Q&A with Derek Haines discussion
2011 the e-book and Indie year?
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Derek
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Jan 01, 2011 10:06AM
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Two big questions, Derek. I suspect eBooks are already on the way to becoming mainstream and, like all new technology, it's just a matter of time before they become part of the daily fabric of life.How we'll exploit the trend? The way we have since we had to give up on traditional publishers when they gave up on us for the easy profit of celebrity crap. We'll network, advertise, blog and generally spend more time trying to get noticed than we will writing. They call it progress.
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Interesting method, Jack, but I wonder if it's self-defeating from a creative point of view. It's fairly well established that we're at our most creative on waking. I've just spent the first half hour of the day doing something I used to do as a matter of course; writing off the top of my head. I've turned out a 750 word horror story, which I'll revisit next week to edit. By simply sitting and writing without preparation, I've put words on paper, so to speak. It's left me feeling alive and energised.For the past 3 -4 months, I've been so busy with the paraphernalia of the writer's life that I've hardly written a word that was not dictated by the needs of marketing, networking, publicity etc.
I think we risk our 'writer's soul' if we fail to indulge it in creative activity. I'm just so glad I made up my mind to do this again this morning.
Yesterday, I published an anthology on Smashwords, and now I shall convert it for Kindle. But this is all non-creative activity and it's the creative work I live for.
I guess what I'm saying is; don't let the mechanics of selling prevent the very reason for being a writer - the writing itself.
Absolutely, Jack. I've now done the Kindle conversion, so on with more work on the blog. Suddenly realised my writing contest details haven't been updated for a few weeks!
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I've had some good success recently by re-hashing (revisiting) some of my better posts. By 'tweeting' out a link to older posts I've increased my visitor rate by 30%.
Derek; thanks for that. Never thought about revisiting older posts and tweeting them. I'll have a go at this. Thanks. btw, might be useful for us all here to swap blog address and follow those we think are of interest. What do you think?
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My blog is : http://dereksvandalblog.blogspot.com/
There's also links to some other good blogs as well. Including Jack's !
http://akhen1khan2.blogspot.com/
Send me yours so I can link it to my blog also.
Thanks, Derek. I've commented and followed your blog - very interesting, and I'll be back.Also found Jack's blog interesting, commented and joined via Networked Blogs, which means it won't show for a few hours.
My blog is http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/
Welcome.
What do you think about the mass market increasing the price of ebooks? I've noticed that med/lg. pub. companies are asking more (than previously) for ebooks, whereas small, indie/sb are reducing prices. Sara Gruen was one of the first authors I noticed that broke Amazon's $9.99 or less ebook guarantee.
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Just joined the group late folks, so sorry to not synch in with earlier statements.I noticed one thing, in my humble opinion, that was missing in the discussion. eBook or print, most midlist writers who actually make enough from their writing to call it their living, have something like 10 titles already published and royalties coming in. Again, eBook or not, it is based on a combination of factors (I will leave out good fortune, JK Rowling), which included getting critical acceptance in the writing community and also a strong following from readers.
So...apart from the pertinent points made by yourselves, I think we can't forget the long term picture, which, in my opinion, is largely agnostic to the medium - developing the respect and following, which, again, requires a degree of marketing - but mostly, a huge amount of work and patience.
btw -would love to do a bit of reciprocated following of blogs amongst you good folk (I already am following a few of you).
cheers
Gerry
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Couldn't agree more about developing a following. I'm just coming to grips with the CRM concept (Customer Relationship Management) as it relates to authors. Social networking is obviously the way to go, but the dangers in creating 'personal' contact instead of 'potential buyer' contact is a fine line. In essence, friends don't buy from you. Exactly the same as in our own family and friend circles.
So the challenge is to create a following that consists of potential readers. Then price and medium becomes less important.
Thanks for the lovely greeting Derek. I think we are all in violent agreement. I suppose what I am trying to infuse into this conversation is that it is likely that one or two novels, and a scattering of short stories, normally, isn't going to get the nudge we all want, even with social networking (as important as it is). In the end, a reader will look an author up on google and very quickly get the 'track record'. No, or little 'track record' means "I'm not interested". Simplistic scenario, but I think it is pertinent.
My view is to get street cred. In the genre/s we write in, get respect. That is where the social networking should be targeted. Get an award or two. etc etc. And of course, write, write, write, publish, publish, publish.
But yes, ultimately, it is to get a following - perhaps the idea is to use several techniques in parallel?
Gerry wrote: "Thanks for the lovely greeting Derek. I think we are all in violent agreement. I suppose what I am trying to infuse into this conversation is that it is likely that one or two novels, and a scatt..."
Be helpful if you include a link to your blog/website, Gerry. I've found yours and added myself as a follower. Mine is http://stuartaken.blogspot.com/ if you're interested in a look.
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I read once that most 'overnight successes' take about 15-20 years of hard work!
$50,000 dollar question there, mate. Some consider simply getting published a success. Others might be peer admiration. Who knows. Probably like pizza recipes - as many as there are pizza makers.I do know that a low sale title in one year, can generate high volumes with success in later titles. so there is that dimension too.
personally, I see success, regardless of target, consists of a metaphorical ladder leading up to it. Some people are lucky and jump rungs, but most of us have to make those 'mini achievements' along the way. I think the key point in this metaphor is that you don't just automatically go up the rungs, you have to use your muscles, energy, balance (skills) etc.
Oh god, I must be tired. I just waxed philosophical!
Oh well.
Gerry
Jack wrote: "Gerry wrote: "$50,000 dollar question there, mate. Some consider simply getting published a success. Others might be peer admiration. Who knows. Probably like pizza recipes - as many as there are p..."Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit :)
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But I must admit, with my new book I am for the first time taking the marketing and pre-release much more seriously. It's the first time I have set up advance readers and taken a more patient approach. Although I finished the book in August, it won't be released officially until next month. For a self-pub book, that's a lot of ground work!
Derek wrote: "Actually Gerry, I recall the thrill of publishing my first book. That was success in itself for me. I was so pleased to have an ISBN number and be able to 'look myself up'! Any sales have been a bo..."Absolutely Derek. It is hard enough for small publishers. Again, it comes down to what your goal is. Personally, I would, in your circumstances, do the same thing. :)
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Jack wrote: "All kidding aside gentlemen, I, like you Derek, was thrilled beyond belief when my novel was finally published. I was like a 62year old kid for days. And when the ARC's arrived and I could actually..."that's very kind, Jack. I tell you what - you can do something in return - produce more titles! And that is serious.
