⚽ Football, Finances, and The Big "KU" Decision
I was sitting here watching the Newcastle vs. Leeds game when I started writing this. It was a refreshing, end-to-end match—plenty of goals and both teams hunting for the win. Newcastle managed to nick it in stoppage time, which made for a great evening of entertainment while I got to work on my updates!
📝 The "Welcome Home" Update
A New Chapter (and a familiar home) for Swimming Upstream
If you regularly visit this space, you may have noticed we have done a full U-turn. My blog posts are officially back on Blogger.
Why the change? It all came down to metrics, visibility, and the tools I need as an author that my main website just couldn't offer. I originally moved the blog to my website thinking it would look more professional and make my posts easier to find. I was wrong.
My traffic dropped significantly, and it started to feel like a waste of time. When I checked my old Blogger account the other day, I was shocked: it had received more views in a single day than my website had in an entire month! The best part was that I hadn't closed the account; all those views were coming from my old posts, even though I hadn't updated it since September.
This got me thinking. Blogger offers a clean RSS feed and a proper labeling system—both of which my previous provider lacked. Those tools are vital for an author. So, the decision was made: it was time to go back to Blogger.
But there was a catch. I would only move back if I could use my own domain—one that was professional and perfectly in line with my brand.
Well, the good news is that it could be done! So, here we are at my new permanent base (and I promise, we are staying put this time!). I have uploaded all my past posts to get us up to date, and we have a proper new address: swimmingupstream.co.uk.
Doesn’t that look professional? My posts are already back on Goodreads thanks to the new RSS feed, and the views are already skyrocketing.
Welcome to the new, improved home of Swimming Upstream!
🏢 Taking on the Wholesalers: IngramSpark
I’ve finally done it! An Irish Mystery is now officially on IngramSpark. For those who don't know, they are the world's leading book wholesalers. This means my book is now in the catalog for giants like Waterstones and independent bookshops to order.
It isn't the easiest platform to navigate. Because they are wholesalers, you have to offer a significant discount (usually 55%) so the shops can make a profit. Then there is the "returns" dilemma. If a shop can't sell your book, they want the option to send it back. If you agree to that, you—the publisher—foot the bill for the refund. It’s a risky game that can leave a dent in your profits, but it’s often the only way to get your foot in the door of a physical shop.
📈 The 2p Profit Problem
I also tried uploading to Draft2Digital's (D2D) print-on-demand service, but it’s been a bit of a headache. After a technical glitch with my ISBN (which their help desk sorted brilliantly), I realized that at my current price of £9.99, I would only make £0.02p profit per sale.
Yes, you read that right—two pence. This is exactly why so many indie authors stay exclusive to Amazon. Amazon isn't perfect, but they make the process simple and ensure the profit on a sale is actually meaningful for the author.
🔄 The Pivot: Going Back to Kindle Unlimited
A few months ago, I decided to "go wide" and put my eBook on Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and others. I’d call it a calculated experiment, but I’ve decided it isn't worth it—at least not yet.
I am currently de-listing my eBook from those other sites to return to Kindle Unlimited (KU).
📱 Why the change?
- Exclusivity: To be on KU, you must be exclusive to Amazon.
- The "Netflix" Effect: KU subscribers pay a monthly fee to read as many books as they want. For an unknown author like me, it removes the "risk" for the reader. They can give my book a chance for free, and I get paid for every page they read!
- Advertising Efficiency: Every time someone clicks my Amazon ad, it costs me money. If that person is a KU subscriber, they might have downloaded the book right then and there. Without being in the program, I'm potentially paying for clicks that can't convert.
🇺🇸 Book 2: The Cover Countdown
"Book cover, book cover, book cover"—I know I’ve been saying it for months! I am hoping to get January out of the way and then start the design process for An American Treasure with Peter and Caroline at BespokeBookCovers.com.
I honestly cannot wait to work with them again. I might be biased, but I truly believe Book 2 takes the story to a whole new level. If you enjoyed the first adventure, you are going to love what’s coming next!
📚 What Am I Reading?
🕯️ Stone of Fire by J.F. Penn
What I’m Reading: I am thrilled to report I’ve hit the 40% mark of Stone of Fire by J.F. Penn! Now that I’m finally feeling more like myself, I’ve been able to dive back in, and I’m so glad I did. The "slow burn" is over—the action has officially started and the adventure is at full throttle. That Steve Berry vibe has intensified into a high-stakes race that is keeping me glued to the pages.
📬 Want to follow the journey?
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Newsletter subscribers also get an exclusive sneak peek of Book 2, An American Treasure.
👉 Join here: The Newman Chronicle
📖 Enjoyed this post?
An Irish Mystery is a fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession.
Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & hardcover
👉 Available on Amazon: An Irish Mystery
You can also find me on Instagram / Bluesky / X / Facbook, where I share writing updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
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