Climbing Up From the Bottom of the Food Chain

[Update:  Within ninety minutes of posting this blog, I received a response from an inquiry I had made a couple of months back.  In September, I'll be interviewed on the most high profile book review program here in Los Angeles - this is an incredible opportunity.  Here's the interview as it appeared a month later]

In April, the e-book of “My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain” (my official website here)  became available on the major sites.  In June, the paperback edition was released, and is now available on most on-line sites.  How has the “roll-out” of my book progressed so far?

A few facts:

1               I have had six five-star reviews so far on Amazon.com.  Some were offered by those who received review copies, others from individuals I don’t know personally.

2               On Goodreads.com, a social site for those who enjoy reading, I have had eleven ratings and five reviews, with an average of 4.18 stars out of five. Most of those reviews were offered by those who received the book as winners of a Goodreads.com-managed giveaway of ten copies of the paperback.

3               I have received two YouTube reviews of my book (from KeeperoftheMountain and ToadenK). KeeperoftheMountain also recorded a second video reading from my book.

A number of readers have shared photos of themselves with the book, and, and as fun way of keeping in contact with my readers, I have shared photographs of my book in locations as varied as Morro Bay, California and London, England.

My greatest challenge remains getting the word out.  All of the public reviews and ratings are helping to build a good base for the book moving forward, providing some legitimacy as people search for the title…

But…

People have to search for it first. 

I need to generate publicity.  I need to build on the themes addressed in the book.  Reviews have been enormously helpful in developing a wider idea of just how people perceive the story and Alexander, the main character – and how this book contributes to wider discussions.  One on Goodreads, for example, indicated that the book “could potentially show kids how to be a good friend to someone who isn't exactly easy to be friends with.”

I need to encourage more reviews across various platforms – blogs, book sites, YouTube, podcasts.  These all those up in title searches, and help build awareness.  At this early stage, when the volume of readers isn’t very high, that can sometimes be a tough challenge.  Most people (including myself) don’t regularly write reviews – even if they like a book or product.   For an independent author like myself, however, those reviews are golden.  I’d also like to identify and encourage young YouTubers (as well other content creators) who might be interested in creating reviews or other videos.  (Contact me via this page if any of this interests you)

I’m also hoping to for feature stories and interviews related to the story behind the story – and the issues the book addresses.  Without an agent to handle publicity, it’s a bit tricky to conceptualize and promote press opportunities for myself, but it’s critical to my goal of connecting the book to as wide an audience as I believe it can reach.  

One of the most positive messages I’m getting from reviews and other reactions is the fact that most readers express their personal feelings about Alexander.  He’s generated a wide range of emotions, from understanding to frustration to anger. Some have expressed a fondness for Alexander, while others have said that he was so frustrating, “I’d love to slap him.”  These all feel like authentic feelings and responses to a person, rather than a character.   Generating an emotional response is a great reward.

I need to write more on the themes discussed in the book, on blogs and other sites, to further develop my credentials and awareness moving forward.  My intention has always been to move forward with my writing pursuits.  “My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain” was never attended to be a “one-off,” speaking both of the characters and of my writing pursuits.

There are hundreds of thousands of authors pushing their wares across the internet. I recognize that I’m just one of many and I have my work cut out for me.  I’m fascinated with the challenge, and I see it as an ongoing part of a process I’ve been pursing of embracing the challenge of creating and marketing online media. 

I’ve written blogs, created hundreds of YouTube videos and experimented with social media – only to find myself, as a direct result of the experience, embracing my earliest ambition.

Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome!

Raw Nerves: The Two Most Common Questions About My Book

The two most common questionsRaw when I tell people about "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain" are:

"Is it the story of your career?"  (nice guess, but no).

and

"Do you have kids?"

Do I have kids?  

It's a common precept that writers "write about what they know," but I'm almost always surprised when an individual assumes that I must have kids to have written about them.    

I suppose that relates to the perception that a writer often writes what he knows, but the idea that I would have to have kids to write about them is a curious concept to me.  I think it suggests selective memory some people have about their own childhood.  In particular, many don't like to recall the time in their lives represented by the main characters in "Food Chain."  In may or many not be a dramatic time in everyone's life, but being thirteen is almost always confusing and anxiety-filled. 

Many who have enjoyed the book mention the connection they feel with Alexander and his friends.  One friend, though, says he enjoyed the book, but hated Alexander for reasons directly related to a less-than-pleasant middle school experience of his own (it would be a spoiler if I was more specific, but it wasn't one of Alexander's proudest moments!).  The book touched a raw nerve.

Would you like a supply of my
new bookmark? Email
rich@richsamuelsauthor.com

"Food Chain" may not be autobiographical, but it relates directly to my own junior high/middle school anxieties - particularly the fear of what might happen.  It also reflects my experience as a teen with friendship and observations I've made with a number of kids I've interacted with over the years. Most importantly, it reflects the common fears and desires most people have in common.  

When I wrote "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain," my hope was to create a novel to which individuals of all ages might relate.  A good novel doesn't succeed simply because of plot or setting.  It succeeds because the reader understands the characters.   Whether a character is young, old or alien, we relate because, ultimately, he or she says something about the human condition that we all share. 

From Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" to the works of William Shakespeare to John Green, the hottest young adult writer ("The Fault in our Stars") at the moment (and a prominent YouTuber, by the way), classic and/or successful writers and novels last because they hit a nerve - raw or otherwise.  That's my ambition as a writer.

While I understand why someone might ask, "Do you have kids?", I wonder what someone would have asked had I written a novel about a serial killer....

What's Happening So Far? Launching My Book!

June 1, 2013 - announcing the official
book launch on TwirlRadio.com 

I've just passed the halfway point in what I've been calling my "official launch month" for "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain," marking the full availability of my book in both e-book and paperback.  Since the e-book began appearing in various ebook stores (Kindle, Apple iBooks, Nook and much more of which I hadn't been aware), it took two full months for the "full" rollout.  Until the paperback began to become available in mid-May, I didn't want to start the process of promoting the book.  Despite the digital world we live in, a book that actually appears as a paperback - even a self-published one - is still perceived as a more substantial effort.  With the book in hand, I was able to start promoting the book in earnest.  I ordered a supply of promotional copies, and began distributing copies to friends and some family.

While a couple of Amazon.com reviews appeared early from ebook readers,  the promotional copies are generating reviews of their own.  As of this writing, I have five 5-Star reviews on Amazon.com, and two 5-Star Reviews on Goodreads.  Aside from my own videos, three videos have shown up on YouTube - two reviews and a follow-up (which included a reading).  These initial review reflect those across the United States (and one in the UK) who know me or have received promotional copies for one reason or another.  Nevertheless, these readers created well-written, insightful reviews that are helping to generate interest in the book (check out some great quotes from reviews  at http://richsamuelsauthor.com)

My book at Pismo Beach

I began "official launch month" as a guest on my friend Mike Lidskin's Sacramento-based internet radio program, The Twirl, at TwirlRadio.com [Here's a YouTube Excerpt]  While appearing on a program about rock music might seem unusual, I like to say that it gave my book a bit of a "cool vibe."  Mike interviewed me on the program, I did a reading of a couple of pages from the book, and gave away a couple of copies to Twirl listeners.  it was great fun.

I also began a giveaway through Goodreads.com, a social site to readers and writers alike.  At the end of June, Goodreads will send me a list of ten randomly selected readers out of the hundreds who will have entered the giveaway by then (about 250 have entered so far).  In the process of conducting the giveaway, hundreds - even thousands - have become newly aware of the book.  Some of these potential readers will eventually post reviews and so help spread the word about the book even more.

Social media efforts began right away.  Some readers have sent photos of themselves with the book, and I've some photos of my book in making random appearances around California (spurring even more photos from readers).  Naturally, the book will also travel with me to London on an upcoming trip.

This is just the beginning.  I'm learning and taking advice from friends and associates who share my belief in the book's potential - I'll share some of those insights soon.

So far, so good!

Even Authors Have Tech Specs

On YouTube and elsewhere, techies often share their gear specs - computers, accessories, specific software, cameras, audio equipment - everything.  I thought I would jump in on the game and share with you the tech specs related to the task of writing "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain."

1 - Hardware: 64gb iPad 2 (With some completion work on 32 gb 3.4 Ghz iMac 27")
2 - Apple Bluetooth Keyboard
3 - Arkon Portable Fold-Up Stand for iPad
4 - Software: Apple Pages (both iPad and Mac versions, synced via icloud), and some finishing work on Microsoft Word (so that I could work predictably with my copy editor)
5 - Primary Location: Starbucks, Valencia, California.  Secondary locations included Metrolink Train traveling from Valencia to Downtown Los Angeles, and my home in Valencia
6 - Primary Drink: Coffee (Pike Place Roast)

The Adventure Begins: My Book in the Real World

With the arrival of a box of promo copies of my book, this long journey is about to reach a climactic moment - not THE climactic moment, but the end of one stage and the beginning of the most exciting stage in the life of "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain."  I'm busily sending out copies to all of those promised, after which we'll selectively begin offering copies for review.  

The ebook is in full release, and the paperback is about to become available across the Amazon universe (actually, once I approved the final proof a week ago, it immediately appeared on Amazon sites in the UK and Europe, but the Amazonian powers-that-be are taking their time to make it live across the pond).  The discussion groups seem to indicate the book will show up in four to six working days - so I'm expecting a surprise any day now...

Comments and reviews are beginning to appear, and I'm - dare I say it? - overjoyed at the response (and no, they're not all from family!).  It's a promising beginning, but now the greatest challenge awaits: helping it find an audience.

For an indie author like myself, word of mouth - grass-roots support - is going to be critical - and I'm hoping that readers will be inspired enough to help spread the word.  Reviews on Amazon and elsewhere are incredibly important to someone without a publishing conglomerate behind him.  As I hope for reviews to begin appearing (three five star reviews are on Amazon as of this writing), I realize that I rarely - if ever - leave reviews on Amazon myself.  I don't think most people do.  One thing is certain - I have a stronger appreciation of their worth!  Check out some quotes on my author side, http://richsamuelsauthor.com

I'm also hoping that readers witll use social media to promote the book - not only retweeting my book news and giveaways - but perhaps writing reviews or creating YouTube videos reviews (Zac Ward created this one for his "Keeper of the Mountain" YouTube channel).

Finally, while this book, it seems, is turning out to have cross-over appeal to adults as well, I'm hoping that kids and teens who like that book will share with their friends and through social media (and tell me about it). 

My friend Lynette Privatsky told me that I should think of the process of building an audience as a "slow burn," as I and my readers slowly spread awareness.  Whatever happens, the most exciting part of this adventure just may lie straight ahead!

Ebook vs. Paperback: "Yeah, But It's Not A Real Book"

In creating a book aimed (or at least intended for) middle school aged readers, I've been curious as to whether my book will be read more in ebook or paperback.    While tablets are used more and more, they're still not as ubiquitous as they are....say....in my own life.  In face, as the paperback version of "My Life at the Bottom of the Food Chain" moves closer to publication, I've discovered anticipation and general interest has actually been greater than when I launched the ebook a couple of weeks ago.  When this all shakes out and I can see actual stats, I'll be very interested in seeing how readers are enjoying the book.

Coincidentally, OnlineUniversities.com recently shared with me this infogrpahic showing just how quickly technology is now being embraced in the classroom.  It combines data from a series of surveys and reports from a variety of news and media organizations to show that technology, finally is beginning to be embraced by teachers and (not unexpectedly) by students, after some uncertainty and suspicion just a few short years ago.

Though outside the scope of this graphic, I'd be interested in exploring if the "digital divide" between poor and wealthier schools has narrowed in recent years - or do these trends, as important as they are, still reflect schools that have the resources to embrace technology?

In relation to my book, I suspect that my target group, at least at this point in time, will largely read my book in paperback.  After all, when I told my eight year old nephew that I had an ebook, he was unimpressed, and said, "Well, yeah, but it's not a real book."

Attribution: OnlineUniversities.com

First YouTube Review of "Food Chain"

One of my strategies in getting my book out to the world at large is to encourage as many "grass-roots" reviews as possible - on YouTube, in blogs, podcasts - anywhere that spreads the word.  This video by YouTuber Zac Ward is what I hope is the first of many (if you have any suggestions on how I might get the word out, or know any of the above, please share your ideas!)

Ideally, I'd like to see reviewers of all ages - kids, parents - anyone who appreciates what they read in the pages of "Food Chain."  With it's somewhat unique title, most mentions of my book title, especially combined with my name, show up within the first two or three Google search pages.  It seems that an unusually long title is working to my advantage!

I'm also checking regularly to see if any reviews pop up on the Amazon, iBooks, or any of the other sites.  Nothing yet...but it's only been a week...

Enjoy Zac's "Redneck Book Review," also featuring a bit of autobiographical info about the author!