Put it out as e book and get us fans all to promote viaboir own socials. There's so many of us who read it and loved it, I'm astonished ypunonly did 100 copies. Deserves much much wider read. (All those academic masculinities studies people for starter).
It’s always a good idea to publish in every format – it doesn’t mean you lose your own preference for Print, just that you also let the reader decide how they want to partake. Financially and logistically digital delivery makes e-books and even audiobooks sooooo much easier. (And almost everyone loses money on the first book. You are actually doing super well). Onwards! ✍️
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).
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.
hahaha it was cabinets! so we had to tear those out first…pain in the ass but worth it. substack actually didn’t cover that, just the unit!!!
but yeah i gave away quite a few books to. i have to check out lamb because from what ive heard about it there is quite a bit of thematic crossover with my novel!
I enjoyed this book so much. Almost 100 copies sold is good but hopefully more get sold through these other channels folks are suggesting. Thanks for being so transparent about your self-publishing experience.
vhs tapes sounds cool. Maybe query that one :) And also, just so you know, I lost so much money with my book and I went the KDP route. I lost so much that it haunts me.
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
Thanks for sharing your experience, Clancy. Reaching 100 genuine readers is a huge accomplishment, and the way you went about it is super inspiring to me. Best of luck on the new projects you have going - not hitting it big in the first go around is standard for most creative folks, so I hope you keep at it! You got this!
I really did like the personal message in the book you sent me. However, I’ve found Lulu to be good for avoiding Amazon — and you can still allow sales on Amazon later if you choose. They ship directly to people in most countries and you can publish ebooks as well.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Sometimes the math and metrics behind all this feel very opaque so it's helpful to see the reality for other writers. Even if it wasn't as profitable as you hoped, it's a huge accomplishment to have put your book out in the world and to have sold so many copies! Congrats!
thanks for reading caroline! yeah i’ve heard that the nearly 100 ive sold is actually good for self published. and considering i didnt have it in traditional review/purchase channels, it’s doubly impressive. like, imagine what I could do otherwise.
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.
Thank you. I'm sure you'll be fine when you try those other channels. I don't personally have the budget for paperbacks but I'll buy an ebook. There are many who only read ebooks. Whole new market. I wish you luck with your future work 👍
Getting a novel out the door is a monumental effort. Kudos to you for making it happen!
thank you jay. you see to have a great publishing acumen i admire
Put it out as e book and get us fans all to promote viaboir own socials. There's so many of us who read it and loved it, I'm astonished ypunonly did 100 copies. Deserves much much wider read. (All those academic masculinities studies people for starter).
I think I might have to go the e-book route.
Reedsy free for formatting and then Bookfunnel for selling can be a way. I'm currently digging in to low cost ways of getting stuff out.
It’s always a good idea to publish in every format – it doesn’t mean you lose your own preference for Print, just that you also let the reader decide how they want to partake. Financially and logistically digital delivery makes e-books and even audiobooks sooooo much easier. (And almost everyone loses money on the first book. You are actually doing super well). Onwards! ✍️
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.
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
But what was in the dishwasher hole before there was a dishwasher, Clancy???
If it makes you feel any better, I outspent earnings (Substack and Lamb) 3 to 1, and gave away more books than I sold by almost the same margin...
hahaha it was cabinets! so we had to tear those out first…pain in the ass but worth it. substack actually didn’t cover that, just the unit!!!
but yeah i gave away quite a few books to. i have to check out lamb because from what ive heard about it there is quite a bit of thematic crossover with my novel!
ah, cabinets... in my imagination it was either a basket of dalmatians or a dinosaur
yes, i think there is a fair bit of coming-of-age crossover🐣
There absolutely is!! Read Lamb soonest
I’m glad you took the gamble on yourself to publish Big T. Really enjoyed it. And thanks for posting about your self publishing adventure.
thanks for reading matt. i feel like you’re one of the Substackers of the type i’d consider my core audience. glad I got it to you somehow.
Whether it’s in print or e-book, I’m ready for what comes next
thank you Matt. stay subscribed and you’ll be one of the first to know
I enjoyed this book so much. Almost 100 copies sold is good but hopefully more get sold through these other channels folks are suggesting. Thanks for being so transparent about your self-publishing experience.
thanks Deanna, I' am so glad you liked it!!! yeah, i think e-book eventually.
vhs tapes sounds cool. Maybe query that one :) And also, just so you know, I lost so much money with my book and I went the KDP route. I lost so much that it haunts me.
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!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Clancy. Reaching 100 genuine readers is a huge accomplishment, and the way you went about it is super inspiring to me. Best of luck on the new projects you have going - not hitting it big in the first go around is standard for most creative folks, so I hope you keep at it! You got this!
thanks Tedd-you are right. 100 readers is no small accomplishment for self publish. thank you, and I will continue on as best I can!
I really did like the personal message in the book you sent me. However, I’ve found Lulu to be good for avoiding Amazon — and you can still allow sales on Amazon later if you choose. They ship directly to people in most countries and you can publish ebooks as well.
I’ll check it out Kate! glad you liked the personal message
Bold essay sir, bold essay. Hats off to ya.
We care, we care! Deeply appreciate the transparency -- not everyone is this willing to share.
thanks Nick. i have no reason not to be honest. glad it’s been so appreciated.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Sometimes the math and metrics behind all this feel very opaque so it's helpful to see the reality for other writers. Even if it wasn't as profitable as you hoped, it's a huge accomplishment to have put your book out in the world and to have sold so many copies! Congrats!
thanks for reading caroline! yeah i’ve heard that the nearly 100 ive sold is actually good for self published. and considering i didnt have it in traditional review/purchase channels, it’s doubly impressive. like, imagine what I could do otherwise.
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.
thanks Hanna. it was way tougher than I thought. i admire so much how you pour yourself into it and do so well.
Thank you. I'm sure you'll be fine when you try those other channels. I don't personally have the budget for paperbacks but I'll buy an ebook. There are many who only read ebooks. Whole new market. I wish you luck with your future work 👍