AN AUTHOR’S MAKEOVER JOURNEY

In my blog last month, I gave you all the reasons why a ‘wardrobe makeover’ was important to my writing journey: (https://www.rolynnanderson.com/single-post/a-wardrobe-makeover-coming-soon). This month I’ll lay out the multiple tasks, a wild domino effect, my cover renovation demanded.

When I consider the time consumed and the cost of these extraordinary changes, I have to ask myself whether the transformation was necessary. Will sales increase? Will readers and colleagues learn from and applaud my efforts? Most important, will these changes feel fulfilling, creating an author legacy of which I am proud? I’ll answer such questions in a future blog. For now, here’s a breakdown of my endeavors, using my latest novel, WHEN OCEANS RAGE as an exemplar.

1. New sales pitches and new blurbs for covers and for my Amazon sell-pages. I picked something more enticing than the first paragraph of my blurb to grab the reader on my Amazon sell-page. Here’s my new teaser (and blurb) for When Oceans Rage:

“This is an amazing, suspenseful mystery, told magnificently! The story moves effortlessly with great plot twists and gripping adventure that will leave the reader breathless for more!”

-InD’tale Magazine

She dumps her career as drone engineer to captain a fishing boat....

A shocking inheritance of a shrimp boat from her estranged father entices MIT-trained Jill Morrell to resign from her cushy Seattle job. Her lack of experience boating or fishing soon makes her a pariah on the Port McNeill dock. Worse: While she invests time and energy into a successful prawn season, her father languishes in prison for a murder he may not have committed.

Ray Stewart, stepson of the murdered man, has a stealth agenda of his own. Ray aims to sue Jill for ownership of the million-dollar vessel. In fact, he’ll join Jill’s crew for the season to protect his family’s asset while keeping an eye on the ever-fascinating, unpredictable Ms Morrell.

The raging ocean pales in comparison to the violent and greedy folks out to destroy Jill’s livelihood. Though Ray and Jill are sworn adversaries, they must join forces to find a murderer and identify traitors in their British Columbia community.

Hang on, sailors. Rough seas ahead!

2. New taglines at the top of all book covers, with setting named. For When Oceans Rage: Murder and sabotage in a British Columbia fishing town

3. New Keywords:

Commercial prawn fishing off Vancouver Island

Chinese steal scientists and industry secrets

Estranged father in British Columbia prison

American daughter abandoned by Canadian father

Career change of drone engineer to fisherwoman

Son of murdered father seeks revenge

Depression rivalry revenge rob chance at love

4. New Categories:

Books » Books » Literature & Fiction » Women's Literature & Fiction » Contemporary Women Fiction,

Books » Books » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » International Mystery & Crime,

Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Women's Fiction » Contemporary Women's Fiction,

Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Women's Fiction » Women's Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction » Women's Crime Fiction,

Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Literature & Fiction » Women's Fiction » Women's Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction » Women's Detective Fiction,

Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Mysteries » International Mystery & Crime,

Kindle Store » Kindle Store » Kindle eBooks » Mystery, Thriller & Suspense » Crime Fiction » Murder,

5. Update books published list:

SUSPENSE/MYSTERIES:

Last Resort

Lie Catchers

Fear Land

Bad Lies

Cézanne’s Ghost

Fire Is Nice-Sable Chisholm Mystery

“Links to Evil”-Sable Chisholm Mystery

THE BOUTIQUE FUNERAL PLANNER SUSPENSE SERIES: