November 28th, 2022 marked the second book anniversary of my travel memoir Plunge – One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary. You can read about its one-year anniversary here. It’s been a while since I posted an update about this first book of mine, because not much is going on with it and I don’t want to bore the non-authors amongst you.
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that the less I focus on book promotion, the less I sell. My goal for this past year was to maintain one sale a day. I failed. Because, how do you achieve this result by ignoring the book’s existence for weeks at the time? To this day, I still haven’t spent a dime on ads and it’s no secret that “to make money, you have to spend money.” So, paid promos and ads might be a thing to consider in 2023. Then again, I am the most frugal person I know. 🙂
Social media posts
Once in a while, I join a free Draft2Digital promo with Plunge, post some news, a new five-star review, or an enticing blurb on Facebook, or lower the book’s purchase price. Usually, this amounts to maybe one or two sales. Occasionally, I get it right (no idea how to predict this) by posting in an attentive, interested social media group or by creating an enticing blurb. In those cases, the correlation between effort and sales is obvious.
And, when that happens, my heart skips a beat, my lips curl upward, and an adrenaline rush improves my wellbeing. Like that time one of my posts on the Sailing Women on Yachts Facebook group took off.
If enough sales occur in a day, my status on Amazon goes to #1 bestseller in one or more categories, which, I have to imagine, encourages more sales. And that’s the upshot every author dreams of. Until the spiral spins downward again and sales dry up.
The same is true for favorable reviews – we all embrace them, desire them, crave them. They might not lead to new sales (straightaway), but they are beneficial to an author’s self-esteem and keep them writing, or at least thinking that the effort and time creating their masterpiece was worthwhile. Even a simple personal note from a reader means the world!
Other forms of promotion
What else has been going on with Plunge these last six months?
As most of you know, my focus has been elsewhere, trying to get our lives back on track in a different continent. Unfortunately, that conclusion – the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter on the road – is still up in the air. Unlike in my previous post, I can now safely say that our South American adventure is imminent, but we still don’t have a clue when. More about that later.
My promotion efforts included being a speaker at a vanlife event over the summer, getting interviewed by FDN Life (Freelance Digital Nomad) for an article that only recently went live (you can read the feature here), sending a paperback copy of Plunge to a book reviewer/boating magazine editor in New Zealand, and having Maya answer questions by Alyson Sheldrake’s dog Kat in her excellent newsletter Snapshot (including a mention of Plunge). And, my book was picked and discussed by another book club in the US (the Wondering Words Book Club of the Women’s History and Culture Center in Mesquite, Nevada), which I virtually attended for a fun Q&A.
With these small pushes, it’s difficult to say if my involvement and efforts lead to extra sales, or if those are the result of previous promo attempts or word of mouth… I sometimes wonder if all the work invested is worth the $3 profit per book sale. Luckily, when I don’t have much else going on, I embrace these moments. In any case, I enjoy interacting with readers.
Awards and prizes
A nice surprise was receiving the Chill with a Book Readers’ Award last month. You can find the announcement here. It’s one of the few awards – maybe the only one – you can apply for without paying a fee. And, it is my first award for Plunge. The reviews provided by the “jury” assessing the book are a bonus.
Here is one of the three reviews:
What a fabulous book … Yes to all questions!
This book did have me turning the pages, what could’ve been just a travel novel was so much more with her relationship with Mark, the dogs, the highs and many lows and the complete honesty that she writes with was what made the book so real and gripping!
It’s well written and I feel like you really got to know the characters deeply, and I was glad and maybe a bit surprised that she chose to stay with Mark and fight for the marriage at the end. I would definitely recommend!
Also for the first time, I paid for a service/prize submission. I finally decided to enter Plunge into a contest, the Nonfiction BookLife Prize, which cost $99 (with a $24 discount as a member and early bird). A positive about this event is that every contribution receives a Critic’s Report by a Publishers Weekly reviewer. This report, or parts thereof, can then be used as a blurb or for promotional purposes. I had high hopes for it.
But when the report arrived in my inbox a week ago, I was disappointed by my book’s score. While the reviewer didn’t mention anything negative about any category (plot, prose, originality, and character execution) in his/her assessment, the average score for Plunge was only 7.25 out of 10. This guarantees that I have no chance in the actual contest, where only books with a score higher than 9.50 make it to the quarterfinals. If you are curious about the Critic’s Report for Plunge, read it here.
What’s next?
A brief review of Plunge will be published in the Boating New Zealand issue of January 2023, my author interview with the talented, accomplished artist and writer Alyson Sheldrake will appear in her glossy January 2023 newsletter, and Plunge was selected for a free cover redesign by BookLife, so I will be working with a cover artist early next year to see what she comes up with. I’m really curious about the result and hope to get some good press out of that experiment.
Oh, and until the end of this year, I have put the eBook of my memoir on sale for $3.99 instead of $5.99, so grab a copy on Amazon for yourself or as a gift for an adventurous friend or family member.
December 2, 2022 at 09:48
I must admit I had no idea of how much effort and hard work goes into the sales aspect of the book. It is a rollercoaster of emotions with good and bad aspects. But how amazing to be a published author of such a great memoir.
I hope with Christmas coming up more people will think of giving it as a gift to friends and family.
December 3, 2022 at 15:03
Hi Gilda,
Thank you for your kind words. You’ve been one of my biggest supporters – loving Plunge and having bought it as a gift.
Publishing a book is one of those things where you can’t go back. You have to keep looking forward and trying your best to keep selling, because otherwise it might feel like you put all that effort in “for nothing.”
I think I’m an overachiever who isn’t easily pleased with herself and has a hard time describing “success.” Yes, writing and publishing my book was a tremendous accomplishment, yet “success” is very relative. Each author seems to have different goals and descriptions of “successful.” One of my issues is always money. Unlike most authors, who write to get their words out there and don’t care much about the financial success, I was hoping to make a little bit of money from the book – and the hard work. But, that’s me! 🙂
December 2, 2022 at 11:07
We, the Wondering Words Book Club of the Women’s History and Culture Center in Mesquite, Nevada, wish you much success with your writing, your adventures, and your life. We thoroughly enjoyed our fun Q&A with you and look forward to checking in with you periodically. I bring them updates when we meet, reading your posts on FB and this blog. Enjoy your stay until Thirsty Bella finally arrives!
December 3, 2022 at 15:10
Hi Carol,
I’m so glad you spelled out the name of your book club! I have updated my post with it. 🙂
Thank you for your continued support, here and on Facebook, and for following along with our adventures – the good, the bad, and the ugly, right?
December 2, 2022 at 11:19
Despite what you say, it does sound as if you have been quite busy with it and have got some positive results!
December 3, 2022 at 15:12
Hi Anabel,
I try to do some work whenever I can. And, yes, that keeps me pretty busy. 🙂 It just feels like I have been slacking, because so much energy and thought has gone to this huge shipping ordeal (and all the consequences) we’ve been contending with. So, while we have now been in Cartagena for four weeks, I haven’t even read a book!
December 2, 2022 at 11:21
I’m still waiting to hear from anyone who says they like the promotional aspect of writing. I totally get the need to put one’s self out there to get noticed, yet if that goes against one’s nature, it can be a hurdle to overcome. I’m not referring to the fear of trying something new (I can do that fine) but the notion that promoting one’s self goes can seem egotistical. Yet if we don’t, how is anyone supposed to know we exist? 🤔
My experience has been somewhat similar to yours. Lots of attention initially and then things naturally petered out. Occasionally, I’ll still have a brief run, but the dollars are so small it doesn’t matter one way or another. That was never what this was all about for me, anyway.
I’ve totally moved on and immersed myself into writing a couple new novels. Man, fiction is a whole new world, but I’m stimulated by the challenge and trying to soak up as much learning as I can.
I’m assuming there will be a novel eventually following your South American adventures. You’ve got one future customer here; Plunge was great!
December 3, 2022 at 15:20
So true, Pete. If we want to sell books, we have to get them into readers’ hands. And, how do we do this? By telling them about our work or by promoting on several platforms. I still struggle to find the right group. While Plunge is technically a sailing memoir, I wrote it for a wider audience, yet, I have no way (or idea how) to reach them…
It’s interesting, huh, how we get all excited with a brief run once in while, which correlates to making an extra $20, haha. I have to say that our perceptions are a bit warped.
I have a lot of respect (and a slight envy) for authors like you, who write for the pleasure and accomplishment of it – and to educate and inspire the reader – more than for a financial outcome. I think in your case, writing is more of a passion and a hobby, especially now that you’re immersed into the YA fiction world. I’ll get there again! 🙂
Thanks for your praise and continued support!
December 5, 2022 at 21:18
The thrill of accomplishment and finishing a job has to be part of the equation. With thousands of books coming out each day, the odds are long that we’ll get noticed. Still, why not take a shot? Who doesn’t like a longshot story? looking forward to reading about all of your adventures in South America.
December 8, 2022 at 09:35
Thanks, Pete. And, yes, we all take our chances, because, otherwise, what’s the point? Just writing for our own pleasure, I guess. But that’s what my diaries are for. 🙂
December 2, 2022 at 11:35
I imagine those who love to write often don’t love to promote themselves. It sounds mentally exhausting – the ups and downs, highs and lows. The great news for you is that you are continuing on your adventure either way. If you write another book about your latest journey, I’ll happily purchase and read it. But, if you don’t, I completely understand why you would shy away.
December 3, 2022 at 15:23
Thanks, Janis. I’ll keep that in mind. 🙂 I do enjoy the fact that readers want a sequel, but I’m worried it will take me another five years to write it, once I “settle down” for a bit again… If I were to write another book during my travels, other things will have to give: blogging, social media, and maybe even my diary.
December 2, 2022 at 11:42
It does take constant attention to keep a book selling. My thrillers are lucky to sell a book a month because I am focusing on my historical fiction. Those keep each other going so when I promote one, I’m promoting the series. I’ve heard it takes three books to get sales going and in fact, I found that to be true. But also, constant new books. I try for one a year but will not make it this time.
Very interesting summary, Liesbet.
December 3, 2022 at 15:25
You’re doing it right with your historical fiction series, Jacqui. I so respect your dedication to the writing, the researching, the editing, and the promoting. And your joy and passion doing so! On top of your blogging and teaching. You are someone to look up to!
December 2, 2022 at 11:53
Sorry the critic didn’t like it more.
Your book still sells though and that’s a good thing!
December 3, 2022 at 15:26
Hello Alex,
Yes, Plunge is still selling. It would be interesting to see what happens one month, when I totally “forget” about it! 🙂
December 2, 2022 at 14:00
How cool to get an update on your book progress! I sympathize with your time-vs.-promotion struggle. Since I hurt my back last December and haven’t been able to work my usual long hours, my sales numbers have subsided, too. Definitely a downer to watch; but I’m like you – one nice note from an enthusiastic reader still makes my day!
I also think that the e-book market is now so saturated that it’s more difficult for readers to find us; and even when they do, we have to share their attention (and book budget) with far more other authors. Plus, with inflation the way it is, many people simply can’t afford to buy books anymore. I’ve had some lovely letters from readers who apologized for reading my books at the library instead of buying them. Even though library reads don’t help my bottom line, I’m still happy that people are reading my books! 🙂
Hooray for you for continuing to plug along with promotions, and I hope you get lots of interest from the newsletter feature. Your free cover redesign sounds exciting, too – I’ll look forward to seeing the new look!
December 3, 2022 at 15:34
Hi Diane,
I’m so sorry that your back still hasn’t healed completely! Yikes.
You’re saying it right there “my usual long hours.” You deserve all the success you’ve had with your series. You work so hard and you are so dedicated. When it comes to a work ethic scale regarding writing and promoting, I’m on the lazy end of it!
The competition is, indeed, insane. You’re an established author and keep creating content in your series, so I’m sure there is a big fan club waiting for each next instalment. With only one book out (as opposed to 16!!), I think becoming popular or doing well with sales is really hard.
So nice you’re getting those notes from readers, even when they find your books in the library, which in itself, is quite the success! Yes, knowing that readers enjoy our books is super cool.
I hope your sales recover. That’s so important for professional writers like you!
December 2, 2022 at 15:10
Congrats on your hot “Chill” award. To succeed as an author (whatever your criteria may be), writers have to have stellar writing skills and persistence. You have both in spades as this post confirms.
I too am thrilled when I get a bump in book sales or another 5-star review. Both events make my day. One woman bought my book in November because she lived next door to my Mom when she was a child and now wanted Mother’s pumpkin pie recipe to make for Thanksgiving. She bought the book, read it and promised to write a review, which I’m still hoping for. Ha!
I applaud all of your efforts here. Keep plugging away at promo when you can, but above all enjoy your next chapter “Roaming About.” 😀
December 3, 2022 at 15:37
Hi Marian,
Thanks, as always, for your kind and confirming words.
I remember seeing something somewhere about that neighbor of your mom wanting the pie recipe (and your mom never writing every step and amount down on her recipe notes). 🙂 Such a heart-warming experience to make that connection from the past, and to be in touch about it. I hope she will leave that review soon!
December 2, 2022 at 17:16
Neil and I were just talking about you and wondering if it was all working for you. Books seem to be more labor than we can conjure but we love sharing stories about our life unhoused and on the move. I admire your dedication to the tasks involved.
December 3, 2022 at 15:41
Hi Laurie,
I’m sure you and Neil could fill a book as well with all your house sitting stories. When I think about writing another book, or even an article or blog post, my mind goes blank. I don’t have the energy right now to get back into it. Maybe whenever we hit the road again, but then there will be other distractions that are actually more enjoyable than writing. 🙂
I should have used these multiple weeks of being stuck inside to get on with another project, but it hasn’t happened yet! Too much other tasks to catch up with and too much stress and emotional chaos…
December 2, 2022 at 18:28
Hi Liesbet, you say you don’t put in a lot of effort, but it sounds like a tremendous amount to me. I’m sure that getting the first one launched to your expectations is grueling. Maybe it’s time for book 2??
December 3, 2022 at 15:44
Haha, Suzanne! Part of me wants to start on book #2, but part of me wants to live the entire adventure first and focus on the writing when being “settled” somewhere for a while without distractions, as it’s hard to combine both travel and computer time.
Yes, I actually have been busy on Facebook – or at least it feels that way – but so much energy, effort, time, resources, and struggles have gone into the prep for South America, that blogging, writing, and Plunge had to take a back seat.
December 2, 2022 at 18:32
I’m pretty excited about the cover redesign. Looking forward to what you and the designer come up with!
That Sailing Women on Yachts FB post came up on my feed when you made that post. It was great to see people praising your book.
December 3, 2022 at 15:47
Hi Duwan,
The cover design came a bit out of the blue. I applied for that incentive with BookLife, hoping for some free promotion and thinking that I wouldn’t have to do anything else. They’d pick my cover, assign an artist, and come up with an alternate design.
Then, I started to get emails from this cover artist, first congratulating me with Plunge having been selected for this experiment, and then to sign a contract, answer questions, provide materials and ideas, and so on. Haha. The joke was on me. 🙂
That Facebook post has been the only one of mine that has ever gotten this much attraction! It was exhilarating!!
December 3, 2022 at 00:02
Hi, Liesbet – I’m with Gilda. I did not previously understand how much physical, mental and emotional time and energy went into promoting books. It seems so unfair. You spend all that incredibly hard work writing, then publishing, then promoting needs to be non-stop. Plunge is truly a fabulous book. I continue to highly recommend it to friends and family. <3
December 3, 2022 at 15:51
You know, Donna, I might have mentioned it before here, or to you, but I never could have guessed just how much time, effort, and new skills would go into “writing a book.” It has been pretty crazy, yet all of us, indie authors, have to go through it and go through with it if we ever want to make the writing and editing and formatting and publishing worthwhile. Because, the idea is to sell books in the end! Or, at least to reach readers. 🙂
Thank you for the continued spreading of the word about Plunge. I truly appreciate it.
December 3, 2022 at 13:14
Thank you for sharing, Liesbet. As ever, you are so wonderfully honest.
Congratulations on your award. As for the BookLife review – as you say, there’s nothing negative, but I am left wondering what exactly they want or what they felt was mssing!
You know I loved your book – as did so many of the others who have commented on here, so let that be an encouragement.
In terms of promotion, it certainly helps to have a series, since each book helps to promote the others. I notice, as you do, that promotional activity really helps. The unfortunate thing is how short lived the results of a promotion are. I’m lucky if I get a peak in sales on the day of the promotion. After that, it gets lost in the hubbub of cyberspace. I could be on social media full time, but like you, I have a life.
I will give your book promotion a share on my blog and author page. We must have readers in common!
Best of luck with your travel plans. xx
December 3, 2022 at 15:59
Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing your sentiments, Jackie. I find it important to be transparent and have been sharing these book updates for years. For some reason, this one seems to draw extra attention, haha. I just wish other (indie) authors would show some honest insights and numbers as well, since I do feel quite alone in this.
I think in my previous book post I shared some of those “real numbers,” including income from Plunge, and I asked if anyone could share their data in the comments, but that never happened. One of these days, I might broach the “money” topic on the WLM Author group. That one and the fact that you have to pay for all these contests, reviews, and badges… Although, that subject about “buying your badges” won’t be very liked.
You are so right about the series concept, and I understand how some authors pull it off. I wish I could. In your case, however, I am hugely impressed that you actually manage to write, edit, format, and publish while you are on the road. With a camper, a husband, and four dogs. You truly impress and inspire me, Mrs. Lambert! 🙂
Thank you for the share on Facebook and your continued support!!
December 5, 2022 at 01:14
I should do a book update. I did a post for my first book birthday and announced that I had managed to break even, which I felt was a massive achievement and was my main objective.
I read that most books, even traditionally published ones, sell fewer than 200 copies, so I’ve smashed that, even though I’m not sitting on a pile of gold counting my royalites.
I think authors like to note the successes and obfuscate about the financials. It is phenomenally hard to make a living writing books. For most, it is a labour of love. I have made more in the last couple of months by submitting short articles to magazines or hosting guest posts (written by others!) on my blog!
But I enjoy writing, and publishing gives me an outlet. I have also found it incredibly satisfying that people enjoy my scribblings – and have been inspired by them. I had a lovely email from a lady who said that I had encouraged her to take a trip with her dog. I have also met so many wonderful people, like your good self, on my publishing journey, and that is priceless! 🙂
I think the people who make money from publishing are the service providers. Everything book-related seems to cost a fortune. And like you say, the cost to enter awards: ‘buying your badges’ is eye watering. It would be a swift way to wipe out my lifetime’s profits.
I’m sorry I missed posting my numbers on your previous post. I probably meant to and forgot.
Thank you for your kind words. I think I’m irrepressibly garrulous, so I don’t find writing and publishing on the move too much of an issue! 🙂
December 8, 2022 at 09:30
I agree with everything you write here, Jackie. I had to look up the word “garrulous” and I see what you mean. 🙂 Writing does come very easy to you and you enjoy it immensely, so that’s fantastic! You’re obviously very talented at this as well and have a wonderful conversational style.
Breaking even as an indie author is a big deal, so turning a little bit of a profit is a bonus. And I read about that 200 sales number as well. I didn’t know if it was specific to memoir authors or not.
I agree with your article writing comment as well. I should get back into that and put other writing, like blogging, diaries, book promotion content… on the back burner. If I want to make money, anyway. I didn’t know you got/could get paid for guest blogging as well.
I guess in general people want to read and share the positives, but how can anyone get a realistic view of the whole picture that way? Yet, when I share negative experiences (whether it’s about writing or traveling), I have been called out as a “complainer.” There’s no winning. 🙁
December 3, 2022 at 20:23
Hi Liesbet, Congratulations on your award! A while ago when I was curious about publishing a book, I read some stats about how many books are published each year (staggering numbers) and how many copies an average book sells per year (not staggering at all). Even though there are a lot of authors publishing books, most authors don’t sell many. So, I think you’re doing well with your book sale. Wishing you continued success and a smooth journey in South America.
December 7, 2022 at 18:27
Thanks a lot, Natalie. Hoping to hit the road again in a week.
I read some of those numbers as well, but you always want to do better in these situations, or you think your book will be different and make a difference. 🙂
December 4, 2022 at 10:07
Congratulations on your award for Plunge, Liesbet. There are not a lot of authors (including me) who can say their book has won an award.
And despite you saying you’re not doing much with marketing the book, this post proves that you’re still above the game when it comes to promoting it.
And I know how you feel when you see a sudden surge in sales. I expect it’s the same feeling I get when I see the stats on one of my blog posts rocketing.
Keep up the great work my friend.
December 4, 2022 at 16:08
Have you published your book in audio? If not, let’s talk and see if we can make it happen. Of course, it will mean more promotion time, but you will reach a wider audience.
December 8, 2022 at 09:21
I have not published Plunge as an audio version. I can’t muster up time or energy for this at the moment. And I don’t have the budget for it. It might be something to look into in the future. There is a free option out there that an author friend of mine told me about. But it would be nice to read it myself.
December 5, 2022 at 19:58
As an author, I can relate Liesbet. It’s an ongoing process, and I admit, I haven’t done anything to promote my books in a few years. They sell in dribbles or when one is promoted on a blog. I was told by some high ups to keep publishing more books. So I published six and my seventh is about to release. Maybe that will crack open more sales, lol. We have to write because we love to write. Nobody is going to get rich selling books unless we’re with the Big 5. <3
December 8, 2022 at 09:33
True that, Debby. When I was featured on other blogs, the communal efforts might lead to one or two sales. I often wondered if it was worth the hours of my time to make $5. But that’s the life of an indie author. Whoever buys our books and likes them might then recommend them to others and one sale might lead to more that way. 🙂
I hope your new release will be another winner and make you sell more of your backlist as well.
December 8, 2022 at 10:36
Thanks so much for the well wishes Liesbet. And you are right, We always hope word of mouth will spread our work around. But if we love writing – it’s always worth our time. <3
December 9, 2022 at 10:26
I love your attitude! I love writing, too, but I always have other, “better” things to do, haha. One thing I never fail to accomplish each day, though, is writing (and editing) in my diary for one hour.
December 9, 2022 at 11:09
Well that is writing too my friend. And from many a journal hath springeth another book! LOL <3
December 11, 2022 at 09:19
🙂
December 7, 2022 at 12:18
I know all too well how difficult it is to sell books these days, but you’ve done really well. Few indie authors do as much as you have with your first book, so you should give yourself a huge pat on the back! It’s a crazy, unpredictable business and, as you’ve found, sometimes you’ll put in a lot of effort with little results. Other times, little effort with great results. Keep going. You’re doing great!
December 8, 2022 at 09:38
Thank you so much for this wonderful comment, Debra. I’ll keep doing what I can and keep seeing what happens. I’m in a unique situation of not having great resources while on the road. And, if I’m honest, I’m more a traveler/explorer than I am writer. But, I’ll never give up on Plunge. 🙂
You have the right approach: keep writing books. Maybe, one day I’ll dive into that as a hobby. One needs a lot of extra time, passion, talent, and/or dedication to accomplish serial writing.
December 23, 2022 at 00:25
I enjoyed reading your insights on your experience of publishing your first book. I too am an autthor (“I Just Want To Be Happy Again”) and that’s the one thing I learned… no body knows how good your book is unless you promote it. But once it does, I assure you, you will see more and more organic sales. Happy Holidays!
December 23, 2022 at 07:03
Hi Beth,
Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. I embrace insights from fellow authors.
It’s a strange concept and process to be/become an author… You work so hard to write, edit, publish, and put a book together professionally. Yet, when all that is finished, nothing will happen unless you put in even more effort to promote and spread the word.
Happy holidays to you as well and success in your writing career!