This month we’ve been discussing the Direct Sales model of book selling, as many authors look at alternatives to the downsides that come with using the big online retailers. As we’ve mentioned, selling direct isn’t for everyone, but there is a lot of potential for those that can make it work and are willing to put in the effort at getting it all running. Ginger has been our guide throughout this journey, and in today’s blog he is wrapping up this series by sharing and analyzing the results he’s seen after his first month of experimentation. Not only does he provide some raw numbers, but he als ..read more

Do you have a young reader in your life? Or maybe you’re looking for some titles to finish off a Summer reading program. We have a handful of illustrated children’s books to add to your reading list! Our Hidden Gems ARC readers loved the following titles, and we bet your young bookworm will, as well. 1 Minute Dog Fun, Fast & Easy Dog Training for Kids: Super Dog Training Academy by Tom Mitchell With a 4.7 average star rating, 1 Minute Dog Fun, Fast & Easy Dog Training for Kids: Super Dog Training Academy is recommended for children 8-12 years old and helps young readers learn how to ..read more

If there’s one thing that the big online eBook stores have going for them, is that they are relatively easy for authors to get started on. Entering product information is straightforward, and things like billing and content delivery are handled automatically. Yet, there are a host of downsides that make authors hungry for alternatives, which is why Ginger has put together this series on Direct Sales. Today in part three, Ginger goes into detail about what exactly authors are giving up, and taking on, when making the decision to switch to the direct sales model – and it can be significant. Aut ..read more

Whenever something is going on in your real life that you want to escape from, diving into a good book is one of the best ways to get away from it all. Even if your physical body remains where it is, an engaging story can at least transport your mind to a different, and hopefully better, place. Great fantasy novels are perfect for this, as they usually bring you into another world completely!  So if you’re looking for one of these to escape with, here are a few that were recently loved by our Hidden Gems ARC readers. Hail Infernal World by Rick Ferguson With a 4.8 star average, Hail Inf ..read more

Last week, Ginger began a series on direct sales – the idea of selling a book directly to readers from your own website, instead of through one of the traditional online retailers. Today we continue this discussion with part two, where Ginger walks us through his personal reasons for wanting to give the direct sales route a try. Through disclosure of some of his actual historical sales numbers, he provides context that may help others decide if selling direct is right for them. These numbers will also be useful to compare against in the future, when he takes us through how well his direct sal ..read more

Summer is in full swing, and if you’re looking for exciting books to read while on your summer vacation, we have some of the best thriller novels to take you for a ride. Hidden Gems ARC readers were able to fully immerse themselves into a variety of highly rated thrillers over the past few months, and this is a round-up of some of the most popular and well-reviewed page-turners. The Mazatlan Showdown by Patrick Weill Champion surfer Jeff Walker, born into tragedy with his father’s untimely death and his mother’s passing abroad, moves to San Diego determined to uncover his father’s killer. Wo ..read more

Welcome to the first part of Ginger’s ongoing series about direct sales. In this series, he’ll explore why self-published authors should consider selling books directly to readers, rather than relying solely on traditional online book platforms. As we’ve discussed before, authors face significant challenges in gaining visibility on sites dominated by advertising. Even when readers click on an ad, making an immediate purchase isn’t always straightforward, and the delay in receiving payment can be frustrating. Direct sales offer a way to bypass these obstacles, presenting an appealing alternati ..read more

We’ve put together 5 otherworldly SF novels that took Hidden Gems ARC readers on a journey to interstellar and apocalyptic regions. Explore this science fiction list and get ready to embark on your next exhilarating journey with these top-rated reads. Shattered Web by K.J. Heritage The CSS Ariadne, an experimental Company bioship, has gone rogue, cutting communications and plunging into hyperspace towards enemy territory, risking certain destruction unless stopped. Before disappearing, the crew managed to send an SOS. Amid the chaos, a murder has occurred, and the culprit remains unknown. Va ..read more

When woven into your narrative with finesse, a season like summer can become more than a mere backdrop—it can transform into a dynamic force within the story. Much like winter in Game of Thrones, where the relentless cold amplifies the harshness and isolation of the plot, summer, too, can infuse a story with its own distinct energy. Long hours of daylight, oppressive heat, and the unique sounds and smells of the year’s hottest season all become integral to the character’s journey, bringing your setting to life and adding richness to your story. In this week’s blog, Ginger explores how the ess ..read more

In the midst of a world that continues to feel unsettled and divided, the power of storytelling shines as a beacon of hope and change. Authors have a long history of addressing real-life problems through fiction, weaving tales that not only entertain but also provoke thought and inspire action. In today’s blog, Ginger explores the profound impact that literature has historically had in challenging the status quo and the vital role that we, as writers, play in shaping societal perspectives. Literature has always been a powerful form of protest, especially during times of outrage or when the de ..read more