1. You Just Don't Know
If traditional publishers don't know which book will sell, neither do you. You might have studied the trends, researched your competition, created the best, most polished book. You got a great cover and wrote an awesome product description. You hired the entire slew of editors. Your last book in this series sold like snow cones in a hot summer day, but this particular book isn't moving.
Meanwhile, the short story you dug out of your slush pile, the one you wrote for your mother when she was having a bad day, the one you thought should never hit the light of day, but your friends wanted you to join their boxed set on Mother's Day stories, so you give it a look-over, proofread it, dash together a hasty cover by downloading a stock photo and typing a few words on it, upload it with a dedication to your mama. That one's screaming up the charts. What's that about?
2. It Doesn't Last
You had an awesome Bookbub ad. You hit the charts. Yay! Bestseller status. You took the screenshots to prove your book was sub-100-ranked on Amazon. Not just a subcategory, but the entire freaking store! You bring out the champagne. Update your covers to say "Bestselling Author" and ride the wave.
Only... two weeks later, your book is back in the slimepits. All the hundreds and thousands of new readers who were supposed to leave glowing reviews never materialized. As for follow-on sales for the next book of your series? Where are they? You tear your hair out and apply for ads from every site you can think of. My book is a bestseller two weeks ago. Why isn't it selling? You ask you author friends for leads. Which ad should I buy? Which book blast? Should I go on a blog tour?
Hate to break it to you, but your 15 minutes of fame is just that. It's the entertainment industry. You're an entertainer. The public is always looking at the latest viral hit. What to do? Remember to save your money. Save it and don't project your earnings and quit your job. No, really. Even consistent bestselling authors can drop off the charts. REAL QUICK. Think back to who the kindle superstars were last year, or the year before? I'm not naming names, but go back and make a list. Now, look up their sales ranks. Where are they?
3. No One Else Knows
We're always asking each other: Does this work? Should I advertise here or there? Which cover of mine is better, A or B? Can you tell me if my blurb works or not? Which genre is the hottest? Do you think my space vampires steampunk zombies BDSM billionaire stepbrother romance mashup will work? What keywords should I use? And thanks to the friendliness of most indie authors who love to share, you'll find thousands of blog posts just like this one to tell you what works or what doesn't work. Remember. They don't know or if they knew, it only applies to them. Yes, really. More specifically, it only applies to that particular book at that particular time.
Once, long ago, I wrote a post about how I ran a free giveaway on Amazon for Broken Build and got tons of downloads. Then my book sold like wildfire the next week and months after that. That was 2012. That was a particular time, a particular book, a particular stroke of luck.
While it's great to sit around the kindleboards and chat about what works or doesn't work, the caveat should be like with mutual funds: "Past performance does not guarantee future results." Or even stricter: "One book in one place at one time's performance does not guarantee future results."
4. You Can't Keep Up with the Jones
Really. You can't even keep up with yourself, as points 1-2 show. But the truth is, we look at others as a gauge to our success. Sales ranking is comparative, so is author ranking, so are the NY Times and USA Today lists. We can't help but compare ourselves to other writers. That's human nature. However, if you can't even keep up with yourself, how the heck are you going to keep up with millions of other writers out there? You. Will. Drive. Yourself. Crazy.
Sadly, this 'driving yourself crazy' disease is rearing its ugly head among authors I know and care about. It's destroying their motivation to create art. It's making them question themselves about whether they're cut out for this or not. It's heaping loads of self-doubt over their head and sucking the joy out of their lives. Literally. To the point of not just quitting writing, but sinking into a crazy quilt of depression. And it's not just authors who haven't "made it." No, no, no. It's authors I greatly admire who outsell me by bazillions. Who write books I like to read and have fans who'll miss them. It's authors who have made a name for themselves. Why?
Because of points #1 and #2. You don't know and it doesn't last. Even if you hit the NY Times bestselling list. Even if you are one of the superstars of 2014, you are one book away from oblivion. Yes. That's true, IF you are comparing yourself to others. There's always going to be that book about space vampires steampunk BDSM billionaires that's going to surprise the world and blow up your carefully crafted series with the bazillion brothers, sisters, cousins, and the entire state of Virginia family saga for the #1 position. It came from nowhere! And you, my goodness, you slaved and slaved for twenty hours a day, you wrote your fingers to the bone, and you can barely open your eyes and drag yourself to your laptop one minute longer, and blammo. That book beat yours! You've lost the brass ring, the lucky charm, the golden crown. You're a HAS-BEEN!!! Ahhhh... kill me now!
5. Enjoy the Journey.
The best thing I learned is to set your own definition of success and enjoy the journey: writing, connecting, and making friends. I love to create new characters and tell stories. And I love meeting people whether in person or across the world over the internet. And yes, I write so I can be read. What writer doesn't want to be read? Everyone wants recognition or a pat on the back or even someone to scream, "I hated your characters. Kill them off." Who wants to yell into a vacuum? I mean, if a book is unread, does it mean it doesn't exist? So do what you have to get discovered. Write lots of books, hang out, socialize, and take feedback. Then let it go. You can only affect how well you can be discovered, not whether you'll be read.
Meanwhile, crave the company of your fellow travelers, relish in the delight of talking to readers, and most importantly, LOVE to write. That's how you got into this gig in the first place. Recapture that feeling of putting words on the page, and revel in the lives of your characters. After all, YOU are the artist. YOU can make a HAPPY ENDING. So go ahead, make those moments and savor the journey.
That collage I have up top? Those are my rewards. Those people and others are the gems I picked up along the way of self publishing, and I treasure every one of them. Yes, I have books, and I have sales, and I have moments of glory, and bestseller status, and income to pay taxes on, and awards, and fan clubs, and book signings and all the other perks of being a writer. But at the end of the day, it's the relationships that matter. Between you and yourself, you and your characters, you and your readers, and you and your friends and family. That is what I learned after four years of self-publishing.
How about you? Please add your comments of what you've learned and what's important to you.
Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling Asian American author of dramatic romantic suspense and humorous, sexy contemporary romances. Her heroines are feisty and her heroes hot. She writes emotionally challenging stories but believes in the power of love and hope.
Subscribe to her mailing list for upcoming books and giveaways: http://bit.ly/RachAyala and find her books at online retailers Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple iBookstore, and Smashwords.
Books by Rachelle Ayala
Sánchez Sisters
Jewells in Love
Sports Romances
Want to Contact Rachelle?
Mailing List: http://bit.ly/RachAyala
great post Clare, but... i never looked at sales in that fashion... if i sold a book i celebrated the fact that some poor sole bought and read the book and maybe i provided an escape where he/she found a few moments of enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteyes, i would love to be famous, but i write because i love it, and whether i sale a lot or not it really doesn't matter if the few who do read take pleasure in my stories.
author ranking? i've never even looked at it because if i did i'd probably despair.
as you so eloquently put it, it's the people i interact with that also brings joy and many times lasting friendships, which are worth more than gold and fame.
yep, you're right. we all have those grand moments, some come in private when you discover a cool plot twist, and others are with your friends and fellow writers when you share a brainstorm. but it's joy that matters the most and celebration in the journey. by the way, they're not a poor soul who bought your book and enjoyed it, they are richer for it!
Deletei actually consider him a blessing... he is English and lives in England, a very nice gentleman
DeleteAn awesome post, Rachelle. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've learned to focus on the fact that I love crafting stories. If I were to continue down comparison road, I'd be in a permanent state of depression.
Sharing this post, of course.
It's remembering your first love that's important, right? Thanks for sharing. :)
DeleteGreat insights--thanks for putting things in perspective!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I got caught up last night reading that kindleboards thread about chumps. :) If we're all chumps, let's be happy ones, right?
DeleteLoved your post Clare! So very true! I have felt all those feelings and know now that I write because it makes me feel good and that small group of people who read my books come back again and again saying, when is the next one coming out. Like everyone else, I'd love to make enough to quit my day job, but until I actually retire, writing will continue to be my part time job that helps me release the stress.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a thrill ride, isn't it? I'm also glad I have a group who read my books and like my characters, which is more than I had four years ago. Writing for them is what's special and getting their reaction is golden. Yep, it should be stress release, not stress inducing. Write on!
DeleteI've been guilty of the comparing myself to others and also the taking screenshots of that fleeting moment of success to have it last only a few days, and it's the kind of thing that can drive a person crazy. I write because I have stories in my head that demand to be told. If people want to read them, even better. But it's important to enjoy the journey- and the people we meet along the way.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, I'm sure I wore out my friends' facebook feed with those screenshots. It's like your baby's walking. :) and I'm glad my friends put up with it, but as long as you have happy readers and you're doing what you like, and stories that have to be told, you're doing great. So glad you're one of my writing buddies.
DeleteI like your last point, enjoy the journey. When I plan a new novel, I think to myself 'Will this be marketable?' As you say, who knows. If you don't know anyway, might as well be writing what you like.
ReplyDeleteExactly! We are told by those in know, to write what the public wants. But who, exactly is that public? And where are they going to find you? So write what you enjoy writing and who knows? You may be the start of the next hot trend? Or maybe not. But at least you had fun along the way.
DeleteThank you, Rachelle! And yes, for me it's the journey and "the company of my travelers." We're a special bunch!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. That's the best part and what you'll remember long after the sales numbers are dimmed. :)
DeleteMeeting you and several others has been one of my greatest treasures as well. :-D
ReplyDeleteSame here, Charity. You are way out of my league in terms of awards and popularity, but you still answered my questions and hung out with me. That's what's so special about the relationships. Thanks!
DeleteIn the end, it's the relationships that mattter. That's just the way it is!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kennedy. It really is. We have what 8 billion people on the planet and I figure the few thousand that come in contact with me must be special, at least to me.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading about your experiences, Clare and totally love that you included me among your many friends. You know, I couldn't have said this better myself. I just found that I kept nodding my head in agreement as I continued to read your words. But I do have one question - When will you be releasing the new book about the space vampires steampunk zombies BDSM billionaire stepbrother romance mashup? Cause that's one - I just have to read LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Writing,like life is all about the about the journey and the love and joy you discover along the way. I have felt every word of your post. Thank you for sharing. Lol it is great to know I am not alone. Hugs and have a great day.
ReplyDeleteWow, Rachelle! Were you listening to me cry to my hubby this morning??? Seriously! You tore the words right out of my mouth.
ReplyDeleteIt is beyond frustrating, and I'm one of the authors who does well. But then I have a day like Saturday...after an eReaderNews Today promo, which we all know is one of the tops, and I sold NOTHING! Not one blasted book after selling hundreds the day before. I was fit to be tied. The book's still on sale...there are still hundreds of thousands of my readers who've read my other books who haven't read this book. Why?
As you said, we can ask why until we're blue in the face or hubby just doesn't want to hear it anymore.
After your post, I'm reminded... Pull up my big-girl pants, get off the Internet, and get back on the horse. The only way to sell more books is to write a better book and write more of them. Now...let's hope I can take your thoughts--and my own advice, which I've blogged about a hundred times--and get back behind the keyboard, as hard as that is with my broken wing right now. It's all I have to get over a bad day. Do what I love to do best: WRITE!
Loved this post! Thanks for putting things in perspective and letting others know that we have friends and peers who truly understand our journey. Just that fact alone makes indie publishing so much easier to navigate. And by the way, you are one of my treasures, too! xx
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree, Clare. Writing can be an enjoyable but somewhat lonely profession. I have enjoyed talking to readers and making friends with fellow authors.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to keep things in perspective. The brass ring is what each of us decides it is.
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS post! Thank you for the perspective and for the rational voice. This is a tough business to begin with, and often writers become their own worst enemy. This post is a terrific reminder to stay reasonable and rational because some things are just out of your control. The only thing you CAN control is to keep writing better stories.
ReplyDeleteI posted on Triberr also, but really love this post, Rachelle. Definitely important to embrace truth, and yes, we are in the entertainment business just like musicians, dancers, actors, and any other artists. So many lessons, I'd have to write a post of my own. In fact, this would make a fantastic meme :-) Two lessons are worth mentioning here, and those are : enjoy the journey and be true to your craft. Like Terri said, that's something you CAN control.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think you hit every one of my questions in the publishing world. It's nice to know I'm not alone in these thoughts ;)
ReplyDelete