Broken Keys Publishing's Blog, page 11

Samhain Halloween Psychic & Craft Fair

The 2018 Samhain Halloween Psychic & Craft FairSunday, October 21st4pm - 8:30pmBronson Centre211 Bronson Ave.Watch Dorathy Wasilewski on Daytime Ottawa TV with host Dylan Black talk more about this upcoming event!!

Sales and Profits

For any of you who follow me, have sat and had a conversation with me at various meets-and-greets, or have listened to me on the radio, will know that I absolutely embrace and advocate connecting with that inner child of creativity that resides within each and every one of us.This is about the love and art of storytelling and writing. However, as an indie-author, there is most definitely a business aspect that absolutely must be considered. Whether one falls victim to overpaying through various crooked printers, false publishing companies or print-brokers posing as publishers, navigating the world of the indie-author has its potential pitfalls. With a little bit of confidence, some practice and time, I do not believe it is difficult to sell your books...but it isn't about selling your books. It's about turning a profit. You must be cautious of the venues that yield sales but not profits. Large venues, big-box stores and high traffic events will definitely drive up sales. But are their expenses and commissions too dear? Outside of the cost of printing, will certain purchases and expenses see a return? Is that $250.00 roller banner worth its money? Will that $3,500.00 editor fee make your book unsellable? Does your Facebook booster-cost yield direct sales? Will that $100 roll of stickers sell more books? Selling $400.00 of books at Chapters/Indigo/Coles is the exact same as selling $220.00 at the Byward Authors' Market. This is not to say one is better than the other, just the profit margins are structured differently. A certain venue or event which increases your sales by tenfold will also have attached a significantly higher cost, likely more than tenfold. Yes, some events - even if at a monetary loss - are worth their exposure. But bare in mind, some larger conventions are littered with 'sign pollution', effectively rendering their 'exposure-value' useless. If everything is loud and stands out, then nothing is loud and stands out.Cost, sales and inventory needs to be recorded and tracked, preferably on a regular basis. (And I am happy to say that my sales have been increasing year over year).Some venues work, some don't. Trial and error is necessary. Tweek things as you go.I track my ebook sales vs print editions (admittedly focusing more upon print). I look at growth from year to year, and if it isn't there, ask the tough questions as to why?My biggest challenge? Juggling 5 published books (with a new novel out early next year, followed by a new series) means I am constantly topping up my inventory. Some days it feels like whenever I'm up, one title or another needed more copies printed.The point of this post isn't how well I am or am not doing. I have deliberately blotted out concrete numbers for neither is this meant to be competitive or comparative. This isn't about how I'm doing vs another local indie-author. (I firmly believe if any one of us succeeds, we all succeed!)The point is simply to be aware. Make good choices. Make smart decisions.

Oh, the People You'll Meet!

Laura Dudas,councillor candidate for Innes WardBook Fairy, OttawaGipsy GhoshCodi Jeffreysof Jewel 98.5 fmFlorence Cajuste (model)Codi Jeffreys & Nida Drake - Breakfast with the Girls onJewel 98.5 fmTrish Katt & Qazi Shoukat (both models & beauty pageant contestants)Dylan Blackof Boom 99.7 fmTicof CKCU 93.1 fmCatherine Marionof Daytime Ottawa TVThe elusive Ottawa Book Fairy(their fairy dust messes up camera lenses!)Fellow local indie-authorsBrigitte Lord and Robert SmithKeith RogersCommunity Builderof East Coast LimosJeff Larocque of Farm Radio andCKCU 93.1 fmMayor of OttawaJim WatsonGipsy GhoshCommunity BuilderLaura DudasCouncillor Candidate, Innes WardDanielle AllardCommunity Builder,Singer/SongwriterSarah ScriverSinger/SongwriterMichael Lifshitz, ComedianDanielle Allards, Singer/SongwriterCrystalena, MusicianAlan HubleyCouncillorTonya PriceCKCU 93.1 fmMarianne WilkinsonCouncillor....will you be next?

Indigo Innes

Happily surprised yesterday at the new Indigo Innes (Orleans) book signing!Good sales, great staff, great people, fantastic conversations!Laura Dudas, councillor candidate for Innes Ward, dropped by to show her support for local literary talents!As well as community builder Gipsy Ghosh!And best of all, this time I'm SURE I've captured a Book Fairy on camera!!Wait! What? #$@&%*! fairy dust!

Indigo Innes (Orleans)

Local horror author, dark poet and 2018 Faces of Ottawa Award finalist for Best Male Author, Michel Weatherall will be reaching out into the East end of Ottawa!Indigo Innes (2025 Mer-Bleu Road) on September 29th!Available will be his Lovecraftian-horror series in its entirety!The SymbiotThe Hunt: SymbiosysNecropolisThe Refuse Chroniclesas well as his collection of dark poetry: A Dark Corner of My Soul (Pick up this edition for FREE when you purchase the entire Symbiot-Series of 4 novels!)

CAN-CON Cancellation

In light of a recent cancer diagnosis within my immediate family, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I will be cancelling my participation in the CAN-CON Conference on Canadian Content in Speculative Literature 2018. It is my intention to participate next year.However, you can still catch me on the following dates and events!September 15th,Coles, Billings Bridge PlazaSeptember 29th,Indigo, Innes (Orleans)October 21st,Samhain Psychic & Craft FairDecember 1st,Yule Psychic & Craft Fair

Coles, Bayshore Restocked!

Coles, Bayshoreis now restocked with copies of The Symbiot!Copies of The Symbiot and A Dark Corner of My Soul are available!Titles are also readily available atColes, Billings Bridge2269 Riverside Dr.Perfect Books 258 Elgin StreetKobold's Corner430 Hazeldean RoadSinging Peebles Books206 Main StreetComing Soon to Indigo Orleans!

Value Village, Stittsville

As promised, limited quantities of original beta-copies of both The Symbiot and its sequel, The Hunt: Symbiosys, are now availalbe at Value Village, 5487 Hazeldean Rd Unit 1, StittsvilleIn the Kanata, Stittsville, Stittsata area? Interintested in getting into the comsic-horror Symbiot-Series are a reduced low price?Here's your chance!

Coles, Bayshore Nearly Sold Out!

Coles, Bayshore is down to their last single copy of The Symbiot!I'll be making another trip to replenish their supply!Looks like it's a popular location! Drop by!Copies of The Symbiot and A Dark Corner of My Soul are available!Titles are also readily available atColes, Billings Bridge2269 Riverside Dr.Perfect Books 258 Elgin StreetKobold's Corner430 Hazeldean RoadSinging Peebles Books206 Main StreetComing Soon to Indigo Orleans!

Coles - Billings Bridge

Saturday, September 15th12pm - 3pm