It’s two months tomorrow since my first book, Livin’ life as the po-po and beyond, came out through Kindle / Amazon.
I’ve been open in stating that this book is an experiment as well as a learning tool. And it has been.
Some of the things that I have learned, so far.
Many self published books sell fewer than 10 copies (if all those ads wanting to sell you their book on writing / publicizing a book are to be believed).
Many self published books wither and die in just a couple of months.
There is an enormous competition for gaining readers, simply put, Amazon / Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) releases new books constantly.
Book launches are one of the traditional ways to gain attention for a new book or new author, however that avenue is most often a tool only available to the established publishers and their network of book sellers.
The use of social media as an alternative means to promote your book is often encouraged, but, at least for me, seems to be illusionary at best.
Reviews.
Obviously, reviews are extremely important to gauge your book’s reach and impact.
Yet, at this point, I wonder if referrals aren’t what a new book / writer needs more than reviews on the publisher’s site?
With that said, how do you get those referrals without badgering the people who have already been subjected to your journey into the creative arts, your friends?
My view of my book.
I may seem disinterested or self critical, but I know that my book is of limited appeal, unless, you know me or you have experience or interest in the day to day experiences in law enforcement and security management.
But, one thing that I have noticed and don’t know the value, or lack of, is that beyond 1 or 2 people, no one has spoken with me about my book, after they have allegedly read it. How does one interpret that? Is it that bad that no one wants to risk offending me? So uninteresting that friends / acquaintances find it unworthy of comment? This, more than anything else in this journey so far, perplexes me.
I’ve said that my goals with my book was to explore self publishing, especially through KDP and to try and get an idea of my capabilities as a storyteller.
The journey continues…
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