Great post and good information for others. I looked at my first self-published novel as a test case and followed a process, with a few parameters, to gather data. It's working, in terms of great data, but it will be a few more months before I know much.
I appreciate your honesty of the experience with getting your novel out there. I can say with some envy that you are more successful than I am. Because I only self published my debut novel through Barnes & Noble Press only as an e-book and without any advertising, social media promotion, or any establish following of readers. So, I am not shocked to see that I only 3 copies sold over the almost two years that book has been available. I would take a finacial hit to know that 100 or more of my books were sold to readers. But I can empathize with wanting to make a writing career lucrative and more than just exposure of your material. Even artists have rent to pay and food to buy. I look forward to your next book and maybe we can trade notes someday.
thanks SK. i’m very fortunate. i wanted to turn whatever this little substack thing i have going is into a physical book, and I did. i’m very proud. but it’s not for everyone…it just did not work money wise. if you keep doing what you’re doing here on substack, i am sure you can do the same…just try and spend less money hahaha
exactly! def worth it. but disappointing I can’t do it again as a reliable vehicle for getting my novels out there. i’m not made of money hahaha. thanks for reading as always jack
I read all of that, and I care. I don’t know how anyone gets read with so many authors out there. 100 seems impressive to me. You did create the impulse for me to buy your book in circa 2 months of being a Substack user (at least 1 month of which was with me being in a very bad mood post surgery).
It's a tough gig, but you did really well. It's a long road, and I honestly think you need psychotic levels of tenacity to stick it out in self-publishing.
Great post and good information for others. I looked at my first self-published novel as a test case and followed a process, with a few parameters, to gather data. It's working, in terms of great data, but it will be a few more months before I know much.
thanks for reading julie. it’s all an experiment
I appreciate your honesty of the experience with getting your novel out there. I can say with some envy that you are more successful than I am. Because I only self published my debut novel through Barnes & Noble Press only as an e-book and without any advertising, social media promotion, or any establish following of readers. So, I am not shocked to see that I only 3 copies sold over the almost two years that book has been available. I would take a finacial hit to know that 100 or more of my books were sold to readers. But I can empathize with wanting to make a writing career lucrative and more than just exposure of your material. Even artists have rent to pay and food to buy. I look forward to your next book and maybe we can trade notes someday.
thanks SK. i’m very fortunate. i wanted to turn whatever this little substack thing i have going is into a physical book, and I did. i’m very proud. but it’s not for everyone…it just did not work money wise. if you keep doing what you’re doing here on substack, i am sure you can do the same…just try and spend less money hahaha
I hope you feel it was worth it. And many of us have your book on our bookshelves now! In the long term, it's better to have a strong readership.
exactly! def worth it. but disappointing I can’t do it again as a reliable vehicle for getting my novels out there. i’m not made of money hahaha. thanks for reading as always jack
You can be sure I will be asking you many questions about the process if (when!) I finish my novel
i’ll be there to answer them!
I read all of that, and I care. I don’t know how anyone gets read with so many authors out there. 100 seems impressive to me. You did create the impulse for me to buy your book in circa 2 months of being a Substack user (at least 1 month of which was with me being in a very bad mood post surgery).
that’s good to know! i think i did a good job marketing, or at least others did for me, which is incredible.
Getting a novel out the door is a monumental effort. Kudos to you for making it happen!
It's a tough gig, but you did really well. It's a long road, and I honestly think you need psychotic levels of tenacity to stick it out in self-publishing.