When I wrote my first novel Friends In Low Place, I did a ton of research but was blindsided by the nuances. I knew to own my ISBN so I could use Ingram Spark and KDP. But what I didn't realize was that pre-order buzz does not work as well on IS, because you get book orders from stores that then can end up as returns. I got killed on returns to IS, basically negating much of my royalties. I learned about niche markets which really pushed sales. But on my second novel Lose Yourself, I saw how I missed an opportunity not knowing my audience thoroughly. Still trying to make it work.
The key is to be patient, be true to your goals and mission, make the best product possible, then be proud of it, then try everything you can to sell it. But, if things don't work out, learn from it and keep moving forward.
I self-published through a company specializing in such. I’ve been writing for years but was hopeless at getting my work out there, so I chose a comprehensive package. It was pretty expensive as I am retired from my former professions. I would do it again, but use less of the company’s services and shop around for editing. The most challenging part is finding ways to get exposure and market my specialized novel. If I discover the magic bullet, I’ll write about it.
Great suggestions here! And... don't forget you can release a book 3x and get paid: release via subscription by episode, launch on kickstarter, then sell directly as a finished book on retailers your own website!
The "publishing" in self-publishing is the easy part. Mrs. Casual (author) and I (illustrator) have put out four children's books on KDP and IngramSparks (with a fifth one ready to go), and we also have a local printer providing copies to sell at arts/craft fairs and holiday markets in the area. I did an extensive amount of research before jumping in head first (To be fair, I do an extensive amount of research before going to the store for a jar of mustard--I can wholeheartedly recommend the Horseradish Dijon--that's just how my brain seems to be wired). It's a fairly straightforward process, once you get the hang of it. Now SELLING on the other hand, that's a monkey of a different color; particularly if you don't have an extensive marketing/advertising budget or an established mailing-list. Since our advertising budget is approximately $0--up or down a dime--and our mailing list consists of Mrs. Casual's parents and my Aunt Hattie, who's doing ten years in federal prison in Alabama (I really don't know what the big deal is. It was only ONE bank; and a small one at that!), you can imagine how things are going.
In answer to A E Costello's post above: We can place our self-published books in libraries. I did it with my debut offering, Book One (GOLD!) in the Kincaid Saga. If you publish it through Draft2Digital with a different ISBN (I assume, from the tone of the post, that she/he allowed Amazon to "give" them a free ISBN)
D2D will distribute it to outlets that supply to libraries.Then you just put in a request at your local library that they purchase and stock the book. GOLD! is now available in all public libraries across South Australia.
I learned about self-publishing / Indie Author option at a writers conference pre-pandemic. I've read a number of articles since and talked to authors with both good and bad experiences with this publishing model. My big takeaway is that Indie Publishing is for people who wish to be entrepreneurs and run a business. If your goal is to run a writing business, then Indie Publishing may be a great option for you. If your focus is on writing and you don't want the hundreds of decisions that go with being a business owner, then another publishing route may make more sense. While I haven't ruled out becoming an Indie Author for my first novel, it's not my preferred option as owning a business and making a living at my writing aren't my goals. I'm looking for a small traditional publisher or even a hybrid publisher as I'd like the guidance and experience from industry professionals for these routes.
When I wrote my first novel Friends In Low Place, I did a ton of research but was blindsided by the nuances. I knew to own my ISBN so I could use Ingram Spark and KDP. But what I didn't realize was that pre-order buzz does not work as well on IS, because you get book orders from stores that then can end up as returns. I got killed on returns to IS, basically negating much of my royalties. I learned about niche markets which really pushed sales. But on my second novel Lose Yourself, I saw how I missed an opportunity not knowing my audience thoroughly. Still trying to make it work.
The key is to be patient, be true to your goals and mission, make the best product possible, then be proud of it, then try everything you can to sell it. But, if things don't work out, learn from it and keep moving forward.
I think this is the most important part: But, if things don't work out, learn from it and keep moving forward. Thanks for sharing!
I self-published through a company specializing in such. I’ve been writing for years but was hopeless at getting my work out there, so I chose a comprehensive package. It was pretty expensive as I am retired from my former professions. I would do it again, but use less of the company’s services and shop around for editing. The most challenging part is finding ways to get exposure and market my specialized novel. If I discover the magic bullet, I’ll write about it.
Fingers crossed you find the magic bullet and come back to share!
Great suggestions here! And... don't forget you can release a book 3x and get paid: release via subscription by episode, launch on kickstarter, then sell directly as a finished book on retailers your own website!
Such good ideas!
Great advice here! Thanks for sharing!
The "publishing" in self-publishing is the easy part. Mrs. Casual (author) and I (illustrator) have put out four children's books on KDP and IngramSparks (with a fifth one ready to go), and we also have a local printer providing copies to sell at arts/craft fairs and holiday markets in the area. I did an extensive amount of research before jumping in head first (To be fair, I do an extensive amount of research before going to the store for a jar of mustard--I can wholeheartedly recommend the Horseradish Dijon--that's just how my brain seems to be wired). It's a fairly straightforward process, once you get the hang of it. Now SELLING on the other hand, that's a monkey of a different color; particularly if you don't have an extensive marketing/advertising budget or an established mailing-list. Since our advertising budget is approximately $0--up or down a dime--and our mailing list consists of Mrs. Casual's parents and my Aunt Hattie, who's doing ten years in federal prison in Alabama (I really don't know what the big deal is. It was only ONE bank; and a small one at that!), you can imagine how things are going.
Hopefully Aunt Hattie can at least spread the word 🤪 thanks for sharing!
In answer to A E Costello's post above: We can place our self-published books in libraries. I did it with my debut offering, Book One (GOLD!) in the Kincaid Saga. If you publish it through Draft2Digital with a different ISBN (I assume, from the tone of the post, that she/he allowed Amazon to "give" them a free ISBN)
D2D will distribute it to outlets that supply to libraries.Then you just put in a request at your local library that they purchase and stock the book. GOLD! is now available in all public libraries across South Australia.
Helpful, Kristen. One question: Do you need a literary agent if you go with an indie publisher? It appears not. (?)
These are authors who chose to publish independently. So no publisher. They are their own publisher. So you do not need an agent, just yourself.
Got it. Thanks. I thought there were indie presses who publish your book (not self-publishing), but wasn’t sure if they required an agent or not.
I learned about self-publishing / Indie Author option at a writers conference pre-pandemic. I've read a number of articles since and talked to authors with both good and bad experiences with this publishing model. My big takeaway is that Indie Publishing is for people who wish to be entrepreneurs and run a business. If your goal is to run a writing business, then Indie Publishing may be a great option for you. If your focus is on writing and you don't want the hundreds of decisions that go with being a business owner, then another publishing route may make more sense. While I haven't ruled out becoming an Indie Author for my first novel, it's not my preferred option as owning a business and making a living at my writing aren't my goals. I'm looking for a small traditional publisher or even a hybrid publisher as I'd like the guidance and experience from industry professionals for these routes.
Great idea! I’ll try to find some hybrid publishers to interview. Stay tuned!