November 19, 2023
Hey Readers! Been a while, again. I was sick for a bit there and then we took a much needed vacation and now I’m back at it. My daily writing routines haven’t stopped. (4:30 a.m. because I love mornings and it’s the only time of day I can find the time.) My current project, a semi-sequel to Project Domain, is about halfway done and should (fingers crossed), be complete in spring which is good timing because a few days ago Amazon selected Project Domain for its Prime Reading Program. This is HUGE for writers like me. Out of 50 million books, Amazon selects between 1,200 – 1,500 for its exclusive program. This represents about a 0.00003% chance of being chosen. It’s that selective. Not only will Project Domain be part of this program for 6 months, its yet-to-be-named sequel should be out before Project Domain‘s inclusion in the program ends. It’s actually very good timing. This is so incredibly good for my books.
Earlier this year, Interference had been selected by Amazon for this program and I’m thinking it must have been a good test because Project Domain has been selected soon after. I am not permitted to explain the specifics of my contracts with Amazon but essentially, inclusion in this program pushes my books to millions of people. I receive a flat fee for this. Whether one person or millions of people actually read the book, I get paid the same which is great for Amazon and mysterious yet immensely positive for authors. Amazon maintains the metrics for the push out and uses its algorithms to put my books in the appropriate hands and figure out what they should pay me for it.
The purpose-driven people who talk to me about my books are always interested in the process I undertake to achieve my goals. Others ask where I get my ideas. About half inevitably ask about how much money I make from these agreements and the overall sales of my book. Not only because I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement with Amazon but also because the question lessens the value of creation and dedication, I will say it’s only my business and that of the companies that pay me. Non-readers almost always envision “real” authors as those driving Ferraris and having serving staff. Real readers know that real authors are the ones dedicated to the craft, chipping away at a big literary block at quiet hours for years and years on end. I have no choice to keep chipping. Writing is my thing, and that of many other authors. So hats off to all of those creative souls that keep us up at night, turning pages by flashlight. (And even if I happened to have billions in my bank, I would still drive a minivan because I love them, haters be dammned 🙂
I’ll leave you with a YAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I’m so happy and a reminder that authors need reviews. The more reviews I have, the more likely algorithms are in my favor, so please leave me a review on Amazon when you can. I would be forever grateful. (Note that Amazon will NOT publish your review if you say you know me, whether you do or don’t.)
Until next time, Dear Readers, keep reading. . .
S.L.Luck 