Saturday, August 18, 2012

Expanding the Dream


When big things happen in our lives, we tend to reassess and evaluate where we are. For me, I realized this past month that something had to change.

I’ve been planning on my self-published books supporting me into my old age. That goal may require a little honing – in fact, it definitely will. My books have not taken off according to plan. I happen to know there are a lot of Indie authors in the same boat.  So, since the gazillion dollars are not going to come my way for a while (I still believe in ultimate success),  I had to shift my dream a bit and make room for expansion.

I’m now developing and implementing Plan B. This is where I find something else that makes me happy and create a new income stream from that other love. No, I’m not cheating on my writing muse, Shirley. In fact, she’s come back to life as I’ve shifted focus to this new endeavor. I think she’s happy to have my mind occupied elsewhere. It takes the stress off of her.

The great thing about coming up with a Plan B is that hopefully it will keep me from re-entering the corporate world, from which I still have scars on my belly (not really, but you get the idea!)

I’m shooting for a big unveiling within a month. I think you’ll be surprised. But the real reason for writing about this is because I’m sensing desperation in some of my writing friends. It is very difficult to accept but being a successful author actually means selling more than 100 copies of your book.  I’ve seen similar figures on the internet, but here’s a quote and link for you – “Most of the one million books published in the United States each year will never sell more than 100 copies.”

How Many Copies of a Book are Sold, On Average?


For those of us who dreamed of writing on the beach or on the veranda of an Italian villa during our retirement, we may have to shift our expectations slightly. However, you’ll never find me telling you to give up on your dream because I definitely believe you must have at least one and many, many times they do come true. So, plug on, dear ones, as I plan to, but maybe think of a lovable sideline to add to the mix.

Cheers to all the believers in the world!

14 comments:

  1. I too have realised exactly what you have Kathy. It turns out my dream was just that - an unreal sensation. This has knocked me for a six, as we say here in Australia.

    The time and effort I've put in over many years is not even going to come close to paying me back what it has cost me. I remain resolute, but not stupid. I’m not going to keep banging my head against a wall hoping it will one day change.

    Firstly I’m going to give social media the flick. While I’ve met some lovely people and learned quite a bit, it has done little for me as a writer and nothing as a marketing/advertising solution. Perhaps if I had thousands to do it better it might work, but from what I hear happening on the net, many companies and individuals are finding social media is a waste of time, and generates few if any meaningful rewards.

    Secondly I’m going to improve my writing and life skills. I know I can be much better at my chosen discipline of writing. I’m going to get a diploma, something that means something to another and not just me. Then over the next five years plan to get published. Not self-published. I need to prove to myself that another finds my writing worth investing in.

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    1. I hear you, Rob. I'm planning on sticking with social media because I have fun doing it. I love Twitter and Pinterest and blogging is at times a savior for me, but I know many for whom social media is painful.

      I also understand the desire to hone your craft. I began to feel pressure to knock out books at a rate that is uncomfortable for me. So, I'm going to stay at my personal best rate. This experiment of self-publishing has been good for me and taught me much.

      A diploma is always a good goal and I wish you the best, Rob.

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  2. Kathy: We are feeling the need for change, even if we continue writing full time. I still believe the market is there. I'm still trying to find a way to reach it. Someone somewhere somehow will create a breakthrough in marketing books. But it's not healthy to keep banging our heads against the wall for twelve hours a day, seven days a week. I've always heard that you should work smarter, not harder. I admire your courage to take the fork in the road. I'm excited to learn your next move. Whatever it is, you can count on me to be there to support you.

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    1. Caleb, I so glad you said work smarter, not harder. This new endeavor allows me to exercise more creative muscles that have atrophied over the years because I gave my all to writing. So, I'm very excited, too! As soon as I have something to show you all, I'll be making an announcement. Thanks, as always, for your support.

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  3. Kathy,

    I echo Caleb's sentiment. And I also think of what Winston Churchill said, "Never give up. Never give up."

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    1. Oh, Stephen, you hit the nail on the head. That's way I was so stubborn and took a while to come to this "expansion" - I will never give up on the dream. Ever.

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  4. I love blogging and most times social media is cool - hell, that's where I met you, so it has to be cool. However, when I back up a couple of steps and refocus on what I'm doing, I have to admit that selling books though social media is a bust. It's like trying to sell salt to salt salesmen. On the other hand, I don't need an agent or publisher to tell me my books are good - I read them and I know they are good. What I want is an effective way to sell them and I'm open to suggestions.
    Kathy, as always, you've penned a really cool blog post my friend.

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    1. Hello, my friend. You are an excellent blogger and I think blogging has an important role in this world. I get so much out of the too little time I spend reading them. Like you, I've developed real friends online and would never want to lose that connection. Whatever book sales I have made have been through social media, but it's certainly not enough. I keep noodling (thinking, not finger fishing) this one and hope that lighting will strike one day and I'll definitely be sharing my flash of brilliance if it ever comes along.

      Thank you Bert. I always love hearing from you.

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  5. Kathy, your endless willingness to be so honest and open is a gift to this entire blogging community. Nothing in this universe stands, still. We're the anomaly when we believe we don't have to continue to hone and change. What's so grand at present is to have such a sincere and alive group of friends in this business to share the vagaries of the trip. Truly looking forward to your new plans. And you know I'm there with and for you.

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    1. Thanks for that compliment about honesty. I often tell more than I should, but it's not in me to hold the truth back. I wouldn't make a good criminal! I do agree with you and so love the group we have managed to gather around this process.

      Thanks Christina!

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  6. You're doing great, Kathy. You do say things many of us think and keep to ourselves. As a writer and a lover of good books I'll keep plugging away at my craft. Always improving and reaching out to people.

    Bert is right about selling salt to a salt salesman but we do reach some and I wish I knew the key to success. Writing good books, I believe, will pay off in the long run.

    I've actually sold well over 100 books but as you say I'm not getting rich. I think the friends we meet-- true friends interested in helping each other makes the social medial worth the effort just staying in touch. Writing more than one book is also a key. As readers pick up on my best selling book I notice a rise in sells of my others.

    Like many writers, I'm not in it just to make money. Now, don't get me wrong I still hope for that one big break that lets me do the other things I want to do, but writing is in me and I must do it.

    I've read your books, Kathy, and I honestly enjoy your style, so I wish you great success.

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    1. I actually love that quote about how many books are sold on average because I, too, have sold significantly more than that and I get a kick out of it when my family asks and I quote numbers - they can't believe it.

      I'm so glad you enjoy my books, Dannie. I just finished Death's Door and I wish you could write me one of your male characters into reality! Love this cast of characters and will review shortly.

      I could no more give up writing than breathing at this point. I'm not as regular at it as I'd like to be right now, but I find myself doing mental writing all day and night. Scribbling notes, too.

      Hugs, my friend.

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  7. Hi Kathy - I've been mainstream-published for nearly twenty years now and I think most authors hit that reality-check moment when you understand that however great the reader feedback, press reviews etc may be, getting volume sales only happens to a few people, and it's often got more to do with the market than the book. I teach workshops to boost my income, and I used to be a reader for a consultancy. Most children's authors earn more from school visits than their books. One of the annoying things about being an author, for me, is that people assume I make loadsa money, and that it's easy. Totally with you re social media - I love blogging - have met so many interesting people through that - and I promote my blog because it's about networking - but I very rarely promote my books on fb and twitter, because that's not networking, it's selling. Great blog, btw - I enjoy your honesty and the energy of your writing.

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    1. Jen - I love this comment. There's so much information in it for other authors to consider. I'm going to be finding ways to do more with print copies of my books as another income stream, but need to expand my horizons even more. I need to go visit your books - and will.

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