How Did It Happen? Over 27,000 Copies of the Journals from the Heart Series Downloaded in 3 Days!

  

27,000 Kindle copies of WHISPERS FROM THE HEART and WRITE FROM THE HEART were downloaded in just three days this weekend! Starting on Friday, I set the books up for a 3 day free-download weekend, and it paid off! Here's how I did it:

The Results:

WRITE FROM THE HEART climbed the charts to the Top 20 Free list on Kindle and stayed there all weekend.

WHISPERS FROM THE HEART climbed to Top 35 on the Free list and stayed there all weekend as well.

The Plan of Action: 

Tuesday before the 3 day free-download weekend began, I contacted many of the websites and blogs that promote free Kindle books and let them know about mine. Most of those sites have an automated form that you use, so it goes pretty quickly. Only in a few cases did I have to send an e-mail. I also posted links to the books on many of the Kindle, eBook related pages on Facebook letting people know that the books were going to be free. 

Wednesday and Thursday I used HootSuite and uploaded in bulk 50 Tweets that were spread out throughout the day on both Friday and Saturday (you'll see what I did for Sunday in a minute) that let my Followers know about the 3 day free-download weekend. The Tweets varied in nature - some included reviews, some just got the free weekend notice out. 

Saturday once I could see the fabulous results of my labor, I went back on HootSuite and uploaded another 50 Tweets to run on Sunday that emphasized the books' rankings and how many had been downloaded. Throughout the weekend, I jumped on Twitter and thanked all who Re-Tweeted my Tweets and threw in a few updated Tweets.

Thursday Night: I sent out an e-blast announcement to my entire e-list letting them know the books would be free all weekend (the post below this is that e-blast).

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I was fortunate to have some great Facebook Friends "share" the links to my books with all their friends. I updated my Facebook status with the rankings and number of books downloaded.

Additional Actions:
One thing I did awhile ago was set up a TinyURL for both of my books that I could easily remember so that when it comes to Facebook posting, Tweeting and other times, I don't have to keep going to Amazon to get the URL. For WHISPERS, the TinyURL is http://tinyurl.com/WhispersHeart and WRITE's is http://tinyurl.com/WriteHeart 

The day before the books went free, I did an impromptu pop quiz on my Facebook page that gave away autographed copies of the paperback versions of my books. I did fun questions like: What was my favorite ice cream? Or What degree did I originally aim for in college? The winners loved winning the autographed copies and when the quizzes were over, I announced that everyone wins because they would be available for Free on Kindle all weekend! 

Going Forward:

I went back on HootSuite today and uploaded Tweets to run tomorrow and the next day thanking everyone for downloading the books. They highlight the number of downloads and current book reviews. 

Final Notes:

I first began using KDP Select in November when it launched and had success with some free weekends back then. I did a few other Free weekends, but this one, with my methodical planning and approached, has paid off the biggest with over 25,000 downloads in 3 days. 

My final action is being GRATEFUL to all who downloaded them! ♥

www.HeatherHummelAuthor.com

Journals from the Heart Series is FREE on Kindle June 15th - 17th

Sunday Update - Over 23,000 new readers downloaded the Journals from the Heart Series this weekend! Thank you so much to all of you! - xo Heather

Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Heather Hummel is a "photonovelist" who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. Her published works include: Fiction: Journals from the Heart Series: Whispers from the Heart (2011) Write from the Heart (2011) Nonfiction: Life in the Iris of the Beholder (2012) Signs from the Universe (2011) Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008), Essays: Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006) Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown Awards: 2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award 2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention Heather has ghostwritten for politicians, corporations, and public figures. Her books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences. Visit her website at: www.HeatherHummelAuthor.com Celebrating Summer with Beach Reads! The Journals from the Heart Series is available for free on Kindle this weekend! New York Book Festival Award Winner WHISPERS FROM THE HEART - Climbing the charts, it's currently ranked #4 in Self Esteem and #46 in Literary Fiction! "'Go read this book' doesn't do it the justice it deserves. Heather Hummel has written such a heartfelt and touching book. Madison Ragnar is such an intriguing character. One of those that makes you want to hug her and tell her it is going to be okay." - Michelle Bell, Just Jump Book Reviews "Author Heather Hummel is a true talent with words! Whispers from the Heart is a lovely journey of fate, faith, and transformation. Madison, is an inspiring and truly relatable character that any woman can learn from. It's a wonderful read for a rainy day or relaxing on the beach!" - Cari Kamm, Author Fake Perfect Me "I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a beautifully-written chick lit novel that will keep you turning pages eagerly."  - Lost In Literature Book Reviews "I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, fast, and heart-warming." - Samantha Robey, Chick Lit Plus Book Reviews Read more reviews on Amazon After reading Heather's first novel in the Journals from the Heart series, Whispers from the Heart, I jumped at the chance to read her second. And I'm happy I did. Write from the Heart is a beautiful story about a writer, Samantha, who finds herself down in the dumps after a hard breakup. Samantha learns, with the help of her therapist and through the use of journals, how helping guide yourself to happiness is the only way to truly obtain it. I love this theory and push it often, so this story really touched me.   WRITE FROM THE HEART is currently ranked #3 in Self Esteem!  "After reading Heather's first novel in the Journals from the Heart series, Whispers from the Heart, I jumped at the chance to read her second.  And I'm happy I did. Write from the Heart is a beautiful story about a writer, Samantha, who finds herself down in the dumps after a hard breakup. Samantha learns, with the help of her therapist and through the use of journals, how helping guide yourself to happiness is the only way to truly obtain it. I love this theory and push it often, so this story really touched me." - Lost in Literature Book Reviews "I have said it before... Author Heather Hummel is a true talent with words! WRITE FROM THE HEART is a wonderful story on the power of positive thinking and a reminder how we have the power to control our own destiny." - Cari Kamm, Author, Fake Perfect Me Read more reviews on Amazon

Journals from the Heart: Book Trailers

WHISPERS FROM THE HEART, New York Book Festival Award Winner and the first in the Journals from the Heart series just launched its book trailer on YouTube:

"'Go read this book' doesn't do it the justice it deserves. Heather Hummel has written such a heartfelt and touching book. Madison Ragnar is such an intriguing character. One of those that makes you want to hug her and tell her it is going to be okay."
- Just Jump Book Reviews


"I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a beautifully-written chick lit novel that will keep you turning pages eagerly."
 - Lost In Literature Book Reviews

"I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, fast, and heart-warming."
- Chick Lit Plus 

Buy on Amazon

Heather Hummel is a "photonovelist" who blends her love for photography with her award-winning career as an author. Her published works include:
Journals from the Heart Series:
Whispers from the Heart (2011)
Write from the Heart (2011)
Nonfiction
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe (2011)
Gracefully: Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008),
Essays:
Messages of Hope and Healing ( Sunpiper Media, 2006)
Blue Ridge Anthology (Cedar Creek, 2007) with David Baldacci and Rita Mae Brown
Awards:
2009 Mature Media Awards, Merit Award
2009 New York Book Festival, Honorable Mention

Heather's books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Health, Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate with High Distinction from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree with concentrations in English and Secondary Education. She is currently earning a Ph.D. in Metaphysical Sciences.

Visit Heather’s website at http://www.heatherhummel.net/
Follow Heather on Twitter @HeatherHummel:
http://twitter.com/#!/HeatherHummel

Blog Tours are Scarier than Halloween

As a kid, when I only dreamed of being a writer, what scared me were things like Halloween. Now, as an author and a handful of decades later, I have the same anticipated, nervous excitement of going on a blog tour that I did as a trick-or-treating youth.

My first novel, WHISPERS FROM THE HEART, of the Journals from the Heart series is going on tour this month. Hosted by Samantha Robey at Chick Lit Plus, the tour starts on October 10th and runs through, you guessed it, Halloween. Madison Ragnar's journey in WHISPERS FROM THE HEART will be visiting a dozen blogs in 21 days that will consist of reviews, guest posts and author interviews. (Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!)

But, is there a difference between a blog tour and trick-or-treating on Halloween? I don't think so. Think about it...in each case, much thought goes into initial character development and implementation. Just like a book, Halloween brings out the good-will, generous and inspirational protagonists...Cinderella, Fairy Princesses, Luke Skywalker, Batman and Robin, and Indiana Jones. And then there are everyone's favorite frightening characters, aka the antagonists...witches, zombies, pirates, and Freddy Krueger. And when all is written and done, an author's book and a trick-or-treater's costume are ready for show.

Authors launch their books into to world via book signings, social media, and blog tours and await rewards in the form of reviews and notoriety in recognition of their book's fright or beauty or cleverness, and ultimately to score a few or more sales.

Halloween's tricker-treaters showcase their characters as they go from house to house, knocking on doors and awaiting their rewards in the form of costume compliments, recognition of their fright or beauty or cleverness, and ultimately to score candy.

As WHISPER FROM THE HEART heads out the door this month on tour, the feelings of excitement and nervousness abound. Though it's tempting to turn off all the lights and the television and to hide in the bedroom curled up under a blanket with a flashlight and a good book while others are out there trick-or-treating, at some point there's a need to brave the streets and neighborhoods in hope that there are more treats than tricks. Happy Halloween!

For the complete listing of blogs and more information on the tour, visit Chick Lit Plus.


***
Heather Hummel,The Gypsy Writer, is the author of the Journals from the Heart Series featuring Whispers from the Heart and Write from the Heart.

Her nonfiction titles include:
GO BIKE & Other Signs from the Universe  (PathBinder, 2011)
Gracefully Looking and Being Your Best at Any Age (McGraw-Hill, 2008)

Heather's books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. Visit Heather's website at www.HeatherHummel.net

Journals from the Heart - A Heartfelt Series by Heather Hummel

Are you an avid journal writer? 

Do you find comfort in knowing love is still
attainable even after putting your heart on a shelf? 

Heather Hummel's new series Journals from the Heart threads the powerful theme of journal writing between characters who use the art in many areas of life. From reflection to grief to survival, journal writing carries these characters through challenges and to a place of love and empowerment. 

Madison Ragnar utilizes journal writing with her high school students in Whispers from the Heart. 

Samantha Sounder in Write from the Heart turns to her past journals and the beginnings of a new one in a mission of self discovery. 

The third, and forthcoming, Wisdom from the Heart, will introduce Jamie Jacobs, a fourteen year old girl who finds out she's adopted and depends on her journal entries to guide her through to her adult life.

Both novels are available on Kindle!

Buy Whispers from the Heart on Kindle and Buy Write from the Heart on Kindle

Heather Hummel is also a ghostwriter. Her books have appeared in newspapers such as: Publishers Weekly, USA Today and the Washington Post; and in magazines that include: Body & Soul, First, and Spry Living, a combined circulation of nearly 15 million. A graduate from the University of Virginia, Heather holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.