Freak out about Pre Order. Tips?

First of all, congrats. You're off to a great start, and out of the gate faster than 95% of new writers. And you're obviously doing something right or people wouldn't be pre-ordering book #2.

Having said that, learning to write on a deadline is a new and difficult skill. Until you can be confident that you can put your butt in the chair and have eighty or a hundred thousand polished words in three months, it's going to be pretty scary to get your book up for pre-order. The best thing you can do is sit down and work like hell to make sure it happens. If you struggle this time, don't put another book up for pre-order until you're more confident in your ability to hit short-term deadlines.

Good luck!

I feel I'm in a similar situation with somewhat unexpected sales of my preorder. Sure, I hope for some but I checked it this morning and found out that about half of those that have bought my book have also preordered the next one! (in considerably less numbers than yours mind you!)

But I didn't expect it... I put it up there as a next step for readers but to actually see people picking it up too? I was shocked. I definitely understand what your feeling!!

I'm doing my best to use this energy in a creative way and working to make book 2 as good as it can be! Frankly, it has turned to excitement. With my first book I knew of a few who were interested but now I have more interested and in investing in the next book before it is even ready!

You can look at it this way: People have read your first book, like your writing, and now want more! What better of a situation could you be in? Keep writing! You can do this!

I think every book I write will be THE ONE readers hate. It's totally normal to worry about letting down the people who liked previous books. The good news is, you're on preorder so you can't back out. That's half the value of preorders right there. 

WE ALL feel this way. Don't sweat it. If they truly HATE it (and they won't) Amazon has a generous return policy. Don't worry.

Today, I told my husband "I write good books. People love to read them." Just uttering those words, out loud, was very empowering. Look at yourself in the mirror and say "I write good books. People love to read them."

Words have power. Spoken words especially.

Depending on how much time you have to work with, you could ask a couple beta-readers to look at Book 2 and get some feedback on the "turn" ... or you could just trust your choices and publish. I suspect the latter route would work out fine. The reviews on Book 1 suggest strongly indicate shout from the rooftops that you know what you're doing.

Here are some jelly beans.

Yep. I go through this every time, and it seems to get worse rather than better. Success breeds self-doubt but try to be grateful for the former and ignore the heck out of the latter. 

No doubt your beta readers must have loved the second book. Take comfort in that.

I am reasonably certain that you are not alone and that this is normal.

Every page someone reads I'm worried they are going to find out I'm some kind of big fraud then proceed to storm my house and steal my cat.

Take comfort in the fact that people are willing to shell out their hard earned money for your book!

MeganBryce said:

stores will close, riots will form, the entire western world will collapse, my husband will divorce me and my children will spit on me because I wrote a book that disappointed readers... and, for me, that helps because that is clearly ridiculous. Writers disappoint readers all the time and... nothing happens.

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This does help. Surprisingly a lot!

JACipriano said:

Every page someone reads I'm worried they are going to find out I'm some kind of big fraud then proceed to storm my house and steal my cat.

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Bahaha. Love this!

Becca Mills said:

The reviews on Book 1 suggest strongly indicate shout from the rooftops that you know what you're doing.

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Until you go on goodreads! But, point taken. Thanks.

Elizabeth Ann West said:

Look at yourself in the mirror and say "I write good books. People love to read them."

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Just did this!! And you are right, it helps

Thank you everyone for sharing. It also really helps just to know it's not a solitary feeling. Mutual misery is a powerful thing Just kidding, actually I kinda of enjoy the ride of the high and lows, the anxiety to fear to bliss, that this crazy publishing ride gives me!!

AYClaudy said:

Until you go on goodreads! But, point taken. Thanks.

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Author friends don't let author friends go on Goodreads. Not to read your reviews, anyway. Stay away!

MichaelWallace said:

First of all, congrats. You're off to a great start, and out of the gate faster than 95% of new writers. And you're obviously doing something right or people wouldn't be pre-ordering book #2.

Having said that, learning to write on a deadline is a new and difficult skill. Until you can be confident that you can put your butt in the chair and have eighty or a hundred thousand polished words in three months, it's going to be pretty scary to get your book up for pre-order. The best thing you can do is sit down and work like hell to make sure it happens. If you struggle this time, don't put another book up for pre-order until you're more confident in your ability to hit short-term deadlines.

Good luck!

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Oh yes, fortunately I have the trilogy written. It's just in the process of being edited. I'm not at the level where I could confidently set a book for preorder without knowing there was a product there, yet. I had to make sure I was going to be able to actually end this story before I even put the first up for sale. It's all part of building that confidence, for now I'm cautious.

Cherise Kelley said:

Author friends don't let author friends go on Goodreads. Not to read your reviews, anyway. Stay away!

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Very good advice!! I think I would be much more level if I did this. But, I'm also a bit of a masochist so it's hard to resist!

Cherise Kelley said:

Author friends don't let author friends go on Goodreads. Not to read your reviews, anyway. Stay away!

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Seconding this!

Right there with you! My preorders on #2 have taken me by surprise. Now I have all these people waiting on it to release, which is somehow worse than if no one had preordered it. Between the pressure of their expectations and my self-imposed pressure to get the thing edited and done, I'm feeling like a lump of coal right now.

Here's hoping we both cr*p out diamonds