Yes, I am self-publishing this and everything else for the foreseeable future. In the midst of my I Can't Get Published angst I've been doing a whole lot of research about how the publishing industry works, talking to a lot of authors both traditionally published and self-published, and I have come to the conclusion that I can make more money and enjoy my career FAR more with self-publishing. I'm not saying I'll never take a publishing contract, but it would have to be a really remarkable one. I am saying that I will no longer be approaching agents or editors with my work (with the possible exception of one small-press editor who I respect). Instead, I'm focusing on bringing good books to readers all by myself. They don't seem to mind that my books don't have an imprint. The historical novel I self-published last year just to see what would happen is now earning me about $800 a month and is finding new readers every day. That seems like a much better deal to me than hoping I might get a $5000 advance and then waiting two years for my book to show up in rapidly-vanishing book stores.
I'm a convert, I guess. I'm happy with it, though. I'm excited about the future and feeling sure I can have a career as a writer -- something I couldn't say just a few weeks ago.
Just an update, because this post gets a few views regularly (I assume because people are interested in my statement above about why I now think self-publishing is a far better career move.) The Sekhmet Bed (the book I referenced above, my first self-published novel under a different pen name) actually earned me just short of $1000 in August, when that comment was written, and in September earned nearly $1400. We're still barely into October, but based on my daily average books sold, I expect to make about $1800 from it for the month.
I have already been invited to some prominent blogs and podcasts in the atheism media community to promote Baptism for the Dead...there are few novels out there (none that I'm aware of, actually, though surely there are a few) exploring the atheist's inner world or the trauma of leaving a religious community. It's exciting to see the interest in this book. I expect that media exposure will give Baptism a very strong start, so while it's too early to get a feel for what its profits will be, it's looking good enough that Paul and I have discussed the possibility of my writing full-time, and have set a reasonable financial goal for when I will be able to quit my day job. With The Sekhmet Bed projected to earn $1800 in October, I am nearly halfway there (though we still need to replenish our savings account before I can write full-time, no matter what the books are earning.)
If I had continued to pursue traditional publishing, there is no way I'd be looking at the full-time writing career I've always (ALWAYS) wanted so soon.
I like the look of it. Self-pubbing, I presume? Unless a whole heck of a lot just happened at an incredible speed!
ReplyDeleteOh, and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteOh this is great news, Libbie! Well done - I'm looking forward to reading it so much!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is very effective. Good work!
Glad you guys like the cover.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am self-publishing this and everything else for the foreseeable future. In the midst of my I Can't Get Published angst I've been doing a whole lot of research about how the publishing industry works, talking to a lot of authors both traditionally published and self-published, and I have come to the conclusion that I can make more money and enjoy my career FAR more with self-publishing. I'm not saying I'll never take a publishing contract, but it would have to be a really remarkable one. I am saying that I will no longer be approaching agents or editors with my work (with the possible exception of one small-press editor who I respect). Instead, I'm focusing on bringing good books to readers all by myself. They don't seem to mind that my books don't have an imprint. The historical novel I self-published last year just to see what would happen is now earning me about $800 a month and is finding new readers every day. That seems like a much better deal to me than hoping I might get a $5000 advance and then waiting two years for my book to show up in rapidly-vanishing book stores.
I'm a convert, I guess. I'm happy with it, though. I'm excited about the future and feeling sure I can have a career as a writer -- something I couldn't say just a few weeks ago.
Oops, forgot to check in on the comments. Nice job on the other book, that's great. I hope it all goes well.
ReplyDeleteJust an update, because this post gets a few views regularly (I assume because people are interested in my statement above about why I now think self-publishing is a far better career move.) The Sekhmet Bed (the book I referenced above, my first self-published novel under a different pen name) actually earned me just short of $1000 in August, when that comment was written, and in September earned nearly $1400. We're still barely into October, but based on my daily average books sold, I expect to make about $1800 from it for the month.
ReplyDeleteI have already been invited to some prominent blogs and podcasts in the atheism media community to promote Baptism for the Dead...there are few novels out there (none that I'm aware of, actually, though surely there are a few) exploring the atheist's inner world or the trauma of leaving a religious community. It's exciting to see the interest in this book. I expect that media exposure will give Baptism a very strong start, so while it's too early to get a feel for what its profits will be, it's looking good enough that Paul and I have discussed the possibility of my writing full-time, and have set a reasonable financial goal for when I will be able to quit my day job. With The Sekhmet Bed projected to earn $1800 in October, I am nearly halfway there (though we still need to replenish our savings account before I can write full-time, no matter what the books are earning.)
If I had continued to pursue traditional publishing, there is no way I'd be looking at the full-time writing career I've always (ALWAYS) wanted so soon.
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ReplyDelete