Some people love stats (me included!), so here's a breakdown of the top 20 countries downloading the free Hal Spacejock ebook by percentage. Now, Australia is the 3rd largest market on the planet for English language books (after the US and the UK), and yet it's second here. Do aussies love a quick freebie or what?
Country/Territory - Percentage
United States - 42.32%
Australia - 26.47%
United Kingdom - 6.79%
Canada - 5.53%
Germany - 1.25%
India - 1.23%
France - 1.09%
Netherlands - 0.92%
Sweden - 0.82%
New Zealand - 0.78%
Spain - 0.70%
South Africa - 0.66%
Romania - 0.66%
Brazil - 0.56%
Ireland - 0.42%
Italy - 0.42%
China - 0.38%
Belgium - 0.38%
Portugal - 0.34%
Denmark - 0.34%
(So far the book has been downloaded by people in 108 countries & territories)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Availability
I just dropped by the publisher to sign copies of Hal 1 through 4 for people who've ordered them since the ebook hit the ewaves, and they told me they've asked stores NOT to put Hal 4 out until the release date (next Monday)
Wow, a genuine real-life embargo on the release. Nice! Unless you're waiting in a queue, of course.
The other availability I'm referring to is me. If you'd like me to answer questions about the decision to release Hal Spacejock as an ebook, the goals we had going in & the ongoing results, or even questions about writing, getting published, slaving away on the same series and so on, just contact me via email: spacejock at gmail dot com
I'm always happy to talk ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wow, a genuine real-life embargo on the release. Nice! Unless you're waiting in a queue, of course.
The other availability I'm referring to is me. If you'd like me to answer questions about the decision to release Hal Spacejock as an ebook, the goals we had going in & the ongoing results, or even questions about writing, getting published, slaving away on the same series and so on, just contact me via email: spacejock at gmail dot com
I'm always happy to talk ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Ebook progress
I've had email from a number of other authors asking me to keep them up to date with the Hal Spacejock ebook experiment. I'm happy to oblige!
After two and a half days the ebook is still being downloaded once every two minutes, on average. The biggest number of referrals have come from John Scalzi's Whatever blog, various buttons around my own spacejock.com.au site, Stumbleupon, the University of Pennsylvania online books page, Myspace, Fremantle Press, SFSignal and PBW. (Plus a fair number from random google searches.)
Now, the interesting thing is that well over half the downloads were referred by 'OTHER' sources. Maybe two, maybe just one each, but added together they brought more traffic than all the biggies put together.
That's why every blog post about the Hal Spacejock ebook is valuable, no matter how much (or how little) traffic you think it might send my way.
Another interesting stat: Only 1% of all downloads have gone to UK addresses. Australia, with 1/3 the population of the UK, has accounted for over 20% of the total.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
After two and a half days the ebook is still being downloaded once every two minutes, on average. The biggest number of referrals have come from John Scalzi's Whatever blog, various buttons around my own spacejock.com.au site, Stumbleupon, the University of Pennsylvania online books page, Myspace, Fremantle Press, SFSignal and PBW. (Plus a fair number from random google searches.)
Now, the interesting thing is that well over half the downloads were referred by 'OTHER' sources. Maybe two, maybe just one each, but added together they brought more traffic than all the biggies put together.
That's why every blog post about the Hal Spacejock ebook is valuable, no matter how much (or how little) traffic you think it might send my way.
Another interesting stat: Only 1% of all downloads have gone to UK addresses. Australia, with 1/3 the population of the UK, has accounted for over 20% of the total.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Progress report
Over the past 24 hours the free Hal Spacejock ebook has been downloaded at the rate of one copy every 30-40 seconds.
Links to the download are turning up in the oddest places. The front page of The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film, a forum on the Baen Books website, state newspapers, teacher/librarian mailing lists, blogs, forum and websites.
Oh, and the odd Google search is bringing people in too.
Many thanks to everyone sharing links to the download, and please, don't stop now! It's a big, bad internet, and despite the publicity 99.999999% of all users are still oblivious to the delights of Hal Spacejock.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Links to the download are turning up in the oddest places. The front page of The London International Festival of Science Fiction and Fantastic Film, a forum on the Baen Books website, state newspapers, teacher/librarian mailing lists, blogs, forum and websites.
Oh, and the odd Google search is bringing people in too.
Many thanks to everyone sharing links to the download, and please, don't stop now! It's a big, bad internet, and despite the publicity 99.999999% of all users are still oblivious to the delights of Hal Spacejock.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I've got me Tin Duck, in my hands ...
And very shiny it is too:
(Hal Spacejock Just Desserts won the WASFF 'Tin Duck' award for best WA long professional work of 2007. I couldn't attend the ceremony at Swancon earlier this year, but Tehani was kind enough to pick the trophy up for me, and she brought it along to the Hal 4 book launch last night.)
Tehani didn't realise I'd picked up an Aurealis Award a few years back, so here's a pic of that one too:
Now, stop reading this and go download Hal Spacejock already. Two a minute just isn't enough!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
(Hal Spacejock Just Desserts won the WASFF 'Tin Duck' award for best WA long professional work of 2007. I couldn't attend the ceremony at Swancon earlier this year, but Tehani was kind enough to pick the trophy up for me, and she brought it along to the Hal 4 book launch last night.)
Tehani didn't realise I'd picked up an Aurealis Award a few years back, so here's a pic of that one too:
Now, stop reading this and go download Hal Spacejock already. Two a minute just isn't enough!
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Download Hal Spacejock
Hal Spacejock fans worldwide are about to be served a big helping of science fiction - for nothing! Fremantle Press and Western Australian author, Simon Haynes, are giving away complete online copies of the novel Hal Spacejock 1.
The first novel in the popular series is available to download right now, and serves as the perfect entree to the release of book four - Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch - on June the 2nd.
Get your copy of Hal Spacejock here
Full press release here
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
ELR statement
Just got the Educational Lending Rights statement for last year. Hal Spacejock (book 1) is the only one listed, since Hal 2 came out after the cutoff, but it seems there are almost 1000 copies in school libraries around Australia.
WOW.
That's 2000 fridge magnets paid for.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
WOW.
That's 2000 fridge magnets paid for.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Book launch goodies
I usually make a bit of an effort for Hal Spacejock launches - people are taking the trouble to get there, so why not throw in a few extras?
If you know how publishing works you'll know that authors make about A$1.50-A$1.90 royalty on a $20 book. If we sell 30-40 books at the launch I'll have earned a massive $50 or so (about nine months from now, when the next royalty statement comes in.)
A book launch isn't about earning money, though. It's a celebration, a chance to send off the latest book with a whack from a bottle of bubbly, and a chance for me to hand out some unique Hal-related goodies.
This morning the postie delivered about 200 cover flats for Hal Spacejock books 1 and 3. I'm busy signing them now, and everyone who buys a book at the launch will get one in their goodie bag. There'll be Hal Spacejock fridge magnets and bookmarks too, and I usually throw in something chocolatey. (Obesity epidemic be damned. Anyway, they're only little.)
There's also a ticket for the free Hal gift I've been banging on about for the past two weeks. If you have today's West Australian (Tuesday 27th), turn to page 8 of the Today section and you'll be able to work out what the gift is ...
Everyone else can wait until tomorrow ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
If you know how publishing works you'll know that authors make about A$1.50-A$1.90 royalty on a $20 book. If we sell 30-40 books at the launch I'll have earned a massive $50 or so (about nine months from now, when the next royalty statement comes in.)
A book launch isn't about earning money, though. It's a celebration, a chance to send off the latest book with a whack from a bottle of bubbly, and a chance for me to hand out some unique Hal-related goodies.
This morning the postie delivered about 200 cover flats for Hal Spacejock books 1 and 3. I'm busy signing them now, and everyone who buys a book at the launch will get one in their goodie bag. There'll be Hal Spacejock fridge magnets and bookmarks too, and I usually throw in something chocolatey. (Obesity epidemic be damned. Anyway, they're only little.)
There's also a ticket for the free Hal gift I've been banging on about for the past two weeks. If you have today's West Australian (Tuesday 27th), turn to page 8 of the Today section and you'll be able to work out what the gift is ...
Everyone else can wait until tomorrow ;-)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Monday, May 26, 2008
Snip Three
An hour later Hal was sitting in the flight deck, gazing at a satellite image of planet Dismolle on the main viewscreen. The display was centred on a sandy beach, where hoards of sunbathers were stretched out on their towels.
‘Navcom, how do you zoom in again?’ asked Hal.
‘That’s the limit,’ said the ship’s computer, in her neutral female voice.
‘But I can’t see anything!’
‘That’s why it’s the limit.’
Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (Page 4)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
‘Navcom, how do you zoom in again?’ asked Hal.
‘That’s the limit,’ said the ship’s computer, in her neutral female voice.
‘But I can’t see anything!’
‘That’s why it’s the limit.’
Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (Page 4)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Another snip
Walsh frowned. Had all these callers hit the turps and then sat down to watch the same show? ‘Tell me, have you had a drink this evening?’
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Only I’ve just had a similar report, and I’m wondering whether there’s a program you’ve all been watching. Something of a fantastic nature.’
There was a long silence. ‘Are you accusing me of watching horror films? Science fiction?’
Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, p72
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
‘I beg your pardon?’
‘Only I’ve just had a similar report, and I’m wondering whether there’s a program you’ve all been watching. Something of a fantastic nature.’
There was a long silence. ‘Are you accusing me of watching horror films? Science fiction?’
Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch, p72
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Can't make the launch?
This post is for Australian residents who don't live in the Perth metro area. Everyone else will get their own special post on Wednesday the 28th.
The Hal Spacejock launch is on Tuesday, and I've had several emails from avid fans who can't be bothered hopping on a plane and flying 5000km or more just to be there on the night. (Some people, I tell you!)
Anyway, there is a solution: One fan rang Dymocks Carousel (08 9356 8888) and ordered all four Hal books plus home delivery. They've put his copies aside, I'll sign & personalise them at the launch, and they'll post them to him afterwards.
They're more than happy to take phone orders for the books - the latest, the first, all of 'em - so I thought I'd better mention it.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
The Hal Spacejock launch is on Tuesday, and I've had several emails from avid fans who can't be bothered hopping on a plane and flying 5000km or more just to be there on the night. (Some people, I tell you!)
Anyway, there is a solution: One fan rang Dymocks Carousel (08 9356 8888) and ordered all four Hal books plus home delivery. They've put his copies aside, I'll sign & personalise them at the launch, and they'll post them to him afterwards.
They're more than happy to take phone orders for the books - the latest, the first, all of 'em - so I thought I'd better mention it.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, May 23, 2008
A second piece of great news ...
... and I can't announce this one either! It's a good one, though. Really excellent. Wish I could share.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Stars of SF interview + RTRFM
Mark Deniz just posted his interview with me here. Lots of good questions about Hal Spacejock and Andromeda Spaceways, and I enjoyed participating.
In other interview news, there's a stream of the RTRFM interview I did yesterday on the web, but it's 3 hours long and I don't put in an appearance until the 2hr+ mark.
Warning ... the track before my interview is the sort of thing my 13 year old daughter euphemistically calls a "naughty word song", so keep the volume low whilst seeking.
Can anyone tell me how to extract a chunk of the MP4 as a regular MP3? I tried VLC with the stream to file option, but the result was a big blank file which did nothing.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
In other interview news, there's a stream of the RTRFM interview I did yesterday on the web, but it's 3 hours long and I don't put in an appearance until the 2hr+ mark.
Warning ... the track before my interview is the sort of thing my 13 year old daughter euphemistically calls a "naughty word song", so keep the volume low whilst seeking.
Can anyone tell me how to extract a chunk of the MP4 as a regular MP3? I tried VLC with the stream to file option, but the result was a big blank file which did nothing.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
A snip
Tee hee ...
Hal sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes. ‘I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this little jaunt. We must have flown halfway across the galaxy.’
‘It was a wise move, Mr Spacejock. We needed a fresh start.’
‘We weren’t doing that badly.’
‘Oh no? Feuding politicians, desperate fugitives and mercenaries ... We’ve made enough enemies to fill three second-rate novels.’
Taken from Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (Book four in the series)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Hal sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes. ‘I still can’t believe I let you talk me into this little jaunt. We must have flown halfway across the galaxy.’
‘It was a wise move, Mr Spacejock. We needed a fresh start.’
‘We weren’t doing that badly.’
‘Oh no? Feuding politicians, desperate fugitives and mercenaries ... We’ve made enough enemies to fill three second-rate novels.’
Taken from Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (Book four in the series)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Might even spill the beans early ...
I know it says June 1, but I have a nasty habit of revealing things too early:
Share if you dare ...
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Share if you dare ...
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Status update
Rosalie Writers Festival ... check (Great fun, including last night's meet-the-parent evening)
RTR-FM Radio Interview ... check (I'll link to the podcast when/if it's online)
Book launch ... 27th May. (Feel free to share as widely as possible. Official press release at the foot of this post)
Massive world-changing Hal Spacejock news ... 28th May (STILL not spilling the beans. Sorry!)
Official release of Hal 4 ... 2nd June.
I'm just enjoying the fuss while it lasts, because it won't be long before I'm hard at work on the next Hal book (hopefully), and these fleeting moments of fame and fortune will be nothing more than a distant memory.
BOOK LAUNCH
You are invited to join author Simon Haynes for the launch of Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch.
When: Tuesday 27 May at 6.30pm
Where: Dymocks Carousel, Carousel Shopping Centre, Albany Highway, Cannington
RSVP: 08 9356 8888
About the book:
Brought to you by Fremantle Press, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch is the fourth in a comic science fiction series by Simon Haynes. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt or Douglas Adams and is the ideal book for the reluctant reader.
Full launch invite here: http://www.spacejock.com.au/files/Hal4LaunchInvite.pdf
(Worth a read for the laughs alone...also suitable for printing.)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
RTR-FM Radio Interview ... check (I'll link to the podcast when/if it's online)
Book launch ... 27th May. (Feel free to share as widely as possible. Official press release at the foot of this post)
Massive world-changing Hal Spacejock news ... 28th May (STILL not spilling the beans. Sorry!)
Official release of Hal 4 ... 2nd June.
I'm just enjoying the fuss while it lasts, because it won't be long before I'm hard at work on the next Hal book (hopefully), and these fleeting moments of fame and fortune will be nothing more than a distant memory.
BOOK LAUNCH
You are invited to join author Simon Haynes for the launch of Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch.
When: Tuesday 27 May at 6.30pm
Where: Dymocks Carousel, Carousel Shopping Centre, Albany Highway, Cannington
RSVP: 08 9356 8888
About the book:
Brought to you by Fremantle Press, Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch is the fourth in a comic science fiction series by Simon Haynes. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys Terry Pratchett, Tom Holt or Douglas Adams and is the ideal book for the reluctant reader.
Full launch invite here: http://www.spacejock.com.au/files/Hal4LaunchInvite.pdf
(Worth a read for the laughs alone...also suitable for printing.)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Fridge Magnet update
So far I've had 388 requests for the Hal Spacejock fridge magnets. I posted each person four magnets (one for them, three to share), a bookmark, an invite to the book launch, a small blurb about Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, a sample chapter of Hal Spacejock, a brief note from me, a signed bookplate and a free gift voucher.
No wonder both my printers are smoking quietly in the corner. And if you see any local posties bent double, it's my fault.
I have about 100 fridge magnets left, so if you live in Australia and you haven't contacted me yet, feel free to do so.
I'm even paying the postage, so it'll cost you nothing.
By the way, feel free to share the link on your own blog - I have another 2000 fridge magnets on the way, and I'm ordering 5000 new bookmarks early next week.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
No wonder both my printers are smoking quietly in the corner. And if you see any local posties bent double, it's my fault.
I have about 100 fridge magnets left, so if you live in Australia and you haven't contacted me yet, feel free to do so.
I'm even paying the postage, so it'll cost you nothing.
By the way, feel free to share the link on your own blog - I have another 2000 fridge magnets on the way, and I'm ordering 5000 new bookmarks early next week.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
13 days to go ...
I'm not talking!
PS - Don't forget the Hal 4 Book Launch on the 27th of May.
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
SFNovelists post
On the 17th of every month I post to the SFNovelists blog. Usually I try and write something industry-related, and this time I've touched on writing - business or art.
Also, there's only two weeks left to discover what the Hal Spacejock free gift is. (No, it's not a fridge magnet or bookmark.)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Also, there's only two weeks left to discover what the Hal Spacejock free gift is. (No, it's not a fridge magnet or bookmark.)
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
Friday, May 16, 2008
Feel free to share ...
Share the mystery around ...
Simon Haynes is the author of the Hal Spacejock and Hal Junior series (Amazon / Smashwords / other formats)
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