Editio Self-Publishing discussion

I have heard that 250 copies is average. It's been a week, and I'm up to 36. I am SURE that 20 of them were friends and family. I have about 400 Facebook friends, and some friends shared. I have an e-mail list of 100 friends, and some of them forwarded. I have tried those "promotion" thingy's and had my book put into lots of e-mail boxes. But mine is "niche". Choose "African-American fiction" or "Contemporary Fiction" or "Women's Fiction" or "Short Stories"... but it's not thriller/horror/romance/mystery. And I'm pretty sure it's going to be the only one I write. It took me 15 years to write all of those stories. They don't just roll off my fingers.

I have chosen not to spend money on "Secrets of Selling 10,000 books". I have chosen not to spend money on BookBub, and BookSirens rejected me. I tried Pubby.co and got ONE review. (Five stars). I tried Book Bongo and Bargain Booksy and It's WriteOn, and BookRaid. And sold 11 books. Next week I try Bookgoodies, Free&Discounted Books, and Booksprout. I have posted a description of my book in 30 groups on GoodReads, and there are about 20 people who have my story on their "plan to read" list. I have 5 reviews, all 4 and 5 star, and I need 10 in order to try The Fussy Librarian and eBookSoda. There are 15 people who are doing ARC/Beta reads for me, and I'm hoping to have more reviews by the 11th.

I have chosen not to pay Kirkus for an editorial review. They are pricey. Someone tell me if they are worth it.

I have fixed my 10 categories in Amazon. I'm down in the thousands. No where near best seller. I did not pay for Book Rocket. I have done TONS of keywords.

I have an Author Website and a press release coming out next week. I hope to have a second press release going to black media companies around the 19th. Google is optimized by SEO. Frankly, if this doesn't do it, I give up.

What works, people????

Go have a look at AwesomeGang. They have a free program for promoting books, and they are cool people. If you choose to join my new Facebook Group, "Make Money Writing," message me, and I'll approve a book announcement for you. Remind me that I offered on Goodreads. My advice is to engage with your social platform, all those who follow you, as often as you possibly can, but don't oppress them with spam. Post 4 posts about other books or resources, three about your life or who you are, and one about your book. Keep doing it. Repost other people's projects. Encourage people. Respond to every comment, post about you, or compliment. Good luck. It'll happen. If I can help, ask me anything - I've been doing this for more than 40 years.

Thank you, Maryan. It's been a year and I'm pretty much exhausted, mentally and financially. I've sold 600 books and I'd say it cost anywhere between $8000-$15000. I'm ready to move on.

Lauren wrote: "Thank you, Maryan. It's been a year and I'm pretty much exhausted, mentally and financially. I've sold 600 books and I'd say it cost anywhere between $8000-$15000. I'm ready to move on."

Are you willing to say how all that money was spent? I'm sorry you went through that. There has to be a more satisfying way.

I used a vanity publisher. I paid $2000 for editing and "marketing". Then another $1000 for a press release and print copies. Then another $500 on cover design. Then another $500 for permanent management of the website. Then another $500 for management of the blog for 2 years. I then spent another $300 on a press release to black media outlets. Another $500 to Cush City advertising. Another $300 for a book tour (including buying, signing and shipping books). Another $250 for a magazine spread and radio interview, another $200 on a different magazine spread. Anywhere from $500 - $1000 on e-mail promotions. Anywhere from $250-500 on Instagram promotions. $1000 on a scam. About $300 on Amazon ads. Close to $1000 on Facebook ads. About $500 to various people on Fiverr.com for touch-ups to my book description and ad copy. About $500 down the drain to Tomoson.com influencers, before I knew what a bookstagrammer was. That sums it up. I have a very niche book. It's African-American short stories. I've gone on a few Facebook pages and told them I was selling 15-30 books a month and some people were very impressed while others had strategies that led to 200-1500 sales per month. So, you get what you get.