So many updates, where do I start? How about my book release. I released my first novel, ‘Languish’ Book 1 of the Live Series on Halloween. The excitement that built up to it was indescribable. Releasing my first book was an amazing feeling.
Days before my book came out I heard news about a spooky short story contest that I entered in. That I won the Adult category for it and I was ecstatic. That adrenaline rush that I actually won 1st place in a contest for a short story I wrote, carried over to my book release. There has been tons of “marketing” that I have tried to do via Facebook, Instagram, networking by connecting with libraries and such about book signings and information about events.
My first event was an Author takeover in a book group I’m in on Facebook called the Tattered Page Book Club. It was an incredibly rewarding experience where I met a lot of great people through comments on my posts. For those of you that are unfamiliar with an Author takeover, it is an opportunity that the group admins can give authors to takeover the group for a certain amount of time. They gave me the option of the whole day and I posted 20 posts spread out into 12 hours. The posts were allowed to be whatever I wanted (following all group rules of course), and I included 3 giveaways. Three opportunities to win a signed copy of ‘Languish’. Being my first ever takeover I felt so accomplished when it was over and I had hundreds of comments to go through. I was more than grateful to the admins of the group as well as the followers who participated. What went in the boxes took some thought but it was all put in there for a reason. I hope that the winners enjoy opening and reading ‘Languish’.
So much excitement in a short amount of time. Honestly, I haven’t made too many book sales so far but I am always trying. I have so many marketing strategies lined up. There are many ideas floating around in my head. However, there is no money to follow through with them at the moment. The starving artist is true in some ways. I refuse to let it discourage me though. This is the wondrous path I chose and I will succeed. Book sales take time. I realize that I am only on my first month but it feels like I have been waiting quite awhile to see a change when I refresh the KDP charts to see if there has been any more purchases. Being fairly certain the majority are family, I am touched by the fact that they care enough to buy a copy to read. It gives you this intense joy every time someone purchases your book.
My focus now is to continue promoting, trying to find time to read other books other than my own and get book 2 done. The progress on Book 2 of the Live Series is significant. All that needs completed is a final read through/edit and formatting. The time frame is months out and I am desperately trying to find every second I can between the real life things that are going on around me to finish it up. While in the back of my mind each day wishing that I could be writing for a living instead of the day job that I currently possess.
The reality of being a self-published Author is that it is a lot of work in the beginning without a lot of sales. Due to being an unknown Author with my first novel of a series being published, I know I have a long road ahead of me. Book 2 must be completed because I don’t want anyone who reads ‘Languish’ to have to wait too long to continue the story. Marketing will involve book signings, more Author takeovers, Author events, posting mostly daily all while shouting to the roof tops (basically) that I published my first novel and if you love thrillers with some passion and a psycho stalker than you will love my book.
I am not writing this to discourage anyone who goes down the same path of self-publishing but merely instead to encourage. Even though it is a lot of networking and marketing (a mindset that you have to remind yourself to stick to sometimes), it is still a choice I would have made. It has shown me that I can do more than I realize on my own. Each decision that I make only needs approval from me. So, in essence, it is a choice that you shouldn’t take lightly but something you need to decide if it is for you. I just got tired of waiting for someone to offer to do it for me and simply did it myself. So, I hope that you will continue to follow me on this writing journey of mine. I once said that getting to share my stories with the world will be one of the greatest things I ever do and that is still true.
Being an Author, I want people to fall in love with my characters, be excited to find out what happens next and enjoy my writing. My hope is that it will draw them into a world that takes the mind off of the real life stresses and gives them a much needed break.
As an Author, trying to share my experiences with everyone using this blog I hope that you will be encouraged to try something new and take a chance like I did. By deciding to self-publish I have put myself in a position to do more work but to also learn to take a chance on myself. I hope that you feel inspired by my journey to believe in yourself as well.
As always, thank you for reading my blog…Until Next Time…JUST KEEP WRITING.
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Tiffany’s Writing Journey 