Do not give up dear author
Just writing out some thoughts here today.
I have been an avid reader, which in turn leads to myself writing my own stories. I want to see more books in the genre I write in, Chinese Fantasy but part of me, knew that my story is not the best fit either romance/enough adventure or action. It’s too much of a mix of so many things. Therefore, I know that my book will not be chosen or able to be published traditionally, so instead of keeping waiting forever for that one day; I took things into my own hands. I decided to go on the journey of self-publishing.
If you have read my previous post, then you should know that self-published market is growing and expected to have a hopeful future.
Although according to the survey, so be prepared to face some challenges. Not everything is a rainbow and sunshine once you cross that meadow.
33% of self-published authors make less than $500 per year.90% of self-published books sell less than 100 copies.20% of self-published authors report making no income from their books.However, up till now I think self publish is the easiest way to get a part of yourself (i.e your story/book) out there. It’s actually what comes after self-publishing is the hardest part, marketing to get book sales, make people interested in your book. Begging to have a look, read if possible. If I have to go down to that level, then yes, so that more people would know of my book. However, the main problem is that, I don’t even have that audience for me to beg to. In this era, if you aren’t popular on social media, without a large following, it’s going to be extremely hard (especially so when you don’t have a traditional publishing house backing you up-one of the reason why authors alike tries so hard to get a contract with them).
But hey, you gotta start somewhere especially you decide to go down on the path of a self-published author.
Start a social media account (share writings, pre published thoughts, editing, try to hype your book, cover reveals, etc), do tik toks (become a bookstagrammer etc), post longer videos on YouTube about writing.
After doing this for around a year (not the Youtube part I am just too shy to start one), my following is still small, like tiny.
Will my book flop again once it’s published?
Most likely. I am already expecting it.
However, writing is my passion. Even if no one buying it, no one appreciating it.
I just glad to know that I have done my best and published my story to the world.
Whether the world will like, hate it, or ignore it.
It’s up to the world to decide.
All I need to remember : My passion is writing and my dream is that I hope my books can bring to other who shares the same love. It’s like a way to spread some myself to others.
So, a note, an encouragement, if you may,
“DO NOT GIVE UP DEAR AUTHOR”
to myself & to others authors alike.
