Enjoy my audio books at the following link:
Ruby Allure's Books
Ruby Allure's Books
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kids. Show all posts
Monday, 26 September 2016
The Cucumber Catastrophe in The Hairy-Legged Mystery....
Today has been fun because I have had numerous questions about The Hairy-Legged Mystery and where such an idea came from. In all honesty these amusing little things just pop into my head and I find myself smirking. I then think hmmmm how can I turn this into something that will make me laugh while I write. It is that simple... Anyway Lisa Hicks is the voice behind The Hairy-Legged Mystery and I feel that I would love to share her voice interpretation. She has me in hysterics! So here is the moment in the book where the cucumber patch is in a bit of a disaster!
I hope you all find it amusing...
Enjoy my audio books at the following link:
Enjoy my audio books at the following link:
Saturday, 16 July 2016
The Importance of Word Of Mouth
The Importance of Word Of Mouth
Do you have aspirations of being the next J.K Rowling or the next Tolkien? Admittedly I don't have such aspirations. I was simply happy writing my books, keeping myself entertained and entering into a beautiful mental landscape which was completely different to my usual world of Business Analysis. I was happy when I made one sale let alone a thousand. The challenge with having a mind that needs to figure things out and spends time working out common trends and patterns is that you apply that to all activities. Once an analyst, always an analyst. So this is why I share my findings with my lovely blog readers.
So when I first started releasing books I would put them on Kindle and assumed that magically readers would find them. I might sell ten books this way but nothing big ever happened. I realised that this attitude was not going to result in great sales. So my next books I did a desk launch. This was before publishing policies were implemented into the corporation I worked for. So I launched my book on Kindle and released the paperback from the desk and did desk signings. It actually was nuts because people lined up to buy books and I signed when I should have been working. I had no idea how I got away with it. I sold a stack of books this way but that did not spiral into world literary domination. It did result in me being accosted in the toilet and being asked if I was 'that author...' After that I came to the conclusion launching at work was not the best plan, so I adopted a pseudo-name and decided that the more book formats the better. I then branched in audio through having my books produced through ACX. This also increased sales but I was missing a key piece of the jigsaw puzzle - reviews.
Reviews are so powerful. I have written about this in some of my other blogs. Reviews from readers sell to other readers. The best thing to learn is not to take reviews personally - that is the challenge. However, a review has the ability to make or break a book sale. The more reviews the better because it makes the rubbish ones drop down the list. Remember you can't remove a review once it is posted. On one of my audio books some of the reviewers did not like the narrator and slated them. Those comments ground sales of that book to a halt. That was the learning. As I mentioned before, I don't rely on book sales for my income. Instead the additional income is used to over-pay my mortgage, saved or pays for a nice spa day. That is all part of my 'rewards' system as a motivator.
You may wonder how you get reviews. If you look at the Indie review book list, there are a list of reviewers you can approach. I also now advise people who have reviewed my other books when a book is due. Since most have enjoyed reviewing my other work, I now have a 'list' of reviewers who review most of my books once released.
So how does the word of mouth work? Well, every time I send a reviewer a free audio code I ask them to recommend the book, in whatever way they think will reach the most readers. That is - if they like the book. This word of mouth generates sales. Then that word of mouth generates more sales. Sometimes this momentum continues. At other times it just stops. Although this time I have noticed the shift in sales and momentum. Last month I released The Hairy-legged Mystery and Tingle Dingle and The Little Mischiefs. These were fun books for kids. My colleagues at work asked me to write them for their kids because the school holidays were nigh. So I put finger to keyboard and entertained myself. Within a few weeks these books were drafted, edited, proofread and published. They were short, fun and easy to write. I then posted on ACX. Two producers snapped them up and produced them within a week. I then asked reviewers to get involved and I had sixty reviewers offer review. It is during this period that you get scared. What if none sell? Should you buy one just to start the sales? Honestly... I have considered doing that before. However, the reviews rolled in and the reviewers recommended the books as did my friends that I wrote the book for. That is how it spirals... One child tells another that they read The Hairy-legged Mystery and another becomes curious... What I realised is that by having these books on audio they work on car journeys as well as bed time stories. As we know children can listen to something over and over again. So much so that parents also hear the same recording over and over again. In no time The Hairy-Legged Mystery became 'normalised' and people talked about it. That then made more sales. So with all that in mind my top tips for word of mouth generation are as follows:
- Make a product you love and will happily stand by.
- Let people know you are creating it / have created it.
- Make as many formats possible - paperback, digital and audio.
- Ask reviewers to review.
- Ask reviewers to recommend.
- Give as many free codes / samples to friends and ask them to tell their friends.
- Finally find as many ways to let people know your book exists.
The truth is word of mouth is the best seller and creates a bestseller. No matter how much hype you make, if the product is of bad quality then there is only a short duration of sales. Provide quality, be authentic, relax into it and enjoy the sales!
EXAMPLE:
"Intriguing with a WONDERFULLY twist at the end"
This is the 2nd story by this author I have read and I love it. Will eagerly seek more by her. The story was captivating, mystical magical and entertaining. The parental
Bed time stories and deceptions of the various monsters and creatures of fantasy keep you guessing as to what it
Is. The reveal is more magical for the build up and Even more amazing than described. Loved it and highly recommend it for kids and adults alike. Good luck figuring it out. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review
Bed time stories and deceptions of the various monsters and creatures of fantasy keep you guessing as to what it
Is. The reveal is more magical for the build up and Even more amazing than described. Loved it and highly recommend it for kids and adults alike. Good luck figuring it out. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review
THE HIARY-LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIBLE LINK: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1468187800&sr=1-1#publisher-summary
Enjoy my books at the following link:
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Three Five Star Reviews for The Hairy-Legged Mystery...
Three Five Star Reviews for The Hairy-Legged Mystery...
Since this is my final day of promoting both The Hairy-Legged Mystery and Tingle Dingle and The Little Mischiefs... I decided to post the most wonderful reviews I have received yet. It generally makes me happy to think that the books have provided so much pleasure. You realise it is not about you - it is about the fact that people are uplifted, entertained and provided with opportunity for enjoyment. I am sooooo grateful that people take the time to read my creations and then spend a little extra time posting the review. So I just want to say thank you to all those who have already read The Hairy-Legged Mystery and those who have taken the time to feed back. I am now working on the next amusing children's book creation so will let The Hairy-Legged Mystery and Tingle Dingle make their own way in the world. My favourite reviews are below... Thank you....
"A Delightfully Cute Story, Loved it"
This cute children's story has everything going for it. It was such a delight. It brought the inner child out in me and I found myself giggling. I can't wait till my youngest two grandchildren get to listen to it. This isn't scary at all and in fact I think the ending is adorable.
Ruby Allure is a wonderful storyteller. I'd recommend this audiobook all day to not only the kiddos but young at heart adults too.
Lisa Hicks did an awesome job reading this book. She has a great voice for children's stories with perfect voice inflections. Her voice is attention holding and she too is a natural storyteller. I love the way she says Oop Oop and her voice for the Bouffant Banshee. Completely entertaining.
“This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.”"Beautifully Performed Tale"
Where does The Hairy Legged Mystery rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Top 10. Ms. Hicks was marvelous! I was mesmerized from the opening sentence to the last sentence.Who was your favorite character and why?The children were wonderful. Ms. Allure weaves a wonderful tale that captures the imagination of both young and old. Paired with Ms. Hicks performance made this audiobook a perfect 10.Which scene was your favorite?I loved storytime/bedtime with the children and their parents.Any additional comments?I received a copy via audiobook boom in exchange for an unbiased review."Intriguing with a WONDERFULLY twist at the end"
This is the 2nd story by this author I have read and I love it. Will eagerly seek more by her. The story was captivating, mystical magical and entertaining. The parental
Bed time stories and deceptions of the various monsters and creatures of fantasy keep you guessing as to what it
Is. The reveal is more magical for the build up and Even more amazing than described. Loved it and highly recommend it for kids and adults alike. Good luck figuring it out. I received this audiobook from the author narrator or publisher for free via audiobookboom in exchange for an unbiased review
THE HIARY-LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIBLE LINK: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1468187800&sr=1-1#publisher-summary
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Tingle Dingle Audio Sample
Tingle Dingle and The Little Mischiefs is for those lovely people who like fun little fairy tales about mischief, magic and 'the moral of the story.' Please share with parents and children alike who enjoy such stories... Thank you so much. The link for the audio is at the bottom of the page...
http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Tingle-Dingle-and-the-Little-Mischiefs-Audiobook/B01GW55E48/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1467135555&sr=1-1
"Nice book for my grandchildren"
http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Tingle-Dingle-and-the-Little-Mischiefs-Audiobook/B01GW55E48/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1467135555&sr=1-1
Where does Tingle Dingle and the Little Mischiefs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I haven't listened to very many but I loved the way the narrator added sound effects. Even though this is a childrens' book I thorough enjoyed listening to it.
What did you like best about this story?
The sound effects
What about Triera Holley’s performance did you like?
Her voice is soothing and clear.
Sunday, 26 June 2016
NEW 5 STAR REVIEW ON TINGLE DINGLE AND THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS
The First 5 Star Review on Tingle Dingle and The Little Mischiefs
06-17-16
"Nice book for my grandchildren"
Where does Tingle Dingle and the Little Mischiefs rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I haven't listened to very many but I loved the way the narrator added sound effects. Even though this is a childrens' book I thorough enjoyed listening to it.
What did you like best about this story?
The sound effects
What about Triera Holley’s performance did you like?
Her voice is soothing and clear.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Not particularly.
Ruby Allure BOOKS ON AUDIBLE.COM
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+Allure&x=0&y=0
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+Allure&x=0&y=0
NEW RELEASE: TINGLE DINGLE AND THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS
NEW RELEASE: THE HAIRY-LEGGED MYSTERY
Saturday, 18 June 2016
An Interview with Lisa Hicks, the voice behind The Hairy Legged Mystery!
An Interview with Lisa Hicks, the voice behind The Hairy Legged Mystery!
This week The Hairy-Legged Mystery burst onto the audiobook market and made a hugely hairy impact. With the audio fluffaciousness reaching the masses, I felt that the world like to know a bit more about Lisa Hicks - the voice artist and producer behind the audiobook. Lisa trained as an actor, spent
several years acting on stage, in TV and film, and then became an elementary
school librarian. I guess you want to know a little bit more than that... So here are some questions that will give you a better insight.
Q: How did you get into producing audiobooks?
I love “Kid Lit”, I love reading it,
I love listening to it and I love being a matchmaker – finding just the right
book for each kid. Part of my job in the
library was to read aloud to the students, and they enjoyed my readings as much
as I enjoyed performing books for them.
I am also an avid audiobook
listener. I listen during car trips,
while walking and while doing housework.
When a narrator “gets” the author’s voice, then has the skills to
communicate that voice, it is magic and I am transported into the book in a
powerful way.
A few years ago I began to wonder if
I could combine my acting training, experience with kids, love of books and
technical skills to become a narrator myself.
It has been two years of a roller-coaster-learning-curve, but I am
enjoying the ride!
Q: What do you look for when choosing to work on an audio
book?
For the moment I am sticking with
what I know – kids’ ‘tween and teen
books, but I feel sure I will branch out with experience. I look for books which respect the
intelligence of the audience. I will not audition for a book if I feel the
author is talking down to the young reader, or manipulating a reader of any
age.
Q:
What are some of your funniest/ weirdest and most awkward experiences
within audio production?
Hmm… I’m something of a
newbie. Check back with me in a couple
of years ;-)
Q: What was it about The Hairy-Legged Mystery books that
appealed?
I fell in love with the characters
and their family life. I wanted to be in
that family where the kids love to play outside, where they think fast, take
risks and back each other up. Hats off
to their working parents, who manage to give their kids space, but hang with
them at bedtime too, telling wildly imaginative stories.
Also, I should mention Ruby that
your writing style makes narrating easy.
You have a natural conversational tone with realistic dialogue, which
made the job of a narrating this book an absolute pleasure.
Q: What are your favourite bits of The Hairy-Legged mystery
that the readers should listen out for?
Listen for the tea-time scene in
which Ben and Jenny hide the creature under the table. While
banana peels and orange skins fly, the pair try to cover the sounds and
distract their parents from discovering their secret.
Q: What advice do you have for authors intending to produce
audiobooks?
GO FOR IT! The audiobook audience is growing. There are people like me who listen while
doing mindless tasks, people who are learning English and will use your book to
improve their language skills, and there are brilliantly intelligent people who
are dyslexic and who appreciate a good read minus the agro of decoding . GO FOR IT!
LINK TO THE HAIRY LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIO:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_9_srTtl?qid=1466104902&sr=1-9
Ruby Allure BOOKS ON AMAZON.COM - https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_ebooks_1?ie=UTF8&text=Ruby+Allure&search-alias=digital-text&field-author=Ruby+Allure&sort=relevancerank
Ruby Allure BOOKS ON AUDIBLE.COM
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+Allure&x=0&y=0
http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_mn_mt_ano_tseft__galileo?advsearchKeywords=Ruby+Allure&x=0&y=0
NEW RELEASE: TINGLE DINGLE AND THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS
NEW RELEASE: THE HAIRY-LEGGED MYSTERY
Thursday, 16 June 2016
WRITE.PRODUCE. RELEASE...
WRITE. PRODUCE. RELEASE.
Admittedly we have both matured in the last ten years. The way we approach things have changed dramatically. She has watched my writing journey with amusement. In the beginning there were heady ideals and great aspirations which gradually whittled away to become the purity of creation. My delusional ideals were quite hilarious now when I look back; however, they are what drove me to write daily. They motivated me to create discipline and conquer the inner critic, the inner saboteur and the deluded grandiose egotism that demanded that I prove to the world that I was special. I now write anonymously because I have no desire to be known. That is quite a reverse of the dream of standing in the spotlight!
On my journey I realised that I knew less than I thought, that ego was a dick and that actually the outcome is nothing in comparison to the beauty of being immersed in creativity. For me creativity is like being suspended in this beautiful light space where everything is possible. It is a space filled with magic, dreams, laughter and manifestation. I love it there. It has fairies, mythological creatures and all manner of hero waiting to take part in adventures. All the pieces of the puzzle are suspended in all directions and it my job to waft around the creative realm pulling all the pieces together into an adventurous narrative.
My friend then, in her own special way, pointed out creativity and writing was the opportunity to 'give' something of you to the world. That creativity is between you and your maker; however, once made you can share your creation with the world. That is why I publish the work - to share and to come to completion. Another great learning is that no one owes you anything, no one needs to read your work and no one owes you an income from what you create... This then leads people to the question then why create at all? THE ANSWER IS JOY AND THAT YOU ARE COMPELLED TO CREATE. Creativity has picked you to be the vessel to transmute an idea into reality. Isn't that a privilege?
This goes back to my friend and her insight: she arrived at a point in her life where she no longer needs to toil. Simplicity became the answer. She came to the conclusion after numerous successes that they meant nothing. The mastery comes from finding beauty in the mundane and when you master that then what do you need? It is funny how we both arrived at the same conclusion from very different paths. I was always competitive and taking part in sports competitions whilst writing books and climbing the career ladder. At the same time she set up businesses, developed property and had a family. Two very different paths but one conclusion - the joy is truly in the journey and learning to be authentic. By taking such paths we are open to learn who we truly are. At first we may aspire to be something or to have something. Yet the journey reveals us all the facets of self. During the journey we discover new pieces of the puzzle which can be slotted into the spaces that needed to be filled. During the journey we see our shadows and conquer our own dragons in search of the treasure. However, we are the treasure and yet we have looked outside for that validation. So with all that in mind, my approach is WRITE. PRODUCE. RELEASE. Today The Hairy Legged Mystery was released on audio. Fantastic job Lisa. Thanks for being the voice of the story! The amazing thing is that it already sells and I guess that is because I loved writing it. Those who have read it say they can feel the fun in it. What more can you want than that? People ask me about the money side of things - that is no longer the motivation - it is nice; however, the royalties become the by-product of the joy I felt in the creation. The value for me now is in creativity because ultimately money is a piece of paper with a stranger's face on that is used for exchange. Money is not the motivation the experience is and that is when things truly changed...
LINK TO THE HAIRY LEGGED MYSTERY ON AUDIO:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-Hairy-Legged-Mystery-Audiobook/B01H2HF0XU/ref=a_search_c4_1_9_srTtl?qid=1466104902&sr=1-9
Monday, 13 June 2016
Tingle Dingle & The Little Mischiefs - YIPEEEEE! MISCHIEF!!!!
Today Tingle Dingle and The Little Mischiefs arrived on audio. Tierra did a wonderful job and in all honesty it is wonderful to know that children are able to hear a funny bedtime story that popped from my random imagination....
LINK: TO TINGLE DINGLE & THE LITTLE MISCHIEFS ON AUDIO: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/Tingle-Dingle-and-the-Little-Mischiefs-Audiobook/B01GW55E48/ref=a_search_c4_1_8_srTtl?qid=1465848730&sr=1-8
 |
| A fun bedtime story!!! |
Sunday, 14 February 2016
When things come from nowhere...
When things come from nowhere!
Have you had one of those moments where you think what next? Well I had one of those this week. I completed the draft of a book about money. My intentions is to help people manage their money. My dream would be for a world where people are not enslaved to paying off credit cards and mortgages... I loved writing it and it is now in brewing phase before editing. So then I thought I will have a little rest and said to the my self and the 'universe' what next.... Within a day it was answered. My proof reader came to me with a slip of paper with a writing competition on it. It was a competition for books written for 5-7 year olds. I only have written two of this kind and my agent is taking those to the Bologna book fair in April to show a few publishers. Anyway back to the story. It seems that when one asks one has to be aware of how answers come in quite different ways. When I was provided with the brief to write a mystery for 5 to 7 year olds, my mind went in all directions with the potential. I have learned not to just jump on the mind churn bandwagon; instead, I allow the unconscious to come up with a full story. The following morning I sat down and wrote the first third with a full image in my mind. It was just lovely to write something for children because it is so much fun. It takes you back into all the phases of wonder and the mischief. I have since written three other stories just for the fun of it. I am not going to say any more but if you desire a prompt to write your own 5-7 year old mystery...
PROMPT:
The strangest thing happened when....
Enjoy!
You can find my books at the following link: Ruby Allure books on Audible:
LINK TO BUY ON AUDIBLE:
LINK TO PAPERBACK ON AMAZON.COM
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