Freebies!

To all my fellow unpublished authors out there, don't you dream of the day when someone, anyone, will fork over hard earned dough for the privilege of reading your book. I think about this from time to time. Sure I love it when a friend or a fellow author reads something I wrote. I love it when I have a reader! Yay! They like me!!! But someday... someday... there will be something so immensely satisfying in seeing my dream realized. In getting that first (however big or small) stack of green for my labors of love. Do you agree?

Okay, so we don't simply write to get rich (well, most of us don't). But being fruitful in this thing we love, finding a place where our voice meets an audience is something we probably all aspire to. We're artists in our own way. Writers. Readers. Dreamers.

So here's the thing... If we want this to take a crack at this whole career writing gig it'd be pretty nice to actually sell books. We learn all about promoting, we exercise our marketing muscles, we blog, we tour, we post, we tweet, we share, and we... (gulp) giveaway. I can imagine that last one has to sting just a smidgen. Giving away weeks, months, years of your blood, sweat, and tear laden story-love-child is probably not as satisfying as getting that royalty check and getting those sweet tastes of success (I'm imagining it here, people, just go with it.)

But let me tell you something I've learned... Free books are EXCELLENT marketing tools! Who doesn't love free books? I gotta tell ya, I get on amazon and search for freebies for my kindle all the time. This place, this glorious cost-free playground is like having your very own five-finger-discount to try out new authors without cramping your bank balance (or facing theft charges). There is no risk for the shopper. You get more than that measly sample they provide so you are actually invested in the ending. (Meaning you'll more than likely finish the book and get a feel for the author). The delivery to your device is instant. And you discover all kinds of books and authors that you would have passed by since you drained your book budget on the same three authors that can't crank out books fast enough to satisfy your hungry inner bookie beast. :)

Free books sell! Yes, that seems like an oxymoron of sorts but when the reader gets a taste of something they like (and are in an exceptionally positive mood since their enjoyment was free) they are more inclined to seek out more by that author and pay for the next installment. (Assuming you plan to write more than one book this will be a good thing to think about). Bada BING! Repeat customers! We all know that's easier than attracting new ones but in this case, win win!

Let's go shopping, shall we... Here are some great freebies available this week!

Lisa Wingate's The Prayer Box

Jenny B. Jones's In Between

Mary Connealy's Out of Control

Janice Thompson's Picture Perfect

And so many more! And since I'm feeling particularly jolly (postpartum and all) let's throw in a giveaway.
One lucky winner can pick two, any two, of these books below!

 Just share with me the best book you've read lately and why. (We'll do a little promoting for others, sound good?) I'll pick the winner out of a hat. Be sure to include your email addy for me so I can inform the winner! Hope you have a great weekend! Read up! And enjoy those freebies!

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Amy Leigh Simpson writes Romantic Suspense that is heavy on the romance, unapologetically honest, laced with sass and humor, and full of the unfathomable Grace of God. She is the completely sleep deprived mama to two little tow-headed mischief makers, one pretty little princess, and wife to her very own swoon-worthy hero. Represented by the oh-so-wise and dashing Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Inc.