Book Promotion, Mainstream Fiction, and Being an Introvert

I think most know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result.

I feel that way about my publishing sometimes. I create a book, I edit and try to make it the best it can be, I make a cover, I put it together, and I release it to the world, telling only my own fans about it (for the most part). And somehow, I expect that I will sell more copies than the book I released before it. And though I seek different variations of this and wonder what else I can do to sell more books, I never reach very far because I either don’t know what to do/don’t feel comfortable doing it.

I’m a major introvert. I have a lot of trouble with anxiety, I think too much, and I’m also prone to mild manic/depressive episodes where I get super hyped for something and then I suddenly can’t bring myself to do the thing. It’s difficult for someone like me to promote herself. I’ve gotten a bit better with the social anxiety, and while it might be nice to operate locally with a book signing or something, I have other reasons for not doing that. So I stay in one spot. I latch onto what I can manage, and I tend to stick with it because reaching for other things makes me uncomfortable.

I’ve always thought there are two different kinds of writers: there is the kind that likes to get out among the people and connect with them, and there is the kind that likes to sit in a corner and hopes they get paid for what they write, but they don’t really want people to notice them.

I’m the second type. And I have to wonder: why would people notice me when I don’t want to be noticed?

Not long ago, I feel that I started going down the wrong road — for me personally. I started thinking too much about my writing in terms of what’s popular, and thinking I ought to alter what I do in order to appeal to more readers. The truth is, I’ve never wanted to be popular among the masses. I mean, doing what you love is important, but it’s also important to make money so that you can keep doing it, but I’ve never wanted to push my books off on someone who I didn’t think would enjoy them. If a reader is drawn to my book and they read and happen to like it, then YAY! Read more!! But I’m not the kind of person who wants to stand on the corner and try to make a sale to everyone who walks by.

So, the moral is that I really just need to get right with myself. I think my true fans will notice, and I will definitely notice it myself.

For my last few published books this year, I’ve tried to push myself a bit further each time. I’ve tried to market and get the word out in various forms, but I never reach very far. I’m going to do better.

I’m also reexamining my mission statement (I actually do have one): In an ocean of so many popular books that are read and forgotten, I strive to write books that stay with a reader long afterward. Those that are different. Those that encourage you to think. Those that you’ll never forget. I like to think that all of my books have a touch of something that makes them memorable, and I can’t throw that away.

In addition to The Hallowed being released in November (which I will likely mention continually until it happens) I’m pleased to say that I’m still on track with the other things I plan to do this year. 2018 is still in the future and is blacked out as far as I’m concerned. It doesn’t even exist yet, but I want to work on what I currently have going on and I think the results will be great.

For the books I’ve released this year, I’ve been starting them all on KDP, at least for the first 3 months. People seem to be reading them, but Amazon/Kindle is very unclear about how much I’m making from those reads. It’s very odd. I’ve been trying to figure out how all of that works but really, it’s sketchy at best. Of those books, I still have not moved them on to other sales channels because I haven’t decided if I should, or if I should just out them back into KDP. Has anyone else had any luck understanding all this?

In addition, I’ve reduced prices on most of my print books! I’ve realized that in my own book shopping, I have a price point I like to hit, and I always look at the number of pages I’m getting for the price. I don’t want to buy a small book for an outrageous price, so I’ve examined my own books and reduced the prices (to test). Prices now range from 5.99 to the usual 14.99. Many of my full length novels are now 10.99. I think that works better for a paperback. I know I’d be more willing to pay that price for a book.

Also, I’m just too excited to not talk about this, even though it’s early and I’m supposed to only talk about The Hallowed, but I can’t stop myself.

Soon (December probably) I’m going to release a 2nd Edition of The Nutcracker Bleeds! New edit, new description, new graphic design, new cover art, with commentary!! It looks amazing, just as it always should have looked, and I am sooooo excited! I’m not going to show it yet — no no, it’s not time yet.

I’m sitting here plotting evilly about it right now. Muahaha

I’m going to do more giveaways soon, before Christmas (yes, I know it’s still October) but I feel that I’ve had real luck getting noticed this year, so I want to keep that up. Wish me luck!

Question though… am I moving too fast? I know I’ve been putting out a lot of work recently, but I want to stay on the map.

Also, The Hallowed!

And thank you all for being here![image error]