Category Archives: Goodreads giveaway

Update: 1 week until Visions of Zarua’s book birthday! Join in the #fantasy goodreads giveaway

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Well it’s only a week to go until my debut novel is a year old!

The goodreads giveaway is still live until the big day – 16th Nov 2016. Enter here if you want the chance to win a signed copy.

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I’m still planning a Rafflecopter giveaway, but I’ve decided to wait until I’ve been to the Self-Publishing Summit at the weekend. Maybe I’ll get some tips about marketing these giveaways.

I’m also running a new Amazon Ad as I’ve just reduced the US Kindle book price to $2.99. I’m stating the cost in the ad to see if this makes a difference to the amount of people who click and don’t buy. Fingers crossed!

Kindle Unlimited has also been disappointing – my KENP read has been a depressing flat line for the last 10 days. Hopefully this will pick up with a bit of advertising.

Can I ask your opinion on my log line

Currently – Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.

New option – Two reluctant heroes, 350 years apart. Can they save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past?

Please let me know if either intrigues you.

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The blog may go quiet for a few days while I prepare for the Self-pub summit, but I’ll still reply to all your comments.

#GoodReads #giveaway – Visions of Zarua #fantasybook #epicfantasy

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There’s still time to enter the Worldwide giveaway for Visions of Zarua, a standalone epic fantasy. The winner will be picked on 16th November to celebrate the 1st anniversary of publication.

Here’s a taste of some recent reviews…

4.0 out of 5 stars A gripping fantasy with a strong premise and endearing characters, 16 July 2016

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful 3-dimensional characters in an epic fantasy, 12 July 2016

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliantly written fantasy, finished it and wanted more!, 7 July 2016

Click the link to enter Goodreads giveaway.

Visions of Zarua Book Cover.jpg

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.
Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate.
Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer.
The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

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Read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

I’m also offering ebook review copies in exchange for honest reviews. Please get in touch if you’re interested.

Visions of Zarua 1st anniversary #Goodreads #Giveaway #epicfantasy

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I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since Vision of Zarua was published and I want to celebrate by running a worldwide giveaway.

The winner will be picked on 16th Nov, an exact year after the ebook went live.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson

Visions of Zarua

by Suzanne Rogerson

Giveaway ends November 16, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Visions of Zarua is still enrolled in kindle unlimited, click here if you want to read it for free.

And if you are a book reviewer who is interested in reviewing, please use the contact me page.

Good luck to everyone who enters, and keep a look out for other giveaways I’ll be running over the next few months.

#WWWblogs – Goodreads Giveaway #Indie #Writers take advantage of free advertising

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Are you self published? Have you tried a free goodreads giveaway?

Ok, it’s not free in the sense that you need to supply the paperback and pay the postage, but it is one of the best ways to reach people that actually read books.

I’ve run 3 giveaways for my novel Visions of Zarua. One over Christmas, one over Easter and this last one at the end of my first ever blog tour (see the blog tour page here in case you missed it).

This morning at 8am the competition closed and a winner was selected by Goodreads. I’m pleased to see the winner reads and reviews books, and I really hope they will enjoy Visions enough to consider reviewing it at some point in the future.

I was amazed that 1658 people entered in just two weeks. That’s 1658 people that have seen my book and wanted to win it! That’s my reason why the goodreads giveaways are so good for Indie authors.

Visions of Zarua is also marked as to-read by 1221 people.

I know these are just numbers and don’t equate to sales, but it’s really exciting to think that all these people have seen my book.

Poppy is ecstatic with the results.

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(Note to the winner – Poppy’s cuddling my copy. Don’t worry, you have a brand new book being sent to you.)

My experience

Of my 3 giveaways, one winner did drop off of Goodreads completely and I don’t know if they even received the book. When postage costs more than £10, plus the cost of the book, it’s frustrating but that’s just the way it goes. I think it’s still worth the risk to get the book noticed by more people. I have yet to receive any reviews because of the giveaways, but maybe the winners will get around to it one day.

The only thing I would have done differently with this giveaway is the timing. I should have had the giveaway running throughout the blog tour, all that extra publicity missed! But marketing is a learning process and I hope my mistakes will help others as they begin their journey into self-publishing.

Do you have any tips to share?

Have you tried the goodreads giveaways and what did you think?

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On another note – I won my first ever goodreads giveaway at the same time as someone won mine. I can’t wait to receive my free book ‘Late Summer in the Vineyard by Jo Thomas’  and you can be sure I will review it. Watch this space.

 

#SundayBlogShare – Less than 24 hours to win a paperback copy of Visions of Zarua #fantasy

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There is less than 24 hours to go in this worldwide giveaway on goodreads. Almost 1300 people have entered so far and I’m gratified to see Visions on over 1000 people’s bookshelves!

If you’re not sure whether to enter, why not take a look at the reviews on Goodreads – average rating 4.42 (12 ratings / 11 reviews).

Enter the giveaway here.

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There are also some great reviews on Amazon UK  (average rating 4.5stars) & US (average rating 4.4 stars).

Plus the Smashwords discount is still running for 50% off ebook / kindle.

You may also want to check out my recent blog tour for Visions of Zarua. Reviews, Q&A and some picture quotes like this…

cathy - pyre picture quote

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On a personal note, the kids have just broken up for the summer hols. It was a busy & emotional time, especially with my son leaving junior school, but he has taken it in his stride and can’t wait for Seniors in September.

I plan to be quite busy with them for the next few weeks, plus I’m still trying to finish my next book. I have a couple of posts lined up but then things may go quiet at my end. Please still leave comments and I will check back when I can.

Happy summer everyone.

 

 

 

Visions of Zarua giveaway update and price promo continues

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A quick update.

The UK Goodreads Giveaway for Visions of Zarua finishes on 24th March (US time). That’s just two days left to enter. Please help me spread the word and enter if you fancy winning a signed paperback of this debut epic fantasy.

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‘Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.’

The price promo for kindle and ebook is running for a few more days so you can download a copy now for only 99p / $1.99 etc.  amazon smashwords nook

Thanks for your support.

 

Enter to #win #epicfantasy Visions of Zarua in the #Goodreads #Giveaway

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Top reviewers say;

‘Thrilling and dark fantasy novel that really keeps you gripped from beginning to end!’

‘The perfect amount of epicness.’

VOZ print book 3d image standing

Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate. Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer. The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?

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I’ve decided to run another Goodreads Giveaway, though I’m limiting it to the UK. Sorry to everyone else, I just wanted to have a UK winner this time. I will run another giveaway in the future though.

The giveaway runs 10th – 24th March and 1 lucky winner from the UK will receive a signed paperback.

If you are intrigued by the blurb and fancy a bargain, I’m running a price promo on Visions of Zarua. Ebook only 99p / $1.99 available. amazon smashwords nook

Click Goodreads Giveaway to enter now.

Please share and spread the word.

Visions of Zarua 99p / $1.99. My #Mslexia Ad & Subscriber Spotlight in #WritingMagazine

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Two days ago I received the new Mslexia magazine and was very happy to see my ad for Visions of Zarua at the top of their noticeboard on page 12.

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If you can’t read my blurry picture, the ad states ‘Visions of Zarua by Suzanne Rogerson. Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master dies investigating the visions, Paddren vows to find the killer. His childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch agree to help. They’re guided by a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?’

Then today, I received my Writing Magazine and right in the centre is my piece in the Subscriber Spotlight section.

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(Hopefully this picture is a little easier to read.)

These magazine pieces have come at the perfect time to drum up a bit of interest in Visions of Zarua as I have just set up a kindle and ebook price promotion of 99p / $1.99. I’m hoping this will help persuade people to take a chance on my debut epic fantasy.

Available to buy here: amazon  smashwords

I’m looking into ways to advertise this price promo, so any tips you can offer will be very welcome.

I also have news of another Goodreads Giveaway. This time I’ve limited it to the UK, but I will do another worldwide giveaway in the future. The giveaway runs from 10th to 24th March, so I will be shouting about it nearer the time.

Please share and help spread the word.

Visions of Zarua – Results of the #Goodreads Giveaway Feb 2016

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First of all thanks so much to all those who entered, and to those who have helped me spread the word.

Three winners were picked by Goodreads and the signed books are about to be sent out. Congratulations to the winners, I really hope they enjoy the book.

I ran my giveaway of Visions of Zarua for 2 months, not having put much research into what is a good timescale beforehand. Others have suggested that a shorter period is better, but maybe for a new indie author the longer the giveaway runs, the better.

2070 people entered the competition and of those 835 marked it as to read on their bookshelves. I’ve also managed to pick up some new followers. These are people that would never have heard of Visions of Zarua without Goodreads, so I see the competition as a great success. I really enjoyed running the giveaway and I may run another competition again soon.

I have also considered doing a Rafflecopter giveaway, but know even less about this than I did Goodreads. Can anyone offer any advice?

A bit cheeky I know, but if you were intrigued by the giveaway and fancied picking up a copy, Visions of Zarua is available for only £2.99 on Kindle, Kobo, iBooks, Nook, and Smashwords for other formats.

For any authors out there considering a giveaway, I say go for it.

 

UPDATE – 17th February 2016

A small note of caution. Running the giveaway is free, but the costs can still add up. My lucky winners were from Romania, India and USA. In all, the postage has cost me £27.45. Add to this the cost of the books which I brought direct from createspace and had to pay shipping on as well. I’d say I’m around £50.00 out of pocket.

However, as far as advertising costs go, that’s a bargain.

I know 2070 people (plus their friends on Goodreads) have now seen my book. Being in the fantasy section of the giveaway ensures I have done all I can to target my ideal audience. So although the giveaway hasn’t had much impact on sales yet, I’m hopeful it will help spread the word about Visions of Zarua. I read somewhere that consumers need to see a product a lot (something like 7 – 10 times) before they buy. So I shall just keep plugging away and keep dreaming of those sales and reviews rolling in.

1 day left to enter #goodreads #giveaway for epic fantasy – Visions of Zarua

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Two wizards, 350 years apart. Together they must save the realm of Paltria from Zarua’s dark past…

VOZ print book 3d image standing If you want to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 3 signed paperback copies, enter the Goodreads Giveaway now. It ends midnight 14th February 2016. So far 1440 people have entered.

Please share this and help me spread the word. Thank you.

 

About Visions of Zarua 

An ancient darkness haunts the realm of Paltria.

Apprentice wizard Paddren is plagued by visions of a city on the brink of annihilation. When his master Kalesh dies in mysterious circumstances, the Royal Order of Wizards refuses to investigate. Helped by his childhood friend, the skilled tracker Varnia, and her lover Leyoch, Paddren vows to find the killer. The investigation leads Paddren down a sinister path of assassins, secret sects and creatures conjured by blood magic. But he is guided by a connection with a wizard from centuries ago – a wizard whose history holds the key to the horror at the heart of the abandoned city of Zarua. Can Paddren decipher his visions in time to save the Paltrian people from the dark menace of Zarua’s past?