A LOOK BACK AT 2013
I only have one resolution for 2014, and that is to treat my writing career less like a hobby and more like a business.
In November 2012, when I published my debut novel, GHOST HAND, I wasn’t really thinking about strategies, or promotion, or marketing plans, or anything else except having a real book with my name on it. Most new authors don’t think beyond that.
So, 2013 really was a year of bumbling along learning through trial and error how to promote and make money on that first book. I did a lot of things right by accident. I learned that the market is constantly changing and you have to be flexible. You have to be willing to try new things. Thankfully, as a self-published author, all the new things were right there at my fingertips.
As I look forward to 2014, I’ve assigned myself the task of writing a multifaceted business plan. I’ve never done anything like that, but the natural place to start seemed to be looking back at 2013 to see what worked, what didn’t, and what progress I made even when I didn’t have a plan. That’s what I spent the last day of 2013 doing. It was pretty encouraging, so I thought I’d share some of the stats with you.
E-BOOK SALES INFORMATION

Between November 2012 and November 2013, I published two e-books in a YA paranormal thriller series, and one YA fantasy novella. All books started on KDP Select. GHOST HAND was on Select for 9 months and I utilized the FREE downloads feature multiple times. The novella was on Select for six months and I utilized the FREE downloads once. GHOST HOLD was only on Select for three months, and that was after Amazon’s rules for FREE downloads changed and it was much less effective. GHOST HOLD was never offered for FREE but I did use the Amazon Count Down Days for it once (at a 99 cent price).
For both GHOST HAND and GHOST HOLD, I’ve done only cheap (less than $10) or free promotion campaigns, but many of them. And I didn’t promote the novella at all except through my e-newsletter.
HERE are my stats for KINDLE E-BOOKS.
Total GHOST HAND sold on KINDLE = 388
Total OVER THE RIM novella sold on KINDLE = 29
Total GHOST HOLD sold on Kindle = 173
Total Books Sold on Kindle = 590
Total Free KINDLE Downloads of Ghost Hand = 21,284
Total FREE KINDLE Downloads of OtR = 177
Highest Sale month February – $205.47 (I ran a 99c and FREE promotion that month)
Lowest Sale month August – $5.23
Average monthly Kindle income with 1 novel published (Ghost Hand) – $40.00
Average monthly Kindle income after 2nd novel published (Ghost Hold) – $150.00
Total KINDLE e-book income = $759.27 (through Nov 2013).

KICKSTARTER E-book sales
Both my novels have been funded through Kickstarter with the pre-sale of both the e-book and paperback. Weirdly enough, for both Kickstarters I sold 68 e-books = 136 e-books at $10 a book = $1,360

OTHER E-BOOK VENUES
Both GHOST HAND and GHOST HOLD went up on Kobo and B&N as soon as they came off of KDP Select, so neither have been on very long.
I have sold a total of 2 e-books of GHOST HAND on Kobo, but have’t reached the payment threshold yet so haven’t seen any money from them. I am now offering GHOST HAND FREE on Kobo and it has been downloaded 101 times. I am hoping this will generate purchases of GHOST HOLD on Kobo.
I have sold a total of 4 e-books of GHOST HAND on B&N, to a total income of $15.56.
At first glance, this seem pretty dismal. However, it helps to remember that both books were exclusive to KINDLE when released and it may take time to for them to build sales in these other venues. Also, almost all of my promotion efforts have gone toward Amazon, since I felt like it was best to focus on one venue while I was still learning the ropes. And let’s face it, Amazon is the easiest to utilize and has the most self-generating promotion.
TOTAL E-BOOK INCOME FOR 11/12-11/13 = $2,134.83  

CONCLUSIONS and 2014 Goals
I’m pretty happy with that income for a first year of e-book publishing.  Especially in light of the fact that my e-book income has increased three-fold since the release of GHOST HOLD proving that with each new book release your income really does go up exponentially, especially for a series.
For 2014,  I’d like to explore and expand to some other e-book venues like XinXii. There are new e-book venues cropping up all the time. I’d also like to do some more promotion directed at Kobo and Nook users. And I will be designating 10% 0f my income in 2014 to paid promotions. I am also looking forward to how book three of The PSS Chronicles series bumps up sales to an even higher level.
I hope this info has inspired, informed, or encouraged some of you out there to analyze your own writing from a business perspective. If you have any questions or observations, I’d love to hear from you.
AND STAY TUNED for PART 2 of Treat Your Writing Like a Business: Paperback Sales as well as installments on how to write a business plan for 2014.