My first novel has been out for about two month now.
I’m still flabbergasted that I did it. I accomplished the dream. Okay. Not the dream, but the first milestone of the dream. Currently, I have sold a total of 70 books. April has been a hard month. Where March the sales were almost daily, even if it were only one, it was daily. April has been almost non-existent. I did sell out at my SURPRISE book release party. But online sales have been flatlining.
There has been something so satisfying about putting my book out there, but there is also something so sad about it. It could just be me, but giving it to others and knowing others have bought it. And not hearing anything. Not seeing I loved this part. Or This was the dumbest thing ever. (A thing I’m still fully expecting.) It’s like oh, well then. I’m almost sad the general “they” don’t like. Because going based on feelings. It feels like “they” don’t care.
I’m working on all the steps to move forward.
But for a moment, let’s look back. Here is the screenshot of the last 90 days on my KDP report for my book sales via Amazon. Of the 55 units processed, 52 were my novel. The other three were my journal options.
I have also sold one book bundle from my website. So that brings the number to 53 books sold. Then I have my in-person sales. I have ordered a total of 42 author copies. I have 25 still in my inventory; meaning I have sold 17 total.
This makes my grand total sales of 70 books.
The profit is a little harder to calculate, because of the 52 off of Amazon I make a different royalty rate for ebooks versus physical books. Then the books I ordered as author books, have a different rate as well because I purchase them for cost, but then I have to pay for shipping. So that cuts into profit. The book bundles from the website, I charge more for. But I have to ship those out, which is a cost. And PayPal takes their fee. But roughly, I earned just about what I was given in the generous gift to pay for all the costs at the start. (IE the ISBN numbers)
I just have to figure out how to move sales now that all the people in my inner circle have purchased it.
So….What’s next? Here is a list to tell you via a list.
Journey/Thoughts/Comments/Q&As
via a list
- Edits. Book two is still in edits. Even though edits could be called rewrites at this point. I had two questions posed to me that I didn’t have the answer for. So I am taking the time to make sure that those questions are answered. So it’s a small step process, but I am taking those steps.
- Marketing. I don’t know what I’m doing. That much is clear. I don’t have funds to pay people to do it. I don’t know how to be consistent on the socials. I don’t have any idea how what to do. I’m going to keep trudging. But it’s hard.
- A mobile command unit. I have been caught twice, with no books on me. No books to sell when I was asked if I had any. So I bought myself a sturdy box, I’m painting it and making it cozy on the inside. (Hello photo op). Then I will be keeping it in my car, so I also have a mobile command unit to sell my book.
- Independent Book Stores: I may have many options for me to explore to market my book. But one thing I want to do is make a one-sheet and go to local bookshops and make my pitch to see if any would want to purchase any copies of my book to have in their store. Also to see if I can do any events at any of these locations to share my book with more people. It’s possibly the longest of long shots. But I have to make that attempt.
- Plotting. Finally, I’m plotting book three of the Emmeline series. I’m plotting another story that is in my head, thanks to a spark from a dear friend. And then jotting down the ideas as they pop into my head.
I think that’s all for now. I’m just moving forward. I’m trying to not lose steam. Thanks for following along.
Thanks for following on with the journey.
MM Hurley 
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