Award-nominated authors and podcasters Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine have teamed up across hemispheres for “Double Trouble”, a unique celebration and promotion for their summer releases of The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant: A Billibub Baddings Mystery and Digital Magic.
Morris and Ballantine are asking their fans to make “Double Trouble” on Amazon.com by ordering their new books on August 8, 2008, anytime after 8 a.m. PST-USA; and send these titles to the top of Amazon’s charts. To build up anticipation, the two authors have released their new novels as downloads on their websites, encouraging bloggers, podcasters, and readers to share the free books with others. In less than a week, downloads for The Case of the Pitcher’s Pendant and Digital Magic have totalled beyond 50,000 and are still averaging for each book 2000 downloads a day.
“Double Trouble will be our day on Amazon,” says Tee. “We have been getting word out on our respective podcasts and mailing lists, and the downloads for The Case of The Pitcher’s Pendant and Digital Magic are really exciting.” 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 the downloads I’m seeing, 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 country, Ireland, and even Sydney, 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.”
Tee Morris and Philippa Ballantine ask 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 teemorris.com or pjballantine.net.
Publisher Gwen Gades can also be reached for comment at Dragon Moon Press.
