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Writer's pictureSara Tunder

January Recap

As far as progress in The Acros Raiders: Down in Flames goes, in the month of January, I wrote 12,784 words and the first draft is now sitting at 52,389 words. It was a great month of progress!


I'm meeting my goals for my New Year's Resolutions, and I'm proud of that! I only really had two things I'm aiming for: write 1500 words a week and exercise more. I've been exercising for 20 minutes a day for at least 4 days a week. I'm looking to work up to 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.


Sara stands to the left of her vendor stall: a white-topped tent with black tables.  Her books are on top of the table with a brown crate on the right side.
Market at Canterbury Farm (Hudson, FL)

This month, I had two book selling events. I've been wondering if I should keep up the events. I don't get many online sales and most of my sales are from these in-person events, but also they say nothing sells the first book in a series like the second one. Maybe I should focus more on writing book 2. I also work a full time job, so I'm stretched for writing time as it is.


I made 10 sales total at the events and lost a bit of cash on the booth rent. That's the life we live as indie authors! Marketing as a small business is an ever evolving process, especially when you either can't afford to pay someone or just want to learn yourself. My day job involves building the relationship of the company with the community, so it's cool to apply that to my own business. I got plenty of leads from the two events and my head's been swirling this week as I follow up on those leads. It's been exciting!


I got this fantastic little dude on a trade at one of the markets. He's made by Crafty Fox Creations. I highly recommend checking out their online shop! (Not an affiliate link, I just genuinely think he's the coolest lil guy ever and that you should get one.)


I've always tried to learn crochet (and still am practicing) and I struggle with the second and third row, so seeing plushies made from someone's hands is just seriously the most impressive thing. He's my new writing companion and will hang out on my desk to support my adventures into Down in Flames.


Currently, I've been trying to find out which book cover is the best. If you didn't know, I have 2 editions of The Acros Raiders: From the Ashes. Let me know which one you like best in the comments below! (Left: first edition. Right: second edition)














I've been conducting polls at vendor events and the consensus from people in the target demographic is that the first edition (left) is the best. I designed that one, so I think I'm a bit biased against it (always easy to see the flaws in your own work). My bank account also took a hit hiring someone for the right one, so the bias might be denial! Original first edition cover comes in matte, but I'm contemplating switching to glossy and have a proof on order right now.


I'm going to be focusing my marketing efforts over the next two months on first edition. I'll see how the market likes it! I could shell out more money for another cover design, but either way, I'm continuing both cover designs, and it's my first series, so I'm not going to get caught up on it being the most perfect thing ever. I'm absolutely in love with the story and working on it as hard as I can, but I have accepted that my work will never be flawless and I've had a problem with being a perfectionist in the past. Like bread, you can overwork it and ruin it! I'm trying to find that right kneading and proofing time to give you all the best story possible!

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