Written by Alex J. Cavanaugh | 02 December 2011

Achieving bestseller status, while not the goal of every author, is a dream that most of us share. We envision our book’s debut, heralded by great reviews and fuelled by our publisher’s marketing efforts. Wouldn’t it be great if readers devoured our words and the book became a best seller?

Now, what if it took a year to hit that bestseller chart?

My first novel, CassaStar, debuted in October of 2010. However, it didn’t hit Amazon’s bestseller list until September of 2011. The rise up the charts caught both my publisher and I by surprise. Dancing Lemur Press still promoted CassaStar, but those efforts were aimed primarily at library sales, not Amazon or eBook sales. Online reviews continued to appear, but nothing substantial. CassaStar hadn’t even won an award outside of a few minor book trailer contests. So, what caused the spike in sales? And, more importantly, what caused the book to remain a science fiction top seller for months?

One word: momentum. Specifically, momentum from online activities.

I began blogging a year before CassaStar’s release. After a few months, I found my focus and began to connect with others online. I became very involved in the blogging community and expanded my presence to include Twitter and Goodreads. By the time CassaStar was released, I’d built a solid online platform and support system. The book did well enough and I began working on a sequel while maintaining my online activities.

I continued to expand my network of friends, especially in the blogging community. I used my platform to promote fellow authors whenever possible. I hosted numerous blogfests and co-hosted the annual A-Z Challenge, an event involving over 1,200 bloggers. When my second book, CassaFire, was announced in July of 2011, I set up a Catch Fire blog party and a two-week blog tour for its release.

September marked the tipping point. I launched the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, hosted my largest blogfest ever, and announced my involvement as co-host of an even larger blogfest in October. Blog visits increased and hits from the two blogfest soared over 50,000. My activity on Twitter increased and my Google+ numbers exploded. My blog’s following approached 1000. I did my best to juggle the increase in traffic, surprised but unaware anything was amiss.

Over on Amazon, CassaStar began to inch up the chart. The exposure generated even more sales, and it moved into the top ten best selling science fiction books. It became a recommended title for those purchasing other science fiction novels. The added publicity continued to fuel sales and kept the book in the top 100 for months.

The rise to bestseller status for CassaStar took a year, but it happened. I don’t believe I did anything special or out of the ordinary. I just stayed the course. I continued to reach out and support others. I continued to believe in my book. And now, I have high hopes for CassaFire’s release in February of 2012.

Would you be willing to keep trying, even if it took a year?

Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Currently the author lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

CassaStar by Alex J. Cavanaugh

6x9 Trade paperback, 246 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9816210-6-7 $15.95

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-3-8 $2.99

Book trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67YBjQve00U

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Available February 28, 2012

6x9 Trade paperback, 240 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5 $15.95

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9 $4.99

Book Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qa6VINRGtyE