Hey booksties! (book + besties…I’m trying to make it happen like fetch.) Happy new year! So much has happened in these first two weeks of 2024. I’ve been using every bit of spare time and energy putting A Saga of Shields and Shadows into the world. In this update, I’ll share a peek behind the curtain into the life of a new indie author, catch you up on some great news, and give you a chance to earn some *exclusive* bonus content. Thanks for all of your support!
3 Biggest Indie Publishing Surprises
1. It’s hard to get your book into brick-and-mortar stores.
Like, really hard. Physical bookstores have had a tough time staying afloat since Optimus Prime took the book market by storm, offering the convenience of your favorite reads delivered to your door in two days without any shipping costs. Consequently, most bookstores aren’t willing to stock a book without a 55% wholesale discount (we’re required to offer between 40-55%), as well as the option to return unsold units at no cost to them. I completely understand their need to protect their businesses. And I understand that it still isn’t feasible for most indie authors. Click the image below to enlarge it and check out how that impacts my profit margin:
2. It’s hard to sell books as an indie author.
More than two MILLION books have been self-published each year for the past five years or so. However, the average indie author sells less than 250 books. Not 250 a year. Total. Most sell less than 100 copies. That means the odds are not in our favor. But I say, never tell me the odds!
3. Indie authors are pretty darn cool.
No kidding, with very little effort, I have found a THRIVING community of indie authors who write in my genre and love to support one another. I’d heard about all sorts of Facebook groups, websites, associations, and more, but I didn’t feel like I had the time or bandwidth to really invest in those spaces. But somehow, just by being on socials and engaging genuinely with content that interested me, I soon had a cultivated feed of other authors sharing tips, commiserating over challenges, and rooting each other on. It has made a huge difference in my journey. Independent publishing can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! And, by the way, this community LOVES engaging with readers. So if you’re ever thinking “I’d like to DM that author and tell them I love their work but I don’t want to bother them,” stop thinking that and send the message! We live for that shit.
Preorders Open!
That’s right, the best news of all, my book is now available for preorder! Order now and you will receive A Saga of Shields and Shadows immediately upon its release on February 12, 2024. Click the image below and choose your preferred vendor to order.
Preorder Bonus!
Preorders are important to indie authors. Not only does it give us a little serotonin boost to see that people want to read our work, but it helps get more eyes on it too. How? Well, all preorders count toward your release day sales, meaning a robust preorder could rocket you up the bestseller lists on your debut. And, of course, that higher ranking means your book will be shown more often to readers searching books in your genre or category. More views = more sales!
I really want A Saga of Shields and Shadows to find its audience, so I have something special for people who preorder. I wrote a bonus chapter JUST FOR YOU! Though A Saga of Shields and Shadows is not a multi-POV story, you’ll get a bonus chapter written from the male protagonist’s perspective. It’s actually the prologue as seen through his eyes, and it’s every bit as sweet and spicy as the original.
To claim your preorder bonus, simply complete this form and upload proof of purchase. I’ll send the bonus chapter directly to your inbox on release day!
Easy Ways to Support Indie Authors
