***
#1 – Write the darn book. And make it your best work.
We will start with this suggestion because if you
don’t learn anything from the subsequent points, this one will ensure you some
measure of success.
don’t learn anything from the subsequent points, this one will ensure you some
measure of success.
An author has to have confidence in his/her work in
order to market it to others in the same way that you’d have to feel good about
any product you’re sticking your neck out to sell. And that’s what Indie Publishing is all
about. It’s you and the book against millions of others in the same exact
position. When you have that kind of competition, you better know that your product is as good, if
not better than anyone else’s in your particular genre.
order to market it to others in the same way that you’d have to feel good about
any product you’re sticking your neck out to sell. And that’s what Indie Publishing is all
about. It’s you and the book against millions of others in the same exact
position. When you have that kind of competition, you better know that your product is as good, if
not better than anyone else’s in your particular genre.
Now you might think I’m talking about the big names
like Nora Roberts or James Patterson, but I’m not…not really. Even though they
sell their books on Amazon the same way the Indie authors do, they’re in a
different class. They charge a lot more for their work, have a huge following that
are faithful, and don’t worry too much about us undiscovered.
like Nora Roberts or James Patterson, but I’m not…not really. Even though they
sell their books on Amazon the same way the Indie authors do, they’re in a
different class. They charge a lot more for their work, have a huge following that
are faithful, and don’t worry too much about us undiscovered.
It’s you against others like you who are willing to
charge small prices in order to get their work out to as many people as
possible. And many have found by past experience lower prices are one of the
best ways to do so. When Amazon first releases your book, it’s shown as a new
release and this is the first place for your book to catch the reader’s
interest. This is where point #5 comes into play. Get the best damn cover on
your work as possible. (More about that down the road!)
charge small prices in order to get their work out to as many people as
possible. And many have found by past experience lower prices are one of the
best ways to do so. When Amazon first releases your book, it’s shown as a new
release and this is the first place for your book to catch the reader’s
interest. This is where point #5 comes into play. Get the best damn cover on
your work as possible. (More about that down the road!)
Many authors have done statistics on what genre is
selling best and that’s the type of book they’ve choose to write. Not saying
it’s the way to go, but if you don’t have a specific story in mind, it’s a good
idea. Why not hedge your bets?
selling best and that’s the type of book they’ve choose to write. Not saying
it’s the way to go, but if you don’t have a specific story in mind, it’s a good
idea. Why not hedge your bets?
I didn’t. I wrote the stories of my heart and I’ve
had to really push them to make any kind of headway whatsoever. In fact I wrote
five for the Vicarage Bench series and three for the Angel series, and after
banging my head against the wall of— nnah? nnah? (Disinterest in the majority
of readers) I finally broke down and wrote the books I knew would be more
successful.
had to really push them to make any kind of headway whatsoever. In fact I wrote
five for the Vicarage Bench series and three for the Angel series, and after
banging my head against the wall of— nnah? nnah? (Disinterest in the majority
of readers) I finally broke down and wrote the books I knew would be more
successful.

Vegas series – Partners
and Roll
the Dice have met my expectations and are slowly garnering a small level of
success. I have great hope that with the release of High Stakes Gamble in the
New Year, that this will help the series to yet more prosperity. (Fingers held in prayer-like position…)
Of
course with Amazon’s small contribution ahem!J
Note:
November 20 & 21st I will be enjoying the visit of a lovely
author, Anna Markland, but will start back into this series “Write the Darn
Book” on November 22nd with Part #4.
November 20 & 21st I will be enjoying the visit of a lovely
author, Anna Markland, but will start back into this series “Write the Darn
Book” on November 22nd with Part #4.
***
A friend of mine emailed me today to tell me about a debate he heard on PBS where an arty anti-censorship advocate made the comment that real artists don't take the audience into account. To quote him: "I damn near fell out of my chair. I thought Shakespeare. End of argument." LOL!
Angela,
LOL – I like your friend!