One Year Ends, Another Begins

One Year Ends, Another Begins

So what do I think about my first year as a self-published author?

I’m thrilled at what I’ve been able to accomplish (with plenty of help, of course!): six novels, three audiobooks, nearly 1,600 sales, over 100 (mostly) fantastic reviews.  And a lot of new friends made, which is the best thing of all.

I’m frustrated at what I haven’t mastered yet, which is mainly the marketing and sales side of things.  I knew it would be difficult, but I had no idea just how difficult.  There are no rules, or, if they are, they’re changing constantly, and the technique or website or promotion idea that worked six months ago is dead now.  And the thing that’s working right now will be ineffective by next summer, if not sooner.  And there’s just SO many people out there doing the same thing I am, it’s incredibly difficult to get noticed, even for a very short time.

My hope for the new year is that I begin to get more comfortable with all that – with the idea that marketing my books is like surfing (at least, what I think surfing is like based on what I’ve seen in movies!) – constantly looking for that next wave, jumping on it, trying to ride it as long as I can, and then getting off before I get dragged under when that new wave collapses.  Anyone who knows me, will know that that is not at all in my comfort zone, though, so I have a lot to work on!

My other hope is to keep writing, and to keep doing a good job (which I’d like to think I’ve done so far).  I think I’ve written pretty good books, with engaging and likeable and realistic characters, and my hope is that I can continue to do that.  I’d ideally like to get three books done this year: the seventh’ Dream Series book, the next book after that (which I already think I know a few things about, including possibly the title), and also the Jane book that’s been stuck at 12,000 words for a few months now.  We’ll see how that all goes.

I really want to thank everyone who’s visited this blog, or bought or read or reviewed my books, or in any other way helped or supported me during this year.  You all know who you are.  And you can be sure that I do, too…

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