Living Life to the Full: My Ironman Journey: Amazon Rankings!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Amazon Rankings!

I've been learning about how Amazon ranks their books. It turns out that I'm not the only author who scans the Amazon rankings each day and experiences that thrill as I watch my rankings increase! At one point recently (29th May!), by book "Living Life to the Full: My Ironman Journey" was ranked number 1 by Amazon's in their "Hot New Releases in Triathlons" - I nearly fell off my chair when I saw that!....so to answer the question that many of you have asked recently, the answer is "YES!" my book sales are awesome! My husband (Don) was so impressed that he quickly saved a screen shot of the #1 ranking, so one day when you make it big, we'll remember where it all started! LOL!

Currently as of June 4th my ranking is 4th in Hot new triathlon releases - if you want to become as obsessed as me then click here to see the rankings! http://www.amazon.com/gp/new-releases/digital-text/159870011/ref=zg_bs_tab

One thing I haven't really figured out yet is how to tag my book or place it into other categories. My book is more than just about Triathlon. It's an inspirational read for anyone facing a set back and wishing to achieve greatness, perhaps returning to competition after an injury even, or looking for motivation to train or simply exercise again after heart surgery.

www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com

Here is a link to an interesting read about Amazon book rankings. Looks like there are some sharks out there manipulating the rankings too! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32336521/ns/business-us_business/t/secrets-amazon-best-seller-list/

An Amazon spokeswoman essentially confirms his hunch when she says, "We base rankings on all-time sales, as well as recent sales that are weighted more heavily than older sales, so that our lists are timely and aren't always dominated by all-time best-sellers like Harry Potter."

No comments:

Post a Comment

Welcome to my Blog !

Www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com

I'm new at this ! but I've taken the technological plunge and started to write a blog. What fun!

My blog is about me. My journey from Open Heart-Surgery to competing in an Ironman Triathlon in less than 8 months.

My story begins with my bizarre symptoms which puzzled my doctors, the dramatic diagnosis and immediate requirement for open heart surgery. Then came the painful and slow recovery and the longing to return to my triathlon passion. My determination and will power to succeed against all the odds and realize my dream: To become an Ironman.

My Story

On March 26^th 2010, I had unplanned open heart surgery to fix multiple holes in my heart that had gone undetected for 41 years. I was born with a severe congenital heart defect and was told that I needed surgery to prevent my heart failing. The right side of my heart was severely enlarged and doctors told me without the surgery, my days would be numbered. I had no idea, I had such a defect, I was a triathlete and had been competitively racing triathlons for almost 7 years – what now?

The days and weeks following my surgery were miserable. Even walking slowly up and down the hospital ward was difficult. My doctors were encouraging though and my surgeon was confident I would be up and running again soon enough. Of course I had signed up for my first Ironman distance race (Arizona) in November 2009 and did not anticipate having to deal with open heart surgery at the beginning of my training plan! By May, I was back on my bike in earnest and was even able to begin some easy swimming and jogging. My doctors were amazed but were also concerned that I may have been pushing myself too hard. I still had my Ironman goal for 2010 and I was determined to at least try and get to the starting line.

In September 2010, my doctor did a thorough medical evaluation and was sufficiently pleased with the results to allow me to compete in the race. She did place some restrictions on my training and my racing however but concluded that I made a tremendous recovery and my heart was now functioning far better than it ever had been.

I began writing a journal in the spring about my experiences and then continued on throughout my recovery and training periods. My journal became more of a memoir and soon I was encouraged by friends to contact a publisher to discuss publishing my memoir. I was skeptical that anyone would be interested in reading about my life and experience but nevertheless agreed to send in the memoir once I had completed it. The publisher asked me how the book would end and when he could receive the manuscript. I replied that the end of the book would be when I crossed the finish line at Ironman Arizona, when I finally become an “Ironman”. On November 21^st, 2010, almost 8 months to the day since my surgery, I crossed that finish line in my first ever Ironman in a time of 12 hours and 37 minutes, and I have never felt so alive.

My book will is called “Living Life to the Full…My Ironman Journey” and is available through my website

www.ellenliveslifetothefull.com . I'm hoping to raise awareness for Adult Congenital Heart disorders and provide inspiration to those needing it. It is possible to swim, bike, run and compete again after open heart surgery, follow your dreams but listen to your heart!

Also visit my facebook page and click on "like" : www.facebook.com/ellenliveslifetothefull