Learning as I go: lizo27's self-publishing thread

lizo27

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August update (on time!)

Ebooks sold: 29 (10 TRC; 12 TFL; 7 TPM)
Paperbacks sold: 8 (3 TRC, 2 TFL, 3 TPM)
Free downloads: 0
KENP read: 8885 (3582 TRC; 2621 TFL; 2682 TPM)
Audiobooks 0

Totals:

Ebooks sold: 798
Paperbacks sold: 113
Free downloads: 1221
KENP read: 177,466
Audiobooks 37

A decent month, given that I did exactly zero advertising. The second audiobook should be out soon, and I've gotten some good advice on motivating myself to write book four.
 

lizo27

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September, October, November update (I've been neglecting this thread :( )

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]November ebooks 15 (9 TFL, 4 TRC, 2 TPM)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]November KENP 8368 (2728 TFL, 4115 TRC, 1525 TPM) [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Free downloads 145 (53 TPM, 92 TRC)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]November paperbacks 11 (2 TFL, 7 TRC, 2 TPM)[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]October ebooks 22 (8 TFL, 7 TRC, 7 TPM)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]October KENP 11386 (2487 TFL, 3041 TRC, 5858 TPM)[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]October paperbacks 0[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Audiobooks total 47 (43 TRC, 4 TFL)[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]September paperback 5[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]September ebooks 28[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]September free downloads 2648[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]September KENP 20798[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText][/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Ebooks 863[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Paperbacks 129[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Free downloads 4014[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]KENP 218,018[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Audiobooks 47[/FONT][/FONT]
 

lizo27

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December update:

[FONT=.SF UI Text]December ebooks 9 (3 TFL, 2 TRC, 4 TPM)
December KENP 2371 (1108 TFL, 667 TRC, 596 TPM)
December paperbacks 1 (TRC)[/FONT]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Ebooks 872[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Paperbacks 130[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Free downloads 4014[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]KENP 220,389[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Audiobooks 49[/FONT][/FONT]

I’m having a big writer’s block issue over writing the next book. I feel like the last book wasn’t as good as the first two and that I published it prematurely. I don’t know what to to do about it and it’s really killing my enthusiasm as I feel like I’ve ruined my series. :(
 

lizo27

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I just feel that the third book isn't nearly as good as it could have been--so much so that what I really want to do is pull it down and rewrite it, but I can't decide if that's a good idea.
 

M. H. Lee

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I just feel that the third book isn't nearly as good as it could have been--so much so that what I really want to do is pull it down and rewrite it, but I can't decide if that's a good idea.

If you're feeling that strongly about it, rewrite it. One of the pluses of being indie is that you can do something like that. I was rereading book 2 in my fantasy series as prep for writing book 3 and realized I'd done more filtering than I'd realized (she saw, she heard, etc.) and that it weakened the book for me. So I noted all those edits that didn't read well to me as a reader six months post release and fixed them and put up a revised ebook and paperback. The readers who'd already read it hadn't said anything, but it was something I felt I needed to do to make it the best story it could be.

Just don't let yourself get stuck in a never-ending loop of editing that one book. But since it's book 3, I think that's probably not going to be an issue for you.
 

lizo27

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Yeah. I really think what it needs is just one more rewrite to strengthen characterization and build a subplot. And to set up more clearly some threads I want to pick up in the fourth book. I just sent it out into the world a bit too early and it bugs me.
 

Catherine

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That's the hard part with self-publishing--knowing when a manuscript is really ready. As we develop our writing skills, we get better at spotting where a story can be improved, which makes the whole process even more tricky.

I tend to second guess myself into inaction on certain projects. Good luck moving forward, whichever path you decide to take.
 

lizo27

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January update:
[FONT=.SF UI Text]
January ebooks 11 (3 TFL, 4 TRC, 4 TPM)
January KENP 3108 (574 TFL, 1082 TRC, 1452 TPM)
January paperbacks: 0[/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text]
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[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Ebooks 883[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Paperbacks 130[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Free downloads 4014[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]KENP 223,497[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Audiobooks 52[/FONT][/FONT]

I’m rewriting the third book. The longer I work on the rewrite, the more I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. But I feel like such an idiot for publishing something so unpolished in the first place. :/ Oh well, live and learn I guess.
 

rwm4768

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January update:
[FONT=.SF UI Text]
January ebooks 11 (3 TFL, 4 TRC, 4 TPM)
January KENP 3108 (574 TFL, 1082 TRC, 1452 TPM)
January paperbacks: 0[/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text]
[/FONT]

[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Ebooks 883[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Paperbacks 130[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Free downloads 4014[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]KENP 223,497[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=.SF UI Text][FONT=.SFUIText]Audiobooks 52[/FONT][/FONT]

I’m rewriting the third book. The longer I work on the rewrite, the more I’m sure it’s the right thing to do. But I feel like such an idiot for publishing something so unpolished in the first place. :/ Oh well, live and learn I guess.

At least that's one of the great options you have with self-publishing. If a book doesn't turn out the way you'd like, you have the freedom to go back and change it. It's not as good as getting it right to begin with, but it's better than leaving a book out there that you don't feel good about.
 

lizo27

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At least that's one of the great options you have with self-publishing. If a book doesn't turn out the way you'd like, you have the freedom to go back and change it. It's not as good as getting it right to begin with, but it's better than leaving a book out there that you don't feel good about.

Very true. It’s nice to have the freedom to fix my mistake.