tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.comments2023-06-01T19:03:42.636+08:00Simon HaynesSimon Hayneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comBlogger1159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-923817445762709012014-08-11T06:39:41.771+08:002014-08-11T06:39:41.771+08:00Well done. Getting those translations must have be...Well done. Getting those translations must have been a pain. Good luck with it.Three Hoodies Save the Worldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14284152429583290408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-6102004723970459792013-06-02T20:25:09.600+08:002013-06-02T20:25:09.600+08:00Bought both #5 and 6 from iBooks just now.Bought both #5 and 6 from iBooks just now.Sue Bursztynskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09362273418897882971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-61728010354912828692012-08-16T21:26:40.098+08:002012-08-16T21:26:40.098+08:00Congrats on all of your writing! You have been a w...Congrats on all of your writing! You have been a writing machine. Good for you! It sounds like your books are selling well. I am someone who still loves a book in print (I still don't have an ereader- but I plan to get one at some point since some books can't be read otherwise). <br /><br />I think when self-publishing ebooks are a good way to get a feel for the market. Some books are tougher depending on the age the book is intended for. Many MGers have ereaders, but so many do not. I think more YAs and adults have ereaders. <br /><br />Well, your post has given me a lot to think about. :)<br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-75348653183308197682012-07-30T15:05:56.748+08:002012-07-30T15:05:56.748+08:00When I started out in 2000/2001, my strategy was t...When I started out in 2000/2001, my strategy was to raise my profile by submitting (and hopefully selling) short fiction, while at the same time shopping my novel around publishers.<br /><br />If I were starting over from the beginning my strategy would be similar. Selling a short stories to paying markets gave me confidence in my ability. I guess it was a bit like passing a driving test. Self-pubbing without any sort of credit would be like hitting the road without a single driving lesson under your belt - everyone else is going to steer well clear ;-)Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-57849917594767785842012-07-30T14:57:14.344+08:002012-07-30T14:57:14.344+08:00My novel isn't yet publishing ready, but when ...My novel isn't yet publishing ready, but when it will be, I will probably first try to get it published traditionally in the States (agent and all). We'll see. <br /><br />But I'm sure ebooks will beat the paperback numbers anytime from now on. Unless aliens fry our electrical grids, there's no stopping electronics anymore. ;)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-84018503255276142212012-07-27T05:11:17.816+08:002012-07-27T05:11:17.816+08:00Thanks for pointing this one out Simon. Excellent ...Thanks for pointing this one out Simon. Excellent article.Mary O. Paddockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04097124493453341534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-50081786449748599682012-07-27T00:25:46.147+08:002012-07-27T00:25:46.147+08:00Great post, I love that kind of practical, no-bull...Great post, I love that kind of practical, no-bullshit thinking! Thank you so much for sharing it, Simon.Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-44497719215433128112012-07-26T11:21:26.550+08:002012-07-26T11:21:26.550+08:00Hi Ted
Yes, short fiction is a different ball gam...Hi Ted<br /><br />Yes, short fiction is a different ball game. About half of the shorts I have online are reprints - each was published beforehand, although most of them were years ago now.<br /><br />The lack of quality and decent editing can be offputting, but I have to say that not one of my published shorts was edited. They were taken and printed as-is, and nobody complained after publication.<br /><br />Yes, sites like Amazon and Smashwords are flooded with material which reads like unpolished first drafts, but that just means readers appreciate the gems even more when they find them. A few good reviews and 4- or 5- star ratings immediately lift an ebook out of the featureless plain.<br /><br />I did a blog post recently (a couple of posts before this one) titled 'Should you self-publish short fiction' - might be worth a read?Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-54541476394776799672012-07-26T11:11:31.022+08:002012-07-26T11:11:31.022+08:00Hi Simon, I've been reluctant to self-publish ...Hi Simon, I've been reluctant to self-publish in ebook format. I keep hearing that will diminish my chances of being "really" published by my short stories winning prizes or being picked up for an anthology... and I've also seen some poor results of others self-publishing (no editing, no plot, etc.) <br /><br />But you're encouraging me to post some of them on Smashwords and build an audience that way. Thanks.Ted Withamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15638973795820742910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-12091165240568520422012-07-25T17:04:29.274+08:002012-07-25T17:04:29.274+08:00Thanks James - and best of luck with your novels. ...Thanks James - and best of luck with your novels. Feel free to post the titles/links/etc.<br /><br />I expanded on the 'ongoing series death spiral' in this guest post, and I've also spoken about it on my own blog before now: http://thebooknut.wordpress.com/2012/06/03/snapshot-2012-simon-haynes/<br /><br />Unfortunately trade publishing (or more accurately, the bookselling trade) isn't a nurturing environment for a new series. It usually takes 3 or 4 books before anything has a chance to take off, and yet one or two slow starters are enough to kill off most series.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-55043119484433426592012-07-25T16:58:52.190+08:002012-07-25T16:58:52.190+08:00Your last point is so true. I can't count the ...Your last point is so true. I can't count the number of times I've not bought an interesting-looking book in a store because it's part three of a series and they haven't got the earlier ones. They could have sold three books, instead sold none. <br /><br />Congratulations on the success of Hal. It's well-deserved and has been too long coming. My own little detective series is making a few waves over here, too. Long live self-publishing, I say.JamesOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09332376784689207703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-74657659404857519132012-07-25T14:14:20.581+08:002012-07-25T14:14:20.581+08:00I'll celebrate even more if I keep this pace u...I'll celebrate even more if I keep this pace up for a whole year. One of the things which keeps me going is having several different projects on the go. When I need a break from one novel I just pick up another.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-79032939749563218392012-07-25T14:06:53.747+08:002012-07-25T14:06:53.747+08:00This is so exciting!
Congrats on the steady outp...This is so exciting! <br /><br />Congrats on the steady output -- that alone puts you way ahead of 80% of all writers. Not to mention the quality content. Keep up the good work! :)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-91029397994308446892012-07-25T12:32:49.178+08:002012-07-25T12:32:49.178+08:00At 60 words per minute that's just over 4 minu...At 60 words per minute that's just over 4 minutes typing. And since I ditched the whole 'must have a plot outline' idea, it's just a case of plotting one or two scenes ahead. Even my lousy chess game can handle that.<br /><br />I suggest sticking to 250 words a day for as long as possible, until it's ingrained. Then move it up a notch. I found it became as natural as getting a cup of coffee.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-19414484025337353182012-07-25T12:29:29.799+08:002012-07-25T12:29:29.799+08:00250 a day. I can do that with this damnable day jo...250 a day. I can do that with this damnable day job. Thanks, Simon. I'm going to make that myu new goal.<br />Cheers,NewGuyDavehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10374415521028087729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-21810444102500896022012-07-24T16:53:28.048+08:002012-07-24T16:53:28.048+08:00Thanks for sharing your publication road, that'...Thanks for sharing your publication road, that's very interesting, and a well deserved achievement. The digital age is pretty great news for writers, in my opinion. Not that I've lived long enough to personally experience any other age, but I still think it's a great time for writers.<br /><br />Having a quality product is obviously essential, but the rest of it -- the marketing (freebies are also part of marketing) is important too. After a book is liked by enough readers, marketing pretty much becomes independent as word-of-mouth. There's no better marketing than that! But it needs a bit of maintenance too, though that requires much less effort than initially.<br /><br />In this light, I think you might find Kristen Lamb's book on smart social media marketing interesting (as <i>opposed</i> to spamming, or like you said, transforming your social profiles in sales channels), if you haven't read it yet -- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Not-Alone-ebook/dp/B003VD1EQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343118982&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">We Are Not Alone</a>. <br />What I found most instructional in this book was her understanding of how social media can work in favor of writers. Useful perspective.<br /><br />It's true that successful self-pubbers attract traditional publishers, since they prefer to invest in writers who come with an implicit promise of sales. I think self-publishing is a very viable alternative for writers regardless. In time, the stigma of poor quality will also lessen, one way or another, most likely through the development of a generally accepted rating system or channel. But I digress.<br /><br /><br />P.S. Wow, awesome sales, kudos! And thanks very much for the conversation. :)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-83384621040918802792012-07-24T16:02:26.032+08:002012-07-24T16:02:26.032+08:00PS I think the Simon Haynes author page on Faceboo...PS I think the Simon Haynes author page on Facebook has about 200 likes after a year or so, but I'm now selling over 500 ebooks a month, split fairly evenly between the US and UK.<br /><br />Unless those 200 Facebook fans are super-keen (and have multiple Amazon accounts), my sales are all going to people I have no contact with.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-76778582705920131062012-07-24T15:58:32.860+08:002012-07-24T15:58:32.860+08:00I understand where you're coming from, except ...I understand where you're coming from, except ... when I released my ebooks I was completely unknown (as a writer) outside Australia.<br /><br />I always thought my free software and the websites would bring in a few readers, but I'd suggest there's very little crossover between keen writers and keen science fiction comedy readers.<br /><br />As for Spacejock, from 2005-2010 only a handful of my novels were sold outside this country, and those were very expensive exports.<br /><br />So, the success of the ebooks has nothing to do with their publication in Australia, and everything to do with the following:<br /><br />1) offering the first book free<br />2) To a small degree, my online footprint in terms of Myspace (back when), Facebook, Twitter etc. I do mention my stuff there, but don't regard them as a sales channel.<br />3) having a decent product<br /><br />Numbers 1 and 3 were the key.<br /><br />Obviously it's impossible to offer a freebie if you're releasing your first novel, and that's where it's important to get the second out asap. Basically you publish the first, do a bit of low-key promo and then ignore it while you focus on making the second even better.<br /><br />Once you have two or three up the fun can really start.<br /><br />There's another thing to consider too - if you self-pub an ebook and attract an audience by yourself, there's every chance a trade publisher will come knocking. It's almost like a rehearsal these days, whereas when I was starting out if you self-pubbed an ebook you could kiss a trade publishing deal goodbye.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-53610495472598528702012-07-24T15:41:20.671+08:002012-07-24T15:41:20.671+08:00JA Konrath's perspective on indie publishing f...JA Konrath's perspective on indie publishing fits writers who've been traditionally published first, and/or already have a readership, much more than unknown writers who try to go indie from scratch -- especially if the latter have no clue about marketing. But I can totally see why indie fits you, and I'm really glad it's going so well and that you're satisfied! :)<br /><br />Computers - yup. I'm a system test analyst and software quality consultant. Bit of a geek. I know you're programming (and quite well too), I've been using yWriter on and off since 2008. Great, nifty piece of software! :)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-44340618397175753932012-07-24T15:27:01.777+08:002012-07-24T15:27:01.777+08:00Incidentally, anyone seeking a publisher needs to ...Incidentally, anyone seeking a publisher needs to read this first. (It's not for everyone, but I'm in agreement.)<br /><br />http://jakonrath.blogspot.com.au/2010/12/you-should-self-publish.html<br /><br />I'd rather sell $15,000-$20,000 worth of ebooks for 20-30 years than get an advance of $5k, especially with new publisher contracts appearently going after 'permanent' assignment of print rights (author's life + 90 years.), instead of reverting to the author when the print edition sales tail off. (And as for ebook rights - I'll take 70% of $4.99 over 25% of $9.99 any day.)<br /><br />Plus you don't have to wait 12-18 months for each finished book to appear.<br /><br />Anyway, Joe says it better than I can.<br /><br />That's my public announcement for the day.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-72407569010717384722012-07-24T15:20:30.214+08:002012-07-24T15:20:30.214+08:00No, not a fan of pen names. Unfortunately - especi...No, not a fan of pen names. Unfortunately - especially in the US - authors are forced to name-hop thanks to the computerised (-ized) ordering systems in use. Big chains would look at the order and sales for author X's previous book, then order a smaller quantity so they'd have fewer returns. Smaller order = fewer sales, which is a death spiral for any author, as you can imagine. So, using a new name was like hitting a magic reset button.<br /><br />I'm not worried about shelving because my primary target is ebook, with a POD release for those who want print.<br /><br />I did the trade publishing tango with my first four novels, but now I'm an indie publisher with my own personal imprint. In fact, Satima (1st comment) was my editor for the first Bowman Press release - Hal Junior: The Secret Signal. Incidentally, I'm making more out of my ebooks than I ever did out of my trade publishing contract. That's reason enough to write and publish more!<br /><br />So, you're in computers too huh? The only server I have to deal with these days is a low-powered linux machine running various web/email services. I do a lot of programming though.Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-64701814768810602752012-07-24T15:09:02.627+08:002012-07-24T15:09:02.627+08:00I don't like pen names, feels like mild schizo...I don't like pen names, feels like mild schizophrenia. You'd have to double up the networking and promotion, and practically start from scratch with building yourself a "name" in the industry. Ugh.<br />There must be a way to publish darker stuff under your own name. It's not like it'll be porn or anything, and it'll be shelved in a different place in libraries as well. Hm...<br /> <br /><i>"There's no prize for writing fast anyway, only for finishing your novel."</i><br />You're so right with this! It's an easy thing to forget. I'll scribble it on a post-it and stick it to the bottom of my screen. (I'm writing a scene right now, at work, between server monitoring and defect tracking. Good times! *snicker*)Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-43759793966725922182012-07-24T14:40:56.538+08:002012-07-24T14:40:56.538+08:00Yes, sci-fi thriller. Darker than Hal Spacejock, m...Yes, sci-fi thriller. Darker than Hal Spacejock, more adult. Not sure how adult yet - I don't want to release it under another name (in a brown paper bag), but it would be nice to put some racier stuff in there too. It's tough because I also have a series for 9-12s and traditional wisdom is that you use different names for each series. I'm not traditional OR wise, so there.<br /><br />Re the WIP, that's good going. 500 a day is plenty, especially if you're coping with a job. There's no prize for writing fast anyway, only for finishing your novel. (The prize being ... you finished a novel.)Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-26307892597738561862012-07-24T14:34:55.990+08:002012-07-24T14:34:55.990+08:00Yay -- thriller! Will it be a sci-fi thriller? :)
...Yay -- thriller! Will it be a sci-fi thriller? :)<br /><br />Sounds like you're really busy, and Hal's setting a sturdy foot in Europe. Hope he spreads.<br /><br />28K in 24 days is great momentum. That's pretty much my wordcount as well, when I get to write consistently, +/- 1K per day. Been caught up in <i>da job</i> lately, so that count went down to an average of 500 words/day, but hell, I'm still writing. My WIP's at 70K now, which is also about 70% of it. Hope to finish it by (sniffs at the wind) September, if all goes well.Veronica Sicoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03741318844378921184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10678422.post-70758297711823291042012-07-24T14:33:31.068+08:002012-07-24T14:33:31.068+08:00Thanks Satima. The progress is all down to the ent...Thanks Satima. The progress is all down to the enthusiasm people have for my work. It's hard NOT to be motivated when I can click-clicky Amazon KDP and see sales ticking over. It was much harder to keep myself going when I had to wait interminable months to find out whether something was selling ... or even being read.<br /><br />Yes, a Kindle will make all the difference. The screen on the cheapest model is absolutely no different to a printed page, with the added bonus of resizable fonts. I'd avoid anything with a backlit LCD though - no better than a computer screen.<br /><br />That's brilliant about your book. I'm sure it's well-edited too ;-)Simon Hayneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02660767551431793439noreply@blogger.com