Hello, readers!

You may have noticed recent price increases for many independently published paperbacks on Amazon, including For a Noble Purpose. No, authors are not suddenly raising their prices. Rather, Amazon’s customer service informed me that a “widespread technical issue” is causing these price increases and unfortunately, a resolution date is not available. I understand that this change may frustrate you. It frustrates me too. My standard pricing is based on your reader feedback as well as market research, and unexpected price increases affect the overall impression of my novels.

The good news is Amazon is also offering some great deals on my other books! See below for where to currently get the best price for each book. Ebook prices remain at $4.99 on all retailers.

• For a Noble Purpose (Larksong Legacy #1) – $14.99 through other retailers, $24.61 on Amazon. I am currently out of stock on my website.
• Unsettled Shores (War Across Waters #2) – $7.86 on Amazon, $14.99 through other retailers
• Broken Lines (War Across Waters #1) – $14.99 on all retailers and my website
• Twisted River (Over the Atlantic #2) – $9.99 through my website, $19.19 on Amazon
• Across Oceans (Over the Atlantic #1) – $6.01 on Amazon, $9.99 on my website

As always, thank you for your support and your understand as we work through these unexpected issues. Hope you have a fantastic week!

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy September, readers! There isn’t much in the way of updates this month as I recently accepted a new day job. It’s an exciting challenge, and I’m loving it, but it means that in the evenings, I will often rather binge watch tv or read rather than be creative. Give me a month or so, and I promise I’ll be back with fresh ideas flowing.

What to Watch

Having an exhausting week? Here’s what’s currently playing in my house:

Lego Masters and Domino Masters– Teams compete by creating over-the-top Lego and Domino builds. Need I say more?

Holey Moley – Extreme mini-golf hosted by Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore. It’s so stupid, it’s funny, and our family LOVES it.

Full House – Our family has been enjoying some ’90s throwback lately. Previous choices were Boy Meets World and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

Doctor Who – This is the show with a little something for everyone. Time travel, history, sci-fi, aliens, romance, extremely convoluted family histories, and so many quotable episodes. I would recommend this for ages 10 and up.

Operation Christmas Drop – If you need recommendations on Christmas romances, I have a hundred, but this one stands out as even my husband enjoyed it. The story is a fictionalized account of the real-life mission, Operation Christmas Drop, where the U.S. Air Force provides humanitarian airdrops to countries in Microasia. It’s the longest running Department of Defense mission, in full operation since 1952.

*None of these shows have compensated me or promoted this post in any way. I would have included pictures, but well, lawsuits aren’t fun.

My Current Inspiration

How are your sewing skills? What about embroidery? Back in the 1800s and early 1900s, when my books take place, sewing and embroidery were must-have skills for young ladies. Lessons would begin early in childhood with girls stitching samplers, like the ones shown below, as their first formal creations. Samplers included common items like type and script lettering, flowers, household items, or Bible verses.

The samplers below were made by girls between 9 and 12 years old. How would your sampler compare? (Hint: I would need many more lessons.)

Photos from The Metropolitain Museum of Art, New York – Open Access Collection.

Released in September

Need another read? Here are the September releases I’m excited about:

1. Peak Dragon Uprising by Sarah Everest – Classical dragon lore meets contemporary Hong Kong
2. As Silent As the Night by Danielle Grandinetti – Even in the Great Depression, Christmas is the time for miracles.
3. Darkness Draws Near by Kristina Hall – Pro-Life Dystopian Suspense
4. The Unbroken Song by Jennifer Q. Hunt – Opposite worlds collide within a Victorian Christmas romance
5. A Gem of Truth by Kimberley Woodhouse – Legendary treasure hunts in the 1880s Grand Canyon

Follow me on Instagram, Goodreads, or Bookbub for my full book reviews.

 

Over the Atlantic Sale

The overstock sale is still going! You can get paperback copies of my Over the Atlantic series in my direct store for $9.99 or both books for only $18. This deal does not apply at other retailers and is only available to U.S. residents.

Shop the Store

 

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Read past newsletters here: NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE.

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COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy August, readers! The kids are back in school and I am spending my days listening to the soothing sound of silence (and the dog barking, but she’s cute, so I can overlook that.) The end of August also means that we’ve reached the deadline I mentioned in my last newsletter. I promised if I finished drafting Dusk Shall Weep by the end of August, I would set a release date. The question is, did I reach my goal?

The verdict is…

I am only 75% finished drafting, but I decided to pick a release day anyway. Having a set schedule provides motivation, especially now that we’re back in the swing of school activities. With that said, Dusk Shall Weep will be available on…

May 2, 2023

You may be asking, “But, Kelsey, that’s over eight months from now. Why so long?” The answer is that, even with indie publishing, there are many boxes to check before a book enters the world. Here’s a simplified version of the task list:

• Finish writing.
• Edit.
• Receive beta reader feedback.
• Edit again.
• Design the cover and the interior page layout.
• Create launch team information and shareable graphics.
• Post repeatedly on social media and wish there was an easier way to market.
• Take off most of December so I can enjoy Christmas and family time.
• Remember things I forgot and make more edits even though I’m supposed to be “off most of December.”
• Fight with the distribution sites over whether my margins are correct even though I used their templates.
• Print a proof and often realize that the colors are off. Make updates and try again.
• Edit one final time. (Eventually, you just have to stop yourself.)
• Distribute Advance Reader Copies (ARCs).
• Organize launch day reviews, book signings, and/or activities.
• Send your book baby out into the world and start the next one!

There you have it. The publication process in 15 easy steps! Did you know there was so much to it?

My Current Inspiration

Have you ever visited the Pacific Northwest? My Dusk Shall Weep characters  currently reside in Washington State, and seriously, how stunning are these scenes? It’s definitely on my list of places to visit someday.

Photos from Upstock. Top to Bottom: Johannes Pleino, Ryan Stone

 

 

Released in August

Need another read? Here are the August releases I’m excited about:

1. Blood Secrets by Morgan L. Busse – Steampunk Dystopian with Zombies
2. Complete by Kortney Keisel – Stuck in the Friend Zone Rom-Com
3. Meant to Bee by Storm Shultz – Single mom and Hunky Irishman fall in love over a rampant goat and a few thousand bees
4. Treacherous by Susan Laspe – Percy Jackson meets Narnia in 14th Century England
5. Welcome to the Hamilton by Tanya E. Williams – Desperate times call for desperate measures in an opulent 1920s hotel

Follow me on Instagram, Goodreads, or Bookbub for my full book reviews.

 

Over the Atlantic Sale

The overstock sale is still going! You can get paperback copies of my Over the Atlantic series in my direct store for $9.99 or both books for only $18. This deal does not apply at other retailers and is only available to U.S. residents.

Shop the Store

 

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Read past newsletters here: NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE.

Follow me on:

        

COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy July, readers! Yes, I did just quote The Spice Girls and had major flashbacks to my grade school days when my friends and I danced to their music in our talent show.  Thankfully, this was the pre-smart phone era (think bulky camcorders), so I don’t believe anyone has a recording of it. But the lyrics do make a great lead into the first newsletter section…

What exactly do you want, readers?

As is done in most of the business world, I complete regular reviews of my book marketing, social media, pricing etc. With so many options available to readers, it’s important to pinpoint what brings you back to my individual stories time and again. Obviously, you each signed up for this newsletter for a specific reason and there are reasons you continue with me month after month. There are reasons why you buy a book and reasons why you don’t. Why you click on an Instagram post and why you scroll right on past.

I want to know all those little details that help bring an ideal experience to my readers. Yes, I want you to buy my books, but I also want to provide additional engaging material. If something isn’t working, then it’s time to do it differently.

I would greatly appreciate it if you could take ten minutes of your time to complete the survey below. All the questions are optional, but I do hope you will consider completing them. Also, responses are anonymous, so please share all your thoughts! Thank you in advance!

Provide Your Reader Preferences

 

Dusk Shall Weep Writing Updates

I won’t lie, this month has been rough for writing. For some reason, my motivation severely lacked. I did, however, get a few important plot points figured out and am hopefully back on track. At about 50,000 words in out of 90,000, I hope to finish drafting by the end of August.

If I hit this goal, I will be announcing the release date in next month’s newsletter, so stay tuned! I appreciate any prayers to help keep the creativity and motivation going!

 

Shop the Sales

In January 2020, I purchased several copies of Across Oceans and Twisted River in anticipation for book signings during 2020 and into 2021. Well, we all know what happened after that.

Since then, I’ve published three more books and need to make room in my house for updated inventory. Therefore, good news! You can now get either paperback in my direct store for $9.99 or both books for only $18. This deal does not apply at other retailers and is only available to U.S. residents.

Also, there are still a few days left to get For A Noble Purpose at a discount. Simply use the code Noble5 at checkout from now until August 1, 2022.

Shop the Store

 

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Read past newsletters here: NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE.

Follow me on:

       

COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022

 

Happy June, readers! Can you believe it’s already been three weeks since the launch of For a Noble Purpose? Thank you all for making release day such a fun – and busy! – time! I received so many encouraging notes from ARC readers, celebratory release day posts, and overall excitement for the first book in this new series. I am so grateful to you all!

Reviews are like Gold

If you’ve read any of my novels, I would be so appreciative if you left a review. It doesn’t have to be long or poetic. Even a simple, “I loved this book,” or, “It had great characters,” is still a huge influence. Positive reviews are like gold to an author (and hopefully bring a little gold to our bank accounts). They help readers find new books and tell the website algorithms to continue recommending the book to new readers. Without reviews, books tend to drop off the recommended reads after about 90 days.

Here’s what readers are saying about For a Noble Purpose:

“Kelsey has such a unique way of stringing words together, it made the whole book feel like a dance of language…I was amazed by her gift with words and story. I’ve never read another book like this one.”

~ Heather Wood, author of Until We All Find Home

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“If you are a fan of Jannette Oke’s series – Love Come Softly or When Calls the Heart (two iconic series in my mind) this series is for you!”

~ Erica, Goodreads review

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“This concept was so unique and unexpected, but I loved it!”

~ Storm Shultz, author of Meant to Bee

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“What a wild ride! … I’ve shed a few tears while reading this one.”

~ Tiffany, Goodreads review

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“The tension and the triumphs were written so empathetically that the reader felt the senselessness of the tragedies, the frustration of dreams unraveling despite everything being done to fight for them.”

~ Jennifer Q. Hunt, author of In the Night Season

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“You don’t want to stop turning until you’ve finished the story.”

~ Diana Lesire Brandmeyer, author of A Bride’s Journey to the Colorado Territory

Extended Release Day Sale

As mentioned in my previous newsletters, I now have an online store where my novels can be purchased directly from me in both paperback and eBook. Now through August 1, you can continue to receive the eBook pre-order price on For A Noble Purpose, a deal not offered at other retailers. Simply use the code Noble5 at checkout. Plus, make sure to check out the newly added book bundle discounts.

Shop the Store

Family Saga Giveaway

Historical fiction author, Jennifer Q. Hunt is running a Family Saga Giveaway which includes signed copies of For a Noble Purpose as well as the American Civil War novel, Until the Light Breaks Through, by Heather Wood. Winner will be contacted on July 8.

Enter the Giveaway

Also, a special congratulations to those who won the For a Noble Purpose release day giveaways:

• Just Love Prints sticker set Giveaways – Danielle A., Julie B., and Barb S.
• International eBook Giveaway – Katja
• Refreshing Reads Story Tour Giveaways- Jodie N. and e***6@gmail.com

Winners have been contacted directly. Thank you to all who entered.

Due to variability in social media algorithms, the best way to receive this newsletter is through e-mail. If you were directed to this site via social media or a search engine, you can subscribe to updates by entering your e-mail on the Contact page. E-mail addresses are never sold or distributed. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Read past newsletters here: NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE.

Follow me on:

       

COPYRIGHT © KELSEY GIETL 2022