Update on the Remote Control Trial

I try to be transparent about how it's going as I learn the publishing game. Last week, mid-week, I offered Remote Control: What You Want When You Say What You Want for free with the thought that the "alsobots" (customers who bought X also bought Y) would kick in before the weekend and before Valentine's Day, netting a boost in sales.

It turns out that just a few hours ago today (Saturday afternoon), my second round of alsobots were updated. So far, no post-free sales, but I expect that to pick up. What I've noticed though:

• Going free mid-week in February didn't generate as much activity as going free in January with "The Hen Party".  Down about 25% in free downloads in the US, and about 30-40% in Europe.
• I'm concerned that some of the Amazon system glitches may have affected performance slightly, although it is more likely it is a difference in the combination of the work itself and the time of the trial.
• Placement on the alsobot lists isn't quite as good in terms of being on the first page or two (presumably due to lower free trial sales), but the quality of associated works is higher.
• I think the slightly higher price ($1.29), the different cover (more detailed and interesting, but less visually arresting in thumbnail form) and the long title may hurt a bit.

The best time for erotica sales and borrows appears to be Saturday through Monday, so the verdict won't be in until sometime next week.  Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the glitchy sales updates have allowed me to make great progress on my first erotic novella where I enter the world of "The Hen Party" and go even deeper into the lives of those crazy Christian wives gone wild.  Look for a release sometime before the end of the month.

Psssst: Remote Control Going Free Wednesday and Thursday

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Remote Control: What You Want When You Say What You Want is going free Wednesday and Thursday in the Kindle Store if you want to do a little exploring with me in my erotic short story, a tale of cybersex, menage and romance.

Based on the success of my previous free trial, I wanted to try it again on a story with a little more of a romantic element to the sizzle. Let me know what you think, and be sure to leave a review if you liked it! Act fast! Tell your friends! Supplies are unlimited! At least for the next two days. It's a great story to share with your partner to set the mood for the upcoming weekend.

And if you're a sports fan or consorting with one who loves hoops, don't forget to check out March Madness: The Secret Sex Life of a Sideline Reporter as sideline reporter Chloe Severeid gets the scoop for the evening's game...and a little extra. I'm trying to decide whether to go "full novella" on Chloe's story. Tell me what you think!

Remote Control Now Available, and My First Sale

This weekend I published my latest story "Remote Control: What You Want When You Say What You Want" and managed to make my first sale. And there was much rejoicing!

Going about my day today, I found myself pondering about the day I might secretly bump into a reader and never even know it. Which Kindle owners do I encounter during the day who have a secret stash of erotica, furtively reading during their lunch break, the sordid covers of tattered paperback smut replaced with the anonymous drab black cover of their e-reader, the 2012 counterpart to the plain brown wrapper of yore? Could I spot a consumer of e-book erotica from a mile away, or are they the sneaky ones who blend in with their surroundings?

Regardless of who you are, dear reader, thanks for letting me share.