Get 10,000 Readers

I've been a whirlwind of activity lately and I'm not sure where to start. First off, my first and second editors on The Hunt have been happy with the MS. I still need to incorporate the final suggestions and flesh out/smooth over any spots the beta readers stumbled on, but overall, the thing is pretty close to DONE.

I had only one beta reader who wasn't as happy with the MS as the others. At first it hurt to read the stuff he didn't like about the novel, but not for why you might think. The two things he was most unhappy with I have no intention of changing, so I got my big girl panties on and realized two things -- one, he's entitled to his opinion, and two, it's impossible to please everyone all the time.

Next, as I realized I've been pouring my every waking moment into perfecting my prose to the best of my abilities, I've neglected other writing projects. The writing blog I'm on has taken a back seat for a while and I've decided to try and jump start it if I can. Time will tell if it's worth it, but I do plan on designing a whole "how to" series for writers that will detail what I've learned the past two years. Maybe it will bring writers to the page, maybe not, we'll see.

I plan on packaging the non-fiction pieces into an ebook to help other writers and sell it for super cheap. Will it sell? I have no idea. Is what I've done so hard? Can't another writer read the same books I have and glean the best tactics? Is it that the data is so overwhelming they'd rather not? No clue. Like I said-- might work, might not.

Here are some of the topics I plan to cover:

• Format an ebook and/or format a print book
• make your own ebook or full-wrap print cover or get one for free
•  upload to SW, Apple, B&N, Amazon (or how to do it and control your royalties better)
•  find beta readers
•  get reviews on your book
•  get book signings and how to act when at one
•  write compelling product descriptions
•  categorizing your book
•  pricing your books and tracking sales
•  going the next step and becoming a true publisher (which would include worldwide distribution steps and such)
•  what's in a press kit and how to make one
•  how to get speaking engagements
•  self-editing effectively
•  promo and marketing on a budget and the same topic with no budget
• building your audience base
• how to plot a book like Charles Dickens
• how to hire an editor
• know your audience
• book trailers

I went away this weekend and was unplugged except for my phone with email access. That may be laughable to some of you, but it's huge for a workaholic like me. I brought my lap top and never turned it on. I also brought my iPad and the damn thing didn't get any reception. In hindsight, it seems like the fates conspired to slow my ass down, but whatever it was, I'm glad.

The campgrounds were not all the great. The bathrooms were marginally clean and that's about the best I can say. Have I become a campground snob after all the other places we've gone to? Not sure, but I didn't care for the asphalt play area, the cramped camping spaces, the acres of mowed grass (hello, natural wood-like spaces?), or the "summer renters" who keep a trailer affixed to the same spot all year, decorate the whole "yard" and make us regular campers feel like we're imposing on their turf.

The transients, like us, were very nice. The people, in general, were friendly, but the amenities at the campground looked like they were last updated in the late seventies and the place just screamed of disrepair. The attraction was Lake Anna, I get it. But we don't own a boat and just came to relax and get a feel for the place. Pete liked the area, but not the campground, so I'm not sure if we'll be going back.

Sure, it may not have been a great place, but I still had fun. So did the kids, and thanks to some special attention from yours truly, I'm pretty sure Pete did, too. ;-)

I was able to map out a lot of things I'd like to accomplish this summer. My health has been good, despite the new meds and various tests results saying I'm sicker than I feel. So, why not dream big? No one will boo and hiss if I fail to meet my self-imposed goals. Being the only one accountable in my writing also means no one hounds me to produce... Except, of course, my eager readers ;-)

A few months ago, I had the magic number of five thousand in my head. If I sold five thousand copies, then V V would be viable candidate for the foreign market.

Well, not so, as I recently found out. My agent's foreign market counter-part is very, very busy and unwilling to take on a publication from a small press. So that means, if it's ever going to happen I'll need to pitch it and sell it myself. Am I up for that in addition to everything else?

No, I don't think I am. Perhaps when I research it some more I'll have a better idea, but for now I don't think it will happen. Which is slightly depressing, but them's the breaks.

My husband, Pete, has finished his master's degree and is going to come on board with Red Hot Publishing and spend the hours he used to dedicate to grad school work on my small company. Right now, it means doing the books and hopefully some marketing stuff. I'm thrilled to have him involved. It will be nice to have someone take more of the burden associated with wearing a publisher hat.

And that hat is getting heavier. I've offered contracts to a few friends I believe in and the work load is steadily growing. We're producing two to three books a month. We're building a solid editor base and making new contacts within the industry. I used to feel uncomfortable talking about RHP, like starting my own company made me less legit or something. But I've shaken that notion off for the most part.

Not many authors sell five thousand copies in nine months on their own, a lucky few do, but certainly it's not the majority. Over all, the company has sold close to twenty thousand books, not including free reads, which is over half that number already. Cover, pricing, product descriptions, categorizing books... the list goes on and on. Just like every new endeavor in life, we're learning as we go.

Lastly, my new release comes out in NINE days. Today and tomorrow will be final editing, formatting and such and then I'm going to upload the publication to our various outlets. The beta readers, except for one, love this book more than the first one. Was that my goal all along? No, I just intended to write a good tale and hope for the best.

Their kind words and praise left me over the moon with joy. Will other readers feel the same way? I can only hope. And when I disappoint a few I'll have to remind myself of what I wrote earlier in this post "it's impossible to please everyone all the time."

Exciting times! I sincerely hope you enjoy The Hunt, if you pick up a copy next week.