review my new book and website please ?

[kevbro]

would anyone be kind enough to give me an opinion on just the cover and description of my book Dragon Magic ?
it's at Amazon USA here: and Amazon UK here:
this is my first book, and I would really appreciate any comments or advice.
I still have time to make alterations before the 4 day price reduction promotion I have set up for November 22nd.

my husband Kevin (who is totally self taught) has also completed a website for me at:http://www.carols-pastels.co.uk/books/
if you like a bit of humour, be sure to check out the videos he included. again, any feedback will be very welcome.

thanks,
Carol

[Joshua Grasso]

Hello Carol,

The book looks very interesting and family-friendly; a nice antidote to what kids would normally find on television. I'll give you what little feedback I can offer, since I know how important it can be to hear from other readers/authors. The cover is eye-catching but maybe a bit vague and dark for your story--it suggests a very different genre, perhaps. When I saw the pictures inside, it seemed a little jarring. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The blurb is concise and catchy as well, though the way you wrote it, it almost seemed like "Dragon Magic" was one story among a few in the volume. Is this true, or am I reading it wrong? I think this is because you call it the "Dragon Magic story," so some readers might expect a series of stories with the kids. Otherwise, I think you'll target the audience you're aiming for.

The website looks great; it definitely showcases your background and authority on the subject of children's literature!

Good luck!

Joshua Grasso

[kevbro]

thanks for the kind words Josh,
initially the book was to be a one-off, but I do have a sequel in mind named Merlin Magic.

the original book title was The Adventures of the Tribe, which would have been the best option in the long run.
Kevin and I started as rank amateurs, and he designed the cover simply to be eye catching.
sadly we have had great problems with Amazon over titles and cover text not matching - we have had to 'unpublish' and start again.
at the moment we are between a rock and a hard place, as changing the cover would entail 'unpublishing' both the Kindle and paperback.

Kevin designed the website, not solely to promote my book, but hopefully to show visitors what wacky folk two old Brits really are.
treat yourself to a giggle with his videos, they are all as shot, and the only editing was to add some text overlays.
regards,
Carol

[Joshua Grasso]

Oh, I don't think you should change the cover; my initial impression was simply that it sells a slightly different story, but I think anyone would realize that once they read the blurb. In a way, that might be to your benefit, since you could catch more people that way; the cover is the proverbial honey to catch the flies, but the story has to do the rest.

I'm a rank amateur, too, and I agree that Amazon can be very frustrating. I use their KP select program, which I am stuck in for the rest of my 90 day period, and it limits me from selling elsewhere for no obvious gains (that I can see).

I think you have a great story here and one that many people will connect with on both sides of the pond. I love how you connected it with real places throughout England, which I think would be educational for American children to read as well (since many of them are pretty foggy about the geography of their own country, much less the UK!).

Wish you luck with the book and others to follow; at least you have a sizable amount of reviews! That's the best way to start.

Joshua

[kevbro]

cheers Joshua,
wow!
I have just searched your name on Amazon, and you are in no way a rank amateur my friend, and I value your opinions even more now.

I rue the day I took KDP select!
Kevin worked his fingers to the bone getting the book at various retailers, only to have to remove it again (see his comments on our website)

the three visits Kevin and I have made to the USA were solely due to the generosity of my wealthy, but rather distant brother, as our New England website acknowledges.

as such, we will never get to visit Oklahoma, and wish you and yours all the best.
now midnight in Lancashire, so time for bed,
Carol

[Joshua Grasso]

Ha, trust me, I'm just starting out and am just as clueless and frustrated as anyone else out there. But I'm happy to help if I can, and I think your book really has legs. Keep at it and let me know if you find other ways to get the word out. This site has helped me sales-wise a bit, but other sites seem like dead ends. My best advertising has been through Facebook, mostly because I have so many students who share my posts. But besides that, I haven't gotten a lot of play from my book yet.

I look forward to reading your book soon and following your progress! All the best!

Joshua Grasso