My sequel is out... FINALLY

[C.L.]

I am not a fast writer. I love to write but I love to prune even more and I spend waaaaay too much time trying to turn my imperfect thing into something better.

So I finally published my sequel. I have an advance team of 30 fairly-dedicated superfans plus another 30 advance readers. The book went live today and only 12 have left reviews so far so I'm itching!

The book is doing okay sales-wise really but I'm really stressed and nervous for some reason.

Like I said, I don't publish fast/frequently so if fans of my first book don't enjoy my sequel/don't think it's worth paying for, then I'm in trouble.

On the other hand, if I get good sell-through and if people finish the sequel wanting more, then I'll be okay.

So I'm a little stressed and nervous today. How are you?

[Amy]

You’ve done very well. I wouldn’t worry. I sold about 8 of my second and Carole reviewed it. The fact remains I don’t sell books but I think you’re doing very well.

[Marie Silk]

Congratulations on the new publish, C.L. :) I can sympathize with the being stressed about sequels thing. I think it's because we want to produce a book at least as good as the last but never really know how it will sit with readers until the reviews come in. Not sure if this info helps, but I found that most of my sequel sales came from new readers, not necessarily from those who had read the first book at an earlier date. I think there is a tendency to lose interest if the next book is not readily available. But if I remember right, I think you have built a nice foundation with your email list. Wishing you lots of sales and reviews from new and existing readers!!

[Sam (Rescue Dog Mom, Writer, Hugger)]

Congratulations, C.L! Wishing you sales and success on your sequel and look forward to reading it next year. Hugs

[Theodore]

C.L. wrote: "I am not a fast writer. I love to write but I love to prune even more and I spend waaaaay too much time trying to turn my imperfect thing into something better.

So I finally published my sequel. I..."

Mazol Tov!

[Christine]

Congratulations on publishing your new book, C.L.! Wishing you lots of sales.

[Carole]

Just bought it. I can't wait to read it.

[C.L.]

Carole wrote: "Just bought it. I can't wait to read it."

Thanks guys! Amy - I see you've been publishing plenty on Radish so that's awesome. You're such a great writer - you'll find your fan base.

Marie - hopefully you're right. I have Chemistry as free to download right now and an ENT promotion got me 900 downloads so hopefully some of those read the book and buy the second!

[C.C.]

C.L. - I understand the stress of making a sequel, but don't let it take away the thrill of knowing you've got that second book done. I've been impressed by how you've put together your releases and built your team of advance readers. That is a skill I wish to someday master, but for now just congrats. I look forward to reading your second book.

[C.L.]

C.C. wrote: "C.L. - I understand the stress of making a sequel, but don't let it take away the thrill of knowing you've got that second book done. I've been impressed by how you've put together your releases an..."

Thanks - I did two things. First, whenever someone emailed me to tell me they loved the book, I saved their email address and marked them as a fan. Second, at the back of my book I give a link to an email sign up where they get free bonus stories about my characters.

[C.C.]

C.L. wrote: "C.C. wrote: "C.L. - I understand the stress of making a sequel, but don't let it take away the thrill of knowing you've got that second book done. I've been impressed by how you've put together you..."

Hey, thanks for the tips. You've been great on these threads with helping others by sharing your experiences. Wishing you sales and success for the future.

[Justin]

Congrats! There is no time table for how long it takes a person to write or put out a sequel. It all depends on how active, busy and it's all up to you. A lot of times I feel I should've waited to publish but I didn't. This book I'm working on now I'm taking my time on and I'll wait before I write the sequel.

[Carmel]

Wishing you the best of luck in those fans loving your second story!

[Anna]

I know the feeling C.L. I take years to write a book. I took 7 years to write ODN, 4 to write HiT, but since then I've got it down to two years and, if I can get moving, the next one will be about 18 months. So keep going...

Congratulations on finishing a sequel and on being marketing savvy too.

[C.L.]

Anna Faversham wrote: "I know the feeling C.L. I take years to write a book. I took 7 years to write ODN, 4 to write HiT, but since then I've got it down to two years and, if I can get moving, the next one will be about ..."
Thanks! Goal is to finish the third book by spring!

[Alexis]

Congrats! The reviews are good; can’t wait to read it.

[L.E.]

Congrats that it is out and congrats that it isn't doing bad

[Anna]

Third book by Spring? And you say you are not a fast writer! We are allowed our dreams aren't we?

Don't worry if at first your sequel doesn't seem to catch on. Mine didn't but for some odd reason, it is now selling much better, and I can see that some people appear to be buying both books at the same time.