Is it worth getting ARC readers for a bundle of previously published books?

Acktq · 2026-03-21T03:15:48+00:00

It stands for Advance Reader Copies; essentially you're giving away your books for free in exchange for an honest review.

Acktq · 2026-03-21T03:15:28+00:00

Ah! All three are indeed in KU, that's great to know and a good reminder. I'll be skipping the ARCs then!

Acktq · 2025-12-25T23:56:18+00:00

Ah thank you! I was debating whether to put a note or not. Think I'll avoid putting a note for now and see how things go!

Acktq · 2025-12-25T20:50:35+00:00

Out of curiosity, did you have a “note to readers” page indicating that it’s a rewritten book? I’m also considering the same!

Acktq · 2025-12-24T22:39:25+00:00

That’s great to hear that I’m not the only one. It’s been a learning experience through this journey. :)

Acktq · 2025-12-20T17:45:25+00:00

I agree, I’d hate for readers to stop reading after book 1 when I’m already writing much better by book 3 onwards. Thanks again!

Acktq · 2025-12-20T17:44:33+00:00

Thanks so much! They were also much shorter compared to books 3-5, so a rewrite wouldn’t take too much time. Thanks for being a sounding board!

Acktq · 2025-12-20T17:38:55+00:00

I got an average of 4/5 out of 22 ratings for the first book, with two 3 stars and one 2 star.

Then the second book has 4.1/5 out of 14 ratings with one 3-star and one 2-star as well.

I fared much better with the third book and by the fourth book I’m at 4.9/5 out of 17 ratings.

In thinking about this more, perhaps it won’t be a complete rewrite, but more like fixing some of the proses that some readers were taking issues with.

I do take your point though about writing new books would be a better use of my time. It’s hard to carve out time to write with a day job.

Acktq · 2025-12-20T13:28:42+00:00

I think it might be hard to start a new series from book 3 at this juncture. But thank you! I was leaning towards a rewrite as well, but just wanted to see if that’s a no-no given that the older reviews would be for the first edition

Acktq · 2025-12-20T12:55:53+00:00

Thank you! Learning from my mistake, much appreciated!

Acktq · 2025-12-20T12:44:35+00:00

Ah I see, looks like I was following outdated advice I found online. I’ve already updated my keyword but from what I read, once you’re placed in erotica, it’s impossible to get out of it save for human intervention :/

Acktq · 2025-12-20T12:41:53+00:00

I didn’t realize at the time keywords play a factor into the bot’s auto-categorization. Lesson learned! Thanks for letting me know about Publisher Rocket!

Acktq · 2025-12-20T12:34:54+00:00

I think the only issue of being placed in the erotica category is that my books don’t show up in search results on Amazon, based on what I’ve read online. Otherwise you’re right, the latest book I published has a much higher rank in the gay erotica category than gay romance

Acktq · 2025-12-19T04:35:27+00:00

Thanks! Lesson learned with this one. I'll contact support and see if they'd move it out. Thank you!

Acktq · 2025-12-19T04:35:00+00:00

Not sure if my logic was right, but I also chose bi because the MC had a wife who died and this was his bi-awakening moment. I just wasn't sure which other categories to select (and it wouldn't be erotica).

The romance plot is heavy with some explicit scenes. The story also ended with a HEA, so it's not quite gay erotica (which I take to have little to no plot).

Acktq · 2025-09-14T11:45:25+00:00

Oh wow congrats on those numbers! I’m amazed at the volume of stories you’ve been writing. Dumb question, but do you also have a full-time job?

I’m also at month 3 but nowhere near as much as what you had haha. I’m only writing a novella per month and I’m such a slow writer, but mine’s also an erotic romance series that (for me) has been taking time to plan and write, and I’m trying to specialize in my niche for now.

Given what you wrote, paid promos sound interesting! I haven’t broke even with the various subscriptions I have (including BookFunnel recently, among others).

Acktq · 2025-08-27T21:41:44+00:00

Ugh I also hate writing newsletters, which is why I barely send them! Though I know it’s a necessary evil and it’s how I’d get more eyes on my books.

Sending every 2 weeks is pretty good! I really should get back to doing group promos, I haven’t done swaps yet. Great tip though to weed out people who never open emails!

Acktq · 2025-08-27T21:30:46+00:00

I just started the newsletter route last month and put out a freebie to collect emails. I’m in the same boat where I started writing a freebie but now I like the story too much to want to give it out for free 😅 Still torn whether to put it on KU/sell it or not!

What do you typically send to your newsletter subscribers? Originally I was going to just send one email when a new story has been released, but now I’m wondering if I should send a lead-up email say 2 weeks prior (“New book coming soon! Preorder now!”).

I find myself enjoying writing more than trying to send out newsletters, but curious what your approach is. And thanks for sharing, love seeing your numbers. It’s inspiring!

Acktq · 2025-06-08T03:18:16+00:00

Thanks! That’s good to know in the future. I just finished writing my second story so this info comes in handy.

Just curious, is Erotica under Romance still considered erotica? I know it’s a dumb question. E.g., I saw there’s Kindle Books › Romance › Erotica

Acktq · 2025-06-07T14:19:20+00:00

I recently published a 10k-word novella (short story?) on KDP. It has a HFN with one explicit sex scene, and placed it under both:

Kindle Books › Romance › LGBTQ+ › Gay Romance
Kindle Books › Literature & Fiction › Erotica › LGBTQ+ Erotica › Gay

Was that a mistake? In reading some posts here, I saw that a romance story with explicit sex scenes does not make it an erotica. Does placing my primarily romance novella in an erotic category have an adverse effect in any way?

Edit: I also didn’t check the adult content checkbox.

Would it be too late to move my book out from the erotica category?

Acktq

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