I meant to follow up on my previous post yesterday, but spent the day submerged (translation: drowning) in finishing up the final edits for
Ghosts. I submitted them this morning, which means I will spend the day wondering 1) What did I miss? (It's a given there is something.) and 2) Did I upload the correct file? (Fairly sure I did, but I've been wrong before.)
Patricia, I love it when you come in here as living proof it isn't all about the stats. It helps us all keep our chins up.
If wide and paid promotion fits your longterm plan--do it! But be sure to read Lincoln Cole's blog posts on the subject first. He's tested and evaluated many promo sources so you can invest wisely. One of the things the readper.com newsletter did is bring in page views (and with any luck nominations and possible readers and reviewers) from outside of my social media/family & friends circle. Time will tell if that is a good thing.
However, if you don't want to do paid promotion or it's not in your budget, don't fret. And don't make yourself crazy if your stats aren't what you hoped they'd be. There is still hope for selection!
Patricia started with a kick-butt book with an awesome cover. That's bare bones what you must have for a decent chance at selection, just as with any publisher. After that, having a genre KP thinks is hot, having a book that isn't too similar to another one already selected, and other publisher concerns come into play. KS stats are never what getting selected is all about. (as far as I know, I've been trying to scry KP secret meetings, but with no success. They must have anti-witch wards up, 
) That's not to say they are worthless either. Those nominations are where your advance reviews come from if selected, and your buyers and readers if not selected. Important, sure, but not all important.
As Julianne said, one of the things nominations will do if your book is selected is increase the possibility of reviews posted during the pre-order period.
The Ceiling Man had few reviews on release day, but it did catch up after release.
I think selection comes down to, as it does with any traditional publisher,
Does the book meet their current needs? (Despite the non-traditional open sub process, Kindle Press is a traditional publisher.)
(And those anti-witch wards must be potent!)
Oh, and if you haven't read Patricia's The Ceiling Man, you should because it's awesome. If I sound like a squeeing fangirl it's because I totally am. 
Thank you, Julianne! I'm both blushing and squeeing that I have a (singular) fan!
