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How many books does it take to "get going"?
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Angela
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Jul 17, 2014 10:29AM
I read that an author shouldn't expect success (sales, name recognition) until their THIRD book. Do you believe this?
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I've heard that frequently as well. More specifically I've heard that you don't start to "gain traction" until your third book. Actual success (in terms of a liveable wage) is often not until you have ten or more books on the market. My experience seems to bear this out. My third YA novel has consistently been my best seller. My first two fantasy novels are struggling and I hope that once I get the third out, that will turn around. I'll let you.
Rachel wrote: "I've heard that frequently as well. More specifically I've heard that you don't start to "gain traction" until your third book. Actual success (in terms of a liveable wage) is often not until you h..."WOW! I guess what I heard is right. Better keep writing... LOL
If the third book theory is correct, I am doomed! My one and only novel was published Aug. 9, 2011. It was actually just one of several goals included in a bucket list that my late wife insisted that I create upon retiring in June of 2001.I am now in the process of completing the last remaining item from that list. Between that, keeping in close touch with my four adult children and four grandchildren, plus a fairly active social life, I doubt if I will ever find time to write another book.
I have no illusion about that one and only novel even coming close to becoming a best-seller; however, every time the mailman delivers the quarterly sales report and royalty check from the publisher, I feel that the time and effort dedicated to writing that book was not wasted.
If you wrote the book you wanted to write AND people are reading/ buying it (as evidenced by receiving royalty checks), then I say that you are already successful! Congratulations!
Angela wrote: "If you wrote the book you wanted to write AND people are reading/ buying it (as evidenced by receiving royalty checks), then I say that you are already successful! Congratulations!"
Thank you Angela. It is very kind of you to say so.
From a writing standpoint, when I was asked, “When is your next book coming out?” I considered that success.
That was further buoyed by being requested, to the point of near demand from readers of my books, for sequels to both my Thriller novel and Romance novella. Now with five books published and a sixth in the research stage, I’m not sure of the next level.
From a business standpoint, Ebooks are a waste of time. There are way too many in the marketplace, most of which are free or 99 cents to even bother with any longer. I have them available but I don’t bother marketing too much. Most of my Ebook sample downloads seem to turn into paperback sales through my website though many are generated by the links at the end of the sample.
The paperbacks are the meat, the issue nowadays is finding brick and mortar outlets for your work. I’ve shied away from Bookstores and focused on selling directly to the places where people go to read books.
I've heard this too - and I have to say that so far I think it seems pretty accurate.My second book definitely caused a big jump in sales of the first, and so I have no doubt that the third book will boost the first two.
As for 'success' and recognition - as long as people are buying and enjoying my books that's all I care about!
I have to agree. My first novel was mostly purchased by friends and family just for support, but as my novels continued to come (I am in the process of publishing my fifth) they increased in popularity. My sales are still relatively low, but with my genre I would call that a success for a self-published author. I've also had people (not my friends and family, yay!) ask me when my next book is coming out. It feels good.
All I know is the old adage: “It takes 10 years to achieve overnight success”.But in truth, more is more and there's probably no magic number. Depends on the writer, their abilities, their luck and probably the genre they write in.
Like you Nicola so long as people buy and enjoy my books I'll be happy.My first novel came out last month, and to the best of my knowledge I have only sold two paperback copies. I don't know about e-book sales yet. Both paperbacks were purchased by friends.
I am currently working on the second book in the series and I hope there will be an increase in sales with that one.
Whatever happens I am going to continue writing the series and hopefully sales will increase in time.
My first Horror/Mystery novel did pretty well and quite surprised me. My second one fell through a hole in the world and they seem to be enjoying it only in Australia. The second had no effect on the sales of the first.Both of my novels are ebooks, but paperbacks should be out shortly, if I ever get around to understanding Createspace!
Createspace can be a challenge - but it is worth it to have your books in paperback.Though I have to admit that for me it is far more of a vanity thing than anything else. My ebooks are where the sales are!
Does anyone else find this? Or do people find their paperbacks sell well?
Nicola wrote: "Createspace can be a challenge - but it is worth it to have your books in paperback.Though I have to admit that for me it is far more of a vanity thing than anything else. My ebooks are where the..."
Nicola,
Your question aroused my curosity, so I pulled the file containing the ten quarterly sales reports, sent by the publisher, along with the royaty checks, since my novel was released Aug. 9, 2011.
The breakdown of formats sold to-date is as follows: Paperback (56%), e-Book download - Kindle, Nook, Tablet (38%), audio book download (4%), and audio book on CD (2%).
Whether or not this reflects the industry-wide sales average, I do not know.
That's interesting to see in detail.But I would say that higher paperback sales would be expected in books more traditionally published. But the indie publishing world definitely seems to favour the ebooks.
But again, I could be wrong - would be interesting to hear what others think.
Thanks for that, Jim. It seems ebook only authors may be missing substantial sales. I had the same advice last year from a friend with weekly sales in the hundreds. I'd better get on with it!I think it is, quite simply, easier to publish ebooks, Nicola, so that may be the reason why so many Indies go down that route. I have a few followers on Twitter, many of them are writers, most of them are published exclusively on Amazon.
As for audiobooks, I have one free audio short story on SoundCloud and it is rarely downloaded.
I have both paperback and ebooks for my first novel - and I think I've sold just over a 100 paperbacks - but I know that about 80 of them are to friends, family and people I know who want to get me to sign it.So only a tiny number of people have bought the paperback - but my ebook sales are substantially higher.
I just don't think most people will pay out the $10 plus for a paperback by an unknown Indie Author. Ebook prices are less off putting.
But it's interesting to get other perspectives.
My writing speed has slowed to a crawl while I concentrate on finding full-time employment. After four novels, I miss the writing, terribly --- but one day I'll be back at it!
John wrote: "My writing speed has slowed to a crawl while I concentrate on finding full-time employment. After four novels, I miss the writing, terribly --- but one day I'll be back at it!"John,
To one day be able to sustain a comfortable lifestyle, solely by writing, is a worthy goal. Don't allow anyone to dissuade you from nurturing your dream.
Sometimes dreams come true. The ones that do are usually those that include hard work, study, practice, patience, perserverance, and the occasional reality check.
You have wisely chosen to keep your options open and do whatever must be done to support yourself until your ultimate goal becomes a reality.
I wish you well and hope to one day read your best-seller.
Nicola wrote: "Createspace can be a challenge - but it is worth it to have your books in paperback.Though I have to admit that for me it is far more of a vanity thing than anything else. My ebooks are where the..."
With three novels (one currently out of print), and short fiction in three different anthologies, I've found that ebooks are my bread and butter annually. However, when I go to conventions, farmers markets, and out of the trunk of my car (lol), I sell a hefty amount of paperback books. I pulled my last statement to show where I stand. (Keep in mind I am a hybrid author - trad and indie published.)
The format breakdown sold to-date is: Paperback (37%), e-Book download - Kindle, Nook, Tablet (59%), Smashwords download (2%), audio book download (0%), and audio book on CD (0%). 2% margin of return.
While my books don't yet pay the bills, I write because I love to write. I have a small but loyal cache of fans (not only family and friends, thankfully) who inquire often about the "next book". They've also followed me from genre to genre, enjoying my exploration of writing almost as much as I have.
It does take a catalog to begin seeing sales. It also takes a lot of dedicated hard work to marketing, interacting, and remembering the world doesn't revolve around your writing. lol
There are a lot of variables in how many books it takes, I think. I have a lot of titles out there, many short stories that don't sell so well. I have been at it 3+ years and am having some sales but nothing to write home about. For most of that time I had crappy covers. Not able to afford an artist, I undertook to teach myself to design covers. My latest creations are good. Not great, by any means, but should be good enough to sell some books. My blurbs were inane and I have been reworking those. And I have just started to put some into Createspace. In short, I think it takes a lot of titles, good covers and blurbs and a universe of patience to "get going."
