing.

With interviews from 34 of the hottest names in self-publishing, “Interviews with Indie Authors” contains a unique view into the world of the indie writer. Each bestselling self-published author shares how they ensure their books are a hit, and what led them to indie publishing in the first place. You will also find out what they think the future of self-publishing will bring. Their first hand experience is invaluable for anyone planning to succeed with their own books.

Whatever your background, you will learn from these incredible interviews.

With diverse genres such as thrillers, young adult fiction, the paranormal, romance, comedy, fantasy, horror, science fiction, mystery and even non-fiction, whatever you are writing about, this book has it covered.

Contains interviews with indie authors such as: Michael McCloskey, Nick Russell, Connie Suttle, Michael Prescott, Terri Reid, Hugh Howey, Scott Nicholson, Kristen Ashley, Aaron Patterson, Carol Davis Luce, Claire Ridgway, Alexa Grace, Marie Force, Shadonna Richards, Colleen Hoover, Barbara Freethy, Joseph Lallo, Rebecca Forster, Caryn Moya Block, Denise Grover Swank, Mainak Dhar, Imogen Rose, CJ Lyons, Bella Andre, Maria Murnane, Theresa Ragan, Russell Blake, Linda Welch, Debra Holland, J. Thorn, James Somers, Karen Cantwell, Tracey Garvis Graves and Elena Greene.

50% of the royalties from “Interviews with Indie Authors” will be given to charity. The money will be split between two charities – ROPE (Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere) and Goal for the Gambia.

Jul
2

By

Interviews with Indie Authors Coming Soon!

Category: Books, Marketing your book, Self-publishing Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

Mock-up of cover

When I started my journey into self-publishing in January 2012, I wanted to know:

  1. How to do it – Print on Demand versus packages from companies like AuthorHouse, how to format and sell e-books, how to get a cover designed, how to get an ISBN, tax implications etc. etc.
  2. Other authors’ experiences of self-publishing and whether it actually worked.

Number 1 was easy. I found some excellent resources, online and in book form, on how to actually self-publish a paperback and e-book, but number 2 was harder as I actually had to find authors who’d done it and who had blogged or written about it. I wanted to know their real stories, why they’d done what they did, how they’d done it and how successful they’d been. It is inspiring to read accounts of self-publishing success and to learn from others who’ve been there, done it and are happy to wear the t-shirt! I’m always being asked how I did it and how I managed to sell my two books so successfully, so people want to know.

“Times are a changin”, as the song says, and more and more people are considering self-publishing, so Tim and I decided to interview some of the top indie authors – authors we admired and who had inspired us – and share their stories in a book, Interviews with Indie Authors – see the Interviews with Indie Authors website. These authors have been incredibly giving, both of their time and their experiences, and I’d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to them. Their stories will inspire and their tips will help other authors find success. The book will be released at the end of July 2012.

50% of the royalties from Interviews with Indie Authors will be given to charity. The money will be split between two charities – ROPE (Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere) and Goal for the Gambia. See the Charity Page for more details.

Interviews with Indie Authors: Top Tips from Successful Self-published Authors is due out the end of July 2012.

Jun
18

By

I Made the Top 100 Indie Authors List!

Category: Books, Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection, The Fall of Anne Boleyn Tags: , 2 Comments

As this is my website, I’m allowed to boast a little every now and then, aren’t I? Well, my good news is that I made it on to the June Top 100 Indie Authors List for sales in May over at ireaderreview.com. I’m at no. 86 and it really is an honour to be listed with some of my favourite authors, writers like Melissa Foster, Tracey Garvis-Graves and C J Lyons – see http://ireaderreview.com/2012/06/18/top-100-indie-authors-for-june-67-authors-to-watch/ for the full list.

As you know, I have self-published two books – The Anne Boleyn Collection in February 2012 and The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown – and since February I have sold over 12,000 books. I was aiming for 1000 in my first year, so I am amazed and delighted. Thank you to all my readers and those who have spread the word about my books. It’s been a wonderful journey and I am grateful for all the support I’ve received.

May
15

By

Guest Post on Writing.ie

Category: Marketing your book, Self-publishing Tags: Leave a Comment

Thanks to Catherine Ryan Howard for hosting me on her Self-Printed Guest Blog over at Writing.ie. I came to know Catherine through her blog Catherine, Caffeinated, which is a great resource for those looking to self-publish their work. Catherine has also written an excellent book, Self Printed: The Sane Person’s Guide to Self-Publishing, which I found incredibly useful on my self-publishing journey.

In my guest post over at Writing.ie, I highlight the importance of building a platform before you publish your book or, if you’ve already published your book, getting one going as soon as you possibly can. I built my platform accidentally, by writing about my passion (Tudor history) on a blog and then setting up Facebook and Twitter pages, but boy am I glad that I had that in place before I published my books. A platform is vital whether you publish traditionally or self-publish, and that’s why publishers and agents ask you about how YOU can market your book.

Not convinced?

Well, do you think it’s easier to create buzz about your book and get the word out if you have a blog with 24,000 unique visitors per month and a subscriber list of 5,500, or by starting from scratch? Hmm… I’m not saying that to dishearten anybody or to show off, I’m simply stating a fact and showing that a book’s success is not usually down to Lady Luck but to hard work. Blogging just three or four times a week can make a huge difference in marketing your book, try it and see.

You can read my guest post over at Writing.ie by clicking here.

Mar
13

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Self-publishing Success – My First Book is a Bestseller!

Category: Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

I am thrilled to announced that my first book, The Anne Boleyn Collection, hit the Number 1 spot on one of Amazon’s bestseller lists today in under a month since publication.

As you know, The Anne Boleyn Collection went live on Amazon on the 16th February 2012 and today, 13th March 2012, it got to number one in the Biographies & Memoirs>Historical section of the Amazon UK Kindle store.

At this moment in time, I have sold 1459 copies of my book, so I am incredibly happy. It is a wonderful feeling to see your book on the No.1 spot and know that it’s being read by so many people. I never dreamed that this would happen with my first self-published book and it’s been a wonderful journey so far.

Here are today’s Amazon rankings too…

Amazon UK Rankings

Amazon UK Rankings

Mar
8

By

Over 1000 Books Sold in 3 Weeks!

Category: Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection Tags: , , , , 2 Comments

If you have read my previous posts you will know that I self-published my first book, The Anne Boleyn Collection, on the 16th February 2012 through Amazon’s POD service, CreateSpace, and also through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). The Kindle version went live on the Amazon website on Thursday 16th February, so today marks 3 weeks since its publication.

I logged into Create Space and KDP this morning at 10.30 Central European time (so today had only just begun) to learn that I have sold a total of 1024 copies of my book in just 3 weeks. Seeing as 100 copies was my aim for the first month, I am completely blown away. Ecstatic just doesn’t cover it! The bubbly is in the fridge chilling and I will be enjoying it later!

Now, I could get all big-headed and diva-ish about this achievement (and probably will after a glass of bubbly), but I realise that The Anne Boleyn Collection is actually a team effort. Obviously I did the writing and research, but it’s thanks to followers of www.theanneboleynfiles.com that this book got written and it’s thanks to the Tudor history community that the book has sold so well. Anne Boleyn Files followers gave me the idea to publish this collection of articles (thank you to Dr Linda Saether!) and encouraged me all the way. Once the book was published, they then spread the word and I’m now in the middle of a virtual book tour hopping from Tudor blog to Tudor blog, which would not be possible without the kindness of those bloggers. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m still humble enough to know that I have been blessed with a loyal following.

So, what happens now?

Well, I’m continuing with my virtual book tour, which is so much fun, and I’m just finishing up on book two. I will also be continuing blogging on here about the progress of  The Anne Boleyn Collection and my experiences with self-publishing. You can also catch me on The Anne Boleyn Files blogging about all things Tudor.

For information on The Anne Boleyn Collection and my virtual book tour, please see www.TheAnneBoleynCollection.com

Feb
23

By

Taking my Book to Market

Category: Marketing your book, Self-publishing Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

The book sales in my previous post may look impressive – 323 books sold in six days, wow! And yes, I’m pleased as punch, but this success has actually taken three years, not six days.

What do I mean?

Well, I began researching and writing about Anne Boleyn and Tudor history in February 2009 – THREE YEARS AGO. I set up The Anne Boleyn Files blog on the 17th February 2009 and started blogging regularly on that, sharing my research and writing articles about Anne and the Tudors. I had always been a writer but the motivation behind The Anne Boleyn Files was to share and educate, not to use it as a platform for marketing a book. I had absolutely no idea on that day in February 2009 that anyone would ever find the site and start following it, but they did, and as a result of that I then set up a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

When “The Anne Boleyn Collection” was released on the 17th February 2012, the three year anniversary of The Anne Boleyn Files website, I had built up quite a following. Here are the figures:-

So, when The Anne Boleyn Collection was released, I could announce it on my website, Facebook and Twitter, I could publish the video trailer on YouTube and I could also email my subscribers. I had built some buzz by telling people about the book and so people were waiting for its release. I had a market and my market knew me and my work.

Read More

Feb
23

By

The Anne Boleyn Collection’s Progress

Category: Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

If you have read my previous post, you will know that the Kindle version of my first book “The Anne Boleyn Collection” went live on Amazon.com on the 17th February. This was quickly followed by the paperback, although the listing kept disappearing as Amazon worked on it. It’s now the 23rd February, less than a week later, and I wanted to report back on a very successful first week. Here are the figures…

Sales

The sales in the picture below are the results taken from my Createspace and KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) dashboards first thing every morning from 18th February 2012 to 23rd February 2012.

So, by 9am this morning I had sold a total of 323 books – 260 Kindle versions and 63 paperback copies. All of the paperbacks come from Amazon.com because the paperback is not available yet on the international sites.

Amazon Rankings

Here is how my Amazon ranking looked at the end of the first full day, the 18th February:-

It was also a nice feeling when I was No.3 in Amazon’s Hot New Releases in History England, beaten only by the two versions (Kindle and paperback) of a book on Wallis Simpson.

Reviews

As of today, I have eight 5 star reviews which is a wonderful feeling. I did send out some beta versions of the e-book to some members of The Anne Boleyn Fellowship to review for me but three of the eight reviews are from other readers so that was wonderful to see. I’m bound to get some bad reviews, every writer does, so I’m enjoying these reviews at the moment!

Success

I don’t know what constitutes success in publishing but I was aiming at selling 100 books in my first month so to sell 323 in six days is wonderful. I’ve also been receiving emails and comments on my Facebook page and Anne Boleyn Files website from people who are reading the book and loving it, that’s what success is really, isn’t it? People enjoying what you write.

Feb
17

By

My Kindle Book is Released!

Category: Self-publishing, The Anne Boleyn Collection Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

I’m just going to interrupt my series on self-publishing with the news that my first book, “The Anne Boleyn Collection”, has just been released as a Kindle version on Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

While Tim and I were waiting for the paperback to go live, after double-checking the second proof copy, we decided to upload the Kindle version. We expected it to take a few days to go live, but it happened within hours – a big surprise! I’d sent some e-book versions out to some of my followers, members of The Anne Boleyn Fellowship, in advance for them to “beta test”, and they’ve already started adding their review to the Amazon page. This is a great help.

While I’m waiting for the paperback to go live, I’m working on getting the buzz going about my book. I’m fortunate in that I have been running my blog, The Anne Boleyn Files, for three years and so have an established following through that site and also on Facebook and Twitter. I’ve also updated my Goodreads profile to an author profile and have been filling in extra information about the book on Shelfari – phew! Lots to do! I will be sharing everything I do in future posts.

If you want to check out my book, then please go to:-

Here’s a video Tim made for the Anne Boleyn Files birthday and The Anne Boleyn Collection launch:-

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