1,400 Thank Yous!

Before I launch into today's celebratory post, I just want to say massive thank you for everyone's lovely thoughts and wishes on my last post about Egypt. We managed to talk to our family a few times over the weekend. Although there were a few dodgy moments, everything seems to be safe now and people are excited for change. Fingers crossed!

So! It's Monday, and I'm in the mood for celebrating! It's possible I've had too many mini Reese's Pieces (thanks, Shannon!), but chocolate-fuelled energy aside, I'm happy. Why, you ask (or not -- I'm going to tell you, anyway)?

The Hating Game has sold 1,400 copies on Amazon UK this month! Yes, 1,400! In January! Since the cover change, the books usually sells between 70 to 100 copies daily and it's in the top 50 on Amazon Kindle (UK) right now. I can hardly believe it!

A HUMONGOUS THANK YOU to everyone who has promoted, bought, reviewed, talked about or commented on anything to do with my novel! It's thanks to all of you that my debut novel has been successful.

Now... let's party!

Getting it Right

Happy Monday!

You may have noticed that the cover of The Hating Game has changed. Yes -- again. Late last week, I had a conversation with my publisher, who told me that while the book was selling well, she still didn't feel it was reaching its target market. One of the biggest worries was that that the sinister-like red and black cover was turning off prospective female buyers who might think it was more crime than rom-com.

So we took the plunge and made the change. And guess what? Sales jumped almost immediately. On the first day after the change, I sold almost four times more copies a day than usual, and the trend is continuing.

Once the initial launch momentum had worn off, The Hating Game usually fell anywhere from around 350 to 600 in the UK rankings, depending on the day. Since the cover change, it's been between 150 to 200. It's still early days, but it's pretty safe to say the new cover is having the desired effect.

That's the great thing about Kindle. If something isn't working, then it's easy to change. Would it have been better to have all this figured out, pre-Kindle publication? Well, yes.

But better late than never!

Reminder: Significant Other Blogfest this Friday!

Bodice Rippers, Hunky Heroes and Secrets

Over the Christmas holiday, I spoke to The Times (and by default, The Daily Mail) about the enormous popularity of romance novels on Kindle. The reporter asked me if I thought it was due to the fact that on Kindle, you can hide the cover of your novel in a way that's just not possible in paperback form.

I reckon that's part of it. There is indeed an unfair stigma attached to romance, and riding the Tube with your sexy cover displayed for all the local pervs to eye up might attract some unwanted attention. Plus, there lurks the stereotype of the spinster getting her kicks through such books. And it doesn't help when the article itself used cliched language like 'bodice rippers' to describe romance novels; someone please tell me how that's romantic?

The bit the reporter didn't include was this: romance novels are fast-paced, entertaining and well plotted. They're as difficult to write as any genre, and as enjoyable. That's why romances are so popular, and always have been. And with the low prices available on Kindle, the masses are pouncing on them yet again.

So this brings me to my question: have you ever wanted to buy a book, but were turned off by a childish/ too feminine/ embarrassing cover? And if you have a Kindle, would you consider buying that same book now?