Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Writer Wednesday: Crunching Numbers


When I made the decision to go indie, I knew it would mean putting out more money for my books. So far, that's definitely been the case. I'm purchasing covers, which are gorgeous by the way. I'm paying editors. I'm purchasing different promotional services. In a word, it's expensive!

But my hope is that my books will reach more readers. I've been lucky that my editing jobs are covering my expenses for my books. I just hope I wind up with a little extra spending cash in the end. That would be nice, right? It's scary not knowing if you'll make back your investment, but that's nothing new for the world of publishing. 

In the meantime, I'll just stare at my pretty covers and hope others see them and scoop up these books!

Does the idea of putting out money before you see any in return scare you as much as it scares me?

*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.

18 comments:

  1. Before I had children, the thought of spending money up front in thus way wouldn't have worried me. Now I have a mortgage and two teenagers (there's a husband somewhere in there too), I don't have the same spare money I did. Great article.

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    1. Yes. Having a family and bills definitely makes this worse.

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  2. Thanks for sharing! I wish you the best and look forward to seeing more KH/AD books in the future!

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  3. It is, after all, a business investment. You have to be judicious about it.

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  4. You've heard the phrase, "You gotta spend money to make money" haven't you? :)

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  5. Exactly, Kelly. Even not self-publishing has expenses. I live with hope, though, and one day I might earn a little money. Until then, I enjoy what I'm doing.

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  6. This is awesome! I love your new covers. As far as publishing these yourself, hang in there. Learn the art of the publisher and you will be successful. The best part of it is, the product is yours. I've given life to some of my backlist, changed directions and never regretted it.

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    1. I do love being in control. Choosing my own cover designers and editors is great!

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  7. You deserve every bit of success, and I have faith in you, your abilities, and your work ethic.
    For myself, the thought of spending money while knowing I don't have the temperament to go it alone as both author and publisher of my stories, is enough to keep me from spending too much. I have to count every bit.

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    1. I loved traditional publishing at first. I really did. I wish things hadn't changed, but I'll change to adjust.

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  8. I love the new covers! Yes, since I also self-publish, it is very expensive. Cash goes out and little or no cash comes back. I am in the process of helping my granddaughter publish her first book, and the illustrations are expensive, but it is worth it even if one kid reads the book and enjoys it.

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    1. That's great! I'm sure you were her inspiration!

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  9. Good luck!

    I know of several authors who are either hybrids (traditional and self-published) or who switched from trad to indie. Publishing is in a state of great change and we writers have to be flexible enough to adjust our goals from time to time.

    Great covers!

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