Now that it’s June, here are my sales numbers for the year so far, from regular sales to when one of my novels was in KDP Select to free giveaways. These are all from mostly just promoting online on Twitter, Facebook, and a bunch of message boards. The novels are listed in order of publication, from 2008 to 2012.
I’m posting this because some writers get discouraged, but you just have to keep at it. While I don’t have the money or much in the way of resources to push my novels to greater visibility, I think I’m doing pretty well. I took The Usurper out of KDP Select because my sales were actually worse overall, and I had a grand total of 3 borrows, so I didn’t think that program was worth it. Stay tuned for the sequel to New Frontier, plus a short story anthology based on minor characters in the two End Times novels, and a novel about Michael Evans, the man-behind-the-scenes in both End Times novels.
In the last week, I’ve received two new reviews for two different novels, both of which are 5 stars. The first one is for Out of Time, which is my very first novel that I published in 2008 as a total newbie, where I mistakenly used iUniverse as a publisher and spent way too much for a novel that wasn’t really ready for prime time. Two years later, I went back through it, added scenes, corrected grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and fixed dialogue. I decided to do a fresh re-publish of it on the Kindle a little over a year ago(along with a new version of the paperback on Createspace), since the old reviews reflected all the mistakes I made in it. Now, I’ve received a new review for it:
You get to go back to some famous events in American and world history: The Wounded Knee Massacre, Sinking of the Titanic, JFK’s assassination, and more with some highly original and unique alternative timelines.
This is well written and compelling, page-turning stuff. Ball poses some interesting thoughts about how government could mess up the world if it ever got its hands on such a time device. It’s fun to read about it, but let’s just hope it never happens.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, just disappointed it ended too soon.
James A. Anderson, Author
London, Ontario Canada”
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Now, here’s a new review for my latest novel, my 7th, Times of Trial. This is from a regular reader of mine who first found out about me by reading The Usurper. Since then, she’s given me very good reviews for The Usurper(which is the paperback version, the Kindle version is no longer linked to the paperback) and Times of Trouble.
This book can be read on it’s own or with Times of Trouble. The scariest part of this book is that I can see it happening with the upcoming election. The author draws you into the story and never lets go. You can feel the pain of the characters and can picture yourself in the story.
We can only hope that the story doesn’t play out in real life.”
I appreciate all of the readers who have taken a chance on me and have read my novels. Thanks!
Times of Trial is now available, and it’s the 2nd novel in my End Times series.
A preacher and his family, the Tyler’s, have a church that is dying in Arizona. Even though the church is dying, they take care of the remaining senior saints, including the ones in nursing homes and in hospice. The remaining family, the White’s, leave the same church and head to Wyoming to live in a community that was originally started by Doomsday Preppers back in the early 2000′s so they can attempt to escape the increasing persecution of Christians.
Meanwhile, President Collins orders the activation of Camps across the country that will house believers who he thinks are a threat to his rule. His patron, Michael Collins, manipulates events in the Middle East. The Tyler’s end up with others in a camp in Arizona, while the White’s and the community they live in gets attacked by government troops. Evans continues to manipulate events as the Rapture takes the Christians, and he gains ultimate power.
The next novel I’m writing is a sequel to New Frontier, and I will also write a short story anthology of some minor characters mentioned in both End Times novels. Eventually, I’ll write a novel about the character of Michael Evans, the patron of President Collins and the man who manipulates events around the world.
This is a possible cover to my next novel, Times of Trial, but it probably could use some tweaking or something altogether different. I could use some feedback if anyone’s willing to give me some. I would appreciate it.
The novel is a parallel novel to Times of Trouble. A preacher and his family, the Tyler’s, have a church that is dying in Arizona, and they take care of the remaining senior saints, including the ones in nursing homes, etc. The remaining family, the White’s, leave the same church and head to Wyoming to live in a community that was originally started by Doomsday Preppers back in the early 2000’s so they can attempt to escape the increasing persecution of Christians. Meanwhile, President Collins orders the activation of Camps across the country that will house believers who he thinks are a threat to his rule. His patron, Michael Collins, places a new man in charge in Iran, who consolidates his power and attempts to take a swipe at Israel. Israel strikes back, but the rest of the world sympathizes with Iran. The Tyler’s end up with others in a Camp in Arizona, the White’s and the community they live in get attacked, other events happen that also occur in Times of Trouble, and Evans continues to manipulate events as the Rapture takes the Christians, and he gains ultimate power.
I received another book review, this one from Christian Book Review. They gave it 5 stars on Amazon, which is the non-spoiler version:
Times of Trouble novel’s backdrop is on the End Times and all the other events leading to it. It is like a true story as most of the character sketches, circumstances, and plots are familiar and possible to happen in real life.
Honestly, this is the very first Christian fiction novel I have read and reviewed and I appreciate Cliff Ball’s heart to keep on stressing and repeating the importance of God, Bible, prayer, salvation, church, fellowship, close family ties, purity before marriage, and honesty about the character’s feelings and weaknesses.
I love the many prayers included in this novel and many times, at some point of the story, I can readily identify with the lines of the characters and the situations. Times of Trouble ministered to me greatly right now and it inspired me to keep the faith and never to give up in times of trouble knowing that the ending of everything–the world, mankind, and my own troubles are glorious when Jesus Christ returns on the earth and we will be raptured and caught up in the clouds at the trumpet blast.
The way Mr. Ball writes I wonder if he isn’t living as a fly on the wall in the White House. You meet the characters and can feel their joy and sadness, anger and frustration as he tells the story. There were points in the story where I found myself talking to my Kindle telling Brian what I thought he should do next. Fast paced story that has you reading until the end. Another awesome “novel” by Cliff Ball!”
Plus, my parents sent a paperback copy to the late preachers’ wife (Mary Singleton) of a church I grew up in in Tempe, AZ, which was Tri-City Baptist (now in Chandler) and she sent a letter back saying she enjoyed it, she bought 5 more copies, and would ask the church library to stock it. Very cool!
Here are the reviews of Times of Trouble that I have received so far, and is available on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords. Please feel free to share this with everyone.
Though I found the book easy to read, I thought it could have used some more fleshing out. It’s a short book that can be easily read in a couple of hours. Cliff Ball has a writing style that works for him in writing first person point of view. That’s not an easy way to write. But, I would have liked to have seen more detail, filling in of spaces.
Now the great thing about the story is how current events actually play a part in the plot. If you read any news articles or watch the news on TV, other than the tripe you hear on the major networks, then what you will read in Times of Trouble is disturbingly prophetic. This isn’t just near in the future but some of it is already taking place!
I had just read an article on NewsWithViews.com before I had read Cliff Ball’s book. All I can say is Cliff Ball is either working with those folks at NewsWithViews or they are on the same wave length with God. This book looks at America and her citizens in a way that will either have you saying, “No way, that can’t happen,” or “Oh wow, this is fiction turning into reality.”
It is definitely not a book for the faint of heart, but for those who trust in Jesus Christ, it is a book that will encourage every reader to trust even more in Him.
Fast paced, short chapters, strong characters, Times of Trouble is worth reading.
This book was graciously provided freely for the purpose of review, by Cliff Ball.
This is a very interesting & entertaining book. There are places where it drags a bit by going into to much detail on things not related to the story line. Since it’s a self published book I’m assuming the author didn’t have it edited and that shows. If you can overlook that you will really enjoy it. I certainly recommend it!
I consider myself a born again Christian and I enjoyed certain parts of the book very much. Brian praying and carefully making choices and choosing to let his child live against the laws of the country was admirable.
I don’t agree with stockpiling weapons to fight people who are desperate for money and supplies. I believe as Christians we are to share our resources that God has so bountifully supplied to us with others who need them to show our reliance on God’s giving. This in turn may bless others.
Even though I had some difficulty with some of the actions I overall enjoyed the book. Thank you for such a thought provoking read!
Thirty years in the future, the U.S. government has turned into a tyranny as the EPA and TSA grow with ever more power.
Brian, the main character, tells his story from first person point of view. His work with the FBI involves mostly cyber terrorism and actual cases of potential real world terrorism. Eventually, his wife gives birth to their third child, who has Down’s Syndrome, which does not please the U.S. Health Administration because there are rules and regulations set-up in cases like these to prevent “genetic freaks” as they like to call them, from sucking up a lot of Health Admin money. Because the Atwoods are born again Christians, they never considered aborting the baby, so now the Health people have to take him away to deal with the problem later.
Meanwhile, the Secret Service decides to recruit Brian to be the personal agent of the President of the United States, David Collins, due to his great work stopping a terrorist plot that would’ve involved Offutt Air Force Base. Brian’s faith is tested every day as he deals with a man that has no morals from what Brian can see, and is tested even more when his wife finds out that she’s dying from a fast growing form of breast cancer. Trouble in the rest of the world pits the U.S. against Israel as that country attempts to defend itself from attack.
When the re-election of Collins doesn’t turn out the way he wanted it, he and his people declare the election nullified because of supposed “irregularities” with the ballots. Collins claims that the new President-elect may take the seat sometime in the middle of next year, if everything looks to be sorted out. Collins purges his staff of what he considers unloyal people, including Brian. At the same time, Brian loses his wife, but regains the son he thought he had lost.
Brian moves back to his family home in Nebraska, where we follow what happens as the country slowly falls apart. Events play out as Brian and his family sees the End Times approach.
1. Thanks for being my guest, Cliff. Can you tell us where are you from?
I’m originally from the Phoenix area. Lived in Apache Junction, Chandler, and Mesa. Family moved back and forth between Amarillo, TX and the Phoenix area, so part of elementary school I was in Arizona then Texas then back in Arizona. Graduated from Mountain View High in Mesa. Family moved back to Texas after I graduated and I’ve lived in Texas now 20 years straight.
2. Wow! I know all about the Phoenix metro area, having lived here the last 15 years myself. When and why did you begin writing?
I discovered I liked to write when I was about 10 years old. My parents made sure I was well read, so I read a couple of books that I liked, and wanted to be like the authors who wrote the books.
3. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve written six. I would have to say my current novel, Times of Trouble, is my favorite. The reason is, is that I felt inspired to write it and I felt as if God was guiding me to write it.
4. What is the most challenging part of being an indie author? The most rewarding?
The most challenging part of being an indie author, I think, is the marketing and promoting part of it, especially when you’re doing it by yourself. The most rewarding is being able to instantly see if I’m having any kind of affect on my sales when I do have promotions and how many people were willing to buy my novel.
5. As an indie author, what would you say to a potential reader who has never read anything from an indie author?
Give us all a chance. I have read a lot of amazing work by indie authors in the last year or so. I’ve noticed the quality of traditionally published work going downhill in the last few years, which is a shame. There are quite a few indie authors out there who do it all themselves and don’t need a team of publicists, editors, agents, or whatever to make their work shine.
6. Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Probably the most challenging is writing dialogue that doesn’t look wooden and flows naturally.
7. Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I’m currently working on an indirect sequel to Times of Trouble. A Preacher and his family live in Arizona and their church has shrunk down to 30 people, mostly retirees, and then the song leader decides to take his family to Wyoming to live in a community of Christians who decide to wait for the Rapture. In the meantime, the President orders small church congregations to be rounded up first and have them sent to FEMA Camps. The President decides he doesn’t like the results of the Election, so has it nullified, then orders DHS to round up the slightly larger churches. The family tries to survive until Christ’s Return.
8. How much of the book is realistic?
I tried to write what a future Health Administration might look like. I have them purge society of “genetic freaks.” So when the Atwoods, the family in the novel, have a son with Down’s Syndrome because they don’t believe in abortion, the Health Administration takes him to deal with the boy later. I try to project how much power the TSA and EPA have in the future of this novel. The TSA not only rules the air now, in the novel, they also limit travel by car. I even have rumors in the novel about the UN and the EPA taking land from people in the Prairies so the land can go back to its native-ness. I even have the President nullify the elections due to ballot issues and forces one of the candidates for President to stop running by coming up with charges of adultery and bribery.
ISBN-13: 978-1469964799
ISBN-10: 1469964791
BISAC: Fiction / Christian / General
Kindle ASIN: B0075CNFFI
The Blaze has a story about how the Federal Government wants to regulate family farms, partly due to the Agenda 21 plan by the United Nations, which regulates resources and wants people to move back into the cities. In Times of Trouble, I don’t mention Agenda 21 directly, but I do have the EPA and the UN forcing people off of their land, telling them that the land will go back to being native grasslands, and sometimes they claim there’s some endangered animal that needs protecting, even though some of the people in the novel have had their land in their family for over a hundred years. This is meant to bring down the U.S. by stripping the country of its resources and trying to stuff everyone into the major cities. While I don’t have the government regulating who works on the farms, the family farms are harassed by the government, while the corporate farms end up being given the former lands owned by these families in some cases. The brother of the main character sells farm equipment. He constantly complains about the EPA inspecting every piece of equipment to “protect” the environment, and he seems to think that the government wants everyone to go back to using plows and mules to ply the land.
It’s amazing to me that sometimes fiction seems to align with real life, even when one is not even trying to follow real life examples of government over-reach. I try to go for in my novels what I think would be way beyond what the government really would do, only to find out that they might just be doing that. Personally, I think we haven’t been much of a Federal Republic since sometime before the War Between the States, because since then, the United States government seems to be trying to reach all of their tentacles into our lives, and that’s really too bad. Maybe the Doomsday Preppers have the right idea….
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