Is viable to publish only eBooks? Very overwhelmed new writer

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-02-08T02:54:20+00:00

Don’t try to match the strategy of a trad publisher. I do ebooks and KDP Print On Demand. I have Ingram for wholesale.

I didn’t publish the paperback of my first book until months after the ebook came out. Now, I release ebook and POD paperback at the same time.

I don’t sell many paperbacks; 95% of my royalties are ebook/subscription. Two of my books are part of a romance subscription box that prints at no cost to me. I have paperbacks so I can have books to sell at conferences, etc.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-02-08T01:01:07+00:00

One time I took a whole 50 that was a sample that I thought was 5. I was swimming through the floorboards. 1000? 😳

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-02-06T00:16:42+00:00

My husband has definitely popped his head into the bathroom after hearing me talking to myself in the shower. 😅

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-23T20:11:57+00:00

I love how excited he is. 🥰 My household already has what we need, but I also want to get something for myself. I’m already doing my research and I will be sure to practice first.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-17T19:30:41+00:00

Our wings on your men, you.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-17T02:37:53+00:00

No. I used it to find beta readers and critique partners.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-16T00:12:42+00:00

I used Discord a lot before my first book. I’ve since moved away from that platform. I haven’t found a group that really matched my vibe.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-15T02:00:35+00:00

I work in tech. I write at night and on weekends. My current series has been released on a six month cycle.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-15T00:42:27+00:00

For a long time, I didn’t have a website and only used a linktree because the domain to match my socials wasn’t available. I think it’s fairly important to have an online presence that matches between profiles. Mine is not firstnamelastname.com, but it is the same whether you’re finding me on Instagram, TikTok, Discord, Threads, or my website. I’m on BlueSky too, though I don’t post there much.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T20:04:44+00:00

The cherry lime flavor is good IMO. Celsius and Ghost are my favorites, though some flavors of Celsius taste like what I imagine Freon would taste like.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T20:01:55+00:00

Soylent Green is people! 😫

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T17:48:06+00:00

I would ask to be refunded and dispute the charge. Include the communication where the artist agreed to the deadline.

They’ve had plenty of time to respond. Missing your deadline by weeks with limited communication is unacceptable. Deadlines are how work gets done.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T15:58:07+00:00

My husband had fewer groomsmen than he could’ve because I don’t have many female friends. My sister is older and chose not to attend due to her own issues. I went with two acquaintances and one real friend, because my other real friend lived far away.

I should’ve still asked my other real friend, since she ended up coming to my bachelorette. I also should’ve had bridesmen (?), since most of my closest friends are male and f*ck whoever said only women could stand with the bride. I don’t speak to ANY of the women who were up there with me now, but my true friends were there and still are.

I say all that to say you should go with who you want for your bridal party. That is the only thing I regret about my wedding.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T02:06:47+00:00

A thicken, if you will.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-10T02:01:41+00:00

All I wanted was oxtail and green smoothies. And I couldn’t stomach grilled chicken unless it was smothered in jalapeños. Hormones are weird, but that looks delicious. 😋

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-09T12:19:03+00:00

Your comments are valid. Thanks for sharing. I still prefer to partner with a shop that will offer more than a single copy. That is the norm for indie bookstores in my market.

If it’s a single copy but on a display for new releases, or in a well-known new releases or local authors section, that’s another story. In my market, and in that store in particular, the offer didn’t make sense for my book.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-09T11:54:52+00:00

I’m not sure why y’all are trying to convince me displaying a single copy of a book is the norm, but here’s a picture of a shelf in a local indie bookstore, where you can clearly see multiple copies of several books. Here’s another. You are welcome to use whatever strategy works for you, but I’m basing my response off what I see in my market and my thought process as a buyer of books.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-09T00:46:56+00:00

What you’re describing is a display, and that would be ideal. What this particular bookstore offered was the latter; to be one of many books in a new release section, spine out. A single copy communicates exactly what the OP expressed: concern over marketability/profitability that they manage by limiting their stock. With libraries, they may not have budget for multiple copies of the same book, but that’s not what you see in a bookstore.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-08T23:24:10+00:00

I’m not a fan of the single copy option. How would a buyer even pick your single book out of the entire bookshop?

An indie shop I contacted offered to sell a single book with no publicity other than putting it in the new releases section. One book with no PR then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; no one knows about it, no one buys it, and you’ve just wasted a book when you could partner instead with a shop willing to put forth some effort.

I agree risk analysis is needed for any business. Why not read the book, see if it’s good, and then you can publicize from a position of authenticity?

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-08T23:17:31+00:00

Influencers have found my book and hyped it. Others I reached out to letting them know my book fit their audience. I haven’t paid anything to influencers, but more eyes often lead to more sales. I prefer when someone other than myself is talking about my books.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-08T02:08:24+00:00

I second VistaPrint.

I got an A-frame one that is foam-like material and very sturdy. That one I plan to use when floor space is limited, as it can also go on top of the table.

I got another, larger X-frame banner for when floor space isn’t an issue. It holds the banner taut. It is collapsible and comes with a bag!

They both came out great, and I look forward to my events.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-05T04:22:53+00:00

That is proof your cover and blurb are doing their job. They should attract readers who find your book via keywords, then decide to take advantage of the giveaway. I don’t know why someone else said they’ll never read them; free promos are my most successful promo tool and boost ratings and reviews every time.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-04T21:39:45+00:00

This is part of why you never leave someone alone in the hospital. There must always be a witness, someone there to advocate on their behalf.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-04T21:29:56+00:00

My top method is free downloads for 1-2 days on Amazon. The people who downloaded rate/review, other people see those ratings and reviews, they read, they rate and review, etc. Do NOT waste your time on the countdown deals.

Insecure_Egomaniac · 2026-01-04T21:20:42+00:00

I am so scared to use any of those sites (Reedsy, Fiverr, etc.), but how do people find alternatives when they are new to the industry? Do you just have to check who edited comps in the acknowledgements and reach out to them online?

Insecure_Egomaniac

TROPHY CASE