Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For December, the question is: “In your writing, what stresses you the most? What delights you?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are PJ Colando, Diane Burton, Louise – Fundy Blue, Natalie Aguirre, and my online friend Jacqui Murray.
My answer to the question – In your writing, what stresses you? What delights you?
I’ve always had a strange relationship with writing… It comes easy for personal use: diaries, notes, blog posts, emails. But when I have a deadline or an assignment, I find it hard to place my bum in front of a computer. Something is fighting it. Pressure? Yet, from the moment I start, the words flow and by the end I’m usually pleased with the result.
Regarding book writing, I enjoy most of the process, especially the writing and editing steps. Promotion can be fun if my creative juices are flowing and I have time. When I put my mind to anything writing-related, most of it delights me. If I don’t have other priorities or distractions, which usually is the case. What stresses me is the lead-up to events, like in-person/online presentations, interviews, podcasts, meetings, or other performances. Afterwards, I’m always glad I participated, though.
My book news
November was a relatively quiet month for Plunge. Mark and I have had a lot on our minds lately (more about that in a future post), so book promo was not a priority. That being said, I continued posting the occasional content, positive reviews, and a link nudge on different Facebook groups I am a member of.
Fellow author, blogger, and book reviewer Sue Bavey is featuring me this week in her Indie Spotlight on Sue’s Musings. The post went live on November 25th, Thanksgiving Day in the US. Not the best timing, but the interview was fun to do and exposure is always a good thing. You can find our Q&A here.
It is always a delight to hear from readers, known or unknown. When my Facebook notifications showed that someone mentioned Roaming About in a post and I checked it out, this appeared: a wonderful review of my book and a photo. This new reader didn’t post her review on Goodreads or Amazon, but she shared it with her followers and friends on Instagram and Facebook. A wonderful surprise.
And my friend Kavita, whom we visited in the suburbs of Chicago a few months ago, brought Plunge on her vacation in Southern Utah, where she posed with it in the amazing scenery. Here she is with my book at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park. It’s one of the photos that she publicly posted about her adventurous trip. Incredible!
Kavita with Plunge in Canyonlands
Three days after Thanksgiving, we celebrated my 46th birthday and Plunge’s 1st birthday in the desert of Arizona. I can barely believe that it has been a year already since I published my travel memoir. The book has come far, but the three of us are still/again in the same place: Southern Arizona.
To commemorate the one-year mark, I discounted the eBook and paperback with $2 and posted “ads” throughout my social media channels. This led to a bump in sales for one day. Memoir is a difficult market to break into.
Book anniversary sale
Plunge is one year old
It feels like yesterday that I posted the exciting news about my book’s release, which we celebrated with friends in the Arizona desert last year. I have been reporting my promotional failures and successes in the monthly blog hops of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. No need to repeat it all here, except for a few notable take-aways.
Birthday Plunge
What have I learned?
What works for some authors might not for others. For me, it has boiled down to time investment versus return in sales. After another year of focus and hard work, certain efforts are just not worth it, especially since I am busy maintaining my life on the road, exercising our dog, and trying to earn money.
The first months after my release, I was featured on blogs with interviews, excerpts, or stories. On average (this is always hard to know, though) I sold one book per four hours of involvement. That is less than $1 per hour, as I make about $3.50 per book sale (eBook or paperback).
I once put an entire presentation together for a sailing organization (stressful event #1), which I performed on Zoom and which delayed our trip to Baja this past January. I don’t even think it led to one sale. Similarly, I was interviewed for a podcast in Australia not too long ago, which didn’t create ripples. I learned a lot in the process, the events look good on my resumé, and they helped gain confidence, so there are certainly rewards for any incentive.
On the flipside, having my book reviewed in magazines, shared by influencers or prominent people with a lot of followers, and mentioned by me in some of my photo posts on travel- or sailing-related Facebook groups created bumps in sales.
Getting your book noticed, promoted, bought, and reviewed thanks to a Facebook group like We Love Memoirs is what a lot of author members strive for. Self-promotion is not allowed, so the best way to stand out is by engaging in daily posts from others, replying to comments left on photos you shared, reviewing other authors’ books, and interacting often. This takes heaps of time, but it is what creates community and, eventually, recognition, respect, and friendships.
Did I reach my goals?
Six months ago, I shared on my blog that I had three quantifiable goals for the first year after publication:
- Make back my investment in the book, which was $2,700. This chunk of money was spent on an editor (two rounds), cover artist, a packet of ten ISBN numbers, and miscellaneous costs related to the publication process.
- Gather 100 ratings/reviews for my book on Amazon.
- Sell 1,000 copies of Plunge.
Of course, I never researched or thought these intentions through, so some of them might have been a bit far-fetched. I am an over-achiever after all…
- In the beginning of September, I surpassed $2,700 of earnings. From then on, every $3.50 profit was mine! To date, I’ve earned about $480 with Plunge.
2. Mid-October, I reached my second goal of 100 reviews on Amazon. Now, they are at 110 and I keep my fingers crossed that they keep coming in a positive manner. On Goodreads, ratings have amounted to 87. Leaving a review and spreading the word about a book you enjoyed are the best ways to support an author.
3. That last achievement, however, hasn’t materialized yet. I don’t know how other indie authors sell as many books as they do. Maybe because of paid advertising, which I have never pursued. To date, I have sold around 770 copies of Plunge. This means that it will take another nine months to reach my goal, if I sell a book a day – a high average. It more than likely will take at least another year to get there.
What’s next?
Plunge is still on sale throughout tomorrow, Thursday, December 2nd, 2021. If you haven’t read this engaging, inspiring, and entertaining memoir yet, or you are looking for a compelling gift, now is the time to get your hands on (another) one! 😊 You can find it for sale here with more options here.
Mark and I are working fulltime in December and plan to spend the rest of the winter in Baja California, Mexico. This month, I hope to finally check more things off my promo to-do list. After we leave the country, I will take a break from this obsession of getting Plunge in the hands of more readers. Once I reach those 1,000 sales…
As an author, are there any numbers you are comfortable sharing in the comments?
This post is linked up with Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share #48. You can read her entry here.
December 1, 2021 at 17:54
It’s all a learning experience.
Happy birthday and I can’t believe you are that old. (I’m much older – don’t judge.)
I still need to hire you for next April when my book comes out.
December 1, 2021 at 22:18
Thanks for the wishes, Alex! Yes, every day we learn and get a little bit wiser. 🙂 And, nope, I’m not for hire. Well, not for marketing or promo work anyway.
December 1, 2021 at 18:31
I’m always amazed at your marketing, Liesbet. I don’t do much and have little idea if what I do, works. I just don’t know what else to do!
December 1, 2021 at 22:21
Hi Jacqui!
It’s hard to know what actually works and what doesn’t as sales are often delayed. But, by spreading out certain attempts and keeping an eye on the numbers, you can get a good idea about which effort makes a difference.
Over the years, I’ve saved links and taken notes about marketing ideas from articles and blog posts I read. So far, however, I have not consulted that list. I’ve only been doing a few other things that came to mind, mostly posts on Facebook groups, as that’s the easiest and least time consuming… Whenever I pause my efforts, the daily sales drop to zero.
December 1, 2021 at 18:43
You ought to know by now, that I’m a fan. First off, I imagine you’re doing much better than most indie authors at this point in their career. I know you’re doing better than me. My book sales had run their course for the most part, and because I knew I was switching genres, I’ve concentrated all my energies into getting better at my craft and writing regularly. While that hasn’t amounted to much yet, I’m still happy. This has never been about getting rich or famous for me. I like learning, and I’m enjoying what I’m doing.
I’ve been writing and sending out queries. Sure, there are times when I wonder if it’s all worth it, but the bottom line is I’m still having fun. That’s a huge deal to me. As I always tell my wife, when it stops being fun, I’ll find something else to do. I’m 3/4 of the way through the first draft of my next MG book, and a few weeks ago I began working on a separate project. (Humor) It’s a nice distraction. I hope that I’m still enjoying what I’m doing next year. One certainly has to have a lot of thick skin and belief in one’s self. I think we’ve both got that part down, Liesbet.
By the way, one of the most endearing parts of your journey is your raw honesty. I love that in your writing, and in your blog posts. It takes courage to put that out there, but it’s what draws readers like me.
December 1, 2021 at 22:31
Hi Pete!
Thank you for being a fan. I truly appreciate you following along on my (writing) journey and interacting in the comments.
The memoir market is a tough one to break into and make a difference, as you might have experienced as well. I think you will certainly notice a difference with your novels soon and in the future. I feel like I have to do whatever is in my capacity to try and sell Plunge. Also, because it is my only book and I want all those years of effort to be worthwhile. If I would be less of an achiever, I would be happy with what I have accomplished so far. But alas. Not to say that I’m not happy with the results of all this dedication, determination, and hard work, though. 🙂
I can be honest about these numbers and such, because I don’t know any better. I’m sure most authors make more money and have sold more books, but I don’t know. And, other authors might think my results are great. Again, I won’t know unless I post them and have people react to them. All I can do, really, is have goals and work towards them. But, just like my daily to-do lists, I never ever finish the lists because I reach too high.
I think it’s great that you are pursuing another genre and audience and that you have been writing much more again. You’re cranking the books out at the moment! Like you say, as long as it’s fun, there is no reason to stop or to give up. Fingers crossed about your queries!
December 1, 2021 at 19:03
Happy Birthday, Liesbet! 46 sounds so young! LOL! I can’t believe Plunge is a year old already. Love the picture of your friend with Plunge in Canyonlands ~ Now that’s a friend! Have a happy holiday season. Wishing you lots of writing and marketing enthusiasm, my friend!
December 1, 2021 at 22:33
Hi Louise! Yes, time is flying by faster every year. It’s crazy! I’ll keep showing enthusiasm for another month and then it’s time to focus on something else again, like my travels. 🙂 Thanks for the wishes and I hope you’ll have a fabulous holiday season as well. And, thanks for being a co-host this month.
December 1, 2021 at 19:31
Hi Liesbet! Congratulations for all the of the positive action you’ve had/taken on Plunge. I know that it is an incredible amount of time and energy to do what you have done and I am in awe. Few people understand the dedication and effort so please celebrate your accomplishment…and may the future hold both expected an unexpected returns for you in every way. ~Kathy
December 1, 2021 at 22:37
Hi Kathy! Your words warm my heart, because you do understand what it takes to write, edit, publish, and promote a book (or more than one in your case)! It does take a lot of dedication, work, energy, focus, determination, and patience. And every time I don’t promote or prioritize my book, I literally see the sales stop. I guess we all need to find a balance. 🙂
December 1, 2021 at 19:34
Hitting two out of three lofty goals is amazing! And you’re well on your way to the third goal. You’ve definitely been through a learning process, but passing your results on to other people is a wonderful, giving thing to do. I hope you reach your third goal sooner than you’re thinking you will. (Shannon @thewarriormuse dot com)
December 1, 2021 at 22:45
Thanks for swinging by and commenting, Shannon! I guess this is the road all of us authors are on at some point or another. I’m sure you’ve moved far past these learning curves. 🙂 I’m still a debut author with no plans of writing the next book yet, as I’m still living through many adventures in real life. Hopefully, I still remember all the publication steps and experiences whenever I do write another memoir, haha.
In the past, I have not been brave enough to ask other (memoir) authors about their income or book sales, as it will be much higher than my results and it’ll make me feel bad, but thinking it over today, I have added a line to my blog, encouraging authors to share their numbers if they feel comfortable doing so. It’s all helpful data.
December 1, 2021 at 19:53
You really have accomplished a lot and should be very proud. To attain two of your (lofty) goals is fabulous. I bet it’s fun to see that dollar amount in your royalties estimator chart. I know you are working hard now but pretty soon you’ll be enjoying life south of the border… you two deserve it!
December 1, 2021 at 22:48
Thanks for the positive comment, Janis. The days I reached those two goals were good days. 🙂 So, yes, it is nice to refresh the chart every evening and see improvement. Except, when the stats say zero books sold day after day. And then there’s the first day of the month, like today, where I refresh my monthly sales and it says zero. Time to start all over again, haha. I’m looking forward to a productive December, which will make our trip to Baja even more enjoyable.
December 1, 2021 at 23:42
Congratulations on all that you have accomplished with Plunge. You are a true inspiration. Wishing you a very happy birthday!
December 3, 2021 at 11:11
Thanks, Donna. I’d love to be an inspiration. 🙂
December 2, 2021 at 06:50
Happy Birthday! Deadlines stress me too. It sounds like you’ve done pretty good at meeting your goals and trying to promote your book. I’m impressed with all your reviews too.
December 3, 2021 at 11:13
Deadlines are an interesting phenomenon, causing mixed feelings for me. There is the stress and pressure to reach them (and get started ASAP), yet, they get things done and I feel accomplished after meeting them.
December 2, 2021 at 07:50
On vacation in Homosassa Springs, Florida now, but just swinging by to applaud your achievements once again. Your wise wits and intentional goals are paying off. Having Mark as your publishing partner is a plus too.
Marketing is getting more challenging with my book two years out. Saturday I have a book signing in Mt. Dora, Florida. We’ll see what happens. Like you, I’m not a quitter. Above all, I savor the friendships I’ve made through the process. Thanks for the update, Liesbet. WOW!
December 3, 2021 at 11:16
Hi Marian! You are still doing great, spreading the word about Mennonite Daughter and making connections along the way. Wishing you enjoyment and succes with the book signing tomorrow. I still have never been part of a focused event like that. Enjoy your vacation!
December 2, 2021 at 08:42
I enjoyed reading about the journey of Plunge. You’ve done rather well. Best wishes 💐💐
December 3, 2021 at 11:17
Thank you, Sonia. I’ll take your word for doing well with Plunge, as I have no idea and nothing to compare it to. 🙂
December 2, 2021 at 08:59
As I’ve told you before – you INSPIRE me! I applaud the way you plan your writing/promoting and even use spreadsheets, including budget and cost/reward measurements. Thanks for sharing all of this – you teach so many of us authors the importance of budgets, goals, and “making” ourselves promote. 🙂
December 3, 2021 at 11:21
Spreadsheets are a bit fancy for me, Pam, but I do try to keep track of a few things in my diary and word documents. An old-fashioned and not-so-accurate way, probably. Mark is the man of spreadsheets. For his research anyway. 🙂
I’m humbled by your words stating that I inspire you. You are the one with the experience and a few books – in different genres nevertheless – under your belt. I’m just a newbie who doesn’t know what she’s doing, but who’s eager to try “anything.”
December 4, 2021 at 07:33
But that’s the inspiration, Liesbet. Being out of your (our) depth but plunging in anyway!
December 4, 2021 at 17:10
I see. I must be a “plunger” by nature! 🙂
December 2, 2021 at 10:56
You have done so much to promote your book, not to mention all the preliminary inquiries, Liesbet. It is all a huge amount of work to self-publish, but I’m glad you measure success in the relationships you have built and the satisfaction of getting the book written, published and shared. I believe many folk’s lives are better for reading your book and sharing your journey!
December 3, 2021 at 17:34
What a lovely compliment, Terri! Thank you so much.
And, yes, self-publishing is a humongous amount of work. Every single step along the way. Sometimes, it can get tiring. But from the moment you “slack” on trying to sell your work, nothing happens anymore and no more money comes in. Whether it’s regarding my book, articles, or translations. I have to stay on top of everything.
December 2, 2021 at 12:00
Good morning, Liesbet. What wonderful progress you’ve made this last month. Like others here, I’m so inspired by the balance you keep between writing and marketing, with steady analysis to discover what truly works (investment in time and $$$ versus return). May many new reviews help you reach that 1K goal much faster than anticipated, and may 2022 bring you new adventures. PS Happy birthday!!!!
December 3, 2021 at 17:35
Thank you for the lovely wishes, Beth. It has been an interesting year to say the least. We all have so much work ahead of us as indie authors. I’ve not been writing a new book – or much else – so the balance isn’t quite there yet. 🙂
December 2, 2021 at 16:05
Amazing work, Liesbet. I love your frank and honest posts.
I have just started reading Plunge and am absolutely hooked! It is so well written and engaging.
You really do deserve your success and I’m wishing you all the best!
December 3, 2021 at 17:38
Hi Jackie! Thank you for your compliments and wonderful wishes. I’m psyched that you are enjoying Plunge so far! I appreciate you coming along for the ride – warts and all. That’s the beauty of honest writing, haha.
December 2, 2021 at 16:26
You mentioned about sharing numbers. Curiously, 3rd December will be my third book birthday! In that time, I have published four books, had my writing featured in four anthologies, and have two futre releases almost written and up my sleeve, as well as at least two more that I can’t wait to write.
Because I love writing, my goals were simply to break even on my investment in proof reading, covers and ISBN numbers. I achieved this in 7 months, and after commissioning the covers up to book 6, I am currently about £1,000 in profit, but that will soon be eroded in proof reading and some more ISBNs…!
I didn’t set a goal for reviews. Amazon has a lovely habit of ereasing hard-won reviews for no good reason, but to date, Amazon is showing;
Fur Babies in France – 74 reviews (pub 2018)
Dog on the Rhine – 30 (pub 2019)
Dogs ‘n’ Dracula – 37 (pub 2019)
Pups on Piste – 28 (pub 2020)
– so your 110 reviews in a year is AMAZING!
I don’t really monitor Goodreads, but should probably engage with this a bit more. I have done a number of Alexandra Torre’s free courses on Goodreads, which have been very helpful in navigating the platform! I have really struggled to increase my following.
Like you, I notice that the more work I put into promotion, the more sales I get. Social media is literally On-The-Day! You really have to keep at it as interest falls off immediately. It really is an instant gratification platform.
I don’t put too much effort into promotion – I probably should do more, but now that I am retired, I want writing to be a pleasure, not a replacement for work, so I just do what I can when I feel like it.
Like you, I am delighted to have been featured on people’s blogs, which is great publicity. I think as Indie authors, we could all help each other a bit more in this way. I do try to give authors of books I’ve enjoyed a shout out when I can, either on my blog or on Shepherd.com, which publishes lists of books on a specific subject, recommended by experts (authors in that field!) I also try to leave reviews, but I don’t know about you, I sometimes feel I can’t leave a review unless it’s 5*
I hope that helps! It’s good to share these things. You always hear about authors who earn six figure sums in the first five minutes of their release, but I’m not sure that always equates to reality! 🙂
‘Tis a tough life as an independent author and especially memoir, where you bare your soul for the world to judge…!
December 3, 2021 at 17:57
Wow, Jackie! Thank you soooo much for taking the time writing this detailed comment, sharing your numbers, and enlightening anyone who reads your entry! Priceless!
You sure are cranking out the books and the stories. And no doubt you have plenty of material for many more, based on the exciting lifestyle you’ve been following.
I still have to participate on Shepherd. I’ve had it in the back of my head, especially after I read your blog post about it. One day…
And, I feel the same about reviews. I can only give 4 or 5 stars, being an author myself. So, what to do when you didn’t really enjoy a book? Especially when it was an ARC or you promised the author to leave a review?
You’ve made a nice amount of profit so far. I feel that my upfront cost was quite high compared to other indie authors, which has to do with hiring an editor for two rounds – a substantive/developmental edit first (because this was my first book, I wanted a professional’s opinion and help regarding story flow and fluff) and a copy edit. Those cost $1,000 each! If I write a book again, I’ll skip that first step. Luckily, my proofreaders were free. They actually did a better job than my copy editor!
I’ve learned a lot and hope this experience will make a second book easier and cheaper in multiple ways. But, by the time I slow down my travels and sit down to write again, I will have forgotten all that knowledge!
I’m not active on Goodreads at all. I don’t read enough. Or write enough. That being said, I have been wanting to follow some of Alexandra’s free courses, but never find a way to sign up for them after time has passed and I get to it. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for another one.
I like your idea and experience of seeing the writing, editing, and promoting as a hobby – fun things to do. I’m not there yet, as I’m long not retired, haha. My book is one part of the multiple (little paid) jobs I perform.
Happy third book anniversary today!!
December 4, 2021 at 09:39
Hi Liesbet – Alexandra Torre suggested leaving a review without a star rating if you can’t give a 4 or 5* review. I think that’s quite a kind way of reviewing without mucking up someone’s star rating.
I have only done this when I’ve reviewed one of Alyson Sheldrake’s anthologies. Although I was a contributing author, I had not read any of the other stories previously, so I believe my review is valid, but obviously it’s a bit biased to give a book you’re involved with a 5* rating!
December 4, 2021 at 17:14
Thanks for this addition, Jackie. I never thought of that approach of not leaving the actual stars and just the written part, so the average rating of the author won’t be impacted. Such a good idea. If only one-star reviewers would do this and just provide us with criticism and feedback (I almost wrote constructive feedback, but one-star reviewers are usually all but constructive, lol), skipping the actual rating.
That being said, if I would take this approach and not leave stars, the author (who I might know) will surely understand what I thought of their book… Scary stuff. 🙂
I’m still reading Itchy Feet! For over two months, but I have so little time to read and “escape.” Maybe next year!
December 7, 2021 at 05:43
It gets even more tricky when you know the author, but as an author, I have become comfortable with the knowledge that not everyone will like my book. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad book, just that it’s not to everyone’s taste. I am proud of my work and that is what reall matters.
Like you, I wish 1* reviewers would take this view too, rather than deciding that anything they don’t like is absolute garbage! Nevertheless, I think most sensible readers would dismiss such non-constructive reviews.
I know that if there are far more good reviews, especially from reliable sources, those are the ones I take note of.
December 8, 2021 at 20:01
True and confident words, Jackie! Being proud of your work, enjoying the process, and focusing on the positive (reviews) – that’s the way to go! 🙂 Another thing I don’t like about the one-star review(s) is how many people click the like button underneath it. To me, that number pretty much means the same as more one stars!! 🙁 Luckily, we all have thick skin and we quickly move on, or perk up again when the next wonderful review rolls in.
December 2, 2021 at 16:40
I forgot to say that I read somewhere that most books sell fewer than 200 copies, so you are more than 3 times better than that!
December 3, 2021 at 17:40
I’m glad I – and you – don’t fall in that category of only selling about 200 copies of a book that took years to produce. I’d have to think that these books are either not well-written, compelling, or promoted…
December 2, 2021 at 18:23
Happy birthday to both you and Plunge!
December 3, 2021 at 17:40
Thanks a lot, Anabel! I hope you are doing okay and finding some positive distractions these weeks…
December 3, 2021 at 20:55
Congratulations, Liesbet, on all that you’ve accomplished with Plunge. Achieving two of your three goals within a year is impressive. Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a great week!
December 4, 2021 at 17:09
You are certainly an inspiration when it comes to reaching goals, Natalie! I have to start aiming a little lower, when it comes to to-do lists or other goals in life… Only then will I be able to finish them and feel satisfied. 🙂
December 4, 2021 at 11:50
Hi Liesbet.
Good to have you back for a weekend. I love reading your updates on how publishing is going. The facts of your effort are fascinating but discouraging for folk like me. I too would love to publish, but the return on investment really leaves me wondering why I would take on such a battle.
This year, I’m going to clear my highest number of free views ever for my stories; memoirs, coffee shares and fiction. For me, this remains a hobby but I love that so many have read my words. Hobbies take time of course, so that, along with an upgrade in my blog cost, has been my only costs. I’ve received great practice in creating these pieces and I save them for reuse and curate the collection in a way that others can easily navigate to find stuff. So even my older stories are only a few clicks away from anyone interested and my reward is just being read and some times hearing from my readers.
For me, this has proved to be a very positive hobby. Just 4 years ago, I doubt that I would have believed 2021 would give me numbers that say I had over 8.6K views.
You remain an inspiration that maybe when I retire, I might follow some version of the path you’ve cut for us. Travel safe.
December 4, 2021 at 17:20
Your words warm my heart, Gary. I know we have discussed this before and it’s maybe a negative of being honest and reporting on all aspects of travel, sailing, writing, publishing, promoting. My work (blogs, books, articles) probably puts some people off from doing something… For good or bad. Not sure if I like to have that influence or responsibility, though. I think anyone should follow their hearts and try new and exciting pursuits. And take each story for what it is: a personal story/experience.
But, I don’t like the idea of dreamers ignorantly thinking that everything (like my lifestyle or writing journey) is honkey dory and easy to achieve. Hmmm… Anyway, we are all adults and we can figure out for ourselves if certain approaches would work for us or not, after reading the piece. You have achieved heaps with your blog and your writing. As long as it is fun, it is good! 🙂
December 4, 2021 at 22:53
Congratulations on “earning out” – that’s an achievement for any book, and especially for a memoir. As you said, it’s a tough market. And hooray for you for achieving two out of three of your goals within your timeframe. You’re well on your way to achieving your third, too!
You asked for shared numbers, but I don’t think my numbers are relevant to you. Thrillers are a very different market, and I have a large backlist. I’ll just say that I’ve been supporting Hubby and me with my writing income since 2013, but it’s much harder. When the ebook market was new there were lots of opportunities, but now there are so many ebooks available it’s hard to find a market share. You’re on the right track with all your promotional activities – you can’t sell your books if nobody knows they’re out there! 🙂
December 4, 2021 at 22:54
Oops, I meant ‘Hubby and myself’. With such stellar grammar, you can tell I’m a writer. Right? 😉
December 5, 2021 at 17:43
You know what? I hadn’t even noticed that slip up. Actually, I think it must have been auto-correct! 🙂
December 5, 2021 at 17:42
Hi Diane,
Thanks for the encouragement and wise words. If I could produce my next book with less costs involved, I think it might be a different story. But, I wanted this self-published work (and potential others) to be as professional and good as possible.
You are in a different league, my friend! 🙂 You’ve been at this, professionally, for so long already and you have a team and system that works. I think it’s awesome that you have been able to turn a hobby into a career and you work hard on it. Writing is your job! And it’s your passion. You’ve gotten this far thanks to your dedication, efforts, inspiration, and talent. It’s the “dream” of many authors to be able to just write and live off their income. For me, being a full-time author is too much work and would take away from my main passion in life, which is travel. Plus, I need to make money in the here and now too. So, for now, I keep doing what I can with this one book of mine.
December 6, 2021 at 10:10
Thanks for your kind words, Liesbet! I think you made the right decision, investing in your book’s quality. I’ve seen far too many authors self-publish in haste and then struggle to overcome a reputation for poor-quality writing and/or editing. And if one book is what works for you, then more power to you! Getting a book out there and receiving good reviews is far more than most writers achieve.
December 6, 2021 at 13:58
Thanks, Diane. I’m all about quality versus quantity, haha. Or so I tell myself. 🙂
December 5, 2021 at 02:51
Hello! fellow WLM author and friend here. I think you have done exceptionally well with only one book for sale. Everyone says that you need a series to see any traction and I think that is the case for almost all authors. Someone might get lucky with their first book and find themselves with a bestseller, but that is rare.
You asked for numbers. Well, as you know, I only started this author journey myself in April 2020. I have self-published three books about life here in the Algarve, and a further three anthologies in my Travel Stories series – and I was delighted to include your story too in one of the books. My best book is still my first one!
I have earned €13,500 to date with over 1 million pages read. Figures that quite frankly have amazed and delighted me! Each of my books has cost me between €500-750 to produce. My first book has over 200 reviews, but my latest book just released has only 5 reviews.
I don’t think there is any great magic secret to all of this – I wish there was! Like all the advice says, write good books, get a great cover and blurb, market well – then write the next one!
I wish you all the very best – and remember that you have many author friends cheering you on, willing to support and help you when we can. My favourite phrase is always ‘ a rising tide lifts all boats’. Let’s work together and see how we can help each other more – and above all – enjoy the ride! Being a self-published author might be hard work, but it is also great fun, rewarding and very satisfying. Hey, not that many people can say ‘I wrote a book’ and put it out there into the world. You did – and you can be very proud of that.
December 5, 2021 at 17:51
Alyson, thanks for the kind words and supportive comment. Writing a series, indeed, is the way to go if you want to stand out as an author.
You have come such a very long way in so little time. I have mentioned it before and I will again now: I’m hugely impressed with all your achievements and I still can’t figure out how you find the time to do all the writing, editing, publishing, and compiling while at the same time writing articles for magazines, creating art, taking care of Kat, and living life as an expat. Phew!!!
Thank you for sharing your numbers as well. I hope a bunch of (aspiring) authors will read the comments for this post as there are a few gems that are enlightening, inspiring, and helpful, like your input. And, those numbers are hugely impressive. I can see why you are thrilled about them – the extra income is a nice addition to all your other streams. You have worked so hard for all of it, though, and I am similarly impressed with how you enjoy every step along the way. Making money with a pursuit that makes you happy – or multiple pursuits in your case – is all anyone can dream of!
I think your first book is most successful because of your status as an Algarve expert, your popular blog and articles, and your standing in the community. Those reviews and all those numbers will keep growing, so your future looks bright, my friend! 🙂
December 9, 2021 at 01:51
thank you for your kind words! I think you are right … the most important thing surely is to enjoy the journey – then any profit made is a bonus. I hope my enthusiasm comes through on every page – well that’s the idea anyway!
December 9, 2021 at 22:33
You enthusiasm comes through, as well as your dedication and work ethic, Alyson!
December 5, 2021 at 15:37
I am often amazed at people who have the ability to put pen to paper, creatively. My mother was a writer and artist (never had any of her work published, however). It seems that I didn’t inherit her talents. I noticed, on your blog, a section called “Van Life”…something I find kind of fascinating in a way. Unfortunately RV, VanLife… any of that kind of thing.. isn’t something I can do with my current status but if it were just me, I think it’s something I would strongly consider. Hard to say how I’d do…parts I think I would be find with others I worry about.
December 5, 2021 at 17:56
Hi Tena!
Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment! I guess we all have our talents and passions. I enjoy writing, but there is a lot that is not my forte, like research, technology, and mathematics. Luckily, my husband is good at those things. 🙂
The Van Life section on my blog compiles all the posts I’ve written during our time of explorations and full-time living in our campervan, which we sold earlier this year. Now, we are doing the same but in a different vehicle. I guess I need another heading, huh? Same is true for the Boat Life tab, which explains and elaborates on that previous chapter of ours. Being nomadic is a way of life that I appreciate and enjoy, but it’s not for everyone. There are plenty of challenges involved!
December 6, 2021 at 11:14
Hi Liesbet, thanks for sharing your experiences and your numbers with us. I have only just published my book 8 days ago, so my information might not be very useful yet, but here it is…
Goals: I knew that this would never be a true income-generating thing, so my primary goal was to get my book into as many people’s hands as possible. There are a few messages in my book that I’d love to be read by more people, especially more people in the USA. Things like: those who have the least, give the most; Latin Americans are overwhelmingly kind and generous people; people are, for the most part, good! So in that vein, I think my goals are less financial and more about the numbers.
Financially I want to at least break even, but I spent less than $1K so I’m already almost there. (Friend of a friend is a copyeditor and did my editing for free, but I paid for cover design and ISBNs and Vellum software and copyright and ordering several author proofs to make sure it looked perfect.)
And I’d like to get my book read by at least 1,000 people. Liesbet I think you ought to count your KU pages read when you are counting how many books you’ve sold! (And divide by # of pages in your book.) I have sold 330 books in this first week, but also have 10K pages read in KU so that’s about another 30 or so books. But it’s a loooong way off from 1000! And this first week was when all my friends and family bought the book, so I’m worried that I’ll now see close-to-zero sales. It does make you wonder if all the effort was worth it….
December 6, 2021 at 13:57
Hi Mary,
Thanks for sharing your numbers and goals. It sounds like you’ve gone through all the same things in your head as me, before and after publishing! Including the messages we try to convey in our narrative. We adjust our goals and incentives as time goes by. And, as disappointment grows, we adjust our moods too, haha.
Wow, you sold 330 books in the first week? That is insanely much! You must have a lot of friends and family then. And, maybe a lot of blog followers too? That would certainly be your audience.
Only spending $1,000 on publishing the book makes it easier to break even. Heck, after 330 books you’re basically there, depending on the book price and your royalties. Like you, my goal is 1,000 sales (or people who read Plunge).
I’m publishing wide, so I’m not a part of the KU program. I distribute my paperbacks via IngramSpark and my eBook via Draft2Digital. Not exclusively with Amazon. The amount of books sold through them is negligible, though, but I like that customers have the option. I think one needs to advertise more (and probably pay) to make the book stand out at Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc…
The road of being an indie author has its ups and downs. When you receive a glowing review, a magazine write-up, or a personal message, you soar. When you don’t sell books for days and/or receive a one-star rating, depression sets in and you wonder – yet again – if it has all been worth it!
December 7, 2021 at 07:27
Two out of three goals, isn’t bad, is it? I think the main thing is that you have recouped all the money you spent on making ‘Plunge’ a book. You’re a member of a very small group of indie authors who achieve that, so well done. I still say the hard work you’ve done is paying off. And you learned and shared a lot of the whole book publishing journey for many others to read.
Happy belated birthday. I hope you had a great day.
December 8, 2021 at 20:03
Hi Hugh! One of the things I like about you the most is your positive attitude. And, you pull other up with it. Thank you for the wishes as well. I had a quiet birthday, but that was very welcome this year. Before we leave the US, I have $50 to spend on goodies at one of my favorite grocery stores. And my husband cooked up some lovely meals on my special day. 🙂
December 9, 2021 at 11:12
I hope you enjoy the spending in your favourite grocery store. Honestly, Liesbet, I’d be stuck as to what to put in my shopping cart. This time of year, though, I don’t get as stuck as to what to put in it. Too much temptation, but I always set myself a limit.
I’m glad the birthday went well and that Mark served up some lovely meals. Sounds like the perfect way to spend a birthday to me. especially during the winter months.
December 9, 2021 at 22:26
I am actually a little bit worried that we will forget about this birthday gift of shopping at a grocery store, Hugh, as we have been hugely distracted and focused on other things now, haha. This often happens, we tell each other we will go our to dinner for a special occasion, “later” and then it never happens.
I’ll have to remind Mark that I am still owed the $50 goodie credit. Usually, we only buy what we need at the supermarket (food for dinner, breakfast, and lunch, and some snacks). So, for my birthday, I get to buy whatever goodies I crave – desserts, chocolate-covered nuts, diary products, smoked salmon, Brie cheese, luxury snacks. Now, that is special and some of that will go in my shopping card next month. 🙂
December 10, 2021 at 07:36
I know what you mean about putting things off and then they never happen. Have you heard of the saying ‘Don’t put off today what can be done tomorrow,’ Liesbet? I have to remind myself of that quote often. It usually works.
Have fun on that bonus shop.
December 10, 2021 at 22:40
Thank you! Mark is very good at focusing on what is necessary at hand. So, when it comes to work, tasks, and annoyances, we grab the bull by the horns. Because we know tomorrow will bring new challenges and things that need immediate attention. But, when it comes to enjoyment, life takes over and we forget we are still owed a spoil. 🙂
December 7, 2021 at 16:42
Congrats Liesbet, you certainly have put your heart and your energy and time behind your book! It is interesting when promoting something how one doesn’t really know ahead of time which strategies and efforts will pay off and which one’s will not. So one really needs to try as much as possible to see where there is traction.
It sure is a lot of hard work and this post gives us all just an inkling of what goes into it. But it sounds that it has started to pay off, even if slowly. Reminds me of when I was promoting my art work and paying for booths in large art events. It often took doing the same show, year after year for people to feel comfortable with making a purchase. When it comes to art it seems people mostly will buy from an artist they know than making a one time off the cuff purchase. So it is all about showing up and sometimes the payoff comes way later.
Hope your hard work continues to pay off and you get a well deserved break in Baja.
peta
December 8, 2021 at 20:11
Hi Peta,
You are so right about being patient when it comes to selling art. And how most people would prefer to buy from known entities. I think that’s why it is important for an author and a painter to keep at it and produce more work. That’s how people will find you, appreciate you, start liking you and your work, and wanting more… 🙂 Since I only wrote one book (and am not planning on creating more yet), it will always be a struggle and a battle to keep selling.
I think the biggest lesson I have learned throughout all this is that you have to believe in yourself. And then you have to find a balance – yes, you spent five years on creating this product, so it deserves to be “pushed” a bit to get it in the hands of as many people as possible, but… how much time of my life do I really want to invest in this? Professional authors don’t have this dilemma as all they want to do is get back to writing – that’s their priority and it makes total sense. Once someone has a few books out, each one will help sell the others.
December 15, 2021 at 07:06
Congratulations on all that you’ve achieved! Happy 1st birthday to Plunge! Wow, already a year?
Time does pass quickly.
Congrats also on your 100 reviews on Amazon. Or is it 110+ reviews? That’s amazing!
I think that you are doing very well for an indie author with a memoir! Keep going, Liesbet!
Happy Holidays!
December 16, 2021 at 21:26
Hi Michelle!
I really appreciate your encouraging words, especially since you are an accomplished author and know what you are talking about! Thank you for all the wishes – and yes, it’s over 110 ratings now. I hope they keep coming; the good ones anyway. 🙂
Happy holidays to you and yours as well!!