🚀 Launch Week: Nerves, Numbers, and The "An" Strategy
So, An American Treasure is officially out in the world. I woke up on the 1st of May to two ebook orders. It might not sound like a lot to some, but to me, it’s a start. May last year, when An Irish Mystery launched, was my best month for genuine sales, and I’m curious to see how this sequel compares.
A year into this publishing game, and I still don't really know exactly what I’m doing, or at least, I don’t have the massive budget to "splash out" on what the gurus say is needed. But that’s fine. I always knew that building a readership would be a gradual, organic process. No bells or whistles; just being persistent and consistent with the work.
✍️ What’s Next for Book 3?
Now that Book 2 is out, work starts on making sure Book 3 is the best it can be. The draft is written, but I’m not sure if it’s "complete" just yet. For comparison:
- Book 1: 83,770 words
- Book 2: 98,515 words
- Book 3 (Current): 69,448 words
It reads well, and I refuse to add "filler" chapters just to bulk it up. The beauty of being self-published is that I set the deadlines, which means I can move them if the story needs more time to breathe.
The plan for Book 3 is simple: settle on a title (it will start with "An"), dive into editing, run it past my ARC readers, and then invest in the cover. Hopefully, by then, An American Treasure will have climbed the charts and both books will be established enough that people are actually waiting for the next one. That’s the dream—getting DMs asking, "When is the next one out?"
🇺🇸 The American Market
My friends from "across the pond" are becoming my most loyal readers, especially on Kindle and KU. An Irish Mystery is proving very popular in the US; I’ve hit nearly 30 reviews now, with 18 of those coming in just the last few weeks.
Growing organically with minimal ads takes time, and while sales are modest, KU is the real engine here. People are willing to take a chance on a new author when it feels "free" to them. Without it, some months would be very quiet indeed.
⭐ The Feedback
I’ve had some fantastic reviews recently. Even the 3-star ones aren't "bad"—they enjoyed the story but perhaps weren't in tune with my specific style. That’s fine! I love fruit, but I can’t stand pineapple, whereas my daughter loves it. We all have different tastes.
Here are a few of my favourite reviews from the last few weeks:
"There are no dull pages. Full of mystery. Lots of adventure. This is a must-have for mystery readers." — 5 Stars, Amazon US
"Great storytelling! I love a good mystery with intrigue, great characters, and that spans several decades." — 5 Stars, Amazon US
"I was completely enveloped in the story from cover to cover... blends historical elements flawlessly." — 4 Stars, Amazon US
Receiving these is so encouraging. It’s been a long road to get any reviews at all, so I’m just hoping An American Treasure gets the same warm welcome. Speaking of which, Gregory (one of my ARC readers) left a review on Goodreads that is so in-depth it’s almost like a professional report! You can read his full 5-star review here: Link to Goodreads Review.
📏 Does Size Matter?
I mentioned that Book 3 is currently just short of 70,000 words. In terms of pages, I’d guess that’s around 250. For comparison, An American Treasure is 372 pages (excluding the front and back matter), and An Irish Mystery is 269.
It makes me wonder: when you’re reading a thriller or a mystery, how big do you think a book should be? Is there a minimum or maximum page count for you?
Personally, I believe An Irish Mystery is about the right size, but the page count isn't what matters, it’s the quality of the story. I want my books to be engaging; I want people to be desperate to turn the page, not looking for an excuse to put it down. I refuse to write "filler." While a bit of background is necessary, it should never be there just to bulk out the book.
🗺️ The Research Rabbit Hole
I write chapter to chapter. While I’m finishing one scene, I’m already thinking about where the next one is headed. Because of that, research is vital to me.
For example, in An American Treasure, Cedric and Hans visit the grave of one of Mosby’s Rangers to find their first lead. That graveyard is real. I made sure of its exact location, read everything I could about the ranger (Maddux) and his grave, and studied the town of Warrenton.
Some chapters take an age to write because I want the scene to be as truthful to real life as possible. I even find myself researching local restaurants and their actual menus! I know, I’m a bit sad, really. But I think that’s what you need to do to make a story believable. If the setting feels real, the stakes feel real.
📚 What Am I Reading
(Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you're looking for your next high-octane read, check out the link below!)
Rogue Target (Troy Stark Series) by Jack Mars
I’ve now finished the third Troy Stark book, and what a ride it was. I have to admit, it started a little slow; I actually found myself wondering if I had enjoyed the first two as much as I remembered! But once the action kicked in, it simply didn't stop.
Just over halfway through, the story exploded into full throttle. It has everything a thriller fan could want: guns, knife fights, fist fights, fast trains, and helicopters. It felt like watching a "Last Action Hero" movie in book form.
If you can push through the initial setup, the payoff is massive. Jack Mars is becoming a firm favourite of mine for when I need that pure, adrenaline-fueled escape.
Enjoyed the ride? 📖
I balance my writing life with a full-time day job, which means covers, research, and advertising all come out of my own pocket. If you’d like to see these books reach more readers—and help me stay caffeinated while I write them—you can support my work here. Your help keeps the "Stream" flowing and the books coming.
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📚 The Newman Adventures
An Irish Mystery A fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession. The story that started it all.
An American Treasure The journey continues! Cedric Newman returns in a high-stakes hunt for the lost riches of Mosby's Rangers. Action, mystery, and a new enemy await.
Available in Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & Hardcover
📱 Let’s Connect
You can also find me on Instagram, Bluesky, X, and Facebook, where I share writing updates, research snippets, and behind-the-scenes moments from the school building and the writing desk.
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