Zaz
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
It seems you succeeded to retain many readers with your good stories and nice level of interaction on the social networks. With such a fan base, I wondered if you are worried before releasing a new book. Are you confident, knowing it will be a (small or big) success for sure, or do you close your eyes, hoping someone will maybe like it?
Michael J. Sullivan
Yes, I'm answering something from 10 years ago. Actually there is quite a backlog of questions, and I thought instead of ignoring them, I should commit some time to going back and "clearing the slate" as it were.
So, I'm trying to think back 10 years to 2015. At that time, I had re-released the six books of the Riyria Revelations (sold by Orbit as three two book omnibus editions) and two of the Riyria Chronicles.
Later that year, I was planning on releasing The Death of Dulgath, and depending on where in the year we were, I was about to sign over the Legends of the First Empire books to Del Rey.
At that time, a book's release was pretty important to my overall financial stability. My wife had quit her day job, and so I became our sole income producer. So, I certainly was "anxious" but I wouldn't classify my state of mind as "worried."
These days, there is no concern on the financial front. We live a "small life" (compared to our income), have no debt, and are "getting up there" in age, so even if I never sold another book for the rest of my life we could live out the remaining years on our savings. It's a freedom that I'm very conscious of, and I'm eternally thankful to my readers who make that possible.
And then and now, I always "hope someone will like it," but first and foremost I'm concerned about creating a book that I want to read, and one that my wife will adore (it's my secret ingredient for keeping our 45 years together going).
So, I'm trying to think back 10 years to 2015. At that time, I had re-released the six books of the Riyria Revelations (sold by Orbit as three two book omnibus editions) and two of the Riyria Chronicles.
Later that year, I was planning on releasing The Death of Dulgath, and depending on where in the year we were, I was about to sign over the Legends of the First Empire books to Del Rey.
At that time, a book's release was pretty important to my overall financial stability. My wife had quit her day job, and so I became our sole income producer. So, I certainly was "anxious" but I wouldn't classify my state of mind as "worried."
These days, there is no concern on the financial front. We live a "small life" (compared to our income), have no debt, and are "getting up there" in age, so even if I never sold another book for the rest of my life we could live out the remaining years on our savings. It's a freedom that I'm very conscious of, and I'm eternally thankful to my readers who make that possible.
And then and now, I always "hope someone will like it," but first and foremost I'm concerned about creating a book that I want to read, and one that my wife will adore (it's my secret ingredient for keeping our 45 years together going).
More Answered Questions
Lily Amis
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
But reaching my readers is hard. Why? Because traditional bookshops don’t support Independent Authors like me and don’t even stock titles on a trial basis. So what is your advice? How can an Independent Author with a good product in all kinds of genres become a bestselling Author and reach the target audience/reader? Many thanks in advance and warm regards, Lily
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