Musings of a Restless Mind

Just a Pilgrim on the Face of this Earth

Did I Do That?

An online writing acquaintance told me about something called The Prominent Book Club. As I’ve said before, I’m The King of Bad Marketing™, but I figured why not? I submitted Advance Guards for their consideration about featuring it in one of their events. Their admin was enthusiastic about the book. So I did an hour-long online interview/book discussion with them. There were 60 folks attending online, and I felt pretty good about that.

Then all the 5-star reviews (on Goodreads) started coming in (54 and counting). I even got a couple of 5-star reviews on Amazon. I cut out a few of the reviews for possible quotation on the back of the paperback–not that I left any room there for them. Meanwhile I’m busy stuffing my inflated head back between my ears.

Any of these you think should go on the back of the book?

“Advance Guards by Frank Hood completely captivated me.” –Isabella Hemp

“The emotional depth, especially in the family dynamics and sacrifices, really stayed with me. That opening scene alone gave me chills! This is a story that makes you reflect on where we’re headed as a society.”–Isabella Hemp

“A truly memorable read!”–Manall Joshi

“Powerful and Inspiring…. It beautifully explores what it means to be human in a world overwhelmed by technology…. It’s inspiring, emotional, and incredibly well-written!”–Burwne Joeliel

“Hood writes with a level of assurance and authenticity that invites trust from the reader. His prose is both accessible and refined, allowing for an experience that is as intellectually engaging as it is enjoyable.”–Matthew Matt

“Frank Hood has created something that stands out in both quality and impact, and we eagerly anticipate his future contributions to the literary world.”–Matthew Matt

“The characters are not just present—they are alive. They carry depth, motivation, and emotional resonance that make them linger long after you’ve put the book down.”–Rose Mary

“As an author myself, I don’t hand out praise lightly—but this is the kind of work that deserves recognition. Advance Guards is not just a good read; it’s a well-crafted piece of literature that reflects both talent and dedication.”–Rose Mary

“This is not just a book you read and set aside; it is one you revisit, reflect on, and continue to learn from. I highly commend the author for producing such a meaningful and enduring piece of work.”–James Mike

“A masterful blend of vivid storytelling, deeply relatable characters, and thought provoking themes.”–Freedy Blake

“A compelling blend of tension, strategy, and character-driven moments that keep readers invested throughout.”–Arthur Hior

“Advance Guards is a beautifully written dystopian tale that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.”–Lilly Bennett

“It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story it makes you question everything. Highly recommended.”–Thomas Sarah

“It’s more than dystopian it’s a reflection on humanity, choice, and connection. Truly captivating and worth the read.”–Stella Sam

“A thought provoking exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology, set against a haunting near future backdrop.”–Alice

“What stood out to me most was how relevant the story feels.”–Christine Hannah

“A deeply reflective and engaging read.”–Saher Benjamin

“A thought-provoking and emotionally rich dystopian novel that blends big ideas with intimate storytelling.”–Blessing Isabelle

“It’s a gripping and thought-provoking novel that stays with you long after reading. Definitely worth the five stars!”–Betty Lilly

“Looking forward to seeing what Frank Hood writes next!”–Martha Lyman

Frank

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2 responses to “Did I Do That?”

  1. Ferdinando Simonetti Avatar
    Ferdinando Simonetti

    Hello from Italy. Did these reviews actually translate into actual books sold? And how much did you have to pay to get the interview done, as they’re asking me $400-$700-$1200 (different level of promotions)?

    Thanks in advance

    Best regards

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    1. Frank Avatar
      Frank

      Fernando,

      I normally don’t pay for marketing because i don’t consider most marketing to translate into sales, especially for someone like myself who only has 2 books out currently. Once I get more books up (short stories aren’t the same), it might help more, but I expect by that time I won’t need it.

      As to the specifics, I did end up paying them $200 for the session. Also they asked for an epub version of the book, so they could share it with their group without the readers actually having to pay for it. It did still translate into sales, but not enough to make a profit off the $200 I paid. Still, I consider it part of laying the groundwork, and it did give me some reviews that I have now incorporated into the paperback cover and marketing materials. I go to several SF conventions a year and they usually cost me about a thousand dollars apiece, depending on transportation and lodging. So far I make very little from them, but it’s all part of spreading my name around. Mostly I go because it’s fun for me.

      As to the ultimate results of the book club interview, it remains to be seen. A lot of the over 100 5-star reviews I have now gotten could have been written just from reading the back cover blurb, but some show people really read the book, understood it, and enjoyed it. I’m in it for the long game, and, in my analysis, the secret to success is, write something people want to read, and publish a lot of it. Any returns I eventually get from my small promotional efforts will take a while, but they won’t last until I get more work out for public consumption.

      Like this website/blog that I’ve been doing for 3 years now, true success takes time. I’ve gone from barely any notice on this blog to 10-20 reads per day, not counting the ones who read it via email subscription. Now that’s nothing compared to thousands and tens of thousands of reads per day that most blogs that I read get, but you don’t grow a garden overnight. You can pay to have someone plant a garden with mature plants, but if you don’t take care of it, it will all wilt eventually.Better to grow it slowly and understand what it takes to flourish, which also means having some failures to learn from.

      All authors are inundated with offers of editing, publishing, cover design, and marketing–all for a fee. None of this will pay off unless you keep putting out the work. Along the way, you learn, like I have, to do all these things yourself, none of them as well as the writing. That should be your core skill after all.

      So my advice is to think strategically and long term. There’s no real shortcut in the business of writing. There’s no such thing as overnight success. Stephen King wrote a hell of a lot and a lot that went nowhere before he became a success. Same with all other authors that I’ve read about. Grow your roots deep, and you’ll eventually have a legacy you’ll be proud of.

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