Posts tagged “novels

Happy Thanksgiving from Sebastian Cole

Posted on November 24, 2016

I hope everyone has a chance today to surround themselves with friends, family, and loved ones. I hope delicious food, fond memories, and good times abound. And for all those who showed me love and support over the years: thanks.

Sebastian   ❤


Is it Better for Authors to Sell eBooks or Paperbacks?

Posted on July 19, 2014

That was the question I was recently asked. And here was my response:

Sebastian Cole

Sebastian Cole, award-winning author of SAND DOLLAR: A Story of Undying Love

The answer may vary depending on whom you’re talking to: a traditionally-published author or a self-published author.

When approaching literary agents, the first question they might ask is how many books have you sold. A self-published author might then start backpedaling, explaining that their books are only available online, not in the general trade. For me (a self-published author), I’ve sold 14,000 SAND DOLLAR eBooks online in comparison to selling… ahem, well let’s just say, a lot less of the paperback version online. My paperback sales are somewhat embarrassing to mention, especially to a literary agent, who may be looking for sales of at least 20,000 paperbacks, if not more. On the other hand, selling 14,000 eBooks is a decent number — at least for me, anyway. Since I’ve had success selling eBooks, I suppose that is where my best chances lie for continued success, especially if I ever want to make USA Today’s Best-Selling Books list of the top 150 books sold each week.

My best chance of making a bestseller list is to run a 99-cent promotion while using companies like BookBub and others to promote my book. The last time I did this, I sold 3,000 eBooks in a week, which was pretty good, but not good enough to make USA Today’s Bestseller list. Perhaps I’d have to sell double that number in a week to make their list.

So to answer the question, I suppose I’d rather sell eBooks, and in particular, I’d like to sell them when I’m running a promotion.

For me, it’s not about the money. Book sales aren’t great enough for me to make any substantial amount of money. And I’m seemingly years away from recouping my initial investment. Perhaps one day that might all change if my career as an author ever takes flight, however. Pursuing your dreams, if you can, makes the journey so worthwhile, regardless of the outcome. Only time will tell…



On a separate note, here’s my horoscope for today (July 19, Leo): “Very soon the spotlight will swing back around to you. Take advantage of this time. You still have the privacy and peace you need in order to reinvent yourself and hone your act.”

Heheh. 🙂


SAND DOLLAR eBook Now Only 99 Cents

Posted on June 14, 2014

For a limited time only, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is now only 99¢ at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo. Have a great Father’s Day weekend, everyone!

Sebastian 🙂

Sand Dollar


Sebastian Cole Autographing at BEA

Posted on May 27, 2014

If you’re lucky enough to be attending the Book Expo America Convention at the Javitz Center in New York City on Thursday, May 29, please stop by and say hello. I’ll be signing my debut novel, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Loveat the Independent Book Publishers Association’s booth #2352 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Sebastian Cole  🙂

Sebastian ColeBEA


“It is well worth reading, even if you have to shed a tear or two.”

Posted on September 09, 2013

★★★★  Wonderful rainy day read

“This is a great story about some interesting and believable people. It is well worth reading, even if you have to shed a tear or two.
I would like to see more books by this author.” — Mary Alice Golden


A love that goes beyond all beyonds

Posted on August 09, 2013

★★★★

“At the end of the book, the author mentioned that the story is true, though how it will pan out in real life is yet unknown. This ultra-romantic love story spans decades in the lives of all the characters. It demonstrates that love can withstand the test of time, even go beyond it. If I have one critique, it’s that the breaks in time were not clearly defined. The book indeed played out like a screenplay, as the author himself mentioned, since it’s a dream to see this story on film. Other than that, all I can say to the real-life Noah is that yours is a love beyond all beyonds; and for that I give it to you.” — NenetteU


“It is an amazing story about love, disappointment, and the human spirit.”

Posted on July 25, 2013

★★★★★  AN AMAZING LOVE STORY!

“This book was recommended to me by my husband who told me that Sabastian Cole was a local author who wrote in the style of one of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks. I read the book during my flight to Alaska and found it to be an amazing story about two people who found each other against incredible odds and were meant to be together. The undying love that Noah, the main character, had for his soul mate, Robin, was unfathomable. As I read the book, I kept thinking to myself that I would have given up and moved on with my life. However, as all great love stories are told, Noah never gave up. It is an amazing story about love, disappointment, and the human spirit. I found myself unable to put it down! This a a MUST READ!!!!!!!” — soulgirl


Not your average love story

Posted on July 25, 2013

★★★★

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

“First of all, I’d like to thank Sebastian for sharing this book with me and allowing me the opportunity to read and critique it. I wanted to wait a week or so before reviewing so that I could allow a little time for the story to marinate in my head. Sometimes I find that by waiting, I realize the book affects me more than I realized at the time I finished reading it. That’s the case with this one.

In all honesty, I really couldn’t stand Robin for the majority of the book. She was selfish and extremely high-maintenance. Yes, high-maintenance seems like the wrong word to use here considering she had almost no money and didn’t seem to expect a lot of material things, however, I felt like she was just NEVER happy with what she had. Come to find out, she had a disorder that caused a majority of this so I came to forgive some of her misgivings as the story came to a close, but she still wore me out a lot while reading.

Noah’s character, on the other hand, was much stronger and easier to love. He tried everything he could to prove to Robin his “undying love” and he had a true honesty about him. Even when he was with Sarah, he was completely up front about who he was and how he felt.

What made me appreciate this book was actually less the love story and more Noah’s relationship with his family (and then of course the end but I’ll get there in a minute). For one, I loved Noah’s bond with his brother. I felt like that was something that Sebastian could not fake. They were there for each other through thick and thin and could truly understand each other. Also, the pressure Noah received from his family and the expectations to marry “a good Jewish girl” were very realistic. Having been exposed to many of these expectations (and having had friends be the Shiksa), I felt like I could actually hear the words coming out of Noah’s mother’s mouth. All of the family dynamics, though sad, were what I truly appreciated about the story.

Then, there was the end. The end was my favorite part of the book. I loved Josh and how his character was revealed at the end. I think that was the most romantic aspect of the book. I felt like Noah’s path to Heaven (and then Josh moving down the hall and time to listen to Robin’s story as she transitioned to Heaven) was a beautiful way to bring the book together and romanticize death. This part of the story is probably what affected me most and made me truly love this story.”

REG


“When I saw this quote on Facebook, I knew this book was for me!”

Posted on July 25, 2013

★★★★★  Loved this Book!!!

“‘If someday you should ever think of me and miss me, know in your heart that I’d want you to find me once again. No matter how distant in time or space… FIND ME.’ ~ Sebastian Cole, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love. When I saw this quote on Facebook, I knew this book was for me! I loved, loved, loved Sand Dollar. It is a beautiful story about life, true love and loss. I highly recommend it! Sebastian Cole is a very talented writer, and I am looking forward to his next book!!!!”
deedy


Thursday’s Late Night Double Feature at The eReader Cafe

Posted on July 19, 2013

Thanks, eReader Cafe, for listing Sand Dollar as one of your Thursday Late Night Double Features.

Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook, Love Story, Love, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Tear jerker, Heart wrenchingEreaderCafe


Kate’s Cute YouTube Video

Posted on July 03, 2013

It was my pleasure to send a copy of my debut novel, Sand Dollar, to Kate in EnglandIt must be karma, because when she opened the package that I sent her, she was so excited that she made this cute video. Click here to check it out! Thanks, Kate. You made my day!

Sebastian
🙂

Kate


“Will recommend to my friends and will reread many sections of this book.”

Posted on June 30, 2013

★★★★★  Sand Dollar

“Well written beatutiful story. Will recommend to my friends and will reread many sections of this book. Mr. Cole did a great job with this book!” — Gail


Sand Dollar is a Winner in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year Awards

Posted on June 28, 2013

I’m pleased to announce that Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is the bronze winner of ForeWord Reviews Book Of The Year Award in the Romance category.

NEW BOTYA sticker-Winner bronze
Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook, Love Story, Love, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Tear jerker, Heart wrenching


“Can’t wait for the author’s next work of genius.”

Posted on June 20, 2013

★★★★★  Outstanding story

“What an excellent book! Highly recommend this book. Can’t wait for the author’s next work of genius. An amazing love story indeed.” — Snow Princess


“A beautiful love story that made me late for work”

Posted on June 19, 2013

★★★★★  Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love

“This is a beautiful love story that made me late for work because I just couldn’t stop reading it. I loved this book & I can’t wait to read more from this author.”
Pam


Sand Dollar is the Indie Book of The Day

Posted on June 17, 2013

It’s official! Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying love is the Indie Book Of The Day for June 17th.

ibdbadgeRoyal CertificatesIBDstar


Win a Touchscreen Kindle Paperwhite eReader with Built-in Light!

Posted on June 16, 2013

Sand Dollar Photo Contest

Kindle

11

Hey, everybody! I’m looking for some cool shots of fans holding my debut novel, Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love. Please feel free to take Sand Dollar on a whirlwind tour around the world, if you’d like, but don’t forget the camera! The more creative the shot the better. One winner will receive a Kindle Paperwhite touchscreen eReader with built-in light (a $119 value). So have fun modeling and good luck!

Click here to see entries

Contest Rules
Please email your digital photographs to sebastian@sebastiancoleauthor.com. Multiple entries are allowed. All submissions will remain the property of Sebastian Cole LLC. By submitting your images, you are granting Sebastian Cole LLC the right to use your images on websites, social media sites, book trailers, advertising, and other vehicles used to promote Sand Dollar. Entrants must be at least 18 years old. The winner will be announced on December 15, 2013. We reserve the right to substitute a comparable eReader, especially if Amazon should introduce newer and better Kindle models or if the Kindle Paperwhite should become unavailable.


Tootsie’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon

Posted on June 09, 2013

★★★★★  Entertaining Novel!

“Nice, light reading that holds your attention. I loved the twist in this simple, rewarding story. It makes you think…what if???” — Tootsie 880


“Mr. Cole wrote a fantastic first novel that makes you believe in a forever kind of love”

Posted on June 08, 2013

★★★★★  I CHANGED MY MIND…

“Several times while reading this book as to what kind of rating it should have. In the beginning, I really liked it and the characters, but then Noah seemed quite neurotic and Robin seemed like a very wishy-washy kind of woman. But as the story progressed and certain things about Robin’s childhood come to light, then her behavior starts to make sense as well as the influence of an unscrupulous doctor. Mr. Cole wrote a fantastic first novel that makes you believe in a forever kind of love and the possibility of there really being a soulmate out there for those who want one. Definitely worth reading!!!” — J. D. Hale


“One of the best books I have read in a long time!!”

Posted on June 07, 2013

★★★★★  AMAZING!!

“One of the best books I have read in a long time!! Would definitely give this book a try if you have not read it yet!!” — Steph


The International Book Awards Selects Sand Dollar as a Finalist in Two Categories

Posted on May 20, 2013

International Book Awards

Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook, Love Story, Love, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Tear jerker, Heart wrenching

I am pleased to announce that

Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love

has been selected as a finalist in the

International Book Awards

for

 Best New Fiction

 and

Romance


Awesome Gang Features Sand Dollar Book

Posted on May 10, 2013

Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is featured on Awesome Gang‘s website.

Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook, Love Story, Love, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Tear jerker, Heart wrenching

 


Digital Book Today Recommends Sand Dollar

Posted on April 30, 2013

Like The Notebook with a Sixth Sense Twist

Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love is today’s featured book at Digital Book Today.

Digital Book TodayNicholas Sparks, The Notebook, Love Story, Love, Romance, Fantasy, Fiction, Tear jerker, Heart wrenching


“This was the best book I have read in a long time.”

Posted on April 20, 2013

★★★★★  Sand Dollar

“This was the best book I have read in a long time. Each turn of the page brought some new twist or turn you never new which direction the book was going to take you. Love love loved it.” — Lois McGinty