Dear Backers,

It's been over a year since our last update, and I just wanted to let you know that an audiobook narrated by Arielle Lipshaw will be released in the coming weeks! It's very exciting. You can read more about it at my blog. 

Look for the audiobook on Audible.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes.com soon! And spread the word to your audiobook friends and family.

In general news, the book is selling well consistently each month. Thank you again for helping me make this happen. I am working on a new book, The Rebel's Touch, but the progress is slow and a bit frustrating. Such is the life of writing! In the meantime, I'm reading more to get back into the fun spirit of things.

Hope life is treating you well!

Best,
Belinda

Dear Backers,

Long time! Just wanted to let you know we have gotten a number of positive reviews spread across Amazon, Goodreads, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble. Sales are slow, though, because January is a tough month for books.

If you'd like to help Haunting Miss Trentwood get more interest, "like" the book on Amazon and vote on the tags near the bottom of the page (http://www.amazon.com/Haunting-Miss-Trentwood-Belinda-Kroll/dp/0983078602/).

Tell your friends and family who would enjoy a quirky ghost story that they can get their copy via Bright Bird Press (http://brightbirdpress.com). Every bit helps!

I want to make sure everyone received their copy of Haunting Miss Trentwood. I made a lot of shipments and would hate to hear that your copy was lost in the mail. Send me a message if this happened to you.

Final note: I am rewriting my first novel, Catching the Rose. The version out there is a cleaned up version of the book I wrote in high school, and let's face it: the story could use a refresh. If you're interested in receiving a free review copy, sign up for my newsletter (http://worderella.com/contact/subscribe-to-the-newsletter/).

P.S. I just received my first royalty check today from Amazon: $13.31 for the sales from November and December! Exciting!

Backers,

Thanks so much for your patience. I have sent all of the packages for the people who provided addresses to me. I learned a lot about the sort of bulk shipping that I did at the US post offices (multiple locations due to proximity) that I'd like to share with you.

1. Don't buy packaging from the post office. The first 75% of the packages were sent with ReadyPost packaging which ate a lot more money than I expected, sadly. Props to my mother for shaking her head at me and mentioning that I can get bubble mailers from the dollar store for 36% the price I was paying.

2. Do make mailing labels! One day I shipped fifteen packages, each with signature copies, personalized notes, and handwritten addressing. My fingers still ache from last Saturday. I went home and printed off mailing labels for the last two shipments and I'm so happy I did.

3. Media mail is your friend. Media mail is the cheapest way to ship any sort of media, which means it must be a book, CD, DVD, etc. The shipment cannot include anything other than media, so the soaps meant half of the packages couldn't be the cost-effective shipment method I assumed I could use. When soap is included, parcel post is your friend.

4. Be organized at the post office. I know my visits could have been far more stressful than they were had I not been so organized. When I was buying the packaging from the post office, I would arrive with my supplies, all covered in post-its so I knew what materials went to whom. Don't do that. It's really tiring. Instead, buy packaging as mentioned in #1, get everything ready for the post office, and then arrive with your shipment organized by shipping method.

"This batch is media mail. This batch is parcel post. No, I do not need confirmation. Yes, this is all on one card. Why yes, I have done this before, how can you tell?"

5. Keep your receipts! This is a small business, so I have a separate account just for purchases. I need to keep all my receipts so I can mark out what was shipping, what was packaging, what was materials and products, etc. I have spreadsheets at home that I need to fill out so I have an actual record of everything.

Anyway, those of you receiving books should have them by December 3 at the latest, I believe. Thanks for your patience, I hope you enjoy the books! I would really appreciate it if you are able to write a review at any of the websites listed below. Every bit helps the small press author.

Best, Belinda
Amazon.com | Barnes and Noble | Goodreads

Hello my dearest backers,

We are still sending out the Haunting Miss Trentwood care packages, so never fear if you haven't received your print copies yet. I can only carry so much to the post office, and there's the added embarrassment of being THAT person with 15 packages. The post office just doesn't know what to do. Boggles my mind every time.

As an author I have to maintain a brand and presence. If readers can't see me, they won't know about me. One reader just finished Catching the Rose and sent me an email as soon as she was done, asking me an entire list of questions. We exchanged emails back and forth, which was beyond fun! And so gratifying as an author.

Word of mouth is key for any product--books especially. I have been asking readers to leave an honest review on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Goodreads. If you are on any of these websites, the invitation is open to you as well. :)

All of the links to the various places I can be reached online are listed below. As an indie author, I have to rely on the affordable methods of marketing to get my books out there.

http://worderella.com
http://brightbirdpress.com
http://twitter.com/worderella
http://www.facebook.com/worderella
http://www.scribd.com/worderella/info
http://www.youtube.com/user/worderella
http://www.facebook.com/BelindaKrollFans
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/worderella
http://www.amazon.com/Belinda-Kroll/e/B003Z8LT7M/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4189553.Belinda_Kroll

Phew. Think I got all of them.

Dear Backers,

By now, all of you who had the option to receive a digital copy of either Haunting Miss Trentwood or Catching the Rose should have received your 100% off discount codes by now. I believe the codes will expire November 16, so try to download your copy by then.

The cool thing about downloading through Smashwords is that if you have an eReader, you can download the appropriate file type. Or, you can download a simple PDF and read it on your computer. Whichever is easier for you!

Snail Mail Rewards

Thank you for responding to my request for more information in a timely manner! I need the information so I can put in a bulk order for the books. I'm excited to put your care packages together and send them out. It takes a while for the books to be printed, so I will let you know when I ship your reward group's packages.

Our first review

We had our first review of Haunting Miss Trentwood come in this weekend, and it's a positive one. I couldn't have asked for a better review!

Book Launch

The book launch last week was a success! We had about twenty people, many who knew me, and a few who just happened to see a flier in one of the many Columbus libraries. My 8th grade English teacher came, and the mother of one of my elementary school friends (who also backed this project!). It was a lot of fun.

Special thanks must go to Adrienne, who utilized her journalism background to facilitate the beginning of the party. Without her excellent questions, I might have sat there blinking at my audience for a moment longer than would have been comfortable. :)

Thanks must also go to Ava of Sugar Inc, for providing delicious tea and cupcakes for the event. Yay!

My brother took photos with his phone, which I've shared below. His phone takes the same quality photos as my old camera. Technology is amazing. Anyway, thanks everyone who was able to make it!