How Are My Books Performing on Amazon?

Looking back at the last five years, my progress in the world of publishing can't be said to be wholly unremarkable, but it’s certainly not a tale of overwhelming success. My book, 'The Smell of War,' has been making its presence known on Amazon, primarily in the 'History of Eastern Europe' category. Interestingly, it's currently ranked 59th, which, although not at the top of the charts, is a commendable achievement given the book's age. With an English-language version, I've seen that my words are reaching readers in various corners of the world without the need for extensive marketing efforts. Mouth-to-mouth promotion has proven to be a surprisingly effective form of spreading the word.

Ranking and Exposure

The English version of 'The Smell of War' has garnered attention in the 'History of Eastern Europe' list. This ranking reflects well on the content and the way it is perceived by readers interested in this particular niche. It's noteworthy that the book was published over five years ago, and yet it continues to hold a steady place in the rankings. This suggests that the content has considerable longevity and relevance.

Niche Markets and Publication

Ukrainian Edition Success and Challenges: The Ukrainian language edition of 'The Smell of War,' known as 'Сmoreд вйни: Поради з поля бою' ('The Smell of War: Survival Tips from the Battlefield'), has been published. A free PDF download is available on the website of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. While this initiative underscores my effort to engage with Ukrainian readers and the broader military community, it has not yet translated into significant sales. The Ministry of Defense's support is undoubtedly valuable for the dissemination of the content within the military, but its impact on commercial sales is limited.

As a small publisher with limited resources, I've leaned on promotional strategies that are cost-effective yet effective. Oral recommendations and word-of-mouth marketing have proven to be surprisingly potent tools for building a readership. My goal is to leverage these grassroots techniques to build a dedicated audience that would continue to support my work.

Current Situation and Future Prospects

A new publisher in Ukraine has come on board, and I'm hopeful that this will create a ripple effect, driving sales both within Ukraine and globally. The synergy resulting from the launch of the Ukrainian edition could potentially boost my Amazon sales, especially in major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv. Collaborating with local publishers can help bridge the gap between the content and the target audience, thus creating a more robust ecosystem.

Conclusion

While I couldn't be more satisfied with the modest success of my books, particularly the 'The Smell of War,' I recognize that there's always room for improvement. By staying engaged with my readers and exploring new avenues of promotion and collaboration, I remain optimistic about the future. The journey of a writer is a marathon, and every sale, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating.