J. A. Konrath identifies himself as the author of three thrillers featuring Lt. Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels (that’s not him pictured at right). He has also published two works of horror under the penname Jack Kilborn, a full-lengther plus a novella in collaboration with Blake Crouch.

He uploaded his books to Kindle (as well as to some other e-book outlets) and has compiled a fascinating account of the experience, studded with precise sales information and embellished with invaluable tips to writers seeking to emulate him.

First and foremost, his horror novel Afraid, irresistibly priced at $1.99, sold over 10,400 copies in the first month of its release. The novella, Serial, was released free a month later and was downloaded by Kindlach ( people of the Kindle) over 34,000 times. Grand Central, which issued print editions, assisted with online promotion.

Konrath then posted some of his other books on Kindle. You can read about his strategies for pricing, product description, networking and other strategies on his blogpost A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing. He shares some pertinent observations plus do’s and don’ts. But when it comes to penetrating the mystery of why some of his books sell more units than others, he confesses to being clueless:

What I’ve learned about units sold: Nothing. I have no clue why The List, which is a fun technothriller about cloning, is outselling Origin, which is about a secret government compound studying Satan.

Welcome to book publishing, rookie. You’re in good company. Even the preeminent Alfred A. Knopf threw up his hands in despair, lamenting that his efforts were fifty percent successful, he just wasn’t sure which fifty percent.

RC