David Callinan's Blog - Posts Tagged "self-publishing"
I just made my first million self publishing
Yes, it's happened at last!
I really can't believe it.
Sales of my thrillers ' 'The Immortality Plot'; 'An Angel On My Shoulder'; 'Knife Edge' and 'Bodyswitch' PLUS my YA fantasy 'The Kingdoms Of Time And Space' IN ADDITION TO my superfast selling children's book 'The Weather Kids And The Rainbow Superhighway' have generated just short of a million bucks, pounds and euros.
And not all from Amazon Kindle, Nook or smart phones.
No, I came upon a number of other avenues in addition to these mainstream outlets that have been almost as lucrative.
Promotion and social networking has been an important factor as has, much more importantly, writing the best books I could - books that have been turned down by majors and agents.
It just goes to prove - nobody knows anything.
Now, I look at my bank account offshore and permit a small smile of satisfaction to land on my face.
What's more, and this is really ironic, as soon as news permeated through the fissures of the publishing world, publishers and agents have been calling me. So, now comes the big one. Do I stay as an indie or take the deal (when it eventually arrives)?
Oh, well, one can dream. What was that about April fools? Hey, I'm quite a few days too late. Damn! could mean I might not sell any more books.The Immortality PlotAn Angel On My ShoulderBodyswitchKnife EdgeThe Weather Kids And The Rainbow Superhighway
I really can't believe it.
Sales of my thrillers ' 'The Immortality Plot'; 'An Angel On My Shoulder'; 'Knife Edge' and 'Bodyswitch' PLUS my YA fantasy 'The Kingdoms Of Time And Space' IN ADDITION TO my superfast selling children's book 'The Weather Kids And The Rainbow Superhighway' have generated just short of a million bucks, pounds and euros.
And not all from Amazon Kindle, Nook or smart phones.
No, I came upon a number of other avenues in addition to these mainstream outlets that have been almost as lucrative.
Promotion and social networking has been an important factor as has, much more importantly, writing the best books I could - books that have been turned down by majors and agents.
It just goes to prove - nobody knows anything.
Now, I look at my bank account offshore and permit a small smile of satisfaction to land on my face.
What's more, and this is really ironic, as soon as news permeated through the fissures of the publishing world, publishers and agents have been calling me. So, now comes the big one. Do I stay as an indie or take the deal (when it eventually arrives)?
Oh, well, one can dream. What was that about April fools? Hey, I'm quite a few days too late. Damn! could mean I might not sell any more books.The Immortality PlotAn Angel On My ShoulderBodyswitchKnife EdgeThe Weather Kids And The Rainbow Superhighway
All things must change
I've decided it's time to make some changes.
Firstly, my fingers are crossed that agents will respond well to my pitch for a new thriller, with a new character. Title is 'Or Else She Dies'. The lead character is Harry Chance, a safecracker, jewel thief and former cage fighter but with a heart of gold. He likes to rob rich people and help the downtrodden (after he's helped himself to a few trinkets) and he has a few emotional issues.
I won't be self-publishing this title at this point.
Because I was heavily involved in a property project this last year my marketing of self-published titles took a dive along with sales.
And publishers look at low or no sales when you pitch a new book and get all sniffy. If you have a poor track record (irrespective of the quality of your books) then they are inclined to dismiss your new pitch out of hand.
Short sighted and unfair but in the dog eat dog world that is publishing today maybe it's understandable.
It's an uphill battle to find ways to become visible to buyers and readers with the overwhelming number of titles to choose from and the regular changes made by Amazon to its algorithms.
So, it is time to breathe new life into my self-published titles: new book titles, new covers, restructured website etc.
Then it will be time to pay much more attention to launching books properly, maybe even advertising.
So the longest journey begins with one small step.
Firstly, my fingers are crossed that agents will respond well to my pitch for a new thriller, with a new character. Title is 'Or Else She Dies'. The lead character is Harry Chance, a safecracker, jewel thief and former cage fighter but with a heart of gold. He likes to rob rich people and help the downtrodden (after he's helped himself to a few trinkets) and he has a few emotional issues.
I won't be self-publishing this title at this point.
Because I was heavily involved in a property project this last year my marketing of self-published titles took a dive along with sales.
And publishers look at low or no sales when you pitch a new book and get all sniffy. If you have a poor track record (irrespective of the quality of your books) then they are inclined to dismiss your new pitch out of hand.
Short sighted and unfair but in the dog eat dog world that is publishing today maybe it's understandable.
It's an uphill battle to find ways to become visible to buyers and readers with the overwhelming number of titles to choose from and the regular changes made by Amazon to its algorithms.
So, it is time to breathe new life into my self-published titles: new book titles, new covers, restructured website etc.
Then it will be time to pay much more attention to launching books properly, maybe even advertising.
So the longest journey begins with one small step.
