The complexities of being a self-published author
Are there any other writers out there? Anyone gone through trying to publish their work?
I am, and I have. I never knew how difficult it was.
Let me start with my New Years Resolution: to write a book. It was something I decided to just kick myself into gear and finally do. But I never knew the levels of complexity that is involved in writing a book.
I mean, not only the writing element. The marketing and publishing side of things.
I have been interested in writing for years, my mother would tell me stories of when I was a little girl and I was writing 'yet another story', back then there were no computers (that makes me feel old! I mean, there were no personal computers, it was the late 80s early 90s) and I would write stories down on paper.
I've come up with many ideas over the years. Some my own imaginations writing down into just 'ideas' more than anything, or when I was younger I'd be involved in fan-fiction (not anymore). But it wasn't until this year, when I really decided to actually commit to writing properly.
I came up with a few ideas, toyed with story lines, trying to figure out what was the best one, or just working on 'one' rather than coming up with new ideas and never getting past the idea stage. Until I decided to commit to one particular genre that I love. Supernatural / Fantasy.
I was addicted to Harry Potter. I followed the story like everyone else. Waiting for the next book to come out, and then the next one and the next one. Then the films came out, although I wasn't too sure about the films.
And so I came up with this story 'Rose Garden Sanatorium' (you can see the Prologue and Chapter 1 in my blog feed now, check it out!)
When I started deciding that I should really be serious about this, and I mean, try at least to make a career out of writing, I started approaching people to get an idea on costs of printing / book cover designing. I didn't want to get tied into a publisher, so I wanted to do it myself. Couldn't be too hard could it?
One lovely guy, from a UK family run business, a book designer mainly, suggested I post the book for sale on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing first, get feedback on my writing and then work from there (getting a book cover designed and getting them professionally printed).
So I did, but not with Rose Garden. I wrote another one, quickly. It took me about a month, if that, to write this Romantic suspense, and I put it up on Amazon Kindle Direct and boooom... I'm a self-published author that easily.
But, aside from the fact of whether the story is any good (I like the plot line personally, but I didn't spend enough on the nitty-gritty bits like the descriptions and editing out any punctuation issues), it's been extremely difficult to get people to read it!
At first I put it up on Amazon for £1.99 - it's only an ebook, so I didn't want it to be too expensive! And then when I realised I wasn't getting many sales, I put it down to £0.99. I didn't care I wouldn't get much in terms of profit from selling the book that cheap, but it was about exposure. I've had a few people buy the book, but then suddenly there is a lul.
I then had the worry that the book was too cheap - did people think it was too cheap that it wasn't worth reading? So, I started posting and tweeting about it only being 99p for a limited time only and put it up again.
Don't get me wrong, I've had lots of support on Twitter, it's a brilliant place to get exposure if you're trying to be a writer! There are so many people like you who want to help you in return of the same support. Which I do with open arms! But although I get nearly 20+ notifications on my Twitter account about someone liking or retweeting. It hasn't generated many sales!
So, I'm now at the stage of wondering if I should submit my 'Rose Garden Sanatorium' - which I have spent, so far, seven months working on a plot line for a 5-part series with so much depth that it'll make your brain hurt - to a literacy agent / publisher.
Or, I just need to work on my marketing skills!
P.s. Not my own photo, found on a free stock images website to help create book-covers. I do not know the original author.
When creating content, for me it wasnt writing it was creating videos it was 25% joy and the rest is work. Research: kinda fun, Scripting: not so much fun Audio: not so much, Shooting: a little bit fun. Marketing: No fun. Yes there are a lot of things around the core, especially when you want to make a living out of it. I guess writing is similar.
That's a good point actually, the videos! I could reach out on another audience then; YouTube.
I also find that some people can be lazy when it comes to reading posts and blogs, unless they're actually that way inclined (a blogger themselves) then they don't tend to read them. Video would take the pain out of reading and all they have to do is sit there and watch/listen.
Will have a good think about that.
You could combine both and make a video book trailer! I self published 2 years ago and had the same issues about marketing... it's hell, in a way, but after 4 years of writing my book I was pretty determined to sell it. One of the ways was the video book trailer (I'll put a link below) it has had 318 views... does that translate into sales, I'm not really sure.
When I self published I got 300 books printed (ambitious!) and also made a kindle version. The book hasn't really taken off, some people love it, I have good Amazon 5* rating, some friends, not all. I have done book fairs... hard slog. One good offshoot is that I now teach a writing course in an Arts Centre because I actually became obsessed with the writing process as I went along. Turns out I'm pretty good at inspiring other people to write. you gotta go with your heart. If you're a writer, you're a writer, ain't nothing you can do about it. Give in and keep going.
I've seen a few people do video book trailers, doesn't really interest me personally. But hey, if it works, then it might be worth a shot!
Videocreating is a lot of work if you start at zero. But if you are a experienced writer that will definitely help you, since most of professional "Youtuber" script their videos to cut out "nonsense", because the audience has a very small attention span. Best way in my opinion is just to get started and then keeping up that learning curve. Marketing of course is important , especially when you havent built a large audience. Good quality content comes first, but you probably know how frustrating it can be if its not getting the attention you think it deserves. I also believe if you decide that videos are not the medium you like, making that experience can improve your writing skills. I learned a lot of things from YouTube.
There are indeed complexities in writing work. I have not suffered personally but a close friend of mine was suffered, Especially this marketing and the final sales are really hectic thing. You have t market your stuff all over the internet. Good reads is also a good website for the same. But in the end, I would say I respect all the writers, writing is not easy neither it's whole procedures.
Completely agree. I have upmost respect for all indie / self-published authors now. More so than ever!
Yeah, I'm on Goodreads too.
There are some pretty good E-books about this very topic. But a friend of mine, who is actually a pretty well-known horror writer had told me most of his success came from self publishing. It helped him find a publishing house. If nothing else, at least you're writing which is the hardest part!
Thank you @trendhobo :)
It's good to hear other people's views and experiences!
I tried the E-Book route one time. Never tried to publish an actual paper copy of anything. I found that even an E-book was much harder than expected. And I didn't make more than a few bucks from it.
Ditto. I'd love to go the papercopy route myself. I prefer papercopies.
I was just hoping to get a bit of a fan-base or something first before commiting to papercopy.
Rose Garden Sanatorium will certainly be going papercopy! Even if it's just for my own copy on my bookshelf haha!
One part of marketing that seems to get over looked is real radio, and real newspapers. Do you have a real local radio station near you. One that covers your local issues, reports on local events, and local news. If so try to get their book reviewer or celebrity reporter to do an interview, you may need to give them a copy of your book, and a brief who I am thing to them so they have some background around which to ask questions. Get your local newspaper entertainment person to do a bi-op piece on you. Then take those interviews save them on-line if able, and then start hunting down on-line book reviewer people. There are a couple on steemit that do youtube reviews. Get your name and book out there however you can. I found your page through an OCD Daily: Issue #36, (not a direct link to you), via a bit they did on @petemaguire. I found you via him. So you see, you just need to get the name out and people will find you.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it was fascinating. I've tried writing/blogging before and I got burned out. It turns out, I really just have to write the things I love.
Now, I am on my probationary week as a writer on a gaming website. It's a volunteer position and it's okay for me not to get paid, what's important is that I will learn how gaming journalism works as I don't have any formal education about writing or journalism, just the passion but sometimes passion is not enough, we have to keep on learning.
My dream is to become a writer on games, one that really writes story for upcoming games and hopefully become a self published author too. I wish you well in your endeavors and keep on chasing your dream and don't give up. I guess the only advice I can give is embrace your mistakes and forever grow your knowledge.
Thank you. :)
I think the issue we all have, as a human species, is we are effected more by negativity than positivity. It's a flaw we have. So the negative comments can sometimes kick you back a few pegs more than a positive comment pushing you forward. Especially if you are like me with a slight lack of self-confidence (it's something I am working on personally).
But as you said to me, keep chasing your dream! And absolutely, keep learning. I don't have much in terms of formal education in writing, I did extremely well at school in my English classes, but I never went above school level. I've done a lot more in education since, especially with my BSc, but it's not an English subject, it's a science subject - although I have learnt critical writing! Haha.
While I have no ambitions wrt making writing and self publishing more than a hobby that pays enough to cover editing, cover art, web hosting and t-shirts for beta readers, there might still be some worth in my hobbyist experience.
One, every e-book publishing channels has its own distinct public. Don't tie yourself into a single channel. Smashers can help with pushing to a number of channels, and then there is Google play, but that one is a bit of a pain. For my speculative fiction novelettes, Amazon ended up being responsible for less than 5% of sales. I am currently working hard on a first Novel sized work, and decided recently to write my book out in the open here on steemit. Posting second or third draft chapters in order, giving Steemit a first view of my work while gathering some funds for future editing costs, etc. So far it's going quite OK. I wouldn't get to hung up about a paper version. Very few indie authors seem to have significant revenue streams from printed when compared to e-books. Sure, it's great to have something in print to hold and be proud off, but as source of income, just try out the different channels for e-books and don't discard Steemit being just marketing. Post your chapters, get us hooked, 40 chapters times a 0.05 upvote is about 1.99 as well and the royalties from Steemit sure are better than from Amazon.
Thank you for your advice @pibara :)
I have no experience with this ... yet. But I think you'll probably have to do both. Read about about doing better marketing. I'm personally trying to grow an email list and followers so that I have "fans" before I even have my book finished. I'd research and learn all that I could about marketing your book and start now. (This post was the beginning.) And then when you think the book is ready and that you've started gaining a following, go take that book to a publisher or 3. See what they say. Make sure it's edited well. Also go on the PAL discord channel and find the #fictionworkshop . Those people are gangsters and can really do a good job answering questions.
Great job writing a book! Mines still in the works!
Thanks @jayjayjeffery! I think my main objective is to be a bit more savvy with marketing.
I think I need to market my new one a bit too, I've not exactly left it neglected, but I've been focusing too much on the published one and not been talking too much about the new one. This new one is way more important to me!
I'll check out that PAL discord channel too! :)
Excellent post
Thank you!
Last year I was trying to send my book to publisher house, but none get my idea. Was had a consultation about self-publishing with my fellow writers. Too complicated for me. I must pay the editor, design cover, etc. etc. Publishing a book isn't easy. I talked with some famous writers here and their suggestion to me is to keep writing everywhere. let people see your work.
Good idea on 'writing everywhere', I tend to stick to one or two things. (Twitter and a Word Press blog, which doesn't do well so I neglect it).
Will be doing some research in the next few days to see where else I can show my work.
Thank you!