“You live, you learn, You love, you learn…”
Remember that time I was so certain changing the cover of the third Mephisto book was the thing to do? Remember that time I was wrong? (Okay, so I’ve been wrong lots of times – that’s not the point.)
The thing is, response to the new cover, which looks like this
has been about 50/50. Some love it, some hate it. I think the review comment that resonated most was the one that said she would never give this a second look, that it’s like every other paranormal romance cover out there. This must be a pervasive feeling, because sales have gone down to zero. Literally no one is buying this book. I dropped the eBook price to $3.99 – no sales. Damaris Cardinali at Good Choice Reading, blogger extraordinaire, graciously offered to do a cover reveal blog tour for me when I decided to change the cover. She put it together in record time and so many extremely wonderful bloggers jumped on board and posted the reveal. We did a giveaway that had over 4500 entries. Since the cover changed, I’ve sold 23 copies. All that and just 23 copies. But hey, it is what it is. I absolutely do not see this as a critique of the book. I like this book. I think it’s a good story. I just seriously suck at selling it.
The point of all this?
As much as I like the new cover, I’m still madly in love with Paula Kubiak’s photograph, and it pained me to change it.
So, even though the couple on the new cover look just as I imagine Phoenix and Mariah, I’ve decided….
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to do this:
It’s uploading to Amazon right now and is already live at Kobo and Barnes & Noble. It will be available in print very soon. I’m waiting for CreateSpace to clear the files for publication, and then I’ll need to proof it, and then it’ll be up and available. I pinkie swear and kiss my elbow this will be the last change. I’ve done all I can for this book, and now it’ll either sink or swim on its own. I am stepping back to work on my historical romance project, and then the fourth Mephisto book, which will have a similar cover to this, and if it screams Young Adult, as someone told me this one does, I’m going to be okay with that, even though it’s not Young Adult. Why? Because I’ve just learned that if a cover screams anything at all, someone will hear it. If it’s not saying much, no one notices.
I’m embarrassed about all this. I like being one of those Sure Of Herself kind of women, who boldly goes forth and conquers stuff. Like publishing a book. I won’t lie – this has set me back on my heels and humbled me in a way I can’t describe except to say, I have seriously considered taking up smoking again. Or giving up writing. Or running away to join the circus. But, then I thought, nah, I don’t want to smoke – too expensive and that shit will kill you. I don’t even like the circus, so why would I join one? And as for quitting writing, I may as well be dead. Writing is what I do. It’s what makes me complete, so do or die, succeed or fail, I’m going to keep writing books.
Thanks to everyone for your generosity, your help in spreading the word, and your unfathomable kindness. It makes all of this so much easier to get through and I love you for it.
Onward!
There’s no science to this, no way of knowing, but it’s so brave of you to experiment, to chance failure, to move forward, move sideways, move any way you can because standing still is when the world passes you by. Love the newest cover. Going to buy a copy NOW. And everyone should because the first books were AMAZING.
{{{{hugs}}}} Amy. Thank you!
People don’t know what they are missing by not reading this book. And PLEASE keep writing 🙂 Hopefully sales will pick up, but in the meantime just do what feels best to you. I do like the mix of the two covers. 🙂
Thanks, Sarah – fingers crossed, but it may be that this book needs some big brothers to keep it company. My self-publishing cohorts tell me, the more books you have available, the better all of them sell. So I’m writing as fast as I can. 🙂 It’ll go a lot faster now that I feel settled about this – I can stop fretting and stay off the Internet and get my words done. 🙂
While the cover change definitely made it a romance, a big part of me loves that you went back to the original cover, because it just beautiful. I really hope your sales go up and reflect how awesome we all feel this book is! I’ve got two of my reader friends reading it and have pleaded with them to post some kind of review when done. And I will definitely be adding a print copy of this to my library as well :-).
Aw, Kari, you’re such a love – thank you!!! I had a feeling you’d be one that likes the change back to original. 🙂
I haven’t read your books, but my twin sister Libertad loves them. I actually bought the first two for her for Christmas,and the sole reason she wanted to read them was based on your original covers. The only reason I haven’t read your books, is because unless we are willing to read a book at the very same time(meaning sharing between chapters, it’s a lot harder than it sounds XD) we tend to give away plot details with a simple question “How is your book going?”
Sometimes I need to give myself a lot of time to forget everything she’s told me, and I do plan to read book one soon, as it’s already on our book case 🙂
I know your 50/50 on the cover choice, but I love the covers with the girls on them in comparison to the the “romance” cover look. I’d be lying if I said interesting covers dont move me to purchase, even if I end up disliking a book. I hope your book is available for print soon, as Im already trying to get it for my sis for this year’s xmas 🙂 and one day i saw it, and then it was gone :0
I hope one day in the future i see one of the brothers go for a girl of color or something 🙂 not being pushy, that just would be awesome
You’re her twin? This is so cool! Thanks for your note, and for your support. As for a woman of color, stay tuned…
Thank you for changing it back 🙂 I know that it must have been a tough choice and that self publishing can be super hard but I really love the unique cover!
Thanks, Maddy! <3
It’s not to step on toes 🙂 just would be awesome
I just know there are quite a few of the boys 🙂 Would be interesting to see one of their tastes being a little different from the others 🙂
Libertad swoons every time she reads each one!
Well, I can’t say much without giving away future story plot lines. So far, we’ve had a Russian and 2 Romanians. White chicks, sure, but not American. And now Zee has found Euri, who’s an aristocrat from England – OMG she’s fun to write because she’s as wack as he is – but then there’s Ty and Denys. And Eryx, the ultimate Bad Boy. Hee! I’m gleeful, just thinking about what I have in store for them. So yeah – it will be interesting, I promise. The Mephisto live in Colorado now, but they’re worldwide and international. Love without borders. And an Anabo is irresistible to them, no matter who she is or what she looks like. Like I said – stay tuned. 🙂
Thank you for switching back!! I like that you changed the title, but kept the original cover. I always hesitate to buy books with a sexy cover. I like how this one flows with the Mephisto series, but distinguishes itself through the new title.
Thanks, Julie! Maybe third time’s the charm?
OMG !!! YAAY !! i loved that cover as well !! >.
🙂
yeah i love the idea of putting the 2 covers together. I’m happy u went back to the old cover because that cover was ..something…it was…BEAUTIFUL!. its true that the 2nd cover you made looked like any other romance book would look like, nothing new. your mephisto covers, the original one.. its different, its unique, its simply amazing…i love your covers .so I’m really happy that you went back to the original cover 🙂
so i can’t wait to read ONLY YOU… I’ve waited SOO long,, i wanted it for my birthday in october but with the covers changing couldn’t really read the book ;(
lol hopefully now i can.i live in canada ontario is your book going to be in any stores near me.. i wish hopefully 😉
btw your an amazing author never change your style because your simply amazing i love your books always will ! 🙂
zara
Thank you, Zara! I hope you enjoy Only You! 🙂
I literally cried reading this post, I was just like YES! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I’m so happy, I can’t wait to get m allowance and buy this!
Yay! I hope you like it!
hi i was just wondering if only you is ever going to go on ibooks
We uploaded the new cover 2 weeks ago, and it’s still showing the old one. Apple is not nimble. However, it is for sale, here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/only-you/id727675127?ls=1&mt=11
I swear if this series isn’t continued I will cry my heart out. I’ve fallen madly in love with each of the characters. And honestly, my life would not be the same without The Mephisto Covenant. PLEASE keep writing them.
I thought the third Mephisto Covenant Book was The Mephisto Mark. Did you change the name?
Yes. It’s now titled Only You.
There’s a lot of badly written adult romance out there, but less badly written self-pubed YA… so going with a YA cover is the smarter choice. Readers will be more likely to take a chance on it. And your writing is amazing, so no giving up!! I’m really looking forward to Sophie’s story, although I realise it may be a few books away. 🙂 You’re a treasure honey and we’re all so lucky to have someone like you out there writing books for us to read! Not many writer’s stick to their gut re storylines the way you do. xx
Thank you, Annette! <3