Random header image... Refresh for more!

I Am the Daily Deal

My book, Life from Scratch, was chosen as the Daily Deal today on Amazon.  (I wanted to rename the twins Amazon I and Amazon II in gratitude to the site for all of their help in getting books into reader’s hands, but for some reason, the kids balked).  For 24 hours — from midnight to midnight (Pacific time) — they are offering the book at a discount.

I’ve spent days watching each Daily Deal pop up, and it feels a little bit like the trophy ceremony the Wolvog just had when they ended spring baseball season.  Each child stepped up and the coach spoke about him for a moment, and we applauded each kid not to unnaturally inflate their self-esteem, but because hard work should be acknowledged.  For some kids, it’s what makes them try again vs. walk away; knowing that someone out there celebrates their work.

Being chosen by Amazon is similar.  Authors need those accolades sometimes in order to show up and try again.  If the book hadn’t been well-received, would I have written the sequel?  Perhaps not.  And the saddest thing of all is that there are written works which are well-liked and yet no one bothers to tell the author — blog or book — so the person stops writing, never knowing their work was appreciated.  When was the last time you took the time to write an Amazon review for a book?  When was the last time you left a comment on a post, or wrote a whole blog post about something you read on someone else’s blog that you love (with a link back, of course)?  The fact is that if we don’t tell people, they don’t know.  And if they don’t know, they may not continue to do the hard work.  They may not see the worth in dedicating their time to the process.  And even if you see that other people have told them, tell them anyway, because you never know what that person’s threshold is, what their personal tipping point is to make them feel as if their work has been appreciated.

So thank you, Amazon.  Thank you to everyone who wrote a review for Life from Scratch — your thoughts were very much appreciated (and hey, it’s not too late to write one now!).  Thank you to everyone who read it and let me know.

And now the favour I’m asking of you.  If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “damn, I really like Mel, and I’d like her to know that she’s appreciated,” here’s how you can do it: spread word of the Daily Deal today.  As in, right now.  Tweet about it, Facebook it, pin it on Pinterest (I even put in an image below for you), Stumble this post, email the news to people, blog about it, send out a link to this blog post, henna tattoo it across your face (it’s not worth a permanent tattoo since the deal is only good for today), employ a sky writer, shout it out to random people at the grocery store.

And most of all, don’t wait to do this later since the Amazon deal is only for these 24 hours.  Run, don’t walk, to your preferred electronic device (wait… you must already be at your preferred electronic device if you’re reading this).  Though, yes, feel free if you’re reading this after July 5th to still send out a link about the book.  The publicity never hurts and is always very much appreciated.

One last enormous thank you in advance to everyone who helps spread word, who buys a copy of the book for a friend (or yourself), and who gave me the energy to write the sequel.*

* Yes, a draft is done.  More news coming soon when I have news to give.

21 comments

1 Anna { 07.05.12 at 4:46 am }

Oh, I’m so excited! Great news! Well done on the draft too, I can’t wait. I will head over to amazon next in order to appreciate it, maybe I need a kindle copy to in order to revise before the sequel comes out 🙂

2 Mud Hut Mama { 07.05.12 at 5:29 am }

Congratulations! That is so exciting – very, very happy for you!

3 Rebecca { 07.05.12 at 5:50 am }

How awesome! Congrats! Well deserved!

4 Peyton Price { 07.05.12 at 9:26 am }

Congratulations!

5 k { 07.05.12 at 10:40 am }

Shared! And can’t wait for the sequel!

6 Leah { 07.05.12 at 11:00 am }

I bought it before I even read this post!! I saw the title in my list of emails and thought…”that title sounds familiar…” Its perfect because I’ve been needing to start a new book and not really wanting to read any of the ones I have waiting. I’ll start it today!

7 mrs spock { 07.05.12 at 12:25 pm }

Done! Now, when is the sequel coming out?

8 Barely Sane { 07.05.12 at 1:13 pm }

Way to go Mel!!! I have wanted to buy the book and just never gotten around to it. I guess now is my chance!

9 It Is What It Is { 07.05.12 at 1:14 pm }

Made it my FB status. Sell, sell, sell!

Looking forward to the next installment 🙂

10 Lori Lavender Luz { 07.05.12 at 1:49 pm }

Good news not only for you, but for everyone who is looking for a great summer read!

I love you, Mel.

11 Kathy { 07.05.12 at 3:56 pm }

That is so awesome! Off to pimp it for you! 🙂

12 Heather { 07.05.12 at 4:39 pm }

Congratulations!

13 Mali { 07.05.12 at 7:01 pm }

I told a friend about your book a couple of days ago, and said I’d email her the link. This is perfect timing!

14 a { 07.05.12 at 7:17 pm }

Woohoo!

15 Nick { 07.05.12 at 8:31 pm }

Congrats and good luck!

16 Io { 07.05.12 at 8:35 pm }

I shared! I think several of my friends read it the first time around…and they are ready for the sequel! (as am I, so keep on writing!)

17 Katie { 07.05.12 at 8:49 pm }

Congratulations, Mel!!! You rock. 🙂

18 Baby Smiling In Back Seat { 07.06.12 at 2:29 am }

Congrats!

Right now, with half an hour left to go, you are #1 in Women’s Fiction with various subcategories like Single Women and Contemporary Women, #1 in Humor, and #5 in all of Kindle Paid (and 3 of the top 4 are Fifty Shades books, which really isn’t a fair comparison… the sex scenes with Gael are way hotter I’m sure).

Hooray for getting the word out!!!

19 Baby Smiling In Back Seat { 07.06.12 at 2:32 am }

P.S. I just looked at the Kindle twitter feed and for your announcement they used the hashtag #memoir.

Is there something you’re not telling us about your life, Mel? Any cooking blogs, or previous divorces, or is Josh actually a hot Spaniard?

20 sky girl { 07.06.12 at 9:27 am }

Well damn. That’ll teach me to skip Reader for a day. I missed The Daily Deal. I was all set to FB it too. Congrats, all the same. I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to a sequel.

21 jjiraffe { 07.09.12 at 2:49 am }

Ah! I somehow missed this. Daily Deal:that’s amazing. I missed the deadline but I ‘ll pin it on my book category. Can’t wait for the sequel…

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
The contents of this website are protected by applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved by the author