Good morning, RU Crew! We have a special treat for you today. Co-founder Adrienne Giordano puts on her Visiting Professor hat and shares an unexpected addiction with RU readers. Please help her break the habit. Leave an encouraging comment below for a chance to win a copy of Adrienne’s September release, A JUST DECEPTION. She also has some awesome hand-crafted bullet jewelry to give away.
My name is Adrienne Giordano and I’m a rankings junkie.
Please don’t judge me.
And, while I’m at it, I would like to confess to Tracey, even though I told her to shoot me if I became addicted to my rankings, that I’ve been sneaking peeks. Yes, I’ve been getting up in the morning and checking those blasted numbers. Then, during the day, I casually just happen to land on my Amazon or Barnes and Noble pages. While I’m there, I figure I might as well check. I’m there anyway, right?
I’m here to warn the RU faithful about this rankings disease. It’s a sickness, folks. And I’ve got it. Yep, the publishing world needs a twelve-step plan for ranking addiction. When that number goes up, I’m downright giddy. When it hit under three thousand for the first time, I was delirious. Then it started to slip and the agony set in. But then it went up again. Oh, the joy!
What’s scary about this is I always thought I’d be the last person to fall victim to it. I, in fact, swore I wouldn’t do this. How many times in my life have I said, “You can’t control, what you can’t control.” My general view of life is to work hard, stay focused, do the best I can and hope it’s enough.
The second scary thing is I’ve learned the ranking can be at one hundred thousand one day and the next it’ll be three thousand. There’s no way to tell or anticipate it. You just have to strap yourself in and go for the ride.
So why, I ask, do I find it so hard to stay away when I know, I know, how whacky that number can be. After all, I’ve done everything I could think of to promote my books. I’ve tweeted, I’ve Facebooked, I have a good website, I’ve blogged, I’ve run ads, I’ve taken all the Harlequin training classes, yet I still find myself checking that ranking. In fact, I’ve been told by friends in publishing that, based on my rankings, my book had a good launch.
And yet, I’m still not satisfied. I’m still checking that ranking. Allowing myself to fall victim to something I have limited control over.
I’m going to make a vow right now to the RU faithful that I will not check my rankings any more than twice per week. That may seem like a lot, but (trust me) compared to what I’ve been doing, it’s a sacrifice.
The other thing I’m going to share with the soon-to-pubbed writers out there is this: your rankings can make you insane. You may be sitting there thinking you’d never allow it, but you might be surprised. The few weeks leading up to a book launch are an amazing mixture of fun, anticipation and nerves. Enjoy those weeks. During that time, I was buoyant. I had confidence in the final product and knew I’d marketed the hell out of the book. Plus, I had some five-star reviews rolling in.
Then the sucker released and immediately went to number one on the Carina Press site. That’s when the pressure hit. Listen, gang, I’m driven. I make no apologies for that. I work hard and I want my books to do well. Getting a taste of that number one slot on the Carina site was a rush. I tweeted like a madwoman. I went into overdrive because I wanted to keep that number one slot awhile. A couple of days into my release week, I lost that coveted slot. “What?” I said. “How can that be? I’ve been working my tail off.”
I immediately jumped over to Amazon to see where my ranking was. And at that moment, I knew I was too far gone. The addiction had already taken hold. It happens that fast. It’s humbling. It’s shocking in a way that is hard for me to admit. I consider it a weakness. A weakness I hadn’t expected and therefore must figure out how to battle.
I will not let this addiction control me though. Right here, right now, things are going to change and the RU readers are going to keep me in line, aren’t you? Of course you are! I’m going to make myself accountable to you. At any time, you can feel free to send me an email inquiring about the amount of times I’ve checked my Amazon ranking. I promise you, it will be no more than twice per week. It might kill me early on, but I know in the long run, I’ll be much happier.
Maybe I’ve been fairly light-hearted in this post about my addiction because let’s face it, it’s not really a disease (or is it?). But the lesson to be learned here is that constantly checking our rankings, in my opinion, is not good for anything. The number moves too much and it really doesn’t tell you anything about how many books you’ve sold. My advice is to not get sucked into it like I’ve done. Prepare yourself ahead of time. I didn’t and now I’m stuck thinking about all the time I’ve wasted checking my rankings.
And for all you soon-to-be-pubbed people, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
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RU Crew, do you think you’d fall victim to the rankings disease? Be sure to leave a comment because Adrienne will be picking three random names to win a pair of bullet earrings, a bullet keychain or a copy of A Just Deception.
For added fun, as part of Romantic Suspense Week at Carina Press, Adrienne and two of her Carina author pals, Betsy Horvath and Dee J. Adams, are doing a book giveaway. Here are the deets:
The first reader to collect all the clues in the Carina Press scavenger hunt and PRIVATELY email Adrienne the code will win one copy of Man Law, the first release in the Private Protectors series, as well as Dangerous Race by Dee J. Adams and Hold Me by Betsy Horvath. Please do not post the code in the comments section. We’re trying to make this an entertaining week and giving the code away will spoil the hunt. So, if someone forgets and places the code in the comments section, Adrienne will remove it.
Go forth and find those clues gang. Good luck!
Researcher Franzeca Drouin stops by tomorrow to discuss the various aspects of travel during the Regency era. A great resource for historical writers and for readers who love all-things-Jane Austen!
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Adrienne’s Bio:
Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and women’s fiction. She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her work-a-holic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog. A Just Deception, book two in the Private Protectors series is available from Carina Press. Risking Trust, book three in the series will be available on November 7, 2011. For more information please visit www.AdrienneGiordano.com. Adrienne can be found on Twitter and Facebook.
Adrienne’s books available at:
Tracey Devlyn writes historical romantic thrillers (translation: a slightly more grievous journey toward the heroine's happy ending). For exclusive content about Tracey's upcoming releases and member-only giveaways, sign-up for Tracey's monthly 
Adrienne, congrats on the release of A JUST DECEPTION. It’s so cool seeing Monk on the cover!
So, inquiring minds want to know, have you checked your ranking THIS morning??
I noticed yesterday that AJD was in the Top 5 on the Carina Press site. WTG!!
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | September 7, 2011, 4:26 amHi Tracey. Yes, it is very cool to see my guys on the cover. And, in case anyone was wondering, yes, that is EXACTLY how I pictured him. It still gives me the chills that the cover artist was able to capture such a perfect image of him.
I will admit I checked the rankings on A Just Deception (only) this morning. I haven’t gone near Man Law’s page! After all, it is release week for A Just Deception. I won’t be checking them again though. I’m done.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 6:32 amOn that glorious day when I have something published, I’m pretty sure I’ll be just as neurotic about my rankings as I am about everything else.
But thanks for the warning anyway.
I guess I look at rankings a little like watching the evening news. I can’t change the stock market or the weather or stop that guy who slammed into a tanker truck from running a red light, but I can potentially use the information in the future, in some little way. Or at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
Good luck on getting yourself reformed Adrienne!
Posted by Kat Cantrell | September 7, 2011, 6:54 amHi Kat. You are absolutely right. I like to think there’s always a lesson to be learned and my lesson here was to remember that a lot of this is out of my control. I just have to keep writing!
Thanks for popping in.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 9:25 amMorning Adrienne!
I’m going to be just like that. I know it. Last year with the New Voices contest, I checked every day, sometimes twice a day – not only on my story but everyone elses. Drove myself insane. But I couldn’t stay away, and nearly collapsed by the time the thing was over.
Not that that’s going to stop me from doing the same thing if (when) I get published!
=)
carrie
Posted by Carrie Spencer | September 7, 2011, 7:17 amHi Carrie. It truly is insanity. In my head, I know I shouldn’t be going out there and yet I still do it. I’m a lot better now, but those first few weeks I couldn’t go a couple of hours without checking.
It finally got so exhausting I had to stop. LOL.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 9:27 amBeen there. Done that. It was good practice for constantly refreshing my email as I awaited word on submissions.
Posted by Kat Cantrell | September 7, 2011, 9:48 amHi Adrienne,
I checked ALL the sites for my book. It is a rush followed by a crash. Do you also check the rankings of the books listed as purchased with your book? Amazon scrolls other books to track too. Some of them are in the 100′s. Nerve wracking.
Mary Jo
Posted by Mary Jo Burke | September 7, 2011, 7:28 amMary Jo, you had to go and mention that? Really? LOL. I’m not sure I’d even want to know. That’s like some form of torture I’d find in one of Tracey’s books.
Maybe I’ll check it out. Once.
Thanks for saying hi.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 9:30 amAdrienne – the first step in recovery is to admit you have a problem. Thank you for sharing with us. Reading your post was like watching Robert Downey Jr. in “Less than Zero” – except you have maintained your habits of hygiene.
So, like our wonderful RDJr, I know you can beat this . . .
I’m off to plan your fun run/telethon . . .
Robin
Posted by Robin Covington | September 7, 2011, 7:49 amHi Robin. Let me know if you need help with the planning. I think we could make this a global initiative.
I’m curious how the big authors handle their rankings. I wonder if they ignore them. Hmmm…might have to do some research on that one.
And, yes, my hygiene is intact.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 9:33 amI hope to have this problem someday.
Be strong! Remember, one minute spent checking rankings is a minute not spent writing the next book. (Says she who wondered over to google to “check a fact” and got sucked into chatting with friends instead of returning to the WIP…)
Happy release week!
Jamie
Posted by Jamie | September 7, 2011, 8:38 amHi Jamie. That’s exactly what I tell myself. I just keep reminding myself to write on because that’s the important part.
Thanks for popping in!
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 1:25 pmI can totally understand this obsession – I’m sure you’re not alone! I get the same way with the stats on my website and blogs sometimes. Now I don’t feel quite so weird about it!
Posted by Becke Davis (Becke Martin) | September 7, 2011, 8:43 amHi Becke. I actually think this might be a fairly common problem among writers. I think, whether we are published or pre-published, we all want some kind of validation that we’re on the right track.
One of the Carina authors just asked me how to check her rankings and I posted a warning before I told her how to do it. LOL.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 9:36 amAnd don’t even mention checking reviews…
Posted by Becke Davis (Becke Martin) | September 7, 2011, 11:02 amOddly enough, I can handle reviews. My experience with contest judges helped me with that one.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 1:23 pmDear Ms. Giordano. You have just scared the **** out of me.
Posted by Donnell | September 7, 2011, 10:28 amLOL, Donell! The good news is I have warned you. You can self-protect!
I honestly never expected to be a rankings junkie. Didn’t even see it coming. It’s all one giant learning experience.
Thanks for making me laugh. Put a smile on my face.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 11:07 amAdrienne –
How about Aversion Therapy?
I can have someone install a system on your keyboard, so when you checked rankings, you’d get shocked.
Think taser.
Every time you checked, you’d get a stronger shock.
I’d check your rankings once a week and let you know.
Aversion Therapy is effective. SNICKER!
KUDOS ON YOUR WRITING SUCCESS!
I’m sure you can master your addiction. Immersion Grads can master anything.
Posted by Margie Lawson | September 7, 2011, 12:09 pmOh, Margie! Aversion therapy. Perfect! How fast can that be done?
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 1:17 pmYou’re NORMAL!
I think we’d all be doing the same thing. It’s human nature.
Congrats on book numbah two!
Posted by jennifer tanner | September 7, 2011, 12:50 pmThanks, Jen! It’s been a fun week.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 1:18 pmA –
Oh, I can totally see how this has happened to you because I know just how driven and competitive you are! I think Margie has the right idea–how about letting someone else check your rankings and report in to you once a week?
Bought my copy of A Just Deception yesterday and can’t wait to visit with Monk and Izzy again.
Have I told you lately how proud I am of you??
Kels
Posted by KelseyBrowning | September 7, 2011, 12:55 pmHmmm, you bought a copy? Maybe I should check my rankings. Kidding! LOL. No need to have someone else check the rankings for me. I’m really trying not to do it more than twice per week. Watching those numbers jump around seriously plays with my mind!
You haven’t read Monk & Izzy since it went through edits, so you’ll find some new things. I hope you like!
Thanks for being proud of me. We’ve been on this sometimes wrenching journey together so you helped to get me here!
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 1:22 pmI got my copy the other day, too!
Posted by Becke Martin/Davis | September 7, 2011, 1:37 pmThanks, Becke!
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | September 7, 2011, 3:08 pmI will try no to fall into this trap! Honestly? I will be scared to death to read the reviews on my book. I picture 1 star out of 5 or (horrors) DNF!
We’ll be looking for you next week on EverybodyNeedsALittleRomance blog and we expect your hygiene to be excellent that day! hee hee
Posted by Cynthia D'Alba | September 8, 2011, 4:26 pmCongrats on the new release, Adrienne. I always hear celebrities say that they try to stay away from the internet because they hear all these hateful things about being ugly or having no talent.
Posted by Jane | September 8, 2011, 5:59 pmI’m a day late, but wanted to chime in. Congrats on the new release! I can’t wait to read it. And I totally understand the addiction as I think I now have it as well. Ugh. How do I stop checking? WHY am I checking?
Help me, Obiwan… I mean, Adrienne!
I know, I know, I just have to stop. Cold turkey. Right after I check this one last time! OH NO!!!
Posted by Dee J. | September 8, 2011, 8:26 pm