Love this, thank you. Being an author is an emotional rollercoaster in a lot of ways. I was series editor for 10 books series and worked with hundreds of authors on their books. Many had unrealistic sales expectations which led to disappointment, even when told typical sales numbers and the like. As authors, I think it's in our nature to "dream big."
This is so interesting to me. My first book, a memoir, launches in May and I have literally no expectations. It's not that I don't expect to sell some books, but in this case I think it's a blessing to be ignorant so I don't have unrealistic dreams. We'll see if I'm the same the second time around. Thank you.
Thank you for this insider information that is both sobering and inspiring. It takes huge courage to take the leaps of faith required in publishing. Best to be prepared!
There is indeed MUCH more to authorship than the sales. That said, however, it is often very difficult to justify the time and energy consumed by one's literary pretensions. Those who self-publish and attempt to market/advertise often find themselves considerably in the red by the time the smoke clears and the dust settles. Nevertheless, many of us continue.
Perhaps I merely joust with windmills, like another, more famous madman. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of "creating something out of nothing" justifies the efforts. [… or so I devoutly believe!]
This makes me feel pretty damn good to have sold through more than 600 books on my first novel as an indie author. The returns actually broke my heart after I worked my face off to get into Indigo and several independent bookstores. Thanks for the insight.
Brooke, thank you for this amazing article. It IS an emotional roller-coaster, but as the children' book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Micheal Rosen says... "can't go over it, can't go under it, have to go (swish, swish, swish,) right through it. And in the end, we will all be rare, esteemed, accomplished published authors....
Brooke, Thank you for your always straight-ahead, but positive way of providing the information writers need to keep doing what we do. I'm grateful you keep doing what you to, too. I really appreciate this post. Much as I don't want to find myself checking stats and numbers, I do it. Good to remember this perspective.
As much as an author wants to be in control of authoring, publishing, sales, there is much that is out of their control. When I open my closet door to the seventy books stacked in a box on the floor, (inventory from a published memoir of 2018) I am reminded not of this excess there and stored elsewhere, but that I actually got the dang memoir published! A smile on my face replaces any heavy sigh.
This is one of the reasons indie and hybrid authors should closely evaluate making a big push to go into bookstores. Not only will they probably not get primary placement (because the Big Five will have claimed those coveted slots) but their books could wind up being returned and will not only cost them the book's value but hefty shipping costs as well. And the books often come back in less than saleable condition so about all you can do is donate them. I love independent bookstores but it's often costly to work with them.
I will say that for us indie bookstores make up about 30% of our sales, so it's very worthwhile for us to get into bookstores. But I agree with you that it's a mixed bag and it's a case by case basis. Thanks for your comment!
Yes these realities are so tough. And many of us come in uncertain about exactly how to “move” the books along. It’s impossible to predict exactly how a book will land no matter how much we invest. Even though we cognitively learn about these things it still feels like murder when we have to get rid of them.
We authors should all print this out and hang it above our desks when our babies head into an indifferent world.
Love this, thank you. Being an author is an emotional rollercoaster in a lot of ways. I was series editor for 10 books series and worked with hundreds of authors on their books. Many had unrealistic sales expectations which led to disappointment, even when told typical sales numbers and the like. As authors, I think it's in our nature to "dream big."
This is so interesting to me. My first book, a memoir, launches in May and I have literally no expectations. It's not that I don't expect to sell some books, but in this case I think it's a blessing to be ignorant so I don't have unrealistic dreams. We'll see if I'm the same the second time around. Thank you.
Wishing you all the best. I hope it will be a great launch. 🤗
Thank you for this insider information that is both sobering and inspiring. It takes huge courage to take the leaps of faith required in publishing. Best to be prepared!
There is indeed MUCH more to authorship than the sales. That said, however, it is often very difficult to justify the time and energy consumed by one's literary pretensions. Those who self-publish and attempt to market/advertise often find themselves considerably in the red by the time the smoke clears and the dust settles. Nevertheless, many of us continue.
Perhaps I merely joust with windmills, like another, more famous madman. Nevertheless, the satisfaction of "creating something out of nothing" justifies the efforts. [… or so I devoutly believe!]
This makes me feel pretty damn good to have sold through more than 600 books on my first novel as an indie author. The returns actually broke my heart after I worked my face off to get into Indigo and several independent bookstores. Thanks for the insight.
THIS is a great headline.
Brooke, thank you for this amazing article. It IS an emotional roller-coaster, but as the children' book "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by Micheal Rosen says... "can't go over it, can't go under it, have to go (swish, swish, swish,) right through it. And in the end, we will all be rare, esteemed, accomplished published authors....
Brooke, Thank you for your always straight-ahead, but positive way of providing the information writers need to keep doing what we do. I'm grateful you keep doing what you to, too. I really appreciate this post. Much as I don't want to find myself checking stats and numbers, I do it. Good to remember this perspective.
As much as an author wants to be in control of authoring, publishing, sales, there is much that is out of their control. When I open my closet door to the seventy books stacked in a box on the floor, (inventory from a published memoir of 2018) I am reminded not of this excess there and stored elsewhere, but that I actually got the dang memoir published! A smile on my face replaces any heavy sigh.
Thank you for this informative and thoughtful post, Brooke - so important to keep things in perspective!
Great pep talk and much appreciated, Brooke!
Great read. The last part about being in a "select few" is such a beautiful way to frame this. Thank you, Brooke.
I love every word, Brooke!!!
This is one of the reasons indie and hybrid authors should closely evaluate making a big push to go into bookstores. Not only will they probably not get primary placement (because the Big Five will have claimed those coveted slots) but their books could wind up being returned and will not only cost them the book's value but hefty shipping costs as well. And the books often come back in less than saleable condition so about all you can do is donate them. I love independent bookstores but it's often costly to work with them.
I will say that for us indie bookstores make up about 30% of our sales, so it's very worthwhile for us to get into bookstores. But I agree with you that it's a mixed bag and it's a case by case basis. Thanks for your comment!
Yes these realities are so tough. And many of us come in uncertain about exactly how to “move” the books along. It’s impossible to predict exactly how a book will land no matter how much we invest. Even though we cognitively learn about these things it still feels like murder when we have to get rid of them.
Timely and clear-eyed. Eyes wide open.