I’ve been making a lot of omnibuses lately. Why? Well, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to what sells easily at my live events, and one of the clearest answers is omnibuses. (AND BLIND DATES WITH A BOOK!)

If you’re unfamiliar, an omnibus is simply multiple books—usually several books from the same series—bound together into one big book.

And readers LOVE them.

I’ve been doing more live selling and in-person events lately, and I’ve noticed that when I hold up an omnibus and say, “This is the entire series,” people snatch it immediately.

There’s very little selling I have to do. They don’t have to figure out which book is first. They don’t have to buy six separate paperbacks. They don’t have to worry about missing one.

Here’s the whole story. Boom.

And because it’s a larger book containing multiple novels, I can charge more for it.

At a live event, I’d much rather sell one $40 or $50 book than have to sell four or five individual paperbacks to make the same amount of money. The math actually works out to more money with the omnibus.

It also gives the reader something that feels substantial. They’re walking away from my table carrying a BRICK.

So I’ve been looking through my backlist and asking myself: Which other series should become omnibuses?

This is one of those moments where I’m trying really hard not to overcomplicate my business.

I could sit around brainstorming entirely new products. Or, I could look at what my customers are already buying and make more of it.

I’ve talked before about how my book bundles have become some of the bestselling products in my Shopify store. Now I’m seeing the same behavior in person.

What are your customers already telling you they want?

Look at what sells without much effort.

What do people immediately understand?

What do they pick up at your table?

What’s the bestseller on your Amazon dashboard?

What disappears from your direct store inventory first?

Sometimes we’re so busy trying to figure out the next thing that we miss the giant flashing sign pointing at the thing that’s already working.

I’m trying to get better about that.

When readers tell me what they want with their wallets, I’m listening.

Apparently, they want big-ass books.

Okay then.

More big-ass books it is.

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PS: This is the best selling landing page on my site. It has all the individual books listed with a short blurb. Then in the midst, it shows the paperback omnibus.

My friend —the iconic Claire Taylor— is running a super cool kickstarter all about how to write connections on the page!

Wondering why your enemies-to-lovers trope is falling flat?

Struggling to craft the perfect mentor or sidekick for your protagonist?

Stumped on how to make your villain get under your hero’s skin?

Crafting an iconic character is essential to writing an unforgettable story, but it’s the relationships between our characters that grab readers by the shirt collar and don’t let them go.

If you want to master the art of scorching chemistry...

If you want to craft epic friendships that move your readers to tears...

If you want your iconic hero to face the ultimate villain...

You need Write Iconic Relationships as your go-to guide for crafting stories that live rent-free inside your readers’ minds.

Characters don’t exist in a vacuum. Learning to write an iconic character will take you far, but the real trick is in knowing just how to pair them up with friends, lovers, and enemies that will make scenes explode off the page and into your readers’ hearts—or nightmares, depending on the genre.

Write Iconic Relationships uses the Enneagram framework to expand on developing individual iconic characters and understanding them within the context of the others they encounter.

This book explores the Enneagram as the relational tool it’s meant to be.

In it, you’ll discover:

• A roadmap of the 45 type pairings and their dynamic in romance, friendship, and enmity.

• How to use conflict styles to create the push-and-pull readers love.

• Which relationships will simmer, sizzle, or scald.

• Potent themes for each relationship type that drive the story forward.

• Skills to turn flat character chemistry into a combustable engine for conflict.

• And so much more...

In Write Iconic Relationships: Creating page-turning chemistry for lovers, friends, and enemies, you’ll unlock the secrets of creating dynamics that capture the hearts and imagination of readers long after they read the final page.

Back the Project!

Remember when I told you I was moving my active newsletter subscribers from Mailchimp and Flodesk over to Klaviyo?

Well, we’re two weeks in. And I’m making money.

Now, two weeks is NOT enough data for me to declare victory. I want more of it before I start making sweeping declarations. But I can tell you what’s happening so far.

First, I’ve completely changed the way I think about my newsletter. I’m not trying to grow the biggest subscriber list anymore. I’m trying to grow my active customer list. Every link goes to my website and my Shopify store.

I’m currently sending two emails per week for each pen name. On Tuesdays, I send my regular weekly newsletter using my content bucket system.

If you haven’t heard me talk about content buckets before, it’s basically how I have several categories—or buckets—of things I regularly talk about.

• Backlist books.

• New releases and launches.

• Writing updates and behind-the-scenes peeks.

• Personal stories.

• Recommendations.

• Sales and promotions.

Instead of inventing a brand-new newsletter strategy every Tuesday, I pull something from one of those buckets.

Then on Fridays, I do First Chapter Friday.

I choose ONE book. I talk about the book, include the entire first chapter in the email, and then give readers several ways to keep reading.

They can buy that individual book from my store. Or they can buy the entire series as an ebook bundle. Or they can buy the series in paperback (or special edition if available).

After only two weeks, these campaigns are generating revenue. Please note these are different from my Shopify Flows. We can have that conversation in another post.

The first image is from my Shanae Johnson pen name who has 8K subscribers who have engaged in the last 6 months on the previous provider platforms.

The second image is from my Ines Johnson pen name who has 11K subscribers who have engaged in the last six months on the previous platforms.

I’m also seeing another encouraging number. My deliverability/open rates with Mailchimp and Flodesk had fallen into the 20-percent range. With Klaviyo, I’m now seeing numbers in the 30s. I don’t know why 35% open rate is good for Shanae but fair for Ines according to Klayvio???

Again...

TWO WEEKS.

I am not making any grand proclamations yet. But I’m watching.

Also, remember that I uploaded those unengaged subscribers as an audience for a Facebook ad. I uploaded the emails address for 30K of cleaned newsletter subs into a Facebook Audience for my Ines pen name and added them to the Heir Traffic Campaign. The Merciless Vow Launch campaign has the same audience (“Paranormal Romance Literature” ), but without the newsletter subs. And you can see the difference.

Note that Merciless Vow Launch ad was running longer than Heir Traffic Campaign ad. But you still can see that Heir quickly overtook Vow in less time and with less budget.

What I’m most excited about right now, though, is First Chapter Friday. I think this might be the best way I’ve found to consistently sell individual books from my backlist while also introducing readers to my higher-value offers.

Come for one book.

Read the first chapter.

Want the rest? Here’s the individual ebook.

Oh, you like the whole series? Here’s a discounted ebook bundle.

Want something pretty for your shelf? Here’s the paperback omnibus or special edition.

That’s the customer journey I’m trying to build. And because all of those links lead to my store, I get to see what happens next.

Klaviyo gets the data. Shopify gets the data. I get the data.

And then I can make my next decision based on what readers actually do instead of what I think they’re going to do.

I’ll come back in a few months once I have significantly more data and tell you what I’ve learned.

For now? I’m intrigued. Are you?

I think I’ll do a live lab on this for paid subscribers next month (September 2026). It’s just $8 a month to become a paid subscriber. I keep it that low because I’m not consistent with extra content. UPGRADE TO PAID HERE.

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And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

The number one thing is FUN! I’m having so much fun writing these books.

These books were NOT in my publishing pipeline for 2027. I was supposed to be writing Rejected Dragon Mates and Demons finding their Fated Mates in human women. And then these wolves in mobsters’ clothing came to me. The books practically flew from my fingers.

I’ve been doing this long enough to know that when that happens, I need to push it to the front of the line.

And I was right. I’m already in profit on this series ahead of schedule!

The second thing that’s clearly working is social media. More specifically, high-emotion posts.

One of the best-performing posts I’ve done for this series uses the “Just a friendly reminder...” hook. It got a ton of likes and engagement organically, so I did what I always tell you guys to do when something works organically:

I put money behind it. I turned the post into a Facebook ad. And the engagement translated into sales.

Click to see

So those are the two things clearly moving the needle for me right now:

I’m writing what I’m excited to write.

And...

I’m paying attention to what readers are responding to and doing more of it.

So what am I going to do with this valuable information?

Absolutely nothing today.

I’m writing this on Friday from this past weekend, and I’m taking a couch day.

I’m going to alternate between reading some MM monster romance and watching YouTube Reddit reaction videos all day.

My brain has done good work.

Your girl gets to chill.

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And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about making sure my tools match my goals. That’s why I’m switching my mailing list provider.

Again.

When I first became an author, I used Mailchimp. At the time, it was the industry standard. By most accounts, it still is.

One thing you’ll learn about me is that I generally prefer to work with the oldest, most tried-and-true companies in an industry rather than chase the newest or the cheapest option.

I believe in the phrase, it takes money to make money. For a while, every time I sent a newsletter, I made money. Write an email. Hit send. Watch sales roll in.

Then... it stopped. After a few years, my newsletters weren’t making money anymore.

Now, I don’t know exactly why. Maybe deliverability changed. Maybe inbox algorithms changed. Maybe I’d trained my audience to expect freebies because I was participating in too many giveaway promotions. Maybe it was a combination of all three.

Whatever the reason, one thing had definitely changed; my list had become huge and I was paying Mailchimp every month based on that list size.

So I made the switch to Flodesk.

One of the biggest appeals was the pricing. I paid one annual fee regardless of how many subscribers I had. I started sending newsletters left and right because I wasn’t thinking about every additional subscriber increasing my monthly bill. But over time, I noticed something familiar.

Those newsletters weren’t making money with every send either.

Again, there could be a dozen reasons why. But it did make me stop and ask myself an important question.

What is my actual goal?

Years ago, my goal was simple: Grow my newsletter.

Today, my goal is to grow my active customer list.

Which is why I’m moving my active subscribers to Klaviyo. Please note I said “active” subscribers. Inactive subscribers have been downloaded, archived, and will now be used as a Facebook Look-a-like audience only.

Klaviyo was built with ecommerce in mind. It’s wonderfully Big Brother-ish. It knows when subscribers visit my Shopify store. What they looked at. What they bought. How long it’s been since their last purchase. Then it sends automated email flows based on those behaviors without me having to lift a finger.

The problem is I know I’m underutilizing it.

I’m just relying on the flows like Abandon Carts or Post-Purchase Flows. But I’m trying to build the strongest relationship possible with readers who shop directly from me. So why not make the provider tied to my store my main squeeze?

Do I think everyone should switch to Klaviyo?

I think you should first ask yourself: What is your goal?

Are you trying to build a media brand?

Grow a Substack?

Sell courses?

Build an author career around Kickstarter?

Drive readers to retailers?

Grow direct sales?

Every one of those goals might lead you to a different service provider.

The best tool isn’t necessarily the one everyone else is using.

It’s the one that’s aligned with the business you’re trying to build.

Sometimes we don’t need new strategies.

We just need our systems to finally point in the same direction.

Please note this post was not sponsored by Klayvio -I wish it was. Oof that monthly fee 🤣

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And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

Two years ago, reader conventions terrified me. I remember walking around ApollyCon and seeing huge crowds gathered around some authors... and empty tables in front of others.

I was convinced I’d be the empty-table author. So convinced, in fact, that I let fear talk me out of signing. Thankfully, my friends had other ideas.

They basically strong-armed me into doing a signing with the promise of a peaceful writing retreat in the woods afterward. (Know your audience. They knew exactly what bait would work.)

I’m so glad they did. Because that first signing taught me the difference between the crowded tables and the empty ones wasn’t always the size of the author’s career.

It was the author’s behavior.

The authors with readers lined up were almost always:

• Standing up.

• Off their phones.

• Talking to readers walking by.

• Smiling.

• Looking approachable.

They weren’t necessarily talking about their books. They were talking about books.

“What have you bought today?”

“Who’s your favorite author?”

“I love your cosplay!”

“Oh my gosh, that special edition is gorgeous!”

The busy authors were genuinely interested in the readers.

Then, when someone asked about their own books, they didn’t launch into a five-minute synopsis of the entire plot. They had a short, fun pitch ready to go. Just enough to spark curiosity.

The second thing I noticed was visual.

The authors with the “pretty books” had an advantage.

• Special editions.

• Foiling.

• Sprayed edges.

• Beautiful interiors.

• Illustrated covers.

Those books commanded higher prices because readers viewed them as collectibles. That meant those authors didn’t have to sell as many books to have a successful weekend.

Fast forward to this past weekend.

I attended a much smaller fantasy convention. Maybe 200 readers. Probably fewer.

The booth fee was $250.

Over two days, I made back more than seven times my investment.

Why?

I did the same things I’d watched successful authors do.

1. I stayed on my feet. Well... mostly. I actually brought a bar stool that was tall enough to make it look like I was standing while secretly giving my feet and backside a break.

2. I engaged everyone who walked by. Not by trying to sell them. By talking to them. I asked about the books they’d already purchased. I complimented costumes. (Fantasy readers show up looking amazing.) I asked what they’d enjoyed so far. We talked about reading. The books came later.

3. My table also helped. It was full of pretty books. Special editions. Hardcovers. Foil. And for my standard paperbacks? I turned them into Blind Date with a Book packages. Decorated with little hints about the story inside. Suddenly, even my regular books became an experience.

I came home with lighter inventory...

...and heavier pockets.

Yes, I’m bragging a little. But I’m also hoping you’ll steal everything I just told you. Because if you’re getting ready for your first signing—or your fiftieth—these are the lessons I’d pass on.

• Stay on your feet whenever you can.

• Get off your phone.

• Look like you’re happy to chat.

• Ask readers about them before talking about yourself.

• Have a short, intriguing pitch instead of a full plot summary.

• Make your table visually inviting.

• If your books aren’t special editions, make them feel special in another way.

And above all...

Don’t hide behind your table. Your table isn’t a fortress. It’s an invitation.

The books might bring readers over. But you have to be the one to make them stay.

And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

I just finished reading Claire Kent’s Hold —yeah, I know I’m late, but dystopian isnt’ my thing. Suffice it to say I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the opening.

“Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him. And maybe you’ll have a chance at surviving.”

Man.

Oh.

Man.

Before we even know the heroine’s name, we know almost everything we need to know.

• She’s in a life-or-death situation.

• She’s going to have to make impossible choices.

• This is going to be a survival story with romance.

• And most importantly? You have to turn the page.

It reminded me of one of the most famous opening lines in literature:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”

Jane Austen somehow manages, in a single sentence, to establish:

• The theme (marriage and society)

• The genre (romantic comedy with social commentary)

• Character archetypes (wealthy bachelors, marriage-minded families)

• Reader expectations (this story is going to examine courtship with wit and irony)

All in one sentence.

I’ve been thinking about my own openings ever since. And I think I need to up my opening chapter game.

The job of the first sentence is to make a promise; a promise about what kind of story the reader is about to experience.

Four Questions for Your Opening

When I’m revising my next first chapter, these are the questions I’ll be asking.

1. What is my story really about?

Not the plot, the theme.

Is it about forgiveness?

Power?

Belonging?

Identity?

Found family?

Love conquering fear?

Your opening doesn’t have to announce the theme outright, but it should whisper it.

2. What kind of protagonist is this?

Readers love archetypes because they give us a foothold.

Is this:

• A reluctant hero?

• A chosen one?

• A villain heroine?

• A grumpy billionaire?

• A sunshine kindergarten teacher?

• A woman who’s underestimated?

• A morally gray dragon prince?

You don’t have to tell us everything. Just enough that we know whose story we’re following.

3. What genre promises am I making?

Readers are buying an experience.

A romantasy reader expects something different than a cozy mystery reader.

A military romance opens differently than a dark mafia romance.

A romantic comedy gives us permission to laugh.

A thriller tells us danger is coming.

Your first few sentences should immediately reassure readers that they are in the right place.

4. Why should the reader turn the page?

This is where curiosity comes in.

Claire Kent doesn’t confuse us. She tells us exactly what’s happening. But now we desperately need to know:

Who said that?

Where is she?

Why does she have to do this?

Who is the strongest man?

That’s narrative momentum.

An Exercise

Take your favorite book. Don’t read the whole chapter. Read only the first three sentences.

Ask yourself:

• What is the theme?

• What character archetype am I meeting?

• What genre expectations are being established?

• What promise is the author making to me?

You’ll be amazed how much work those opening lines are doing.

Then go back to your own manuscript.

Do your opening sentences make the same kind of promise?

Or are they simply introducing the weather?

I’m asking myself the very same question.

Because after reading Hold, I think my first chapter just got another revision.

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And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

If your writing career’s been moving at the speed of a drunk sloth, I’ve got something that’ll fix that.

It’s called the Hall of Fame Master Vault. If the name rings a bell, good, that means you know it’s the real deal. If not, you’re about to find out why people wait for this one.

It’s live for less than a week, July 16th through the 21st. After that, it’s gone for good.

Inside you get over $2,500 worth of premium courses and masterclasses from 14 top tier experts who actually know what they’re talking about.

Things like fixing a saggy middle, building a funnel that sells books while you sleep, writing blurbs that don’t read like a hostage note, and a two week romance writing challenge that kills your slow-writing excuses dead.

You also get the Book Profits Mastery course free, normally $197 on its own.

If you’ve been waiting for something like this, this is it.

👉 Grab it while the window’s open

I thought it might be time for a little reminder. Because writing books isn’t just about having the right plot or the perfect words. It’s about protecting the six inches between our ears.

Every day we tell ourselves stories.

“I’m behind.”

“I’m not writing fast enough.”

“The algorithm hates me.”

“No one wants to read my books.”

“My last launch wasn’t good enough.”

These are affirmations too. They’re just affirmations we should not have on repeat. Let this be the record scratch.

Recently, I’ve added something new to my routine. I’ve started listening to affirmation soundtracks. Think of them as background music for your mindset.

Instead of doomscrolling first thing in the morning, I surround myself with messages about creativity, abundance, discipline, confidence, and possibility.

I have nothing else to say. I’m going to go listen…

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And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

Bryan Cohen just launched a new Kickstarter campaign with rewards for both fiction and nonfiction authors!

The project is called Booked for Life, it’s a book about publishing books that build your nonfiction business or side hustle.

The reward tiers focus on behind-the-scenes content for writing, publishing, and marketing the book that fill your calendars with clients.

The add-ons include deep discounts on Best Page Forward’s services and courses like book descriptions and Author Ad School.

The campaign is now LIVE and you can back it at the following link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bestpageforward/booked-for-life

Go check it out and support Bryan and his book today!

And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

Ya’ll know I like low effort. I save all my big energy for the bonkers stuff I write in my book. And then —inevitably— it comes time to promote my books. One of my favorite things to film during a new release is a flat lay.

If you’ve never heard the term before, a flat lay is simply a photo or video taken from directly overhead. Your book is laid flat on a table and surrounded by props that match the mood, colors, and genre of the story.

They’re beautiful. They’re inexpensive. And they’re one of the easiest ways to create eye-catching content for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, and even your Shopify store.

Here’s my process.

I head to Michael’s Craft Store!!!!! It’s my favorite place. I sometimes go in there not needing anything and spend an hour looking at everything… even though nothing new is available.

But when I’m looking for flat lay items, I’m looking for items that match the vibe of the cover.

Things like:

• Silk flowers

• Ribbon

• Fabric

• Candles

• Faux greenery

• Wooden hearts

• Moss

• Decorative stones

• Mini pumpkins or Christmas ornaments (if it’s seasonal)

• Little knickknacks that fit the story… go into the doll house aisle, I dare you! It’s where I found the little bed so I could use the trope “there’s only one bed!”

The goal isn’t to recreate the story. The goal is to make someone stop scrolling because the image is beautiful.

How I Arrange My Flat Lays

There’s no single “right” way to build one, but here some suggestions.

• Put the book in the center and arrange props around all four sides like a picture frame.

• Place the book at a slight angle and let flowers or ribbon trail across opposite corners. This creates movement and feels less rigid.

• Keep the book off-center and build a little “scene” in one corner with candles, flowers, or props.

• Stack several books from the same series with decorative items scattered around them.

• Include a mug, blanket, reading glasses, and maybe a candle so it feels like someone is about to curl up with the book.

Then I Film

Once everything is arranged, I simply film several 10-second videos.

That’s it.

I slowly move the camera across the flat lay.

I zoom in on the cover.

I pan from left to right.

I move closer to the flowers or props.

Nothing fancy.

One setup can easily give me several weeks of content.

Add Text Later

I bring the videos into Canva (you could also use Capcut or Adobe Premiere) and add different text depending on the post.

Some ideas:

• Favorite quotes

• Tropes

• Taglines

• Short excerpts

• Review quotes

• The blurb

• Release date

• “Now Available”

• “Read in Kindle Unlimited”

• “Book One in the Series”

The beauty is that one video becomes twenty different posts just by changing the words.

Don’t Forget the Caption

The video gets people to stop. The caption tells social media who should see it.

Instead of writing: Here’s my new book! Think about what your ideal reader is searching for. Include keywords naturally throughout your caption.

For example:

• paranormal romance

• romantasy

• cozy fantasy

• small-town romance

• military romance

• second chance romance

• enemies to lovers

• fake dating

• marriage of convenience

• fated mates

• dragon romance

• wolf shifter romance

• morally gray hero

• villain heroine

• happily ever after

• spicy romance

• no spice romance

Don’t just list keywords. Write captions your readers would actually enjoy reading while naturally weaving those phrases into your description.

If your ideal reader is searching for “dragon romance with fated mates,” give the algorithm every reason to connect your content with that reader.

The flat lay catches their eye.

The caption tells the algorithm who to send it to.

Together, they become one of my favorite low-effort marketing tools for both new releases and backlist books.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go wander Michael’s and convince myself that yes, I absolutely need another bundle of silk flowers.

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Want more launch strategies? You should check out my Page Turner Planning series where I give you a year’s worth of marketing, business, and writing advice.

And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

If you’ve been hanging around author Facebook groups lately, you’ve probably heard whispers about Amazon’s new A11 algorithm. Here’s a great technical breakdown.

Amazon has publicly said they haven’t rolled out some giant new algorithm update. But as a customer—and an author who spends way too much time on Amazon—I can absolutely see changes happening on the user side, especially in search.

Whether that’s because of one giant update or hundreds of tiny ones behind the scenes almost doesn’t matter. The shopping experience feels different. From everything I’ve been reading and observing, here’s what many of us believe is happening.

Amazon appears to be moving away from simply matching keywords and toward understanding reader intent.

Instead of asking: “Does this book contain these words?”

The search engine seems to be asking: “Is this actually the kind of book this reader wants?”

That means Amazon appears to be placing greater emphasis on things like:

• Better metadata and category alignment

• Stronger product pages

• Conversion rates

• Reviews

• Reader engagement

• Author branding

• External traffic

• Overall customer satisfaction

Again, Amazon hasn’t confirmed all of this.

This is simply what many of us in the author community are observing as we watch search results change and compare notes.

Which brings me to my own little experiment.

Instead of arguing on the internet about whether A11 exists, I picked a handful of low-performing books in my Shanae Johnson backlist.

• I updated them.

• I refreshed metadata.

• I tightened descriptions.

• I looked at keywords.

• I made sure the books accurately reflected what readers would actually search for.

• Then I waited.

Two weeks later...

I’m seeing an increase in sales.

Now, am I claiming this proves the existence of A11? Absolutely not. Correlation isn’t causation.

Maybe the updates helped.

Maybe Amazon reindexed the books.

Maybe the algorithm gods smiled upon me.

Maybe all three.

But here’s what I do know. Refreshing your backlist is almost never wasted effort. At worst, you’ve cleaned up your metadata and improved your product pages. At best, you’ve made your books easier for readers to discover. Whether Amazon changed the algorithm or not, that’s a worthwhile project.

One thing I’ve learned after twelve years in publishing is that authors who thrive aren’t the ones who panic every time someone says “Amazon changed the algorithm.” They’re the ones who keep improving their assets.

So instead of spending hours trying to reverse engineer Amazon...

• Open up your backlist.

• Look at your blurbs.

• Look at your keywords.

• Look at your categories.

• Ask yourself if your product page accurately reflects the book you wrote and the readers who will love it.

That’s something you can control.

And I don’t know about you, but I sleep a whole lot better when I’m focused on the things I can actually control.

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Want more launch strategies? You should check out my Page Turner Planning series where I give you a year’s worth of marketing, business, and writing advice.

And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

Now that the dust has settled, I wanted to give you an update on how the release is actually performing.

ARC AND INFLUENCER MANAGEMENT

First, I knew I wasn’t going to have the bandwidth to manage ARC readers and social media promotion for this book. So I hired out.

I contracted Greys Promotions and The Author Agency to handle ARC distribution and a social media blast during the preorder period and release week. Both companies performed phenomenally. I’m still seeing posts, tags, and reviews rolling in from their hungry readers and influencers. The visibility they created extended far beyond launch week, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

I also sent out 135 promo boxes.

Each box included:

• A signed paperback

• Cute wolf stickers (because it’s a shifter book)

• A wolf paw temporary tattoo I found on Amazon

• A bookmark I designed in Canva

The response was huge.

Readers loved them. Influencers loved them. The unboxing content alone generated a lot of excitement and visibility for the release.

PAID PROMO & SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY

On the paid promotion side, I scheduled newsletter promotions every Friday during the 99¢ launch period.

I booked:

• Bargain Booksy

• BookBub New Release for Less

• Fussy Librarian

• Red Feather Romance

• Ereader News Today

• Red Roses Romance

• Robin Reads

I can clearly see those promotions helping keep the book visible and driving traffic throughout the month instead of creating one giant spike and then disappearing.

You’ve also seen my Facebook ad setup in previous posts, as well as how I structured my Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok content for the release.

LAUNCH OUTCOME

With all of that combined, this has actually been a really good launch.

In a little over two weeks, I’ve sold nearly 500 copies and had nearly 400 Kindle Unlimited borrows.

More importantly, the book is sticky.

The reviews have been glowing, and it’s currently holding a 4.5-star average.

Now, if you’re doing the math on hired PR, paid newsletters, Facebook ads, and 135 promo boxes, you’ll quickly realize that I’m not in the black yet.

This release was never designed to be profitable on Book One. This release was designed to build momentum for a four-book series. All four books are releasing this year one an every-other-month schedule.

My goal wasn’t to maximize profit on Book One. My goal was to introduce readers to the series and create enough excitement that they would continue through the rest of the books. And that’s happening.

Preorders are rolling in for Book Two. (Don’t worry. The ebook is uploaded!) I’m very confident that by the time Book Three releases, this series will be nothing but profit.

One of the hardest things for authors to remember is that sometimes we’re investing in a series, not a single launch.

A launch can be successful before it’s profitable.

A launch can be successful because it builds readership, momentum, visibility, and trust.

I’ll keep you updated as the series continues.

Want more launch strategies? You should check out my Page Turner Planning series where I give you a year’s worth of marketing, business, and writing advice. (PS if you see my nonfiction books for sale on Amazon, you’ll notice that my name isn’t on them. I took my name off so as to not confuse my fiction readers. I appreciate your worry, but no one has stolen my books and is pretending to me 🤣)

And don’t forget to follow my Diversified Author Blueprint Kickstarter. I’m currently documenting my processes for selling across various platforms and strategies so that I’m not dependent on one retailer or algorithm.

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My favorite royalty check comes from the library. Four times a year, I send a newsletter to my readers reminding them that my books are available through libraries.

Libraries want to buy books that their patrons want to read. I’ve found it more effective to have readers go in and request my books. When a local patron goes and talks to the librarian, libraries often purchase copies.

The reader gets access to books for free.

The library serves its community.

The author gets paid.

Win. Win. Win.

To make this strategy work, I make sure all of my books are available through the OverDrive library catalog. As indie authors, you can access OverDrive through distributors like Kobo Writing Life or Draft2Digital.

Then I educate my readers.

I tell them about Libby. Hoopla. OverDrive. All the wonderful library apps that allow them to borrow ebooks and audiobooks without leaving home.

I’m a reader first. I currently have four library cards from three different states plus Washington, D.C. I have a voracious reading appetite, and multiple library cards allow me to access more catalogs, more hold queues, and more books. It’s how I feed my reading addiction while saving money. And the beautiful thing is that authors still get paid when library systems license and circulate our books.

Again: win, win, win.

The other reason I love this strategy is that it acknowledges reality. Sometimes readers are struggling financially. Sometimes they’re choosing between books and groceries. Sometimes they’re simply trying to stretch their entertainment budget.

I’d much rather have a reader discover my work through a library than not discover it at all. Which is why I regularly remind them that libraries exist. Below is a generic version of the email I send four times a year. Feel free to adapt it for your own readers.

SUBJECT: Your Library Has My Books

I know times are hard for a lot of people right now.

Groceries cost more.
Bills cost more.
It feels like everything costs more.

When life gets heavy, many of us turn to stories.

We watch movies.
We listen to music.
We read books.

Stories give us a place to rest for a little while.

If your budget is tight right now, I want to remind you that my books are available through your local library.

Many libraries offer ebooks and audiobooks through apps like Libby, Hoopla, and OverDrive. All you need is a library card.

And if my books aren’t available yet, most libraries have a simple form where you can request titles you’d like them to carry.

So if you’re looking for your next great read, don’t forget about your library.

Visit your library.
Get a library card.
Talk to a librarian.
Bring home a stack of stories.

Happy reading!

If you’ve never reminded your readers about libraries, consider adding it to your marketing calendar. It’s simple, reader-friendly, and one of the easiest ways I know to help more readers discover my books.

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Want to support me during these trying times. Grab one of my craft books that can help you level up!

On Wednesday, June 17 at 7pm ET I’ll be participating in a candid discussion with my mastermind partners. We’ve been meet every week for nearly ten years to support each other, hold ourselves accountable, and get advice on how to achieve goals.

The event is FREE to attend, but you must register!

https://virtuouscon.com/workshop-series-2026

I’ve had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week.

First, my preorder got canceled.

It was my fault. I forgot to upload the final EPUB file. First time in 12 years, y’all.

Then a reader from my last fiction Kickstarter reached out to let me know that the Acknowledgements page wasn’t included in the special edition print book, which was one of the campaign features.

After some investigating, I realized I’d sent the printer the wrong file. Not only was the acknowledgements page missing, but there were also a couple of incorrectly formatted pages in the book.

So now I have to reprint and resend those books.

Needless to say, I’ve spent most of this week in my pajamas and there are three pints of empty ice cream containers in the trash. I even made a whole tray of brownies to eat just one. Anybody want the rest?

But here’s the thing. Every time I got up and looked at my phone, all I saw were emails and social media posts filled with support.

Readers telling me how beautiful the book was.

People reminding me that I could just send an insert with the acknowledgements page.

Authors reaching out after the preorder debacle.

Readers grabbing the book at the new link.

People showing up for me. And slowly, very slowly, I crawled out from under the covers, wiped the brownie crumbs from my cheeks, and got to work.

For the Kickstarter books, I’m going to reprint and resend them. It’s going to take a good chunk out of my profits, but my reputation matters more than the money.

As for the preorder? So many authors and readers rallied around me that the launch is actually going really well.

That’s what I’ve been thinking about all week.

We all make mistakes.

We all fall down.

Every single one of us.

I think sometimes people assume that because I have a platform and teach writing and publishing that I have it all figured out.

I don’t. I make mistakes. Successful people make mistakes. The difference is that they keep going after they make them.

The truth is, the reason I’ve been able to grow my career isn’t because I’m perfect. I’m faaaaaaaaar from it. It’s because I’ve never been afraid of making a mistake. Deep down, I trust myself to fight until I get it right.

So that’s all I wanted to say today.

I fell down.

I made a mistake.

I’m going to tend to the bruises for a little while longer.

Then I’m going to put on real clothes, go touch some grass, wander through a bookstore, and remind myself that one bad week doesn’t define a career.

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Want to support me during these trying times 🤣 No, you do not have to buy my Mafia Werewolf Shifter Romance. Grab one of my craft books that can help you level up!

If you guys remember, I lost my preorders for my upcoming release. Totally my fault. Just have to say again that it was the first time this has ever happened to me in my 12 year publishing career.

Anyway, I immediately reuploaded the book —which went live in one hour. Then I started a Facebook ad to try to give it some love. Here’s what happened in 24 hours.

When I set up a Facebook Ad, regardless of whether it’s for a Lead, a Purchase/Sale or Traffic, I use the same metric. I wait until I reach 500 Impressions before making any decisions.

Why 500 Impressions? Because I live walking distance to Washington, DC where our nation’s policies are made. So, I get a lot of political ads and surveys thrown at me. One day during election time, I noticed that a research poll from whence policy was made had about 500 people responding to it.

I thought to myself, they just made a policy that affects millions based on 500? Then I thought to myself, I’m gonna make decisions about my Facebook ads based off of 500. Yes, seriously, that’s my logic.

Once I reach 500 Impressions (that’s eyeballs on my ad), I next look at the amount of Clicks or Results. I want to have gained at least 50 clicks from those 500 eyeballs. And I want that to translate into one Conversion (a lead to my newsletter, a sale on my website, or a sale trafficked to Amazon). If the ad meets those metrics, I call it a success.

In twenty four hours, with no other promotion aside from crying about it in a Kickstarter Backer update, these are my results.

The Merciless Vow Traffic Campaign was sent to a Facebook Audience targeting Paranormal Romance readers (PNR 54M where M means million). Over 1200 people saw the ad (Impressions). Almost 200 people clicked on the link. I clocked 25 sales, 7 KU borrows, and 2290 page reads before I went to bed.

The ad’s budget was $10. It spent $8.20. I made $19.01 on that book.

So, I’d say the ad is working!

Now what?

Now, I could:

• increase the budget

• duplicate my success with the PNR audience and send this same campaign to a new ad set (meaning a new target audience)

• or tweak the copy and/or images to get even better results.

What am I going to do?

Absolutely nothing.

I’ve got my newsletter, paid newsletters, and other promotions set up for release week. I’m going to let those work and I’m going to rest as much as possible. Even planning a beach trip for the weekend.

But here’s my cheat sheet for decision making… when I’m ready to make decisions again.

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Want to support me during these trying times 🤣 No, you do not have to buy my Mafia Werewolf Shifter Romance. Grab one of my craft books that can help you level up!

Here’s the link to the Ad Cheat Sheet: https://ineswrites.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AD-STRATEGY-Cheat-Sheet.pdf

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I did NOT set up the Warm Audience ad, which would have been an ad using an audience of folks who had previously clicked on the ad. There was not enough clicks to make the ad serve. There were less than 1000 captured profiles.