I am coming to you from my living room, I have NCIS on mute because I'd like some quiet but I don't really want to be alone. I just thought I would give a few musings about my first two weeks as a (self)published author.
I guess the first musing is amusing. It's amusing that I thought I would have more success than I am having. I've sold 20 books so far, which is amazing, don't get me wrong but I'm 99.93% positive that those copies are all sold to family and friends. The title is intriguing, the cover is amazing and I'm really proud of the book. I've posted and responded to a handful of posts on the kindle boards but that hasn't garnered me anything. So I've tried to find book bloggers who will review my book. Most will not review self published work. To be honest, I can't really blame them. I'm sure a lot of the stuff that gets self published isn't worth reading. I did email three book bloggers and sent them my book but I haven't heard back from any of them. It's possible that they will/are reading it and I'll find a Christmas present of a review in the near future but I'm not going to hold my breath.
I've done a lot of reading and a lot of studying about self publishing and the number one thing people say is that the best publicity is to write a second book. I'm doing that, I'm happy with the direction but my question is, if nobody is finding the first book, what makes you think they will find the second book? That sounds like a fair question. I think my next course of action is going to be to try and find out about getting my book listed at goodreads.
I guess I will keep plugging away. I keep thinking if I can find that magical blogger to read my book and review it I might gain a little momentum. It's not that the brass ring is just out of my reach, it's that I don't know where it's located.
So if anybody is reading this and my best guess says there isn't I hope you have read or will read my book. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I'm going to keep plugging away. Right now, I'm that tree falling in the forest and I don't seem to making a sound. Hopefully someday soon, somebody will hear me.
Totally see where you're coming from on this one. I just 'published' my first eBook yesterday and am awaiting the flux of traffic and/or buyers. I'm curious how it's going to go, and though I'm not expecting anything amazing, I'm keeping optimistic.
ReplyDeleteI feel you on the writing a second book thing as well - that's what I'm doing. As soon as I had 'May 5 & The Assassin' up and running, I started re-editing my first - actual - book (May 5 being a web serial I put into a collection).
Good luck, and keep writing!
Hey thanks! I will admit, I am a big dreamer...how else do I think I could become an author. I did hope that people would notice it and I know it's a good cover, good title and interesting story. So I figured once people saw it they would feel obligated! to buy it...that's the key, getting people to see it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book....I'm going to go check it out now! I wish you the best.
The best publicity for any author is more titles. The more titles, the more exposure. Also someone who read your first book isn't going to want to keep seeing nothing but promotions of that book. You might want to consider publishing a couple of short stories that you could offer for free, and to bridge that gap until you have another book out. But it all takes time. Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post. Keep trudging along. Hope you will like my face book page and post your book updates there. Donna
ReplyDeleteYou can find the link on my blog.
http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
I am your first follower!