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4 Writing Hooks – Which Is Best? Tell Me and Win

4 Writing Hooks – where do I get them? From my books. What are they?

The first hook, for Zombie Turkeys, from the first page:

Chapter 1
Bartonville
 
He felt different. More energetic, more alive. He bred with female after female in his flock without tiring. He stayed awake through the night. He feared no predator.
Then a turkey hunter shot him.

Zombie Turkeys, by Andy Zach

Why 4 Writing Hooks?

Why not? I don’t think I’ve shared my 4 Writing Hooks for my 4 books. And also, I read this article.

Did you read that? The best answer gets a free book from me. Respond to my Facebook post, or this blog post, or email me.

The Second Hook



Chapter 1 – Gary



“You know I love your mother. But your mother’s a zombie. Who wants to see one zombie, let alone four of them?”
“Now that’s not fair. Mom and Dad have adjusted to their zombiism very well. Mom still volunteers at church and bakes cookies and pies for the bake sales. Dad still works as an accountant at GM. There’s nothing to worry about!”

From My Undead Mother-in-law by Andy Zach
4 Best Hooks
My Undead Mother-in-law, chapter 1 icon. Click to get.

So, which hook did you like best? Or do you have another one from another author? If you do, I’ll post it/them here in my next blog.

The Third Hook of 4 Writing Hooks


Chapter 1 – Somalia
Dirac sighed with relief when the US flag came down and the surrender flag went up on the mast of the titanic luxury yacht. He didn’t mind firing rounds from his AK-47 over their heads, but he hated killing people. He knew they were only infidels, but they were still people.

From Paranormal Privateers, by Andy Zach

Okay, this hook is quite different. Do you still want to read what happens next? If you do, that’s a good hook.

The Last of 4 Writing Hooks


“Dear diary,” Jeremy Gentle dictated into his app on his tablet in his bedroom. “Today, I became a superhero.” Jeremy stopped, uncertain. Was that the best way to start his journal? Might as well just tell the story. He needed to sleep. He had a big algebra test tomorrow at Maryville Middle School.

From Secret Supers, by Andy Zach
Cover of Secret Supers Click to get.

And there you have it. My four book hooks. You can follow the links and get the one you like, or I’ll give you a free book in exchange for a review. Just let me know here.


Some Reviews

Short or long, I love them all. Good or bad, I want more to be had.


Zombie Turkeys

4.0 out of 5 stars

The handprint turkey on the cover is your first clue.
August 26, 2017


Let me start by saying that “Andy Zach” has an unusual sense of humor (or possibly has escaped from a lunatic asylum and is living under an assumed name). I invite you to check out his Amazon author page and read the bio. He’s gone all in on this zombie expert thing (since his parents were zombies) and states that he reanimated dead animals as a child for a science fair. He also currently raises phoenixes as a hobby. One more thing before starting on the story. What is that ‘thing’ on his head in his author picture?

From Amazon, by author Les Lynam

My Undead Mother-in-law




4.0 out of 5 stars

Not your standard zombie tale
December 28, 2018
When I started to read this book, I was leery. As far as I know, I’m less interested in zombies than anyone on the planet. How could I give a reasonable review? Turns out, it wasn’t hard at all. I’ve said before and it turned out to be true here that, if you have a ridiculous premise that’s hard to swallow, run with it, normalize it, and readers /viewers will eventually accept. And it worked. The original premise of cognizant, virtually indestructible zombies was lobbed and backed until I was a believer, actively rooting for zombies. Plenty of (bloodier than average) action, some smiling, if not guffaw humor, a nice fulfilling story arc in an easy readable length made for a fun book (if bloody action doesn’t bother you) with charm that didn’t take itself to seriously but still capable of many a tender and touching moments.

From Amazon, by author Stephanie Barr

Paranormal Privateers



4.0 out of 5 stars

Different tilt on a zombie series
December 6, 2018
I have read the whole series and enjoyed it. I did not find myself staying g up all night to finish or rushing home to read. That was probably a good thing as then If I had I’d of been cranky and over sleep for work. Never a pretty sight as I am not a morning person anyway. I liked the book for the unusual perspectives and storyline. If I spot about her book from this author O would definitely give it a try.

From Amazon by Rudolph Wittmer

No reviews for Secret Supers yet! You can be the first.

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5 True Science Fiction Reports and fun news

5 True Science Fiction Reports in this blog post: let’s begin with the first that follows below: real hoverboards, like Paranormal Privateers.

5 True Science Fiction Reports

In case you don’t believe hoverboards are in Paranormal Privateers, here’s the chapter icon to prove it:

Here’s a video of one in action:

The Next True Science Fiction Reports

From hoverboards to small fusion plants!

Small mass conversion devices are also in Paranormal Privateers. Here’s an excerpt:

Talana turned her briefcase sideways. Legs descended
and the briefcase unfolded, revealing a cube and two glass
vials, one golden, one scummy green. Disturbingly, the
cube and vials were larger than the briefcase.


“Our first gift”—Talana picked up the cube, the size of
a breadbox—”is a universal power source. Simply pour in
water and out comes electricity. The unit produces
electricity in the voltage and frequency you wish, controlled
by these dials.”

“Hey, Talana!” shouted Lashon Miller from the press
box. The camera panned to her.

“Yes?”

“What’s the catch? This is like those infinite energy
scams you read on the internet.”

“There’s no scam! The unit works by splitting water into
hydrogen and oxygen and fusing the hydrogen. Out comes
oxygen and helium, which you may capture and use.” She
gestured to two tubes exiting the box. “Let me show you.
My cell phone needs charging.” She plugged the charger
into an ordinary socket, and it began to charge.

“How long does it work on water? How much water?
And how much power comes out?” Lashon asked.

“A cup is good for a year of phone charging. But you’re
not limited to that. See this power transmitter on this
socket?” She plugged a black box into what appeared to be
a two-hundred-and-twenty-volt socket.

Read more in Paranormal Privateers

Next, some fun news

I signed books for fans at the comic con QuadCon in Peoria! Let me know if you want me to come to your area. Click here to tell me!

Here’s one of the cosplay people at the QuadCon. Can you identify the character? Please tell me.

Here’s a bit of fun:

Andy Zach reveals what happens when My Undead Mother-in-law versus Zombie Turkeys

What happens when unkillable Zombie Turkeys meet the irresistible Undead Mother-in-law? Find out in the video above.

Another True Science Fiction Report

Imagine the societal effects of hypersonic air travel. How will the world change if we can get anywhere in an hour? That’s the import of the story below.

I’ll give a free ebook to anyone who posts a fiction story of any length on this topic to this blog or in an email to me.

5 True Science Fiction Reports – The Fourth

This story seemed unbelievable to me, but the technique is sound and may be commercially possible. What would we do with material that floats and is light as wood and strong as titanium? Once again, a free ebook or audiobook of your choice for some fiction on this sent to me.

The Last True Science Fiction Story – for now

Going to the outer limits of outer space, we encounter our next story.

How many of you remember this movie?

Disney’s Movie The Black Hole from 1979

To be honest, I was a disappointed in the unscientific nature of the movie–based upon what I knew in 1979 when I was 23. It’s ludicrous now.

Space Balls

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How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year – 3 Tips

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111%

“Okay Andy Zach. You got me to click. Now show me How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year.”

At your service! First, the proof. My sales for the years 2016-2018:

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year - 3 Tips
Andy Zach Book Sales 2016-2018 Bubble size is percent growth.

Next, the first tip!

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year – The First Tip

Write and publish on a schedule. I began my first book Zombie Turkeys after I was forced into retirement in November 2015. I wrote it during November thanks to NaNoWriMo and edited myself until March. In April, I enlisted a professional editor Dori Harrell.

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year - 3 Tips

 

Zombie Turkeys audiobook cover. Click to get it!

I gave myself a deadline. The goal: publish on Halloween 2016, one year after I started. I announced the launch date and pressured my artist Sean “Fuzzy” Flanagan and editor Dori Harrell to finish by September so I could make it. Finally, I pressured myself to publish my first book and print copies on Createspace in time.

I kept it up for three years. This is the real key. Don’t give up on writing on a schedule. As soon as I published Zombie Turkeys, I started on My Undead Mother-in-law in November 2016 at NaNoWriMo. I wasn’t satisfied with my one-year performance, so I set the goal of July 31st, 2017.

 

My Undead Mother-in-law audiobook cover. Click to get!

I actually made it. I got my paperback books on July 25th and I had the official book launch August 4th and 5th.

Following my pattern of one book per nine months, that meant my next, Paranormal Privateers, had to be ready by the end of April. I made it at the beginning of May.

 

Paranormal Privateers audiobook cover. Click to get it!

And so on. February 28, 2019 is the deadline for Secret Supers, my fourth book. Look for it!

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year – The Second Tip

The second tip: Try things! In the words of Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!”

How messy? How many mistakes?

Next are all the places I’ve spent money marketing. Then notice that all the bold items I consider to be failures, in that they didn’t sell any books. Italic items I consider to be successes, in that I’m sure they sold some books. Then everything else is of uncertain effectiveness. I can risk trying again or I can risk not trying. What would you do?

2016 06
Facebook ad
2016 07
Facebook ad
2016 09
Facebook ad
PO Box 10705
2016 10
Author launch cookies
Facebook ad
2016 11
Amazon ad
Chambanacon registration
Chambanacon table
Facebook ad
San Fran Design Social Media promotion
2016 12
Amazon ad
Arts Partners of Illinois
Merchant Services

2017 01

Amazon ad
International fee
Merchant Services
Nonnie’s book store
www.idns.as domain renewal
2017 02
Amazon ad
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
2017 03
Amazon ad
BookDaily promotion
Facebook ad for B&N signing
Merchant Services
2017 04
Amazon ad
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
Tornado ad
2017 05
Amazon ad
AUTHORWEEK Interview (Bloom Factor)
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
Script pipeline
Vistaprint
Vistaprint – promobox
2017 06
2017 07
Amazon ad
First Book Promo
Second Book Promo Book and Bear
Book Promo Jay Digitals
BookDaily promotion
BookDaily promotion Arcamax
Evensi
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
Vistaprint
2017 08
Amazon ad
Amazon Book to Review
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
US Postage for gift
Vistaprint
2017 09
2017 10
Amazon ad
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
NaNoMo
RyanZee marketing
Vistaprint
2017 11
Amazon ad
Merchant Services
Nevermore Publishing – winter giveaway
Nevermore Publishing – Zombie Boxset
PO Box 10705
2017 12
Amazon ad
BookDaily promotion
Facebook ad
Merchant Services
Postage to
Vistaprint
Vistaprint – business cards

2018 01

Amazon ad
Author interview
BookDaily promotion
Merchant Services
Paypal fee
Shipping cost for free book
Square card reader
2018 02
Amazon ad
BookDaily promotion
2018 03
Amazon ad
Arcamax Promotion
Best page forward
Best page forward – refund
BookDaily promotion
Goodreads Ad
Penned Con table
Shipping cost for free book
2018 04
Amazon ad
Arcamax Promotion
Author asst ticket
Facebook ads
Shipping cost for free book
2018 05
Amazon ad
Book Daily
Facebook ads
Flip loud
Leekmedia.net
RyanZee marketing
2018 06
Amazon ad
Author signature game
Book Cave
Facebook ads
Leekmedia.net
Script pipeline
2018 07
Amazon ad
Bookworm 
2018 08
Amazon ad
Free book postage
2018 09
Amazon ad
Book magnet
Chambanacon
Free book postage
Video creation
2018 010
Amazon ad
Facebook ads
Free book postage
2018 011
40Billion ads
Amazon ads
BookGrow ad
BookPromo.net
DWO Media
2018 012
Amazon ads
Book Cave
Postal fee for book

2019 01

Amazon ads

If you glance through this list you’ll see many failures, more than my few successes. Yet I, as an Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year.

Further, each book I wrote is actually three products: a print book, an ebook, and an audiobook. So right now I have nine books to sell, not just three. I plan to publish two books this year, which mean five more products by 2020.

So I took chances in offering many kinds of books in many kinds of channels.

How An Indie Author Grew Sales 111% Per Year – The Third Tip

It’s simple: Get Out There!

Every year and almost every month I’ve had author appearances. I’ve had promotion campaigns on Twitter and Facebook. Try promoting other authors. I have. Also, I hold cover reveal parties where I conduct games and give away prizes. Then, I go to conventions every year.

Go to book store signings every year. I’ve also tried library appearances. Then I’ve taught classes. I’ve taken writing and business classes. People have interviewed me on radio, television, and over the internet.

My biggest lesson learned so far is, I could do twice as many appearances and sell twice as many books. But I’d have less time for writing.

What’s the balance? I don’t know. Do you? Reply with the answer and if I sell books because of it, I’ll give you a book.