Lily Amis
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
But reaching my readers is hard. Why? Because traditional bookshops don’t support Independent Authors like me and don’t even stock titles on a trial basis. So what is your advice? How can an Independent Author with a good product in all kinds of genres become a bestselling Author and reach the target audience/reader? Many thanks in advance and warm regards, Lily
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Lily,
Yes, getting in bookstores is difficult for indie authors, but to be honest, it's not really a big deal these days. For instance, I am in the bookstores but the majority of my sales come from digital copies. When you consider my print/ebook sales the breakdown is 32% print and 68% ebook. When you add audio into the mix it's even more diluted 42% ebook, 42% audio and 16% print. So success is not predicated around being in bookstores.
You mentioned you have books "in all kinds of genres" - that may actually be hurting you. I would try concentrating in one particular area - and if possible to write a series. What you want to do is build "brand loyalty" such that overbite a new book of yours comes out, your core readers rush to get their copy. If you are writing one-off books and a bunch of different genres it's hard to build momentum.
There is no short cut to building an audience. It comes from releasing books at a steady pace, and writing books that people love so much to tell others about them. In the early years, you literally build your audience one reader at a time. Reach out to people you see that are reading books similar to yours and offer a complimentary copy in the hopes of getting a review. Early on, almost all your readers come from someone who you personally interacted with. But, if your work is good, those personal outreaches will act like priming a pump. You get the ball rolling and if the work is well received, the word will spread.
I wish you great success. Don't get discouraged. Each new book is a new opportunity to be discovered.
Yes, getting in bookstores is difficult for indie authors, but to be honest, it's not really a big deal these days. For instance, I am in the bookstores but the majority of my sales come from digital copies. When you consider my print/ebook sales the breakdown is 32% print and 68% ebook. When you add audio into the mix it's even more diluted 42% ebook, 42% audio and 16% print. So success is not predicated around being in bookstores.
You mentioned you have books "in all kinds of genres" - that may actually be hurting you. I would try concentrating in one particular area - and if possible to write a series. What you want to do is build "brand loyalty" such that overbite a new book of yours comes out, your core readers rush to get their copy. If you are writing one-off books and a bunch of different genres it's hard to build momentum.
There is no short cut to building an audience. It comes from releasing books at a steady pace, and writing books that people love so much to tell others about them. In the early years, you literally build your audience one reader at a time. Reach out to people you see that are reading books similar to yours and offer a complimentary copy in the hopes of getting a review. Early on, almost all your readers come from someone who you personally interacted with. But, if your work is good, those personal outreaches will act like priming a pump. You get the ball rolling and if the work is well received, the word will spread.
I wish you great success. Don't get discouraged. Each new book is a new opportunity to be discovered.
More Answered Questions
papasteve
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I know this is going to be an off-the-wall question, but why don't writers have their characters poop or pee? Brandon Sanderson, in one of his recent novels has the character Wayne use the "crapper", and has Wayne even ponder all the names that people have for the "crapper." I thought, "Wow, that's the first time I've read something like that."
R
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I'm so glad you had Tim Gerrard Reynolds narrating your books. He's brilliant and loved how he played the characters, especially Royce and Hadrian! I loved the world and characters created, personalities developed. The quirks and nuances of everyday life that you inserted in even some of the most serious of situations, added to it's authenticity and organic telling. Thank you!!?
Josh Barron
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi, Michael! I really really love your books as they have gotten me through some very tough times and have provided a nice, healthy escape to. Anyways, I was wondering if there were any plans to bring the audiobook versions of The Rise and Fall to the dramatization format that Legends and Riyria got? I love experiencing the books with actors in addition to the sound effects and narrator. Anyways, thank you!
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