Google Adwords

I'm trying my hand of Google AdWords - so far I have 67 impressions and no clicks (and no orders). I'm trying things like "boys birthday", "birthday gift" and "fun book." If you can think of better things to try, let me know!

Happiness,

Joseph

Better Reading Through Grobar

There's a kid here in Melbourne who is a bit remedial in his reading. He looked at the book and told me it "wasn't interesting." So, later on in the day, I read him the first few chapters. He didn't want me to leave because he can't stand reading (it's hard for him) and he wanted to know what happens.

I left.

He came to me two days later. He's struggling, but he'd read two more chapters. He can't stand reading because he hasn't done it - but now, he's doing it.

This is, to put it simply, very cool :)

Happiness,

Joseph

Another nice review

This one from a David Gursky - another fellow once removed :)

He wrote on Amazon: "The Demarche of the Penguins... Talking penguin armies, an insecure elephant, and a goat hell bent on world domination. All that and a frog that can teleport itself around the world but not a foot in front of you. Good read for kids of all ages. (I.e. hide it from Dad...]"

Thanks David :)

Joseph

Follow-up Review from Son'ka

I got a more detailed comment from Son'ka - posted on her blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/ariya. She is indeed a friend of Malunu (an earlier poster). In anycase she wrote something very very nice - which I really appreciate. I've copied it below:

"Ah. malunu was right.
I thought she was slightly crazy at first, with her book about 'secret penguin spy agency that is fighting against a goat who is trying to take over the world', but now I've read it myself, and I think I'll join the ranks of crazy people ranting about secret penguin spy agencies and evil goats.
It's a really, really weird book. (I think having the villain be a diabolical goat bent on world domination guarantees weirdness!)
Grobar is also really, really fun. And really, really GOOD. Having picked it up, I had trouble making myself put it down. (This resulted in my reading until who knows what time and then sleeping through classes, but hey! Vacation's here!)
My advice to you all is to REED. TEH. BOOK.
In case any of you missed it, here is the link provided by malunu - ShortEddy.com.
Another link - Grobar on Amazon, where I left a review. :)"

Once again :)

If you haven't yet, take her advice :)

Happiness and have a wonderful year,

Joseph

Nice Review

I just got a review on Amazon.com from somebody I don't know - even secondhand. I'm assuming, because of the name (Son'ka), that the poster is Russian and probably related to my other recent reviewer there, but otherwise I know nothing. That is pretty cool :)

Son'ka wrote:
"This is a really awesome book. It's wierd - no other word to describe it - and incredibly fun.
I picked it up yesturday, and couldn't put it down until I finished it, so engrossed was I in the adventures of this evil goat, ten-year-old boy and underground organization of penguin spies.
All the wierd, unexpected twists kept me riveted.

This is a book you absolutely /have/ to read."

This part is me: " :))) "

The earlier poster (who is a friend of a friend who bought her the book as a present) wrote:

"If I would have had more than about 30 minutes a day to read, I would have read it in one day. And I can only read good books that fast! It's the perfect book for all ages!This book includes a large variety of characters, from friendly elephants to curious boys to frogs with special abilities. A very entertaing book. This is a must read book! Definitely one of my favorites!"

Happiness (you know I've got the spirit :)),

Joseph

Shipping

I'm hoping to get the books to Australia tomorrow or Tuesday (I hope I don't have to sign for anything, Tuesday is Rosh Hashanna and I can't sign stuff). I got nailed for GST (Goods and Services Tax). The taxes were not only on the books, but on the *shipping.* Quite interesting. Shipping is a service and generally subject to GST. I just didn't expect that I was going to be the one paying it :(

The book just won't be big enough business to make registering for GST worth it at this time. But I am learning about Australian tax and corporate law. It is a bit scary here - I won't bother with the details :)

I have an approach with the book that I'm going to try here in Oz. One of my readers here (who I hopes will like the book) has a sister who runs a library and is very active in librarian associations here. It is a natural place to put the book and raise its profile. Keeping the business goals in mind, the purpose of book one is to get attention for the series. Nothing works better than people reading the books. So if I can get librarians interested they might not *sell* copies, but they can still create a bit of a buzz for book two and some people who hear about book one will want their own copies of book one. Will it work? We'll see :) It is a long way from here to there :)

Happiness!

Joseph