Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Anthology Series #19 is now available in digital and in print from Amazon

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Anthology Series #19

Available in Digital and in Print from Amazon

Alien Dimensions is a science fiction short stories anthology series featuring amazing authors from around the world.

In Alien Dimensions #19:

Tin Worm by Gustavo Bondoni

Sparkle by Robert M. Walton

Surfing the Hercules Rift by Keith A. Raymond

From Earth to Eternity by Derek Spohn

The Coltalians by Karen L. Hallam

Too Many MoMos by Chris Dean

The Alien Starship by Sergio Palumbo

Givens by David Castlewitz

Phase Shift by Neil A. Hogan

Available in Digital and in Print from Amazon

About Alien Dimensions

Other issues currently available: #16: Digital | Print #17: Digital | Print #18: Digital | Print

Alien Dimensions Anthologies Series Box Set Books 1-3. Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Metaphysical Short Stories Magazine.

Celebrating 3 years of Alien Dimensions!

Alien Dimensions Books 1-3. Where it all began!

Available as a download, or free on Kindle Unlimited, the Alien Dimensions Science Fiction, Fantasy and Metaphysical Short Stories Anthology Magazine Issues 1, 2 and 3 are available again. Featuring exciting, compelling and thought-provoking stories from around the world.

Interdimensional travel, body swapping, time travel, space opera, alien invasion, military sci fi, interstellar mining colonies, dystopian futures, utopian futures, and more. There’s bound to be a story that you’ll like.

As these are the original three magazine-style books, with some minor updates for this rerelease, they also include articles on Space Travel Holidays, Finding Alien Life, and the Protocols of First Contact.

What you’ll find:

Book 1

Editorial
Short Stories:
Interrelations
Invasion of the Spermoids
The Learning Curve
For Younger Readers:
Ghost Time
Alien Alexander
Ida and the Planet Invasion: Part 1 of 3
Non Fiction:
Space Travel Holidays Top 10
Alienophobia

Book 2

Editorial
Short Stories:
The Gene Miracle
Distant Helix
ExtraForrestrial
Solid State Survivor
Tutor Who – Heaven Cent
For Younger Readers:
Alien Hannah
Ida and the Planet Invasion: Part 2 of 3
Non Fiction:
Alien Life Found!

Book 3

Editorial
Short Stories:
Good Host
The BioMosaic Skies
Dante Spark
Evolution
Cosmic Joke
A Little Matter
For Younger Readers:
Alien Christopher
Ida and the Planet Invasion Part 3 of 3
Alien Ida (Bonus ‘sequel’ story – never before released in Alien Dimensions)
Non Fiction:
Protocols of First Contact
Editorial for the Box Set

Celebrating 3 years of Alien Dimensions!

Find out more about Alien Dimensions at www.AlienDimensions.com

The latest release, Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Anthologies Series Issue #18, is here:
https://www.amazon.com/Dimensions-Science-Fiction-Stories-Anthology-ebook/dp/B07SQRTHH8/
Available in print, for Kindle, and as part of Kindle Unlimited.

Alien Dimensions #18 is now available in digital and in print

Latest: Alien Dimensions #18

Available in Digital and in Print from Amazon

Alien Dimensions is a science fiction short stories anthology series featuring amazing authors from around the world.

Previous issues have featured stories about extraterrestrials, clones, robots and androids, invasion and colonization, cyberpunk and space opera, first contact, genetic manipulation, starship exploration and more.

From seriousness to humorous, high octane to slow burn, from back-story heavy to present tense dialogue-driven adventures, Alien Dimensions explores the far future.

Enjoy a much more alien experience with Alien Dimensions.

In Alien Dimensions #18:

Titan’s Spores by Olga Werby

The Pride of Tau Ceti by Gustavo Bondoni

An Option to Live by David Castlewitz

Tin Man by Paula Keane

Impact by Adam S. Furman

Making Room by Kenneth W. Grant

Woman in the Moon by David B. Anderson

Flash Fiction: Gene-Reality / Controller by Neil A. Hogan

Available in Digital and in Print from Amazon

Subscribe to be updated when the next issue is due out here

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Anthology Series #17 is now available in digital and in print formats

Issue #17Digital | Print

Alien Dimensions is a science fiction short stories anthology series featuring amazing authors from around the world.

Previous issues have featured stories about extraterrestrials, clones, robots and androids, invasion and colonization, cyberpunk and space opera, first contact, genetic manipulation, starship exploration, time travel and more.

From seriousness to humorous, high octane to slow burn, from back-story heavy to present tense dialogue-driven adventures, Alien Dimensions explores the far future.

Enjoy a much more alien experience with Alien Dimensions.

In Alien Dimensions #17:

Space Case by Tom Howard

Sky Tears by Mike Adamson

Tomorrow’s Children by James Armer

Pests by Francis W. Alexander

Mothermind by Robert Walton

Guardians of the Treasure by Gustavo Bondoni

Strange Lands by Neil A. Hogan

Issue #17 Digital | Print

Subscribe to be updated when the next issue is due out here

Alien Dimensions #14 due to be retired, and other news.

Alien Dimensions #14 is due to be retired

If you haven’t got a copy of Issue 14 yet, there’s not long to go. It’ll be retired on November 30th. It’s currently available in digital and in print.

In this issue:

Tilly and the Captain Go FTL
by John Hegenberger

Widdershins
by Regina Clarke

Requiem for a Hunter
by Lawrence Dagstine

Time Travel Suicide Therapy
by Olga Werby

Vanguard
by Jeremy E. Brown

The Double-Star Oblation
by Sean Mulroy

Available in Digital format
Available in Print format

Alien Dimensions #17

It’s likely Alien Dimensions #17 will be released in early February 2019. I’m still looking for one more story to complete it. If you haven’t submitted a story for consideration, now’s the time. Final date for submissions is Friday 30th November. If there are a lot of great submissions, then #18 will probably follow pretty quickly. Find out more here: Alien Dimensions Submission Guidelines Fantasy Short Stories Submission Guidelines

Alien Dimensions and Fantasy Short Stories closed for six weeks
I’ll be working on other things during this time, so I won’t be able to answer any new emails or read any new submissions for these series’ between 1st December 2018 and 12th January 2019. Apologies for any inconvenience. You’re still welcome to send submissions during that time. I’ll reply mid January.

Science Fiction Weekly
A number of stories that I’ve written, which have already appeared in archived Alien Dimensions issues, have now been rewritten and rereleased as part of the Science Fiction Weekly series, along with some completely new stories. You can find out more about the series here:
https://www.ScienceFictionWeekly.com

The two bestselling ones so far are ‘The Old Boys’ Club‘ and ‘Alien UFO Disclosure‘ Many thanks to everyone who has supported the series. The latest release is called ‘Time Sheets

When Mera leaves ProxiBee’s seventh moon in a huff, Jasper is surprised to find she has left behind a bill that had made its way to them through the nearby wormhole.

The troubling thing is, the bill is continuing to increase, and he can’t figure out a way to stop it.

If Jasper can’t find the solution to the sudden drain on resources, it could not only mean the end of his company, but also the moon itself.

Time Sheets is #22 in the Science Fiction Weekly Series. A short story of approximately 4200 words.

Last eNewsletter for 2018

Wishing you a great festive season and hope your New Year is awesome. Looking forward to connecting again in 2019.

Many thanks for reading

Neil A. Hogan

Science Fiction Anthology Series Alien Dimensions Issue #13 is due to be retired

Science Fiction Anthology Series Alien Dimensions Issue #13 is due to be retired


Digital | Print

In October 2016 the first issue of Alien Dimensions was released. October was chosen with the idea that, if the series kept going monthly, then in October 2017 issue #13 could be released to have the number 13 associated with Halloween. Also, it was expected that the actor to play the 13th Doctor would be announced by that time, and some stories for the issue were commissioned months in advance. In that sense, Alien Dimensions Issue #13 took a year of planning!

When Jodie Whittaker was announced to be the first female Doctor in July 2017, commissioned and submitting writers were encouraged to write either strong female leads playing doctor-esque characters, or a story with a Halloween theme or both. So, Issue #13 has a bit of both! (It was also the First Anniversary issue, so a bit longer than usual.)

Issue #13 will be removed from sale within a few days, so if you haven’t had a chance to get it, here are the details and the links:

Inside issue #13
Aura Who by Aric Merchant
One to the Left by Isaac Teile
Charger Nine by K. L. Hallam
One Chance by Sam Honour
Under the Surface by Alison McBain
Rejuvenation by Neil A. Hogan
Promises Kept by Patrick S. Baker
Sacrifice by Nicky Martin
The Ghost Haunter by Martin Roy Hill

Available in Digital and in Print formats

Speaking of Anniversaries

If you haven’t already, please check out Alien Dimensions Issue #16. Our 2nd anniversary issue. Find out more here: Digital | Print
Also available from Kindle Unlimited

Many thanks for reading.

Neil A. Hogan

Marketing a Science Fiction Book

Marketing a Science Fiction Book

Apologies for missing posting missives. I’ve been remiss.

I thought I’d update you on another marketing plan that you might find interesting.

Now, I’ve been associated with affiliate marketing businesses since the 90s, and have read thousands of marketing and promotion ebooks that haven’t worked for science fiction in that time. Most things you read, or program plans you’re offered, focus on dieting or get-rich-quick non-fiction ebooks which can help you to get-rich-quick. But as something that will give you a stable income, they don’t really work so well. (How many diet books can you conceivably release per month to keep your income topped up?)

Another option, of course, is to start your own publishing company ( Maldek House )and release as many books as you can in a variety of categories at the lowest cost. I tried that too, but there are so many ‘popular’ subjects out there that can make you money that cause my brain to freeze up from boredom. I’ve created books in all sorts of genres and they’re still selling, albeit slowly. But, none of them are me. None of them appeal to my own laser focus on science fiction and aliens. And the idea that I’ve got to spend a week of my life at a PC working on creating a book in a market that doesn’t interest me is enough to give me a nervous breakdown. (Or at the very least, rocking back and forth in a corner, muttering to myself!) Never again! I want to enjoy my life, thank you very much!

So, the third option is to create a series that you like, and keep building on that same series, with the hope of gathering fans who like what you like, and want to read more of what you can write.

I did that with my Alien Characters series. But it was just for 5-10 year olds. After that age, the series was forgotten. I guess I’ll have to wait until they marry, have kids of their own, then show them the ones they liked. A bit like Mr Men. Roger Hargreaves series didn’t become well-known until 30 years after he created it. I have 20 years to go!

I also did that with an IELTS series.  ( IELTS Practice Tests ) But the fans of that only needed the books to pass the IELTS exam. So, fans for no more than a month, then gone forever.

Now, I have the Alien Dimensions series. This garnered a lot of interest across the world, but not as much as I would have liked. The series hasn’t paid for itself yet. So, while there are people reading it, it certainly isn’t a money maker by any means. But, of all the series I’ve been involved in, it is one of the most enjoyable to put together, and so I’m happy to spend extra time on the marketing of it.

So, when I got hold of a new marketing technique, that may help me to sell more issues using Amazon, of course I was excited.

Here is the step by step plan, without a lot of detail.

  1. Choose two of your titles that you’re happy to give away for free
  2. In your main title, add a page in it that directs people to your mailing list sign up form and the option to receive your second free book.
  3. Make your main title free on every platform
  4. Contact Amazon with the evidence of your title free on competitors sites, and politely ask them to price match it (Note: This is different to giving it away as a free promotion. A whole different category of algorithms are used for that system.)
  5. Wait for the results.

So, the results are in. I made Alien Dimensions issue 15 price match free on Amazon, and after 200 downloads, the ebook went to number one in a couple of categories. Apparently, once it hits number 1, the magic starts to happen.

Here’s a screen shot:

So, I thought I’d wait to see what happens, and then give you my analysis. Issue 15 went to 0.00 on the 20th August. It is now late September so, here are the results:

After a few days, the book dropped back out of the number one spot and is now, as of the 25th September, here:

#15 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Anthologies & Short Stories
#25 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Steampunk
#32 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction > Hard Science Fiction

Below are the dates and the number of free downloads of Issue #15. Please note that my stats are a bit skewed in that I’m reading them using Australian dates, but most downloads are from the USA, so if you want to find a correlation, read Monday as Sunday, for example. Not entirely accurate but it might give you a better idea as to the time to launch a freebie!

Monday 20th 11
Tuesday 21st 93
Wednesday 22nd 134
Thursday 23rd 44
Friday 24th 22
Saturday 25th 10
Sunday 26th 19

Monday 27th 14
Tuesday 28th 11
Wednesday 29th 10
Thursday 30th 13
Friday 31st 3
Saturday 1st 6
Sunday 2nd 8

Monday 3rd 395 (At the time issue #16 was launched)
Tuesday 4th 9
Wednesday 5th 9
Thursday 6th 9
Friday 7th 7
Saturday 8th 9
Sunday 9th 6

Monday 10th 3
Tuesday 11th 4
Wednesday 12th 11
Thursday 13th 10
Friday 14th 6
Saturday 15th 9
Sunday 16th 8

Monday 17th 9
Tuesday 18th 9
Wednesday 19th 9
Thursday 20th 5
Friday 21th 10
Saturday 22nd 8
Sunday 23rd 12

So, from this, there isn’t much difference for science fiction anthologies downloads, besides a very slight increase on weekends.

My concern is that there is that spike in downloads on Monday 3rd of 395 free copies of Issue #15 which was around the same time as Issue #16 came out for $2.99. I’m guessing that people saw the new issue advertisement and decided on the free issue instead. Rather than helping to promote Issue #16, it actually robbed it of sales and would explain why there have only been 15 sales of Issue #16 to date.

Was there an increase in sales of other issues? Was there more traffic to the website? Were there more subscribers than usual? Did I get an increase in reviews for the book?

No. No change at all, besides 1000 copies of Issue #15 being downloaded for free. (I also made it free on Google Play and itunes via Smashwords as well as Kobo and other places.) In fact, I believe it took sales from other issues and hasn’t worked well long term. At the very least I would have liked a large increase in subscribers, but only three subscribers signed up during the campaign.

Was it worth it? It might be too early to tell. Brand awareness can always help. Free downloads may not be read for months or years but it could lead to further sales in the future. And with Issue #15 advertising authors’ other works, it may lead to sales for them at some point. In any case, if you’ve read this far, I’ll be disabling the free version of Issue #15 soon so, if you want a free copy, best to get it now!

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Anthology Series Issue #16 Now Available in Digital and in Print

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Anthology Series Issue #16 Now Available in Digital and in Print

Order Online:

Digital Version

Print Version

In this issue:

Blink by Gustavo Bondoni

The Clever Nature of Wool by Robert N Stephenson

Innocuous But Lethal by Mike Adamson

Moon Mine by Neil A. Hogan

Starbuck Billy Robert M. Walton

G.L.O.R.I.A. by K.L. Hallam

The Light of Thought by Jeffrey Freedman

 

The issue now has a 5 star review on Amazon for the stories, and I’ve received lots of great feedback on the cover, too!

 

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction, Fantasy and Metaphysical Short Stories Anthology Series Issue 12

In other news, Issue 12 of Alien Dimensions is about to be retired, so if you haven’t got a copy yet, you can find out more here:

Available in:

Digital Format

Print Format

Antlions by Elana Gomel
The Exchange by Neil A. Hogan
Hues of Living Green by Russell Hemmell
Home is Where Your Hearts Are by Danielle Davis
Touch by Nicky Martin
Old World Problems by Eddie D. Moore
Found on Proxima B by Priya Sridhar

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Anthology Series Shock!

Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Anthology Series Shock!

Now available in print

My goal with Alien Dimensions Issue #16 was to release it in time for the 2nd anniversary. Of course, that was more of a marketing decision than anything else.

I was able to submit the final version of issue #16 for print checks this week. I also got confirmation this week that it was good to go. However, I had planned to release it next week, and wasn’t going to press the release button until the optimal day for publishing a print book (Tuesday).

A few days later I got an email from CreateSpace telling me that their system will be shut down in a few weeks and that everything would move to Amazon.

What?

Of course, I had known this would happen, ever since Amazon bought Createspace back in 2005. There has been a long term plan behind the development of ebooks, KDP and Createspace over the past 13 years, and I’ve been paying close attention since 2008. This is the next step and it will make things a lot easier for self publishers who prefer not to go wide.

(As a side note, I celebrate 20 years as a customer of Amazon this year, so you could say I’m one of its greatest fans!)

Even so, the idea that they are going to move everything from Createspace to Amazon print in a few weeks, whether I want it or not, was a bit of a surprise. My main concern was a huge amount of books with specifically-sized covers that weren’t compatible with the Amazon print system. The other concern was that the date hadn’t been set for my migration. If it happened on Tuesday, then it would cause a problem for the whole launch process of Alien Dimensions #16.

I couldn’t take that risk.

As Createspace says that it would take 3-5 days to appear on Amazon, I thought I’d post it at 12:30am LA time on the 1st of September. Rather than wait until Tuesday and hope it would have the 4th as a publication date, I posted it today and relied on the ‘business days’ situation to sort things out. It also meant I could sleep easy knowing that the launch could not in any way be delayed, as I’d already launched it.

Makes sense. Right?

I had no idea that, because of the merger, rather than everything being delayed, everything was actually being fast-tracked. Within an hour of the printed version being confirmed, it had become available on Amazon. Within three hours sales had started to come through.

Thank you to everyone buying copies. I’m shocked and quite appreciative that the issue has been discovered before I made any official announcements. A nice surprise.

So, if you read this and wonder why you haven’t received an email telling you the print version is now available, it’s because I am going to wait until the ebook becomes available too.

The ebook version is a different beast. There is a slight problem with KDP in submitting for approval, and the dates. If I submit it on the 1st, one of the operators will list it as the 30th or 29th of the previous month. If I publish it on the 3rd, I’ve got a better chance of scoring a ‘1st of September’ listing. I want early September rather than late August as early month dates within that month sell better than late month dates. (Yes, I’ve been crunching the numbers!) A number of times I’ve submitted Alien Dimensions late on the 2nd of a month, and had it listed on the last day of the previous month. I would then politely email customer service and have the date changed. I’d prefer not to have to worry about that, so I’ll submit it on the 4th, and see how things go!

So, if you’re looking for the printed version of Alien Dimensions Science Fiction Short Stories Issue #16, click here

If you’re looking for the ebook version, subscribe to the irregular mailing list newsletter here, and I’ll send out an email the moment it becomes available.

Many thanks for reading.

Neil A.