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With numerous appearances on podcasts and blogs, and offering new fiction downloads, award-nominated authors and podcasters Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine have plans to make “Double Trouble” on Amazon.com. Both authors are mounting a unique promotion for their Summer releases, The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant: A Billibub Baddings Mystery (Morris) and Digital Magic (Ballantine), by asking fans to order their new books on August 8, 2008, anytime after 8 a.m. PST-USA. Their goal: Send both titles to the top of Amazon’s charts.
“August 8, 2008, will be our day on Amazon,” says Tee. “Through podcasts, blogs, various social media outlets and traditional mailing lists, we have been letting people know about Double Trouble.” The payoff to their hard work is showing as downloads for The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant and Digital Magic have totaled beyond 50,000 and are averaging over 2000 downloads a day. Along with the authors, Dragon Moon’s publisher, Gwen Gades is also excited. “Before his days at Crown Books, Scott Sigler brought Dragon Moon into Amazon’s Top Ten with Ancestor. Considering Tee’s and Pip’s downloads and their interviews, Double Trouble could be even bigger.” This promotion will mark the first time two authors are working together to dominate the charts. “Double Trouble is, in its own way, a worldwide event,” states Philippa Ballantine from her home in Wellington, New Zealand. “Tee is working out of Manassas, Virginia. I’m in the Southern Hemisphere. Along with our downloads, we have been giving interviews. The shows have been coming out of locations across the United States, Ireland, and even Australia.” For Pip, this kind of promotion is important, considering her location. “There is strength in numbers, even if that number is two. Tee and I are pooling promotional resources, and that does make a difference. Double Trouble is not only innovative, but stands as a great example of Web 2.0’s potential in creating and nurturing fan bases.”
As far as worrying about giving away their books in digital format, Gades isn’t worried. “Their fan base appreciates the look at what’s coming in print, and I’m confident they will be there on 08.08.08 to show support.” Now the week of Double Trouble is coming and the authors are ready. “I know of people who are rearranging personal schedules, setting calendar alarms, and letting others know about August 8, 2008. It’s going to be a big day for both Pip and myself.”
Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine are asking their fans to wait until August 8, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. PST-USA to place their orders for The Case of The Pitcher’s Pendant: A Billibub Baddings Mystery and Digital Magic from Amazon.com. Along with this collaboration, Morris and Ballantine are currently working together on their podcast novels, MOREVI: Remastered (http://www.morevi.net) and Chasing the Bard (http://chasingthebard.com). The free PDFs of their new books can be found at these blogs as well. Tee and Pip are available for interviews and invite you to contact them through http://teemorris.com or http://pjballantine.net. Publisher Gwen Gades can also be reached for comment at publisher@dragonmoonpress.com.
