[Michael J. Scott]

I've found recognizing luck in this to be tremendously liberating.
...
Then came ebooks. I put most of the books whose rights had reverted to me up starting in Sept.2010. They sold verrrrrrry slow at first, and I was thinking the long tail ~might~ be long, but it sure was skinny.
...
Since the spring of 2011, my monthly average income has increased about 10-fold. I'm not a big hitter like Hugh or Joe or Lilliana or Bella or Barbara Freethy or a lot of others. But I'm making a lot more than I ever did in print (which never supported me) or in print + part-time profession combined.
....
And I came to the conclusion that beyond the commonsense basics, essentially nobody knows why or how. And that's GREAT news. Because what it means is we are freed from pursuing that draining quest to find a secret ingredient, from feeling that if we don't have it, it's because we aren't trying hard enough, that it's Our Fault. It means that we cover the commonsense basics (which is, indeed, a hefty amount of work), and then we get our heads back into the writing.

Hallelujah!

I do get it. It's the long tail, the long wait even as I do what I ought to be doing, which is write a whole helluva lot more books than I have available right now. What I like about the "blame" thing is that if I can point to something that I'm not doing, then I can start doing it. And if I can point to something I should be doing but ain't, I can stop doing that. Blame equals responsibility, which equals an ability to respond to my circumstances and change them.

Luck leaves me at the mercy of circumstances beyond my control. And that may well be the case, but it's damn frustrating.

I love writing. And I love the hope of doing this as a means of making a living. It's not why I write, but it does motivate.

How about writing the best, slightly out-of-the-box books that you can, and then marketing them in slightly unconventional ways?

Well, I have been working on my Jefferson's Road series, which is certainly out-of-the-box and damn scary, but it's the "slightly unconventional ways" that I haven't quite figured out. Any suggestions?

 

[Joe_Nobody]

I think I'm close to that number. I haven't added it up in a bit, but I know I passed $1 million last month, (23 months of writing full-time). Around here, I didn't think that was any big deal given the numbers I see posted on some of the sales threads.
Is there a million dollar club like in real estate?  

I respect the heck out of Mr. Konrath, and wish him nothing but the best.

As far as luck goes, I have to agree with 99% of the above posts.

I was very, very fortunate on the timing, genera and placement of my first book.

After that though, I feel like I've earned every single dime. My stuff isn't as high-quality of writing as many of you good folks, but the stories are solid. As far as the non-fiction goes, I'll put my stuff up there with anyone's.

So the bottom line, from my POV, is a mixture of luck and hard work. I look at it like the luck is optional, but it sure helps speed things up.

 

[N. Gemini Sasson]

Since the spring of 2011, my monthly average income has increased about 10-fold. I'm not a big hitter like Hugh or Joe or Lilliana or Bella or Barbara Freethy or a lot of others. But I'm making a lot more than I ever did in print (which never supported me) or in print + part-time profession combined.

Patricia, I love hearing stories like this. I'm so happy to hear that after all the frustration for you there is a sunny side. Congratulations!

 

[MGalloway]

Well, I have been working on my Jefferson's Road series, which is certainly out-of-the-box and d*mn scary, but it's the "slightly unconventional ways" that I haven't quite figured out. Any suggestions?

I don't know. I'd have to read the book first. I guess the first question would be...have you found your audience yet?

I'm probably not going to be of much help...at least not right now. That may change soon because today, I finally got around to finishing the first part of Wool. (Yes, I'm way behind on my reading.) It made me realize what I've been doing wrong.

 

[Michael J. Scott]

I don't know. I'd have to read the book first. I guess the first question would be...have you found your audience yet?

I'm probably not going to be of much help...at least not right now. That may change soon because today, I finally got around to finishing the first part of Wool. (Yes, I'm way behind on my reading.) It made me realize what I've been doing wrong.

Interesting... if it's not too much trouble or too revealing, what did you learn? If so, that's fine, too.

 

[Andrew Ashling]

I've found recognizing luck in this to be tremendously liberating.

And I came to the conclusion that beyond the commonsense basics, essentially nobody knows why or how. And that's GREAT news. Because what it means is we are freed from pursuing that draining quest to find a secret ingredient, from feeling that if we don't have it, it's because we aren't trying hard enough, that it's Our Fault. It means that we cover the commonsense basics (which is, indeed, a hefty amount of work), and then we get our heads back into the writing.

Hallelujah!

Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, and good for you.

 

[MGalloway]

Interesting... if it's not too much trouble or too revealing, what did you learn? If so, that's fine, too.

I need to make some adjustments in terms of visibility.

 

[A. S. Warwick]

Impressive numbers, and something to aspire too.  Now to just get a hold of a piece of that luck that everyone talks about

 

[28612]

What I like about the "blame" thing is that if I can point to something that I'm not doing, then I can start doing it.

I understand, Michael. I really, really wanted that control, too. And I hope you find the secret ingredient. I just know I didn't and letting go of the expectation that I would helped me.

Thank you for your great words, Desmond. Gemini and Andrew, I truly appreciate your responses. Your msgs mean a lot.

 

[christianem]

@Patricia, thank you for sharing! I grew up reading HQN books but it was because of the authors. So as a reader, if my fave HQN author self-pubs, I'll still buy her books. Hope that gives you added motivation to keep writing.

@Joe_Nobody, thanks for sharing your numbers, too. You made me value my work more and not just price everything at .99 to be competitive. It's also great to see that even those who aren't as popular as JA Konrath earn seven figures. Definitely gives us hope!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk - now Free

 

[MQ]

I have been an Indie for almost 3 years now with minimum sales (I have actually been traditionally published so I’ve gone through the ups and down there).  Anyways, I have tried all the common sense techniques but nothing has worked thus far.  I was so stressed about writing that I went on a vacation for a couple of weeks and during this time I refused to check my e-mails or even sales.  I actually found I was happier.  I LOVE writing but this made me think whether I should continue or not, or whether I had it in me to keep going.  But when I returned from my vacation I saw Konrath’s blog about quitting.  

I guess I’ll have to do some serious thinking now… hmm...

 

[Guest]

If you read his comment in the thread, he explains how he did it, he credits BOOKBUB with driving a free title to many thousands of new fans, who then are able to buy his catalog of titles. So another author with nice success that gave away a title on BOOKBUB. Anyone know of any other sites similar to BOOKBUB that can deliver 10K to 100K free downloads?

That is how unknown or indie authors are being found, outside of a major mention in major media.

 

[hyh]

Wow - what an inspirational thread! Thank you all those who shared their stories (& to Joe for his blog, which was also one of the first things I started following when I decided to go indie) - and Hugh, for your great comment breaking down the reason for success. Especially loved to hear Patricia's story - so encouraging. 

I'm ashamed to say that as a newbie who has only been at this 6 weeks, I was already becoming disheartened and so I really needed to read this thread (and am off to read Joe's article next!). It wasn't so much that I was thinking of giving up already but more that I was wondering whether I'm just naive / arrogant / delusional  to think I might ever succeed at this (by succeed, I mean make enough to earn a living).

I think it doesn't help that I am SO NOT a gambler - taking risks makes me break out in hives and I'm a huge control freak - and really, this whole self-publishing thing is one massive gamble. I really admire the people who have enough self-belief to keep at it, keep believing that it will happen sooner or later - as a non-gambler, I just keep thinking of the odds and so much depending on *luck* and thinking what if I do spend decades putting out multiple titles and it STILL doesn't happen?? I thnk it hasn't helped that I have started in one of the LEAST popular & toughest genres (children's MG)...

But anyway, it's wonderful to have threads like these to give people like me a boost to keep going! 

Hsin-Yi

 

[scribblr]

I haven't added it up in a bit, but I know I passed $1 million last month...Is there a million dollar club like in real estate?

Congrats, Joe. Your green blazer with the dollar sign on the pocket will be sent to you as soon as you complete the application and submit the required fee.

 

[Desmond X. Torres]

I'm ashamed to say that as a newbie who has only been at this 6 weeks, I was already becoming disheartened and so I really needed to read this thread (and am off to read Joe's article next!). It wasn't so much that I was thinking of giving up already but more that I was wondering whether I'm just naive / arrogant / delusional to think I might ever succeed at this (by succeed, I mean make enough to earn a living).

I think it doesn't help that I am SO NOT a gambler - taking risks makes me break out in hives and I'm a huge control freak - and really, this whole self-publishing thing is one massive gamble. I really admire the people who have enough self-belief to keep at it, keep believing that it will happen sooner or later - as a non-gambler, I just keep thinking of the odds and so much depending on *luck* and thinking what if I do spend decades putting out multiple titles and it STILL doesn't happen?? I thnk it hasn't helped that I have started in one of the LEAST popular & toughest genres (children's MG)...

But anyway, it's wonderful to have threads like these to give people like me a boost to keep going!

Hsin-Yi

You don't have a problem with your writing- I just looked at your book's sample.
Patience you must have young Jedi! You got 30 or so reviews, all 5*, your cover looks fine to me, and you write well.

As far as being a control freak and hives... mmmm.... maybe that could change over time in this game, I dunno. I do think publishing independently is by far the lesser of two evils as far as that's concerned. In this milieu, at least you're not dealing with all the pitfalls TP's can toss authors in, right?

 

[hyh]

You don't have a problem with your writing- I just looked at your book's sample.
Patience you must have young Jedi! You got 30 or so reviews, all 5*, your cover looks fine to me, and you write well.

As far as being a control freak and hives... mmmm.... maybe that could change over time in this game, I dunno. I do think publishing independently is by far the lesser of two evils as far as that's concerned. In this milieu, at least you're not dealing with all the pitfalls TP's can toss authors in, right?

Aw, Desmond, thanks for giving me a big smile with that Jedi quote! And thanks for the nice words about my writing/book. Yes, I'm really grateful that everybody who has read it has loved it, including teachers & parents - I do feel fairly confident that my book can stand on its own once its target group reads it - it's just GETTING the book to them that is the huge challenge! I know I need patience...but I just worry that what if time alone isn't enough - what if I'm one of those authors who does all the right things and still fails?? (See, told you I'm not a gambler! )

But I know I shouldn't complain. Just get on and write the next book!!

And oh no - I totally agree with you - I don't regret self-publishing at all and am not really interested in the traditional route (unless it's some amazing print-only deal! ) - it's not TP that's the alternative but the constant thought that I could/should be doing a "normal" job which pays a regular income, instead of gambling on something that could all come to nothing, even with a lot of hard work. I feel that family & friends are looking at me askance and rolling their eyes disapprovingly behind my back, thinking I'm just a silly dreamer who should just "get real"...and I'm scared that they're right!

Hsin-Yi

 

[Desmond X. Torres]

looking at me askance and rolling their eyes disapprovingly behind my back, thinking I'm just a silly dreamer who should just "get real"...and I'm scared that they're right!

Hsin-Yi

Yeah, silly a**ed dreamers. You know the type- some clowns think they can just walk in and get admitted to Oxford University, the most competitive university on the planet, the one where Harvard grads want to go. Those people ought to give their heads a shake.

As far as writing more books is concerned, if you have a LOT of time, spend it on this thread>
http://www.kboards.com/index.php/topic,165320.0.html
Especially pay attention to the contributor who wrote the novel 'First Activation' and Google his name, he did a 1 hr interview online at a site called 'Rocking Self Publishing' that's a treasure of promotional info. The thread I'm pointing you to is sort of scary (so bring your anti histamines) but it's also extremely hopeful!