Joy Mutter's Blog: Joy Mutter's blog - Posts Tagged "self-publishing"
Where is everybody?
With considerable difficulty, the first part of the task is complete. I am finally a published author, ten years after starting to write my first book. There are now five, almost six of my e-books available to purchase on Amazon by anyone with the urge to buy them. The past year has seen me emailing chunks of each work off to be scrutinised by an ever-increasing number of literary agents. I emailed my last offering to eighty-five agents, but it has so far turned out to be a fruitless occupation, although not all have yet replied. I impatiently decided to shun them all just as they had ever so politely shunned me. After a sudden rush of blood to the head, I opted to self-publish. Some literary agents had made encouraging noises, particularly over my penultimate book, ‘Potholes and Magic Carpets.’ However, as they have hundreds of book samples thrust at them weekly, they said that they did not have space on their lists for little, old me.
After speaking to three authors who have had books published through established publishing houses, I realised that I did not want to work for any publishers in any case, with their deadlines and intrusive input. I have always been a fairly strict self-disciplinarian and do not need anyone to crack the whip to force me to write. Having decided to change tack, I launched myself onto an unsuspecting world, rejecting the constraints and shackles of a traditional publishing house.
The plan was for me to trot along to my friend Diane’s house and pay her husband to upload my books onto Amazon. That particular day, Diane was busy making jam and suggested meeting up the following week. As there was far too much fire in my belly to wait until the following week, I gritted my teeth, girded my loins and decided to tackle the task myself.
I researched the Kindle direct publishing process, watched several YouTube video tutorials on the subject and dived headfirst into the absorbing world of self-publishing. After a few extremely helpful telephone calls and some online correspondence between Diane and myself whenever I hit a brick wall, my first book disappeared up the chute. With the click of a button, it was suddenly made available to the world through Amazon, much to my delirious, giddy delight. I could not have managed it without Diane’s initial assistance and encouragement, for which I am eternally grateful.
Silence then followed with zero response for the first few hours. What had I expected? Did I honestly think that clamorous applause would ring out across the world because a woman in Oldham had published her first book? Irrationally, maybe I was, such was my over-excitement over what I had just achieved. I had no way of knowing what to expect, because I had never even used Amazon to buy other author’s books, having always been an iTunes customer. I was so hyped up on adrenaline and over-work after succeeding in my ambition after a decade of trying, it was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that the world fundamentally did not give a damn about my book, not deep down, not like I did. Why should they?
To blot out the deafening silence, I immediately ploughed my way through publishing the remaining four, already written books. Over the next couple of weeks, I learned more about the entire process. I was engrossed to the point of obsession, twiddling with my laptop for over twelve hours each day, revising each book countless times until I was satisfied with content, layout and covers. Having earned a living for over twenty years as a graphic designer who has laid out artwork for other author’s books, it is a joy to lay out my own literary works.
I eagerly looked at my sales figures at least six times a day during the next few days and was ecstatic when the first book of my Mug trilogy was purchased by a mystery buyer in America. Oddly, my first three buyers were from America, despite me being a British author. I am doing much of what new, self-publishing authors should do; I bought a domain name, set up my first author’s website and created my page on Author Central. I promote my books on Twitter, Vine, Spreaker, LinkedIn, Facebook and anywhere else that I can think of. I am mindful that too much self-promotion could be irritating and counter-productive. However, such was my initial over-excitement that I am embarrassed to admit that I even informed my neighbour, three taxi drivers and two Tesco deliverymen about my book publishing enterprises. I could sense their polite indifference.
My mother eventually managed to access my Amazon Author page and telephoned me from Jersey to rave about how much she loved my non-fiction, ‘Living with Postcards’ book sample. Gaining any sort of praise from my mother has always been quite an achievement and her words touched me deeply.
‘I shan’t be buying any of your books until they’re in print,’ she added. I smiled and sighed. So like my mother. She eventually bought all five books and I am now awaiting the backlash, as most of my books have a fair sprinkling of sex in them and three are mainly autobiographical.
It has been three weeks since all of my five books were published on Amazon. There have been nineteen book sales worldwide during that time, nine books of which were bought by either me, my mother or my sister, who is reading her way through ‘the Mug Trilogy.’ They have both given me welcome, constructive criticism which I have acted upon. Perhaps there might be an increase in sales when the price is discounted to $1.99 for a week in late August, a normal part of the traditional, Amazon book-selling strategy. I am still finding my feet as far as the pricing of my books goes. I am considering permanently lowering the prices because they are only e-books, despite my decade of hard work to produce them. It takes much longer than three weeks to build even minor publishing success, especially as an unknown non-celebrity.
I am content now that my life-long ambition of becoming a published author has been achieved. Am I disheartened by the understandably slow response? I was initially mildly deflated, but that sinking feeling has diminished and will never deter me from completing books six, seven and however many books I am lucky enough to produce in my lifetime. Book sales are a secondary incidental to me because I am aware that the competition from other writers is intense and growing daily. Fortunately, my main pleasure comes from the writing process itself. I was never in it for the money, which is just as well.
After speaking to three authors who have had books published through established publishing houses, I realised that I did not want to work for any publishers in any case, with their deadlines and intrusive input. I have always been a fairly strict self-disciplinarian and do not need anyone to crack the whip to force me to write. Having decided to change tack, I launched myself onto an unsuspecting world, rejecting the constraints and shackles of a traditional publishing house.
The plan was for me to trot along to my friend Diane’s house and pay her husband to upload my books onto Amazon. That particular day, Diane was busy making jam and suggested meeting up the following week. As there was far too much fire in my belly to wait until the following week, I gritted my teeth, girded my loins and decided to tackle the task myself.
I researched the Kindle direct publishing process, watched several YouTube video tutorials on the subject and dived headfirst into the absorbing world of self-publishing. After a few extremely helpful telephone calls and some online correspondence between Diane and myself whenever I hit a brick wall, my first book disappeared up the chute. With the click of a button, it was suddenly made available to the world through Amazon, much to my delirious, giddy delight. I could not have managed it without Diane’s initial assistance and encouragement, for which I am eternally grateful.
Silence then followed with zero response for the first few hours. What had I expected? Did I honestly think that clamorous applause would ring out across the world because a woman in Oldham had published her first book? Irrationally, maybe I was, such was my over-excitement over what I had just achieved. I had no way of knowing what to expect, because I had never even used Amazon to buy other author’s books, having always been an iTunes customer. I was so hyped up on adrenaline and over-work after succeeding in my ambition after a decade of trying, it was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that the world fundamentally did not give a damn about my book, not deep down, not like I did. Why should they?
To blot out the deafening silence, I immediately ploughed my way through publishing the remaining four, already written books. Over the next couple of weeks, I learned more about the entire process. I was engrossed to the point of obsession, twiddling with my laptop for over twelve hours each day, revising each book countless times until I was satisfied with content, layout and covers. Having earned a living for over twenty years as a graphic designer who has laid out artwork for other author’s books, it is a joy to lay out my own literary works.
I eagerly looked at my sales figures at least six times a day during the next few days and was ecstatic when the first book of my Mug trilogy was purchased by a mystery buyer in America. Oddly, my first three buyers were from America, despite me being a British author. I am doing much of what new, self-publishing authors should do; I bought a domain name, set up my first author’s website and created my page on Author Central. I promote my books on Twitter, Vine, Spreaker, LinkedIn, Facebook and anywhere else that I can think of. I am mindful that too much self-promotion could be irritating and counter-productive. However, such was my initial over-excitement that I am embarrassed to admit that I even informed my neighbour, three taxi drivers and two Tesco deliverymen about my book publishing enterprises. I could sense their polite indifference.
My mother eventually managed to access my Amazon Author page and telephoned me from Jersey to rave about how much she loved my non-fiction, ‘Living with Postcards’ book sample. Gaining any sort of praise from my mother has always been quite an achievement and her words touched me deeply.
‘I shan’t be buying any of your books until they’re in print,’ she added. I smiled and sighed. So like my mother. She eventually bought all five books and I am now awaiting the backlash, as most of my books have a fair sprinkling of sex in them and three are mainly autobiographical.
It has been three weeks since all of my five books were published on Amazon. There have been nineteen book sales worldwide during that time, nine books of which were bought by either me, my mother or my sister, who is reading her way through ‘the Mug Trilogy.’ They have both given me welcome, constructive criticism which I have acted upon. Perhaps there might be an increase in sales when the price is discounted to $1.99 for a week in late August, a normal part of the traditional, Amazon book-selling strategy. I am still finding my feet as far as the pricing of my books goes. I am considering permanently lowering the prices because they are only e-books, despite my decade of hard work to produce them. It takes much longer than three weeks to build even minor publishing success, especially as an unknown non-celebrity.
I am content now that my life-long ambition of becoming a published author has been achieved. Am I disheartened by the understandably slow response? I was initially mildly deflated, but that sinking feeling has diminished and will never deter me from completing books six, seven and however many books I am lucky enough to produce in my lifetime. Book sales are a secondary incidental to me because I am aware that the competition from other writers is intense and growing daily. Fortunately, my main pleasure comes from the writing process itself. I was never in it for the money, which is just as well.
All six of my books now available in paperback!
Yesterday was a very special day for me. I self-published all six of my books as paperback editions. They went live on Amazon in the evening. The speed of publication took me by surprise because I was told that it would take a few weeks before they went on sale, but no, it was immediate. As soon as I pressed the 'Approved' button, they were on sale.
I was so impressed that I even bought a copy of one of my own books, 'Living with Postcards' and had it delivered to my mother over in Jersey. She will be pleased, as she thinks all of my other books have too much sex in them ha! I hope that she approves of my dedication to her in the front of the book.
Last week was frantic for me. I was working on my own for twelve hours a day in order to achieve my publishing goal. I almost fainted with excitement as the first printed proofs were delivered into my trembling hands. The Kindle versions are fine, but every author knows that nothing compares to holding your own printed books in your hands.
I amended each proof, changed the size of each book and made the covers myself. Still, all that is behind me now and I can continue working on books seven and eight. One book is another erotic thriller with an even bigger fantasy twist than in 'Random Bullets' and the other book is a collect
ion of short stories in various genres.
I was so impressed that I even bought a copy of one of my own books, 'Living with Postcards' and had it delivered to my mother over in Jersey. She will be pleased, as she thinks all of my other books have too much sex in them ha! I hope that she approves of my dedication to her in the front of the book.
Last week was frantic for me. I was working on my own for twelve hours a day in order to achieve my publishing goal. I almost fainted with excitement as the first printed proofs were delivered into my trembling hands. The Kindle versions are fine, but every author knows that nothing compares to holding your own printed books in your hands.
I amended each proof, changed the size of each book and made the covers myself. Still, all that is behind me now and I can continue working on books seven and eight. One book is another erotic thriller with an even bigger fantasy twist than in 'Random Bullets' and the other book is a collect
ion of short stories in various genres.
Just being neighbourly
My next door neighbour knocked on my front door the other evening to ask if I had a copy of my book 'Living with Postcards' that he could buy to give as a Christmas present to his mum. Luckily I had a spare copy. He asked me if I would sign it. I naturally was happy to oblige. I guess that counts as my first book signing and I didn't even have to leave the house!
If my lovely neighbour had been better prepared for Christmas, he could have bought my book or one of my other five books from Amazon at http://amzn.to/1Jl0Org.
If my lovely neighbour had been better prepared for Christmas, he could have bought my book or one of my other five books from Amazon at http://amzn.to/1Jl0Org.
New cover, new free Kindle offer.
The Kindle edition of my 2015 thriller with a paranormal twist, Random Bullets, is FREE on Amazon tomorrow, 8th July. I hope you like the new cover and enjoy reading the book itself. It has received several five star reviews from readers and is currently my best-selling fiction book. Thank you to those of you who have left high ratings and very encouraging reviews. Much appreciated. Also available in paperback.
I have almost finished redesigning and republishing all of my eight books in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. I think it has been worth the huge amount of effort. Random Bullets
I have almost finished redesigning and republishing all of my eight books in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. I think it has been worth the huge amount of effort. Random Bullets
Another exciting day
I won't lie, I feel elated. I've just uploaded the complete version of Holiday for The Hostile, book 2 of The Hostile series, to my Facebook Launch Team. One person on the team has already read it about two hours after I'd uploaded it and loves it. He had been reading the batches of chapters as I uploaded them. he has read every one of my eight, now nine, books. Most are waiting until today to start reading, now that the whole book is available for them to download.
This is the first time I've launched a book properly. I've usually just published without anyone seeing it beforehand. I'm so tempted to just publish the Kindle and paperback editions on Amazon but will try to resist the temptation until I get more feedback from the group.
I've enjoyed the Launch Team experience and have joined several teams myself in the past few months. I have helped launch a few books for other authors and even ended up editing one author's book after his editor had done a shocking job of it.
The first book in this paranormal crime thriller is called
The Hostile
This is the first time I've launched a book properly. I've usually just published without anyone seeing it beforehand. I'm so tempted to just publish the Kindle and paperback editions on Amazon but will try to resist the temptation until I get more feedback from the group.
I've enjoyed the Launch Team experience and have joined several teams myself in the past few months. I have helped launch a few books for other authors and even ended up editing one author's book after his editor had done a shocking job of it.
The first book in this paranormal crime thriller is called
The Hostile
Joy Mutter's blog
My author blog is at http://www.joymutter.com.
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