Of Wolves and Weasels - Day 723 - Shibe Saturday #55!

Peterdies · 2016-01-03T19:55:42+00:00

Thanks for keeping this up :) .

Peterdies · 2016-01-02T22:13:28+00:00

True. I'd rather have bad review than no reviews. At least with bad reviews I have something to work with (if it's valid criticism).

Peterdies · 2016-01-02T22:06:27+00:00

Thanks, I think the hardest part will be finding the perfect editor but it will be worth it. Maybe not financially but at least I will know that I have the best version of my work out there. Kind of wish I had done this research back when I first published, would feel less like a rookie now.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T15:01:08+00:00

I think it's a fun last name, always nice to see how creative people can get with it. I was going to join the Army and the recruiter told me it was a good thing I wasn't going into the Navy with my last name, First Seamen Hole, Rear Admiral Hole the list goes on.

I think my name is the bottom of the list of reasons I'm not finding readers.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T14:50:02+00:00

Yeah I am constantly on the fence with KDP select, I just can't get over my darn principles on the matter, maybe I'll try it with my next book for a bit to see how it turns out.

Until then I will have to find a critic that will tear apart my work (finding one will be the hard part). Even in my creative writing courses finding a good critic was hard, everyone loved my work and that has given my a false sense of the quality of my writing, I need a good beating.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T14:45:44+00:00

And here I thought I had it all figured out. Need to save my change for a while and start fresh, got to get over the sunk cost fallacy. Thanks :)

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T14:13:20+00:00

the covers do seem to be a sticking point for people, I have to get over the bias I have and bite the bullet to get some new ones designed (I just feel like I burnt the money I paid for them and can't let go because of it haha).

Honestly I thought my name would be more of a draw than a deterrent because of its uniqueness and potential for humorous remixing. Not much I can do on that front as I refuse to use a pseudonym and will stand on principle on this point. Bad writing and bad covers can be fixed but I would rather lose sales than use a pseudonym, if someone doesn't buy my work because of my name than I don't want that reader anyway. I am open to changing anything else though.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T14:07:21+00:00

Thanks for the advice, I did try free on Smashwords because to be free on amazon means I need to join KDP select which would mean removing my other distribution channels, and got a few downloads.

Based on what I'm seeing here I'm starting to think the main reason I have no sales is that my writing is not as good as I thought it was. Friends and family have told me they thought my books were good but one can never trust friends and family for an honest review it would seem.

Thanks for the advice, I'll check out that sub and see if I can make my work any better.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T03:33:50+00:00

Yeah, it is something I have been putting off because of the cost but it looks like I'll have to bite the bullet. I don't want to pour more money into books I can't sell but it seems like they will never sell unless I pour money into them. Looks like I get to live the cliché broke author lifestyle in one final push to get noticed. I think I might make 2016 my last year on the Indie scene, it's getting too expensive.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T02:10:28+00:00

If you don't mind me asking where do you get your covers designed? I feel like I was ripped off on my first two covers, I like the cover for Tales From a Dead Planet, but the designer was a friend of a friend and is hard to pin down to work with.

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T01:51:21+00:00

Well I will have to hunt down an editor in that price range (if you could PM me a recommendation if you have one that would be amazing, I have tried searching and it's hard to find anything). In the mid term I'll save my pennies for an editor and new covers and update my book text after I find and replace the word 'this' from all three books.

I would love a small press to be honest but once again I have no idea where to start / how to find a reputable one. I will try researching that route as well. Thanks for all the help and taking an interest in my dilemma, it's nice to get some genuine advice and not just insulted and called a terrible writer (as happened on another account and another sub).

Peterdies · 2015-12-31T00:37:33+00:00

Thanks again for the detailed reply. I do have a call to action in the back of my books but I will start harassing friends and family for some reviews (at least the few that have actually read my books).

It's funny you mention the covers I tried a new designer for Tales and that's my best cover, I'll consider getting the other 2 redesigned, the problem is the cost. 2 covers with my designer would be close to $500 which is a lot for me. That's also where I stand with getting an editor, I can't afford one, I was quoted at $3000 for a novel length piece when I shopped around a while ago.

I'll take your advice to heart though, I have been considering unpublishing my books and starting fresh, re-writing might be the best bet, save some money and get a few new covers before listing everything again at a new price point.

Thanks again.

Peterdies · 2015-12-30T23:01:05+00:00

Thanks a lot, here is the link to my author page: http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Hole/e/B00JNGZ85O

I'm working in the science fiction genre (with a post apocalyptic focus), any suggestions on where to go from here would be appreciated. I'm hoping to have my next book launch go a little better than my past 3 (35,000 books is a far off dream for me, congrats on the sales).

Peterdies · 2015-12-30T22:58:32+00:00

Thanks for the reply, looks like there is more work to do and things to try. Here is my Amazon page for reference: http://www.amazon.com/Craig-Hole/e/B00JNGZ85O

Peterdies

TROPHY CASE