Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I wish only the best to all of you with your writing. I have decided to go back to the life I had before publishing on Amazon Kindle. I published four novels, all of which I liked a lot, but all of which met the same fate, falling into the deep hole of darkness. I am not sad. I will leave my four books up for what may be, but I will no longer actively take a role in their life. They must now stand on their own two feet. I gave birth to them, and now they are on their own. They have fled the nest. I am proud of them. They must now live their lives while I live mine. The stress I have endured these past few months trying to tell the world of their existence has taken too much of a toll on me. I will go back to doing what I do best, loving the best wife in the world. making life wonderful for my two adoring cats, reading the works of others, enjoying what life has to offer, luxuriating in my retirement, and traveling the world. I am the doting father of four babies who now live alongside their siblings on Amazon Kindle, and, since they are now all of age, I will allow them to live life on their own terms. I have met many wonderful friends here, and I wish you all the very best with your own writing. As for me, I gave it the old college try, I won some games, but, along the way, I finally realized that there is something much more important than stressing over the lack of sales of my own work, that there is much more to life than spending precious time on a a bridge to nowhere. Tomorrow is another day, and I fully intend to make the most of it by enjoying fully the wonderful place where I am so fortunate to live, Southern California wine country, where I will move on with my life, happy in the knowledge that I tried my best at something I loved, and, for that, I am proud. I thank the so many of you I have had the great pleasure to interact with here on this forum. Auf Wiedersehen, and all the best to you!
Mike

I wish you and yours all the best. Enjoy life & God bless.

I hear what you're saying. I love to write. Promote not so much. Take a break and maybe you'll find a renewed joy in the telling of the story. I'm retired and this last book is the first one I've seen much with. If you get the chance pick up Steven Kings book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Sometime you just have to persevere or like I'm doing enjoy the process of writing.

Wherever your journey leads you, I wish you the best.
Enjoy
Lavada

Mike I hope this doesn't mean you are leaving? Please don't do that. I'm sure there are many readers here that have been, and will continue to be inspired by your work, and your dedication to your craft.
Many authors, artists, actors, etc. have been turn down, passed over, rejected,
" and the like " ( one notibly 600 times )
before success, and the temptation to exhale is overwhelming.
However the decision is yours. Yes, there are many important things in life!
There is room for all of them, as long as we know how important each one of them happens to be, and at what cost! It's like juggling flaming razor blades, a great trick, IF, you CAN, or even WANT to do it?
Obviously you have friends here, and they support you, so the light will always be on in the window, there will be a fire in the fireplace, your comfy chair is waiting, and, I'm sure that this library will be toasty warm when you return!

If you don't write in a "popular" genre (such as YA and... vampires) it can be frustrating. If you publish ONLY on Kindle, it can be frustrating. If you lost the joy of writing because you wasted all your time marketing, you're doing well to take a break. Maybe write another book, put it out there and forget it. You don't mention how long your babies have been out. But for authors who write in less popular genres, the growth is VERY slow. And the best marketing tool is writing the next book. So while you concentrate on your family and life and maybe have this shiny new idea, write it down, format it, and forget it. Don't check KDP reports or wherever you uploaded it (I know I did it daily the first month, weekly after, now when I remember I check the sales, but I'm usually too busy writing! ;-)). And congrats for having not one but FOUR babies out there! You'll see one day they'll make you very very proud! Just give them time! :-)
Best wishes!

I must say, I do not know Mike, nor have I ever interacted with him(to my knowledge) but the responses you all have given are TERRIFIC!!! What great, heartfelt words. Mike, you should know that you do have support & friends as evidenced by the responses, just as you know what is best for you. Whatever that may be, I wish you the best & for all who responded, your comments have made me feel better & I didn't think I needed it:) Thanks for posting & best success's to all of you:)

Hi Mike, I can understand how you feel. I have four published children's books and although they all get great reviews, sales are slow and it's hard finding the time to write. I spend most of my time marketing, twittering ect, ect. I'm in my late fifties now and though I love writing and illustrating it's hard to get know out there. Children's books for self-published authors are hard to sell as they're not in bookshops for kids to see and ask their parents to buy them. Children don't go on the Amazon website and most adults now buy eBooks. My stories are available as eBooks and paperbacks, but only seem to sell at Christmas, the rest of the year is very slow. My husband reckons I give away more books than I sell. LOL. I just want kids to read them. I have quite a few children fans and also many pensioners as my books are full of humour. (My Rascals books are a bit gross as I write for reluctant readers.)

I sell more paperbacks than eBooks, but not enough to cover my costs. My critique group all write Y/A and their eBooks sell many. They keep encouraging me to write Y/A, but my heart is with children's books.

I'm always in my office and never seem to find time for my garden any more, plus I don't spend as much time with my husband as I should. So I feel your pain, Mike, but guess what? Once you're a writer, and a published one, you're a prisoner forever. LOL. Even if you do what you say you're going to, I bet you'll be sneaking out of bed from your caravan sometimes and writing through the night. There is no escape once you're hooked. You'll be thinking about the next book while your driving, walking or taking a shower.

I wish you all the best in trying to escape the writing bug and living a real life again. I think of that myself many times a day. Sometimes I wonder if my books would sell better if I didn't try so hard and stopped marketing all together. LOL. But it's so addictive and we all hope to crack it someday.

Good luck, Mike. Please keep in touch and let us know how your going.

I think you were going about it wrong. There is a way to put your books out there and meet disappointing results without being crushed and giving up completely. You sound almost like you've put too much emotion into this. Your books are your children. You put a lot of work in them. But books are also just that: work. They aren't something to get torn up about and quit. Keep writing, self-publish more books and if they don't sell...so what? That's not the sole measure of you as a person. I seem to have a different perspective on writing than other people, but I truly believe that, like anything else, it is only a crushing, obsessive experience if you let it be so.

Short version: Chill a little. Your writing is important, but unless it's your sole means of support, it isn't THAT important. It isn't who you are as a person. Step back from them a little.

Thank you all for your kind words. I have read every word you wrote, several times, slowly, taking it all in, and you are all right, every one of you. I was spending too much time agonizing over trying to promote, and I felt it was time to back off. I have given birth to four siblings, who live alongside each other on Amazon Kindle, and their fate is no longer in my hands. I have my own life to live. People here on Goodreads have been wonderful to me. I reread my original post, written at a time I should probably have gone to bed instead of sitting at my computer, and, in hindsight, I wish I had, except I would not have been blessed with your kind words. Thank you so much. I will keep the faith. I have a much clearer perspective now on what is really important in my life, and I thank you for helping to instill that within me.
All the best,
Mike

Good luck, and in the words of Dory in the movie, Finding Nemo,..."just keep swimming."

Good luck, Mike. Keep in touch and make us envious of your real life. I may follow suit. LOL.

Hi Mike,

I have self-published (a POD niche nonfiction book), and I have been published. Publishers have a lot more resources than an individual author. So you have to think about why you write, what makes you happy, and what you're good at. Self-promotion is difficult for many writers, which is why publishing houses evolved in the first place, not to mention there's a lot of noise out there and it's hard to be heard above the crowd.

In my opinion, you should take a little vacation with your wife, enjoy life for awhile, and rest from all the hard work you have been doing. If you feel like writing again, then write. If you ultimately decide that you want help with promoting your work, you could look for an agent or a publisher, or even hire a PR person.

I looked at your profile and I see that one of the reasons that you self-published instead of going through a publisher is the length of time it takes for a publisher to get a book out there. It's true, it does take a long time, but while that is happening you could be writing something else--if that's what you truly enjoy doing.

Best of luck to you.

Mike, while my writer side has empathy for anyone working to be discovered, I looked at your publish dates, and your frustation (though understandable) is premature.

You should realize that almost no one sells anything in their first year. Even enormous ebook sellers like Konrath and Locke had to slowly build, and they had even more of a catalog than you (and substantial online networking skills, to boot).

Generally, they didn't see a pickup until nine months in, and even then it was just a Christmas swell that each managed to prolong through vigorous self-promotion ... and a decently readable body of more than a dozen books.

So you're giving up way too early because the consequences seem essential to you. They're not. Better to entertain 100 with your talent and never make more than a grand a year off your books than to not write at all, not feel the sense of accomplishment for a well-developed theme, for sharp sub-context.

Hell, why not set up one of your books as a "permanently free" title? It's not hard to do when you realize that Amazon price matches your listings from other sites, and other sites allow you to post it as a Freebie!

Don't give up the ship yet, Mike.

Expecting books that have been up for eight months to have been picked up on is wishful thinking. But that doesn't mean, given your generally good reviews, that people won't pick up on your stuff.

I would suggest your current approach -- though perhaps frustration fueled -- is a good one. Stop worrying about the book world.

Mike wrote: "I wish only the best to all of you with your writing. I have decided to go back to the life I had before publishing on Amazon Kindle. I published four novels, all of which I liked a lot, but all of..."

Hello Mike,

Your comment sounds like a plea for sympathy to me. I have no sympathy for you.

The fact that you have written and published 4 books is alone a sign of a huge success!

The majority of the population out there cannot call themselves a published author.

You, being a published author (4 times!), makes you part of a minority group that you should be very proud of.

From what you write, you may not be basking in the monetary rewards that you might have been expecting, but that is the reality of most authors.

Reality check, there are millions of authors out there, some never even get published!

You should seek comfort in the fact that you wrote, were published and shared your work with others.

If you write to write, the monetary income is just gravy that comes as a bonus.

I do sincerely hope that you continue to write and keep all of us Goodread buds up to date of your progress.

Sincerely,
Carol

What L.H and Carol said! Take a break and get back to writing! :-)
ESPECIALLY what L.H. said - I've started selling this year with 20+ titles out and I'm not the next Amanda Hocking, so... keep writing and keep the faith! :-)

Barbara wrote: "What L.H and Carol said! Take a break and get back to writing! :-)
ESPECIALLY what L.H. said - I've started selling this year with 20+ titles out and I'm not the next Amanda Hocking, so... keep wri..."

Thank you, Barbara. I hear you. I have the faith back.
Mike

Good on you mate. Build that catalog!

Yes, I am back in full force. I am quite pleased with the interview I had today.
Mike
http://cainebooks.wordpress.com/2012/...

Mike wrote: "I wish only the best to all of you with your writing. I have decided to go back to the life I had before publishing on Amazon Kindle. I published four novels, all of which I liked a lot, but all of..."

Well Mike, maybe I can help you out.

How about a group email for you? We can let 5,000 members know about your books. Then you can make a decision after that email.

It's the best I can do as a fellow writer.

-Vince

Vincent wrote: "Mike wrote: "I wish only the best to all of you with your writing. I have decided to go back to the life I had before publishing on Amazon Kindle. I published four novels, all of which I liked a lo..."

That would be wonderful, Vince. How do we go about it?
Mike

Well, we first have to wait about a month since I just sent a group email and I don't like to do too many in a row.

Email me on Goodreads toward the end of April and we will put a message together to showcase your work.

-Vince

Vincent wrote: "Well, we first have to wait about a month since I just sent a group email and I don't like to do too many in a row.

Email me on Goodreads toward the end of April and we will put a message togethe..."

Thanks, Vince. I will do.
Mike

Vincent wrote: "Mike wrote: "I wish only the best to all of you with your writing. I have decided to go back to the life I had before publishing on Amazon Kindle. I published four novels, all of which I liked a lo..."

Hi Vincent, What a "novel" idea! Can you do the same for me please?

Hi Vincent,

Let me clarify that I would appreciate your help to get the word out about the following post.

I have no plans on quitting to write. I write because I thoroughly enjoy it.

I do it because I truly believe it is self healing for me and I hope to inspire others to write their stories down.

I have a serious request for support from my Goodreads fellow authors, readers and reviewers.

I have teamed up with Childhelp as an Ambassador and 100% of my percentage of book sales, now until April 4th, will be donated to Childhelp’s National Day of Hope fundraiser!

Childhelp is a wonderful national organization that is focused on the prevention and treatment of child abuse.

I’m reaching out to all of you to help make a difference with Childhelp’s cause to end child abuse.

I'm the author of, “Mommy Can’t You See… His EYES Are Always On Me!” a book about my own child abuse.

My book is available at the following websites:

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/carol-f...

http://www.amazon.com/Mommy-Cant-See-Alw...


http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mommy-ca...

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mommy-ca...

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/730...

Your donation by buying this book now or before April 4th 2012 is greatly appreciated and all funds raised during this fundraiser will go directly to support Childhelp programs.

Please help if you can and forward to your friends and family. I sincerely Thank You all for any help you can give!

Carol wrote: "Hi Vincent,

Let me clarify that I would appreciate your help to get the word out about the following post.

I have no plans on quitting to write. I write because I thoroughly enjoy it.

I ..."

Hi Carol,

While I've agreed to help Mike out, I still have to consider how best to make announcements for more authors if I choose to do so in the future. There are thousands of authors on this group. I will think about what I can do that serves in the best interest of all members (writers and non-writers).

-Vince

Vincent,
I think trying out Mike as a test case is a good idea. If you handle this as a get to know the author and his work type message, then I think that would be more interesting than a straight promotional sales-pitch type message. You can always do a follow-up with group members to see how this is received. I have seen other groups on Goodreads get overwhelmed with sales pitches, so you are right to take this one step at a time.

--Betsy

Thank you, Betsy. That's good advice.

My goal is to keep the core mission of this group in focus: To connect readers with Goodreads authors.

Vincent wrote: "Carol wrote: "Hi Vincent,

Let me clarify that I would appreciate your help to get the word out about the following post.

I have no plans on quitting to write. I write because I thoroughly en..."

Hi Vincent,

I appreciate your response, but am confused by what you consider the core mission of this group.

You are willing to support a GR author who has prematurely decided that he is going to give up on writing, but are not sure if you should support a GR author who is doing a fundraiser to support a nationally known organization to help with prevention and treatment of child abuse.

My goal is to connect readers with my book to make them aware of child abuse. I asked for your help to get the message out about the fundraiser because I am donating 100 percent of my sales during the duration of this fundraiser to this wonderful organization.

If my request for help is considered as a promotional sales-pitch type message for me, then I am surprised and hurt by your response.

Hi Carol,

Just to clarify, I am the person who used the word promotional, not Vincent. I have no decision-making role in this group, and was expressing personal observations based on what I have seen happen in other Goodreads groups. It's a fine line between announcements and promotional material, and yes, nonprofits do send promotional messages.

My comments are not meant as a criticism of your generous efforts to make the world a better place.

Regards,

Betsy

Carol wrote: "Vincent wrote: "Carol wrote: "Hi Vincent,

Let me clarify that I would appreciate your help to get the word out about the following post.

I have no plans on quitting to write. I write because..."

Carol, my words were the following: "I still have to consider how best to make announcements for more authors if I choose to do so in the future."

This thread was started by Mike. I read his story, read his profile, and looked at his books. When I made the decision to help him out, I did not imply that he was the most "worthy" author out of the thousands on this group. I was simply replying to his thread in a way that I thought could assist him and avoid his decision to end his writing career.

Your fundraiser is a noble cause.

When I find a way to assist other authors and their causes (perhaps by creating a separate thread on the issue), you are more than welcome to submit a post for consideration.

-Vince