"Sugar Daddy" - A Dark Thriller

[Jeff Menapace]

Elmwood Drive is a placid enclave of suburban luxury with an odd demographic trait: All of the residents are wealthy single mothers whose only work seems to be caring for their many children and enjoying their idyllic lives. However, things are never as they seem.

A crew of misguided opportunists have developed a plan to relieve Elmwood's ladies of their valuables. They will soon learn that to steal from these women is to steal from the father of their offspring, and thus leaving the neighborhood alive is no longer an option.

"Sugar Daddy" is an 11,000 word novelette

Sugar Daddy - A Dark Thriller

[pidgeon92]

Welcome to KindleBoards, Jeff, and congratulations on your book!  

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[Jeff Menapace]

Thank you, pidgeon92, it is a pleasure to be here.

All the best

Jeff

[Jeff Menapace]

"Sugar Daddy" was just given a generous 5 star review at Red Adept Reviews! 

http://redadeptreviews.com/?p=4747#more-4747

[Chris L]

I'm new to this forum and I'm checking out all the dark crime, because that's my thing. I must say I like the sound of this one. Chris L.

[Jeff Menapace]

Thanks, Chris.  Hope you like it 

Jeff

[MichelleR]

"Sugar Daddy" was just given a generous 5 star review at Red Adept Reviews! 

http://redadeptreviews.com/?p=4747#more-4747

It was well-earned. 

[Jeff Menapace]

 

[Jeff Menapace]

"Sugar Daddy" just passed 200 copies sold in just over 3 weeks 

[DebBennett]

So what's your secret, then, Jeff? I write dark thrillers too and could use some insider knowledge!

debbie

[Jeff Menapace]

Hi Debbie

Secret?  Geez...I'm still looking for secrets.   

To be honest, I had no intentions of ever putting any of my stories up on the Kindle.  I have always preferred writing novels, and since I have one coming out later this year, my agent suggested throwing a few of my shorts up on Kindle to establish some notoriety.  All of the stories I have available now were written a couple of years ago, published in various print or e-zines.  So I re-read them (some had aged horribly in my opinion, but we are always out worst critics, yeah?  ), revised them, and re-published them. 

I didn't really market for the first couple of weeks except to tell friends and such, but I was lucky that my stories caught on as quickly as they did. 

The things that I feel may have helped the most?   Well, assuming your writing is sound, I would say a great cover and a very enticing description of your work are the two most important.  Think about it: When you go into a book store, which two things are most likely to grab your attention?  I designed some of my own covers by hours of searching online, and Photoshop.  There are many online sites that have free photos and artwork that you can either download for free, or pay a small fee to use without worrying about copyright issues from the original artist.  Once you download/purchase these images, you are then free to alter them (with Photoshop etc.) anyway you like to make your own cover.

As for enticing descriptions, that's a tough one.  You kind of have to think like a creative writer AND an advertiser (two VERY different types of writing in my opinion).  I would grab a hold of as many successful paperbacks as you can and read the inside flaps or back covers to get your juices flowing.

Once all that is taken care of, I would simply say get the word out on as many online venues as you can.  Facebook, Twitter, special interest forums you may belong to etc.  Do you have an author page on Amazon?  If not I would create one. 

What else?  I don't know to be honest.  I'm not even sure my advice is the greatest; it's just my opinion.  I'm learning all this e-publishing stuff as I go myself.
Just keep writing, reading, and never quit. 

Good luck, Debbie!

[DebBennett]

Thanks, Jeff. Useful info. Done most of that - but I hate self-promotion!

deb

[Jeff Menapace]

I know--sometimes it's no fun, but with self-publishing, an unfortunate necessity. 

Good luck!

[Jeff Menapace]

"Sugar Daddy', still selling very well, and still only $0.99 

[Jeff Menapace]

I love you all.  "Sugar Daddy" is selling well.  Thank you!  And if you haven't checked it out...HE just might visit you 

[MichelleR]

I love you all.  "Sugar Daddy" is selling well.  Thank you!  And if you haven't checked it out...HE just might visit you 

Whew!

[Jeff Menapace]

Haha 

[Jeff Menapace]

Sold a few of "Sugar Daddy" in Germany.  Go figure 

[Jeff Menapace]

 

[Jeff Menapace]

Was at a party Saturday night, and a married couple approached me and told me they had both read "Sugar Daddy" and enjoyed it immensely.  Of course the next questions was:  How did you come up with the idea?

While many parts of the story were filled-in with a bunch of "what ifs?" on my part, many of the visuals in the story were based on a dream I had. 

And I told them this.  And they both returned thin, uncomfortable smiles before slinking away towards the other end of the room.

Oh well 

[PG4003 (Patricia)]

Jeff, I bought your book after reading Michelle's 5 star rating on Red Adept.  I have it in my "Read Next" collection on my Kindle.

[Jeff Menapace]

Thanks Patricia!  I hope you enjoy it 

[MichelleR]

Thanks Patricia!  I hope you enjoy it 

Yeah, I hope she enjoys it too or there goes my street cred. 

[Jeff Menapace]

Never fear; I will continually sing your praise 

I had someone comment on "Sugar Daddy" on another forum, claiming it was well-written, contained a surprise ending, and was a good story...if not for some of the graphic scenes and adult language.  I wonder what type of story she thought she was about to read?  Twilight perhaps?

[MichelleR]

Never fear; I will continually sing your praise 

I had someone comment on "Sugar Daddy" on another forum, claiming it was well-written, contained a surprise ending, and was a good story...if not for some of the graphic scenes and adult language.  I wonder what type of story she thought she was about to read?  Twilight perhaps?

Right, why would she think a book with "A Dark Thriller" in the title would be edgy?

I hate when a description doesn't capture the actual tone, but I think you're pretty safe on this one -- and I imagine her comments will still sell copies. "Graphic? Language? I'm in!"