Trying Facebook ads-

February 22, 2024 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Ok, so let me walk you through the process of setting up my ads on Facebook. First, it took me about 8 hours of research, design and setting up the ads.

I went to the Facebook Ad library and went through past ads. On that site, you can go through past ads and see how they performed.
I searched on K-lytics to see what keywords I could use-then didn’t use them. https://www.keywordtooldominator.com/k/amazon-keyword-tool
I took Matthew J. Holmes course on Facebook ads.
I took Coursea’s course on Facebook ads
I watched the video of Mark Dawson
I watched David Gaughrams video
Did the course for setting up an attribution link on Amazon.
I then made 6 graphics
Two headlines
Two text

Then I bit the bullet and posted my ads. Here’s the ad set 1.

Headline-

Experience the ultimate power struggle of love and revenge in the heart of Greek mythology. Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Indulge in a whirlwind of passion, betrayal, and divine intrigue with the Queens of the Underworld boxset. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Description 1

Unleash the magic of ancient Greece with the gripping Queens of the Underworld series! Dive into a world where gods and goddesses reign supreme, and love and betrayal collide in epic proportions. Join our fearless heroines on a quest for justice, redemption, and forbidden romance. With four spellbinding books in one captivating box set, this is a journey you won’t want to miss. Grab your copy now and lose yourself in the realms of myth and legend!

Description 2

Escape into a realm of dark enchantment with the Queens of the Underworld series. Delve into the depths of Greek mythology as you follow our heroines on a journey through love, loss, and the pursuit of destiny. With each turn of the page, you’ll be transported to a world where gods walk among mortals, and every choice has the power to shape the future. Don’t miss out on this epic fantasy adventure – grab your copy today and experience the magic for yourself!

So, here’s the settings

Here is the results

I spent 129.00 and my sales from Facebook attribution is…. drum roll… 6.95. Yep. You’ll notice an immediate zero sales after I started the ads. These have been running two weeks.

I just can’t get over the drop in sales. And my Amazon ads? They did just as bad with a higher ad spend.

But, here’s the kicker, before I started running ads, I was making multiple sales every day, as you see on the left chart. The moment I started ads, my sales dropped to zero. You can see it in the draft of sales above. I actually looked at Facebook groups and I’m not alone. A lot of people who placed ads saw their sales drop dramatically. Why? I have no idea. So, I’m off to find another way.

After searching through facebook groups for ads-not ones affiliated with a course-their take? The “free’ classes convince you to start basic ads. You have to dial down into your niche, and until you pay for courses, you won’t have the knowledge to needed to make money. Sure, some people do-but they are in the minority.

Not all ad courses work for every author. I’ve had my covers and blurbs looked at, and they’ve been deemed spot on for my action/adventure series. I may still change the covers-but a bit of horror romance doesn’t really top the charts on a good day.

I’ve gained a lot of knowledge in the last week and a half. Yes, I’m still letting my ads simmer, but I will be trying something else. I’ve been pointed towards a couple of books, and will try the advice in those and get back to you. For now, I’m irritated at the drop in sales and honestly, ads are taking up a huge part of my day and I haven’t written a word since I started this project.

Here are my metrics for Facebook Ads.

So, I’m down about 300 with my Amazon Ads and my Facebook Ads combined for the past two weeks. I’ll start tweaking, reading more, and give you updates soon.

My advice? Search Youtube for ad advice from authors-not one’s selling courses and look at authors in your niche. Don’t look at low-content videos if you’re doing thrillers.

Read. Look and ask questions.

Find facebook groups that specialize in ads.

Also, check your images. Those images should immediately show a genre and if you can, find a photo that has a niche that would work for you.

Updates coming soon!

Latest Release

January 21, 2023 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Good Morning!

I know I haven’t been around a lot lately. I’ve been working on my latest releases and doing some home renovations. We just removed a wall in the kitchen and it’s been dusty here! Drywall is such a pain to deal with.

A lot of great things happened last year, especially making the USA Today Bestselling Author Tag. I’m honored and I really want to thank everyone who supported my efforts. My author life has been busy lately! I did two live events on YouTube I hope you caught those. If you haven’t, look up Katherine Danae Bowen’s channel and check out her events. Very cool site for authors and readers. Here’s a direct link to the interview.

If you haven’t yet, grab my latest series set in the Underworld. Themis’s Revenge, Demise’s Desire and Death’s Lover are all available for a limited time at every major retailor. If you’re a KU reader-be sure that once Bane’s Wish is released that I’ll have the whole boxset available on Kindle Unlimited. But, that has to wait until Bane’s Wish is published. Don’t worry though, at .99c each, you’ll have the best deal right now.

Imagine spending millennia without emotions. No love, hate, sorrow, pain, or any other emotion, just nothing. Then one day, you come alive. You can taste cheeseburgers and beer, wine and caviar, laugh and cry, but there’s a catch.

You have to fight all of the gods on Olympus to keep every new emotion.http://www.books2read.com/RAWThemis

The series starts with Themis’s Revenge against Zeus-then dives into the Death Takers as they come alive and find romance.

Also, I have a great recommendation for you. KC Freeman’s latest novel will be released next week.

What if everything we thought we knew about the fall of the most notorious archangel from history was wrong?

Archangel Lucifer has been tasked with avenging slaughtered angels; but in so doing must face his greatest challenge–unbridled temptation. Only ever wanting to be the dutiful son, all things change when he comes face to face with the virgin Goddess of the Hunt.

The young goddess wants to become a warrior like her brothers. She finally gets the chance when the Creator himself requests her help on a hunt for an angel killer.

Adventure awaits them both as they face many unexpected perils along the way to justice, but the true danger lies closer within… to the desire that once ignited in their hearts could change the course of history in the cosmos forever.

Falling for the Devil is a romantic fantasy adventure with a salacious take on the fall of Heaven’s most renowned angel. Can the good son deny his own heart? Or will they both be willing to break all the rules to forge their own path, regardless of the price that must be paid.https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Devil-Fallen-KC-Freeman-ebook/dp/B0BLKL49GN/

Chatting with the Pros: Interview with author RA Winter

January 8, 2023 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Check out my latest interview and my release!

Writing to be Read

It’s been several years since I posted a “Chatting with the Pros” interview, but today I have a very special post with an author I’ve known for several years, In fact, she was a contributing author to the original Ask the Authors writing reference anthology back in 2018. She’s got a new book coming out tomorrow, Themis’ Revenge. It is book 4 of her Queens of the Underworld series. She’s a multi-genre author and she’s joining me here to share with us about her writing and her new release, which is always very exciting.

About the Author

I started writing under my married name, writing genealogy books as history was my first love. Now I write stories that give me joy-be it fantasy, magical realism, ghosts, urban fiction, or romance. All my novels contain strong females with sass, sarcasm, and humor. You know, women exactly like me. I love…

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Author Interview – RA Winter

October 3, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Thanks for the interview!!

Helen Garraway

Author of Themis

Today I am chatting with Fantasy author, RA Winter about her contribution to the Realm of Darkness boxset, Themis which releases on October 4th, 2022 and is currently available on preorder.

Helen: I am delighted to welcome you to my blog today, and I am so looking forward to chatting with you about Themis. To start please tell us a little about your book.

RA Winter: My contribution to the Realm of Darkness Boxset is Themis. I’ve been wanting to write about Greek Mythology for a while and Themis fit my idea of a strong woman and one who wouldn’t take any sass from the other Olympian gods. It’s a fantasy/mystery/adventure that will take you on a journey into the underworld of Hades, Tartarus, and beyond.

Helen: Strong heroines on an adventure, sounds exciting! Your cover is striking. The colours remind me of the fires…

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Scribophile Review

September 22, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Who wants to write a book? Everyone I know.

Writing a novel isn’t as easy as it sounds. Plotting, characters, setting, fact-checks, and a lot of research are required before you even begin writing that opening line. Months (and sometimes years) of agonizing decisions, second-guessing, rewrites, proofreading, and editing (the list goes on and on) are bound inside of each story you’ve ever read. I guarantee it.

Everyone would love to see their fingers flying over the typewriter, creating the world’s next best seller. The truth is that for most of us, it is a multi-person effort. But where do you go for help?

I use Scribophile. I’ve been a member for six years (or longer-my oldest email is dated 2016 in my inbox). There are writers who use the site for the bare-minimum-post work and receive feedback. That’s fine, but there is fun in the details.

There are Groups you can join and just like any social media site out there, you can add friends, have chats and share knowledge. There is a ‘Medical Questions’ group. Want to know how to kill your MC without a trace? How about morgue etiquette? Need to know how to dress a combat injury? Ask away, there’s someone who will answer. Want others to read your finished novel and give their feedback? Beta and Alpha book swaps are for you. (N. Noel Fudge runs those-a fantastic person.) Need plot help? Post the questions and just wait for the answers.

What if you want a dedicated ‘team’ to share work with? Afraid you won’t be able to keep up in a group? There are teams that share one chapter every week-and others that share 40,000 words a week (or more). Pick your speed. Don’t want to join a team? Work on your own, choose works you’d like to read, and just make friends.

The goal at Scribophile is to FINISH that novel.

But what about once you’ve hit The End? What then?

Scribophile has you covered. There’s always someone who will give you feedback on covers, blurbs, beta & alpha read, editors, and advertising questions-just about any subject you can think of.

There is an area called the Academy. Lots of articles on grammar, writing craft (from structure to rhythm), outlining, personification-I could go on, but I left out the best part.

Friends. Right now, as I’m writing, I’m participating in a word sprint with a friend and wonderful writer. She’s in South Africa-I’m in Pittsburgh. We’ve ‘known’ each other for years. I’ve met a couple of other writers in person and plan on continuing the meetings. I visited one fellow Scribbler just a month ago in North Carolina-we had a blast together-I wore my cowboy boots-she wore angel wings. A couple of years ago, I met another friend for lunch 1.5 hours away. We ate hotdogs and laughed for hours. These are relationships that only came about because I decided to write novels-and I needed help with the whole creative process.

I love Scribophile. I’ve grown as a writer and hope to continue gathering knowledge and perfecting my writing.

There’s more to Scribophile than that, but for now, I’ll leave you with this thought. How do you plan to finish that novel?

Realm of Darkness Author Spotlight-Katherine D. Graham

February 8, 2022January 7, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

This week we’ll be learning about Katherine D. Graham’s novel in the Realm of Darkness Fantasy and Paranormal Collection!

When darkness falls, beware of the creatures that come out to play…

Fall under their spell over and over again in this ultimate paranormal and fantasy romance boxset! Over 40 full-length novels with heart-melting heroes and devastating anti-heroes, full of romance, magic, mystery, and adventure can be yours for an insanely low price of .99c.

Ready to be swept away? Your book boyfriends are waiting… Enemies-to-lovers, alphas, fae, werewolves, dragons, shapeshifters, vampires, gods, angels, demons, and more: with novels ranging from sweet to spicy, there’s a flavor to sate your every craving.

You won’t find these exclusive novels anywhere else, so don’t miss your chance. Over ten thousand pages by New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors and at less than three cents per book, this collection is a steal, but only for a limited time. Grab it today before it’s gone forever…

Katherine D. Graham

Kierra is a princess with a gargantuan secret. The kind of secret people would murder her for, were it to be discovered. The kind of secret her own mother would turn away from in hate. Kierra is the first Hybrd–a Human with Angel and Demon blood. Vampire-Elf Prince Lunev has spent his entire adult life protecting the only living Hybrid during her annual waning–the time of year where her Angel blood overpowers her Human blood. Love was not supposed to be in the cards. But love is what they found. Will their love for each other end a centuries-long war between their races and save their countries from the Devil and Demon hordes? Or will their love doom them all?

Available exclusively in the Realm of Darkness

Katherine D. Graham is a bestselling Fantasy author from Tennessee, in the USA. She is also a developmental editor and a Reedsy Reviewer.

Katherine’s debut indie Epic Fantasy novel, The Vow That Twisted Fate, is an Amazon bestselling New Adult Fantasy novel, a Fantasy finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and a five-star IndieReader-approved novel.

Katherine holds a BA in Foreign Language/Lit: Japanese from the University of Memphis in Tennessee, where she also studied English (and editing). She worked for the Memphis Public Library and Information Center in her college years, and is still a vocal supporter of the Friends of the Memphis Public Library.

In addition to the library system, Katherine actively raises support for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The House of Mews cat sanctuary, the Memphis Zoo, and Swim Across America.

Katherine loves adventures, especially traveling. She also enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and three cats.

Run over to her author page for the Realm of Darkness and take her Quiz! And she will be putting more news there as we get closer to release, here, too: https://www.katherinedgraham.com/splitting-dawn.html

Realm of Darkness-Author Spotlight Rosalyn Briar

February 1, 2022January 6, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

This week we’ll be learning about Rosalyn Briar’s novel in the Realm of Darkness Fantasy and Paranormal Collection!

When darkness falls, beware of the creatures that come out to play…

Rosalyn Briar

As a performer in the underwater Cirque du Mer, Muriel charms skeletons to dance using her voice and magic pearls. When the circus travels to the Crescent Reef, Muriel is eager to take part in the Sacrifice. She desires to sink the ships of humans, the vile creatures who had once enslaved her.

During the Sacrifice, though, Muriel comes upon a different type of human—a woman. Instead of feeding the woman to the Moon Priestess’ kraken, Muriel saves her. Soon, she learns that Yara is a princess and, despite being human and mer, they have much in common. A romance blossoms between the pair, until Yara’s rescue ship arrives.

When the depressed Muriel learns that Yara has died in another shipwreck, she rushes to the Moon Priestess for help. Muriel gives up her voice as payment, and the Moon Priestess turns Yara into an undead mermaid. Muriel has three days to make Yara fall in love and find her soul’s pearl—all the while performing in the circus.

Can love conquer death?

I am a former Latin teacher, a mother to two fearless daughters, and a wife to my soul mate. I have two novels, A Sea of Pearls & Leaves and The Crown of Bones. I also have gothic romance short stories published in anthologies by Dragon Soul Press and Jazz House Publications. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m playing dress-up or gleaning through the woods for wildflowers with my princesses.

Queens of the Underworld Greek God Dating App-Haides

January 27, 2022January 8, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Name: Haides

Parents: Titans Cronus and Rhea

God of the Underworld

Wants: Sunlight, happiness, kids.

Loves: My wife and my three-headed dog

Needs: Spring to get here and bring my wife back.

Hates: Being cooped up by myself. Dead people all around.

What are you looking for in a mate? I have a mate. What’s this about? *shouts* Zeus, you said this was the gods messaging app.

*Zeus* Of course, it is. Just answer the questions-so we can all get to know you.

*Haides* Ok, I’m looking for my wife-she’s my mate.

*Zeus* Pussy.

Past Loves?: Well, I try to be faithful and a good hus-

*Zeus* Double pussy.

*Hades* As I was saying, I’ve tried to be faithful, but there were two other women in my life-

*Zeus* Boring.

*Haides* There was this sexy nymph, Oceanus’s daughter Luce. I kinda kidnapped her and brought her to the underworld. I flirted a bit but she ignored me. Persephone found out and wanted her dead so I returned her topside and turned her into a poplar tree.

There there was this nymph from the river Cocytus. She smelled so sweet and smiled a lot but again Minthe hated my home so I asked for a kiss and said that I’d take her to the human realm for a kiss. I just pecked her on the cheek, I swear. Once topside, I knew it was a mistake and left her, I didn’t want to upset Persephone-

*Zeus* OMG, Big pussy.

*Haides* Shut up, man. Not all of us are assholes to our wives. Persephone deserves my respect.

*Zeus* I tapped that.

*Haides* She’s your daughter.

*Zeus* And??

This is a companion to my Facebook page, stop by for some snark! Also, you can pre-order Themis, the first book in the Queens of the Underworld Series in the Realm Of Darkness Boxset. Forty-five full-length novels by USA Today Bestsellers and other great authors! Grab your copy today!

Realm of Darkness Author Spotlight Jessica Grayson

January 25, 2022January 6, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Today we have the lovely Jessica Grayson with us! She’s one of the forty-five authors in the Realm of Darkness Boxset who are offering full-length books in this fantasy and paranormal collection of novels!

PreOrder Yours Today

Everyone fears the High Elf King. He is known throughout the seven kingdoms as a fierce and lethal warrior. When I accidentally wander too close to the Veil, I’m captured and brought before him. The sentence for trespassing is death. The moment our eyes meet, the King claims I am his Fated One–his Khio’ri. He spares my life, but he refuses to let me go. His people believe that a soulbond woven by fate cannot be undone. Our people have been enemies for hundreds of years. But the more time we spend together, I find myself captivated by this man who would be my husband and king. Now, I find myself wondering: What would it be like if I allowed myself to fall?

I can’t wait to read this one! Ok, so you know me, I want to devour the whole book! A little about Jessica,

Follow her on Amazon and Check Out How Many Books she has!

USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Grayson writes fantasy and scifi romance about strong heroines and the otherworldly heroes that cannot help but fall in love with them. She lives with her husband, cat and dog in the San Antonio, TX area. In addition to reading and writing romance, she loves swimming, chai and dark chocolate.

And if you want to get a head start on Jessica’s novels she has two out in the same universe!

Everyone fears the Dark Elf King. Varys is known as a fierce and lethal warrior; none can stand against his armies.

When I’m captured by the Dark Elves and taken before their king, my first thought is of escape. The moment our eyes meet, King Varys claims I am his Fated One—his Khio’ri.

Humans and Elves have been enemies for centuries, but his people believe that a soulbond woven by fate cannot be undone.

I doubt he’s ever going to let me go. But what does it mean to be Bound to the Dark Elf King?

Everyone fears the Dragons that live in the ice mountains, beyond the edge of our kingdom. Fierce creatures that can take the shape of a man or that of a terrifying beast.

Accused of practicing witchcraft, I’m sentenced to death by my Uncle—the King. Tied to a stake and sentenced to burn, he offers me as sacrifice to the fierce Dragon King.

Queens of the Underworld Greek God Dating App-Hera

January 20, 2022January 7, 2022 / Author RA Winter / Leave a comment

Name: Hera, Sister and Wife of Zeus. Queen of Olympus, loved by Zeus.

Parents: Chronus and Rhea

Goddess of women, marriage, family, and childbirth.

Loves: Zeus. My pets. Oh, our kids too.

Wants: Zeus

Hates: Those awful women who think that Zeus could be theirs! Really? He married me! He loves me! I’m everything to him. We are a family first and foremost.

What are you looking for in a mate? Mate? I have a mate. What kind of questions are these?

*App Master* Lady Hera, this is an application for the Greek God-

*Zeus interrupts* Greek God Messaging app-to keep family close.

Thera continues- See? He’s all for our family, aren’t you dear?

*Zeus chuckles* Of course, my love.

Past loves? Oh, I’ve been faithful to Zeus-always. There was this one time when Ixion tried to me but, Zeus threw him into Tartarus, for his attempted cuckolding of Zeus.

I think we’re done now.

Ra Winter Writer

Myth Romance, Native American Romance Writer, Urban lit, Romance, Fantasy

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