Hi,

In the light of social lockdown, it should come as no surprise that ebook sales are up and mainstream book sales are down. What is surprising is that I'm receiving emails from my various sales platforms saying this is great news for self-published authors like me. To suggest we benefit from the pandemic is the height of bad taste, when the whole world is reeling from the crisis. It's been a strange time for everyone; difficult, lonely, and for some, tragic. Isolation and social distancing have changed our habits, and people probably are reading more ebooks, but despite the doom-gurus we have no way of knowing what the future holds. In fact, an increase in the sales of ebooks isn't such a success story. I don't believe success can be measured by fluctuations in ebook versus mainstream book sales. Success for publishing as a whole resides in good authors gaining enough recognition to further a career, which is not a done deal, whichever way the book has been published.

1) Storyboard

Despite the Corona Virus, in Ireland, spring has sprung, but the weather here doesn't always play by the rules. So, here's another little insight into the life of a smallholder. What would you do with a crop of rhubarb unexpectedly flattened by a squall from the Atlantic? (Click on the image to read the story).

2) For authors: check out Brian Cohen's Amazon Ad Challenge

This one I can vouch for. As with most freebies, Brian is using the free course as a platform to sell his paid courses, which aren't cheap, but he knows his stuff. There is a surprising amount of good information in this free version, including insider knowledge on how the Amazon platform actually works.

3) And here's your selection of free books (click on the image):

Today there are three promotions. As I haven't read all the books, I can't guarantee quality, only quantity. Authors rarely get feedback, so if you read a book you enjoy, let the author know.

If you wish to unsubscribe, please do so via the link at the foot. But I hope you won't. I'm setting up a raffle over the next couple of months to celebrate reaching a milestone in my writing career. Hang around with me if you want the chance to win a brand new Kindle Fire (which is already sitting here, waiting to be sent out).

All the best

Chris Lewando