How Chandrayan Gupta Became a #1 Amazon Bestseller with Two Powerful Strategies

Earlier this year, Chandrayan Gupta made a bold move,he self-published his psychological crime thriller, Reason to Fight. As an Indian author, he decided to partner with Notion Press for the paperback version, a respected name in the local publishing industry. For the ebook, however, he turned to the global giant Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).

The first few months showed promise, even though Reason to Fight didn’t hit the very top of the charts. The book made it to #2 in an Amazon bestseller category, a significant achievement for Chandrayan. He had partnered with a marketing firm for the first time, and although things were moving in the right direction, it wasn’t until the fourth month that sales exploded. That’s when everything clicked.

Chandrayan knows that the term “bestselling author” is often used by many, sometimes in ways that diminish its value. So, he wants to be upfront: Yes, he is an Amazon bestselling author, but he got there through a mix of smart strategies, honest effort, and a touch of good luck. His book reached #1 for two days and stayed on the list for five—a feat he never expected.

So, how did he do it? What were the key strategies that made all the difference? Here are the two powerful moves that helped Chandrayan Gupta become a bestselling author:

Chandrayan Gupta’s Winning Strategy #1: Free Promotions That Deliver

Chandrayan Gupta firmly believes in the power of free promotions. For five days, he made Reason to Fight available for free through Amazon’s KDP Select program. This wasn’t just a random decision; it was a carefully planned strategy that paid off in ways he never imagined.

But why offer the book for free? The answer lies in the psychology of the consumer. Chandrayan knew that pricing his book at zero would remove the biggest barrier for potential readers: the risk of spending money on something they weren’t sure about. Free books offer readers the opportunity to try something new without the fear of wasting their money. And as it turns out, people love free offers.

Studies show that people often value free products more than even discounted ones. A research paper from 2007 found that free items were perceived as more valuable than discounted versions of the same product. Another study found that free offers increased interest by 73%.

On top of that, there’s the psychological principle of “reciprocity.” When people receive something for free, they often feel a sense of obligation to give back; whether it’s through a review, a recommendation, or simply by becoming a loyal fan. In Chandrayan’s case, this played out perfectly.

What about the results?

Hundreds of people downloaded Reason to Fight for free, leading to dozens of new reviews and an influx of social media followers. Chandrayan wasn’t just pleased by the numbers; he was thrilled that so many new readers were connecting with his work. And with only about 1% of readers typically leaving reviews, he feels confident that many more are quietly enjoying the book.

For Chandrayan, this free promotion wasn’t just a giveaway—it was an investment. By offering his book for free, he wasn’t just giving away his work; he was building an audience, gaining visibility, and proving that sometimes, giving something away can lead to bigger rewards down the road.

Chandrayan Gupta’s Secret Weapon: 2-The Power of Email Marketing

While offering Reason to Fight for free was a great start, Chandrayan knew that it wouldn’t be enough unless people knew about the promotion. That’s where email marketing came in his secret weapon.

Unlike social media ads, which can be hit or miss, email marketing is personal and direct. People subscribe to newsletters because they’re genuinely interested in the content. And when you send them an email, it lands straight in their inbox, making it far more likely that they’ll take action.

As Mike Maynard, CEO of Napier (a leading marketing agency), told Forbes, email marketing is precise. People who opt in to receive your emails are already intrigued by what you offer, which makes them far more likely to act on a promotion.

Chandrayan didn’t have a large mailing list of his own at the time, so he partnered with a marketing service that had access to a robust and highly targeted list of readers. The results were staggering.

In just a few days after the email blast went out, Reason to Fight hit #2 in its category and cracked the top ten in other categories—not just during the free promotion but even at full price.

For Chandrayan, email marketing turned out to be a game-changer. Unlike other marketing strategies, email gave him direct access to readers who were already engaged and ready to take action. And it worked: the book climbed the ranks and continued to make waves in the following months.

Chandrayan Gupta’s Closing Thoughts: Writing for the Love of Readers, Not Riches

At the heart of it all, Chandrayan Gupta believes that writing isn’t about money. Sure, royalties are nice, but his real goal is to connect with people—to reach readers from all over the world, even penguins in Antarctica (seriously, he’s not picky!).

While some authors might dismiss free promotions as “not real sales” or balk at the idea of giving away their work, Chandrayan sees things differently. Every download, every reader, represents a new opportunity to share his stories. And while he’s aware that not all of his readers will leave a review or spread the word, he knows that the ones who do are already building the foundation for a long-lasting connection.

Chandrayan’s formula is simple: free books plus a strategic email campaign equals a surge in visibility, engagement, and ultimately, sales. And while being an “Amazon Bestselling Author” wasn’t his goal, it’s a nice bonus—a recognition that opens doors for him in the competitive world of indie publishing.

For Chandrayan, it’s the small wins—the new readers, the shared love of storytelling—that really matter. Everything else is just icing on the cake. Whether it’s the recognition or the sales, what truly drives him is the joy of sharing his work with the world, one reader at a time.

In the end, his story is a reminder that success in the world of self-publishing isn’t just about clever tactics or “buying” your way to the top. It’s about connecting with readers, giving them something of value, and finding authentic ways to grow an audience that genuinely cares. That’s how Reason to Fight became a bestseller—and that’s how Chandrayan Gupta built the foundation for a thriving writing career.