Wow, I can’t believe it’s May 1st already! That means only 3 weeks left in the school year *squeeee* Sometimes I think us teachers are more excited for summer than the students, lol. This first Wednesday of the month also means it’s time for Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
It’s been 98 days since my debut novel, 18 Things, released. 98 is a lucky number for me since it’s the year hubs and I tied the knot 🙂 But I’d say the thing I was most insecure about these first 3 months is what others would think of my book. Most of my reviews on Amazon and Goodreads have been 4 or 5 stars so far (thank you, Jesus *wipes forehead*), but as my publisher submits 18 Things to Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble for in-store distribution, I sure could use some more reviews! So it seems perfect that Susie Levine is hosting a great blog hop to celebrate authors! Here’s what I read about it on Krystal Wade’s blog today:
Without the ratings, without the few sentences from a happy reader, it makes it harder for a new reader to come along and snatch up the book. How many times have you seen a book on Amazon and not purchased it because it didn’t have enough reviews?
Here you’ll find a link back to her original post and the sign-up code.
Make sure you write a review for a book you’ve read, loved, and never mentioned to your friends or family or Goodreads. Post it on your blog. On Amazon. On Shelfari. Wherever you like to rant and rave.
Authors are sometimes insecure and in need of a pick-me-up. So hug them!
I would love to get this book in hardback, because I think you will be a future Best Seller.”
You can now buy it on Amazon and Kobo! To celebrate, here’s a quick excerpt from the book:
A smirk spread across his face and he chuckled.
“You are amusing. I hope you let the Pharaoh see that.”
“Oh, I will.” I smiled. “Once I no longer feel he may throw me to the crocodiles for it.”
He folded his arms and grinned at me.
“He needs someone who can make him laugh. He lives a very tiresome existence and never has a moment to relax.”
“Do you wish me to oblige?” I asked.
He nodded. “Oh yes, Kiya. Make him love you, make him hold you in his highest regard. That will humble our Great Queen and remove her from her station, so she no longer feels she and her daughters have a right to the throne.”
I sighed. “Well, I can do my best, but I am not as pretty as many, or as young.”
“But you are honest, and he will appreciate that among all the liars he is faced with every day.”
*Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?!?
And before I go, I just have to brag on my 12yo daughter for a second. Since the last time I blogged, she was awarded First Place for Level 2 entries in the WHOLE STATE OF FLORIDA for the Letters For Literature essay contest. She even won $100 with it! I’d love to share her essay about Lauren Myracle’s book, Thirteen, but it’ll have to wait until after the national judging is over. Keep your fingers crossed for her!
Oh, and if you’ve read 18 Things, you know all about my fictional band, Cantankerous Monkey Squad. My talented friend sang the spoof of the “Good Riddance” song I put in the book: “Ode to a Septic Tank.” Hope you enjoy a laugh, and if you do decide to post a book review, I hope you didn’t think 18 Things was crap! Hahaha . . . .
Jamie Ayres 
What fabulous comments you’re getting about your book! I’m happy dancing for you. Future Best Seller! That’s awesome.
The wonderful comments your readers make about 18 Things are well-deserved! I go back and forth on leaving reviews, mainly because I’m so busy already, and because personally I don’t use reviews of strangers as a way to decide whether to read a book or not. I crack it open and decide for myself!
But now that you mention it, I could probably manage a few sentences of my thoughts, especially for a book that I loved. 🙂
Congratulations to your little girl!! Sounds like she’s following in Mommy’s footsteps 🙂 Leaving reviews is a great reminder. After meeting one of my favorite authors (Andrea Cremer), I found that she doesn’t read her reviews because of how the negative ones affect her but it’d still help sells in the end. Good point 😉
I’m sitting here CRYING (and laughing). You just brought your book and characters even more to life with that video. I loved that part of 18 Things. LOVED IT. I love you, too. But yeah, I’ll save my gushing for our email chats. Hope you’re working on 18 Truths. I’d love to see it soon.
Your book is on my Kindle waiting patiently in line to be read. I will definitely write a review. When? Well, eventually. This week I’m beta reading for some one.
Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly
Congratulations to your daughter!
I often do the stars only on Goodreads, but I’m trying to at least leave a couple lines with each one.
Congrats on your good ratings. I have 4-5 stars so far, too 🙂 I still have 18 Things on my TBR list!
Thanks Jamie! 🙂
Your book is doing so well, Jamie! I’m proud of you. 🙂
Congratulations on your positive reviews and on your daughter’s prize!
Yay for those wonderful words about 18 THINGS! I’ll admit, I don’t get around to doing all the reviews I want to. Adding stars is easy, but I always get so concerned about what to in the review (I really want them to be worded right, since I know the authors put so much time, hope, effort and love into them) that it ends up taking tons of time. Now, I’m going to have to run back to Amazon + Goodreads and see if I wrote a review for 18 THINGS- I hope I did. I wanted to. If not, I’ll get right on it. Promise 🙂
18 Things is on my Kindle. I see all the five star reviews on Amazon. I will get to it very soon!
Oh, congrats on all the nice feedback! It does lift the spirits to know there’s people out there enjoying our stories. Best of luck!
Thanks for joining the blog hop!
Congrats to your daughter and YAY on those great reviews! I’ve heard and read such good things about 18 Things and the cover is awesome. I’ll definitely be picking it up!
Congrats to your daughter and those great reviews!