Sometimes writing books is yelling into a void. Maybe it is an indie publishing thing. You know, at least in the traditional model, you might have an agent that says, well done or an editor that says they like your book, and marketing obviously like it and the booksellers have ordered it and maybe you get sales and reviews. You might get book blurbed by another author, a famous one, and that will go on the cover or in the end pages.
The indie model is a little bit more fraught, I think. I have beta readers and they might say-this is good- or I liked it- along with comments to fix things that aren’t working as well. An editor might say that they enjoyed it, but here you are paying them so can you believe that? Maybe, they don’t have to say that after all. Goodness I sound paranoid as all hell. Well no false modesty there!
But the real proof is in books selling and book reviews and ratings. Sometimes there is this nerve wracking period where they are no reviews. Just crickets! And honestly, reviews were more the thing say ten years ago. I had heaps of reviews for Shatterwing, but once retailers bought in ratings, you get them instead of textual reviews, if the person comes back to give you a rating. Also, people used to review books. I haven’t stuck my nose in because it’s become one of those things that people want money for and once you start paying, retailers like Amazon will shut you down. No paid reviews. And honestly, review blogs have been replaced by Booktok and well I haven’t really got my head around that.
BTW I stay away from Goodreads mostly because it’s kind of a cess pit, although there are some great reviews in there and I love aspects of it but it can be hard going.
On Apple Books just now I saw someone had given The Founders’ Legacy a three star rating. I think it’s great that someone rated it. But as a writer, I’m craving dialogue, what did they like? what did they hate? what did they think? There are no other reviews. Anyway, I shall twiddle my thumbs and wait.
This is probably because The Founders’ Legacy is a thinky SF book and it’s going to be divisive I think. It’s sort of in the book banning category in the USA kind of thing because it’s talking about gender, equality, gender roles and it’s not an easy read because of the pronouns (single non-gendered pronouns). Dr Craig Cormick who did the launch speech said it ‘does your head in’ and it’s meant to do that. In that way, it’s not like my normal novels, which are action and adventure and story and meant for fun.
Anyway, if you have read The Founders’ Legacy, please leave a review and or rate it where you bought it. Or blog, or post or make some noise. That is really, really helpful.
The reality is this book isn’t going to be on bookshelves. People aren’t going to be drawn to the pretty cover, the internal decorations, the back cover blurb. That’s the reality of indie publishing. While I have set a recommended retail price, the price at book retailers is really high. I think Amazon has the paperback for $47!! Anyway, there is a buy direct link on my website where you can get it at the RRP of $30.00 including the gst.
By the way, the ebook of The Founders’ Legacy is currently 99 cents for September. Here is the link This is a universal link that should take you to your preferred ebook retailer.
One last thing, I have been doing a lot of book events this last year or so. What is fun and interesting is return readers. I am surprised sometimes when a reader says, I read that and that. What can I read next? So awesome. Also feedback. For example, I was at an event in Newcastle a few months back and a reader said she’d really like more space pirate stories. I do have one in mind and they sell okay at book events, but yeah colour me surprised. They are rather fun and uplifting I think.
And another interesting thing for me, is The Silverlands series. I have the box set on Kobo and Apple Books and it is my best seller on Kobo Plus. Go figure. It was my first fantasy series I wrote, first series to indie publish and sometimes I think it’s the poor sister, but I don’t know some people really like it. It would be more romantasy these days because it has three romantic relationships, and a coming of age thing, and well my favourite hero ever, Oakheart. Now that Amazon have altered their pricing I may put the box set up there too.
Anyway, I should stop looking at what is happening with The Founders’ Legacy and get on with other stuff. Gentleman Magician goes live tomorrow. I have Amethyst Way in progress and another book I’m meant to be restructuring. Mind you I have hurt my back shifting a desk and that has dented my ability to sit at the desk quite a bit. So while I feel sorry for myself, I shall blog!
Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing 