Getting Blitzed, Amazon Style

BLITZ: A fast, intensive campaign

You may have heard of something called an AMAZON BLITZ. This is where an author attempts to get as many people as possible to buy his or her book within a very short period of time, in order to "up" their book ranking and push their novel towards the top of the Amazon best-seller list. Since Amazon updates their best-selling list hourly, some authors do this so they can add "best selling author" to their resume'. Of course, this is a little like cheating the system. Even if the author breaks the top 100, chances are, after the Amazon Blitz is over, he or she will slide back down to 750,000th place again.

Personally, I am not holding an Amazon Blitz so I can be known as a best-selling author. That status can be added to my title if and when I start writing books that make readers willing to stand in line for hours before they are officially released to the public. Or when my sales rival those of Karen Kingsbury, Beverly Lewis, or Debbie Macomber. 

For now, just call me a struggling author. And that, my friends, is exactly the reason I'm holding an Amazon Blitz. To sell more books and to push Mind over Madi to a higher "ranking." Not so I can call myself a best-selling author, but so my title comes up sooner in Amazon lists. Because the closer to the top of the list I am, the more quickly my book will show up in the categories my book is "tagged" in. So, for instance, if someone searches for "insecurity" or "women's fiction" or "family life," maybe my book would show up on the 2nd page instead of the 85th page. And book sales is the only thing that boosts that ranking. And higher rankings is the thing that best boosts sales!

SO ....I am asking for your help. If you have been thinking about buying Mind over Madi for yourself or someone on your gift giving list, please consider purchasing through Amazon on the following dates:

THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, December 15 & 16. 

And if you could do it via the link on my blog, that would help me even more.

But even if you do not plan on buying my book (or already have!), can you please put a shout out on social media networks like FACEBOOK and TWITTER, asking readers to buy my book on these two days?

This would be so helpful and much appreciated!

Thank you thank you thank you for helping me out. And please forgive me if you receive an email and/or Facebook messages regarding my Amazon Blitz. The point of this whole thing is to annoy inform as many people as possible about the Blitz -- and, of course, my book!

Now a little about MIND OVER MADI (from the back cover):

All men cheat. At least, that’s what Madi’s mother has always told her.

 

Madi McCall admits her husband lacks a little in the romance department, but all in all, he’s been a good husband, a good father. Now, though, she suspects Rich is having an affair with Fawn Witchburn, the mother of one of his fourth-grade students. To say Fawn shows off her “assets” more than should be legally allowed in public is an understatement, and Madi’s insecurities kick into high gear. When, in a heated moment, she asks Rich to leave and he complies, Madi is forced to deal with her issues. Issues of love and trust she’s tried so hard to avoid. Issues that trail all the way back to her childhood and make her act like a total moron.



Delightful. Witty. Entertaining. Real. Poignant.

Light-hearted Women’s Fiction at Its Best

“A dynamic novel that takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that echo their own scream-inducing moments...all while reminding us that even when it seems the world is off-track, God is in the seat beside us, promising we’ll be okay when the ride stops. Reserve space on your ‘keepers’ shelf for this one!” - Loree Lough, award-winning author of 83 books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor (#1 in the First Responders series)

“Lynda Lee Schab is a new, fresh addition to Christian fiction, combining her own distinctive author voice with humor and thought-provoking storytelling. I laughed right out loud in places and experienced the ministry of the Holy Spirit in others. I’m eager to see what’s next from Lynda Lee Schab.” - Sandra D. Bricker, best-selling and award-winning author of Always the Baker, Never the Bride, the first in a four-book series

“A fast, fun read in the tradition of classic chick lit. Madison ‘Madi’ McCall lives in an ordinary world, yet dreams of being a fairy-tale princess. In her quest to find her inner princess, Madi faces her responsibilities and the stresses that crowd her life. Along the way she overcomes challenges, learns to accept God’s grace, and grows her faith.” - Megan DiMaria, author of Searching for Spice and Out of Her Hands

“With a smart, snappy style, Lynda Lee Schab delivers an entertaining tale. Be prepared for chuckles aplenty as Madi learns a hard-won lesson about trust.” - Virginia Smith, author of Third Time’s a Charm and the Sister-to-Sister Series

“An engaging story of the proverbial ostrich with her head stuck in the sand. And who hasn’t been there a time or two? With doses of humor, gentle insights, and an eclectic supporting cast, Schab had me rooting for heroine Madi to learn the truth that would ultimately set her free. A fast-paced, highly enjoyable story.” - Julie Carobini, author of Fade to Blue

Amazon Kindle or Barnes and Noble Nook?

I have to say, I never thought I would be interested in any type of electronic reading device. I read a lot of stuff online, but don't enjoy e-books because of the inconvenience and readability. Give me a regular book any day with paper pages and that I can hold in my hands.

But then Amazon introduced the Kindle. Honestly, I didn't give it much thought until Deb Porter talked about it at the FaithWriters conference this past August. When she listed all of the features the Kindle offers, I was intrigued. In fact, I found myself VERY intrigued. Definitely put the Kindle at the top of my wish list. The truth is, only the hefty price tag keeps me from ordering one right this very second. In case you haven't heard about the benefits of an e-reader, here are a few facts about the Kindle:

Holds up to 1,500 books!
About $250-$300 to buy
Long battery life
Visually appealing
Holds and reads like a real book
Amazon cataglogs titles for instant wireless delivery
Books are inexpensive (average $10)
Text to Speech translation (great for when you leave the house and don't want to put that book down!)

However, The Amazon Kindle, the original e-reader introduced two years ago, now has some serious competition.

Barnes and Noble has just come out with their version of an e-reader: The Nook. While there are many similarities, Barnes and Noble is boasting these differences:

More than one million titles available (compared to Kindle's "over 350,000")
Replaceable battery (Kindle is rechargeable only)
Using Micro SD expansion slot; a 16GB card holds up to 17,500 eBooks in the Nook.
Nook is the first 3G and Wi-Fi-enabled eReader
Color Touch Screen

A full comparison list between the Kindle and the Nook can be found on the Barnes and Noble website. Amazon just reduced the cost of the Kindle to compete with the just-released, lower-priced Nook. Both devices come with a retail price tag of $259.

Personally, I'm waiting for that price to drop a bit before I buy. If you are considering an e-reader, visit my Examiner.com page to view demonstration videos of both the Kindle and the Nook to see which one looks more appealing to you. And if you already own one, I'd love love love your thoughts.

And the $15 Amazon.com Gift Card Goes to...

Thanks to everyone who took the time to comment about how wonderful I am! If I didn't appreciate my friends before, I certainly do now! You guys rock!

So this morning I wrote every name down on a square of paper and stood by while my 11-year-old daughter closed her eyes and selected a winner. And just let me say that - yawn - she sure did take her sweet old time - almost enough for me to whistle the whole Jeopardy tune.

Anyway, I am thrilled to announce that the winner of the $15 Amazon.com gift card is...


JULIE ARDUINI!

Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats to Julie - your gift card will be arriving in your email inbox very soon. Hopefully this helped to make your Monday a little bit less Monday-ish.

And thanks again to everyone who entered. Keep an eye out for more contests in 2009!

Have a blessed week!

Subscriber Monday!

So who is taking advantage of CYBER MONDAY and all the great deals that come with it? Strangely, I had never heard of Cyber Monday, even though the term has supposedly been around since 2005 and I have been online for a lot longer than that! Guess I wasn't paying attention! Or maybe Cyber Monday is just getting more press these days. Regardless, it's fun, isn't it? Any excuse to shop works for me!

Three days ago on Black Friday, my friend, Julie Arduini, featured a poem on her blog that I wrote last year about the ominous Friday Shoppy Frenzy. Oddly, even never having heard of Cyber Monday, it ties in. Here's the link if you'd like to read it: TWAS THE MORN AFTER THANKSGIVING.

Anyway, just now, as I was finishing up my order with Amazon.com, I realized it has been a whole week since I've posted and started thinking about how I could tie in Cyber Monday with my blog. Well, as you can see from my title, I've come up with something.

Today, on my blog anyway, it's SUBSCRIBER MONDAY!

What exactly IS Subscriber Monday? I'm glad you asked.

I would like to give something back to you for reading my blog. Many of you regularly visit and spend your precious and valuable time reading my ramblings and sometimes even commenting! This makes me feel special, so I want to do something special for you. Well, ONE of you, anyway.

All you need to do is post a comment, telling me how wonderful I am. Then, in one week (December 8), I will randomly select one person to receive a $15 Amazon.com gift card. If you can't think of any ways I'm wonderful, feel free to say it's because I'm giving away a $15 Amazon.com gift card. And no, you don't actually have to BE a subscriber to enter. Visitor Monday just doesn't have the same ring to it, you know?

And that's all there is to it!

Seriously, THANK YOU for joining me on my track to publication. I DO appreciate you! I know $15 isn't much, but it should at least buy you a book. Who knows? Next year it may even be MY book!

Stay tuned...