As those of you who come by regularly know, I have recently published a book: Alien Attitudes: Alura Allen, Alien at Large, which is the first book of a planned trilogy. Just getting to this point has been a effort. I often wonder at the amount of time I have spent and the physical pain I have experienced just to get my story into good enough shape to share with the world.
I found, from my recent experiences at the Annual Roswell UFO Fest, that I am not alone in trying to market a self-published sci-fi/fantasy, nor am the only one who is promising there are still two future books to come before you'll get to the end of the story. As I stood in the middle of the floor at the Roswell Convention Center looking around at the dozen or so tables and the very small crowd walking around, I quickly caught a glimpse of my very own future. If, despite the great reviews I have continually received during the entire development process, I have failed to generate enough interest in my project to interest a publisher or literary agent, do I stand that much greater a chance of interesting enough of the public in my efforts to ever make this project successful? These sorts of questions plague me often, often causing me to lie awake at night when I should be peaceably dreaming.
I think back on that vision of all those proud authors sitting behind those tables stacked high with copies of their books. I remember there were two different fine looking gentlemen offering a very attractive first book of a proposed trilogy, and recall that both times I wondered if or when the trilogy would be completed. I have already begun to receive feedback from those who have purchased and read my own book and nearly all are asking for the second book already.
I, most thankfully, do not need to live off the profits from my book sales ... and, thankfully, with POD, do not have boxes and boxes of printed books stacked in my garage of which to dispose. As such, I see no urgent need to spend great portions of time promoting sales of this first book. I believe in this project and believe my time will be much better spent in getting the next two books into print as soon as possible.
My book is for sale on the internet in both printed and downloadable form. I also have a hundred copies or so on-hand for use in sending autographed copies to those who would like to request one. Cost for an autographed version is US$25.00, but includes delivery costs to those within the US. If you would like to order a copy, email me at roguegenius [at] gmail [dot] com.
Posted by Tiger at July 20, 2005 12:15 PM | TrackBackDang!
I wish I'd read further before ordering your book through Lulu.
Oh well, I'll get the second one autographed. That's one more reason to finish the second book in the trilogy. :)
Have you read John Kremer's book, 1001 Ways to Market Your Books? It's full of handy ways for self-publishers to zero in on their target market.
Good luck with your book sales.
Posted by: David St Lawrence at July 26, 2005 03:20 AM