A glance at my calendar turned up a big surprise this morning. I am Mrs. Jesse James released one year ago today! In some ways, it doesn’t seem possible that my first book baby is now a toddler.

So like any parent, I figured this might be a good time to take a look at her milestones. What went well? What didn’t? While I don’t have access to all the detailed information, here’s what I learned.

Sales

The big questions always start here. I don’t yet have the most recent sales report, but I do know I am Mrs. Jesse James (IAMJJ) did quite well during a BookBub/Kindle Deal of the Day promotion (I’ve been told more than 3,000 ebook sales!). During the Kindle Deal of the Day she soared in ranking for all her Amazon categories and achieved the orange #1 Bestseller tag in Historical Romance.

What did I learn? Paid advertising plus judicious use of social media plus reader recommendations = effective marketing. If someone doesn’t know a book exists, how can she/he find it?

Reviews

This has been a mixed bag. IAMJJ has received some red-hot fabulous editorial reviews while other editorial reviews were lukewarm. However, reader reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. As of this writing:

• Amazon: 66 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
• Goodreads: 238 ratings, 37 reviews. Average rating 4 out of 5 stars.
• BookBub: 8 reviews with an average 5 out of 5 stars.

Note: Many readers said they tried to leave Amazon reviews but were unable to do so because of Amazon’s rules (there are spending requirements before reviews are allowed). However, other review sites exist (see above for examples); especially relevant for cases where a reader can’t leave a review on Amazon, but would like to do one.

What did I learn? It’s a continuing challenge to get book reviews. By the way, Gentle Reader, if you haven’t yet reviewed I am Mrs. Jesse James (or my other books) please consider leaving an honest review on one or more of these sites. Reviews really do help readers find a book. A review doesn’t need to be fancy, but doing one is like giving an author a fudge-covered double-scoop ice cream treat. Oops! Now I’m hungry.

Honors

I went all out entering contests which is an expensive endeavor, but I figured, why not? With any first child, you tend to take a lot more pictures, right? 🙂 As a result of my foolishness persistence, IAMJJ won, took a medal, or was a finalist in eleven contests.

What did I learn? If you have a competitive streak, go for it, but do consider your budget and be selective. Remember, wins seldom translate into sales. A contest triumph does, however, provide nice bragging rights for your book. And medals are cool. If you don’t enter, you can’t win, but neither is an entry a guarantee.

Events

Admittedly, I did not schedule a ton of events in the past year, but the launch at Main Street Books was spectacular. We sold out in less than an hour, and I had to bring in extra books so we’d have something to offer. (Those are the kind of problems authors love!) Other events have been reasonably well-attended with satisfactory sales. I also discovered how much I LOVE book club discussion visits!

What did I learn?

• Events can be fun and are wonderful for meeting readers. Don’t forget to promote the event and find ways to reach those who aren’t part of your social media network.
• Avoid same-day posting of an identical promo on countless writing sites. Many people are members of the same sites and will see your post over and over again, making it look like spam – and nobody likes spam. On FB you also run the risk of being put in FB jail.
• Venues with high foot traffic can net new readers.
• An event with a multitude of other authors can be risky, unless it’s the type of event that draws a very high number of readers/shoppers. Dozens of authors can dilute opportunities, although it is fun to spend time with writing friends. 🙂

Always identify your goal and keep it in mind when setting up a plan on how to market. Different methods work better for different ends.

So there you have it in a nutshell, friends. But there’s one very important thing I need to add in my review of the past year.

Thank you readers for your support. What’s been accomplished would never have been possible without you!

If you have a question, ask away. If you have a “What I Learned” tip, please add it in the comment section. Together we are stronger!

I suppose it really has been a great year in the book biz.

Here’s to the hope of many more.

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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers Best First Novel of 2018 and Walter Williams Award winner, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She is also author of On a City Street: A Becker Family Novel, and Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas. Pat is co-author of Midnight the One-Eyed Cat.