I've been running a fever all day, and my tired, sore eyes are finding it hard to focus on screens or books right now; so there won't be much blogging tonight. I hope I'll be able to put up more posts tomorrow morning.
To keep you amused, Brigid has written a very nice review of my first novel, 'Take The Star Road'. I think she and Sarah Hoyt have both seen more clearly what I was trying to achieve with it than many younger readers, who haven't grown up steeped in the works of the 'Big Three': Asimov, Clarke and Heinlein (those of you who don't know their work, but who enjoy good literature, are in for a treat!). Thanks, Brigid! Much appreciated.
As of the time of writing, five full days (i.e. 24-hour periods) after publication on Amazon, the book's sales performance looks like this:
It appears to be holding steady in the top 30 sellers in both of its categories (Space Opera and Military science fiction). It dipped below 20 over the weekend, when sales slowed, but it picked up again today. As more reviews are posted, both on Amazon and on other blogs, I hope it'll continue to improve.
I'm most grateful to all of you for your support and kindness in reading it, and encouraging others to try it. I'm selling about 97 copies for every one borrowed through Amazon's Prime program, so that's a really healthy ratio. I'm not making a huge amount per book, because I deliberately priced it low to attract readers. The second book, of approximately the same length, will probably also be low-priced for the same reason. The third and subsequent books will be longer, and be a little (but not much) more expensive. I want people to keep buying and reading them, after all! In today's economy, it behooves me not to be greedy, and to give my friends and readers value for their reading dollar.
Finally, for those interested in the food we eat (and who isn't?), see the article 'Dear American Consumers: Please Don’t Start Eating Healthfully. Sincerely, the Food Industry' over at Scientific American. It's a telling exposé of how we, as consumers, are manipulated by the producers of everything we eat - and how they profit from every fad and fashion, whether it's good for us or not. Recommended reading.
Take care, friends. I'll be back later.
Peter
Hey Peter;
ReplyDeleteI picked your book up once it was available on Amazon. I loved it, it reminded me of the helmsman series from Bill Baldwin that I read in the 80's. I am anxiously awaiting the second installment.
Respectfully
Bob A.K.A. "MrG"
He're's wishing you get well soon!
ReplyDeleteI finished the book a couple of days ago, and commented briefly at that time.
You know the way some books pop back up in your thoughts in the days after being read? Yours does, and that's a very good sign for the rest of the series.
I like the way the book is unafraid to be a bit "classic" or "old fashioned".
I also appreciate the well-fleshed-out economy and tech-background. I'm looking forward to learning more about the characters, as they get fleshed out in future volumes.
For the last commenter - hoist a Logish Meem for me, will you? I've been meaning to track down the last couple of episodes in that series for some time. Thanks for the reminder!
Outstanding! I will have to buy it when I go on leave. It has "fun deployment reading" written all over it. . .
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one Peter, my review goes up tomorrow! Get better my friend!
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ReplyDeletePeter, I bought and have just started your book. By pure serendipity (really!), this comes after re-reading Starship Troopers, which I last read when I was 12 or 13. So the competition is tough! ;)
ReplyDeleteI also will be posting a review, probably by friday if I will quit falling down and hurting myself. As Brigid wrote, it takes me back to the Juvenile novels that Heinlein wrote which were my first exposure to Science Fiction. It is a welcome return to that genre, and one we as a society have been missing.
ReplyDeleteBought it, haven't had time to read it yet though. Definitely looking forward to doing so this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, congratulations on the high sales ranking.
I just finished your book and I'm going to give you the highest compliment I know. For several hours I felt like a young boy again, lost in the fantasy worlds of Burroughs, Heinlen and Dent. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeletePeter, reminded me of the E E 'Doc' Smith books I enjoyed so many years ago. Bring on the next ones, please.
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