Do you want to know if
you wrote a really good book and self-published it on Amazon, how long will it
take for the book to become a top seller if you are unknown and did little to
no advertising?
OK, you don’t want to
hear this. No first-time author wants to hear this, and a self-published author
never wants to confront these realities.
To begin with “a really
good book” is a totally subjective measure. Because you think you’ve written a
really good book doesn’t mean that I will like it, or participants on GoodReads
will like it, or your intended audience will like it. Hell, I’ve read some
critically acclaimed works that I’ve hated.
Next is the core
problem.
Let’s say that in fact,
you’ve written the definitive Great American Novel. No one reading it would
doubt the merits of your book. You self-publish. It’s on Amazon. You do nothing
to support it, either because you don’t have the money to buy ads and pay a
marketing professional, or because of some other reason.
Your book will not sell
itself. People will not suddenly become aware of it. There is no magic and no
secret sauce.
A traditional publisher
employs people who send out review copies, get the store and online placements, buy
ads, and work with the author on interviews, signings, and appearances. Doing
all of these things on your own is pretty much a full-time job. Paying
independent consultants gets expensive.
If you self-publish,
even if it’s the best book ever, it is very unlikely that it will become a
top seller. Even if you self promotes, and certainly if you do little or
nothing. Even if you have a friend who is a famous and bestselling author who
champions your work.
Now that I’ve probably
put a damper on your day, I’ll say this.
If you want to
self-publish, go for it. Write the best book that you can. Try to get your
friends to read it. Use it as a platform to get more attention down the road.
Consider it a learning experience. And most importantly, consider your own
expectations and priorities.
Do you want to make
money from your work? Develop a literary reputation? Get feedback? Something
else? Answer these questions for yourself, and you’ll have some idea of what, besides
having the book on Amazon, you need or want to do.
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