Nearly Three Months as a Self-Published Author - Sales Figures Included

So it's coming up to three months now as a self published author and I thought I'd continue to track my progress.

I've made a few changes in the past few weeks that have massively affected my sales figures.

Categories

After watching my book get into the top thirty on the Post Apocalyptic and Dystopian charts on Amazon, I realised that the categories were so close I should probably change one of them. I figured that I'd be catching a lot of the same audience with those categories, so I changed Dystopian, because I was scoring slightly lower in this one, and moved it over to horror.

Price

I also noticed that my sales had started to plateau. I decided that I want my first book read, and while I'm not prepared to drop it to free, I dropped it to $0.99. This made a huge difference. My sales figures took off. I've made more money than before over the past few weeks and my book is reaching a lot more people. In the past two weeks, I've sold over 100 copies each week.

I've obsessively watched my book climb into the top ten and it's into its third week and it's still there. My peak was chart position no.6. I'm currently at no.9 on Post Apocalyptic (Amazon UK).

Negative Reviews

This is predominantly UK sales. I've had a few negative reviews on Amazon.com that have almost ground my sales to a halt. I've written a very violent book so I'm not surprised that it's polarised opinion. Despite the negative reviews, I have been contacted by readers to say they enjoyed the book and can't wait for more.

I also did something I thought I'd never do this week. I responded to negative criticism. I've had several negative reviews and most of them have been the reviewers opinion. For me, it's fine if someone doesn't like the book. Everyone sees the world through their own lens and enjoyment of a work is entirely subjective. However, I received this review from one person:-

As I understand it, there should be a plot and a theme to a novel. This book had none and was also lacking in depth, meaning or reason. I get the impression that the author just wanted to get feedback (any feedback) to try and get his book spoken about...if that was the reason for it, then well done! If it was to write something worthwhile, then I feel this failed totally. Not an enjoyable read.

To which I responded:-

Thanks for reading my book and leaving your thoughts. I don't normally reply to reviews because everyone sees the world through their own lens and enjoyment is a subjective thing. It's not my place to tell people they are wrong or to defend my ego. 

However, on this review you have asked if there is a point to this book so I wanted to take the time to explain why I've written it. 

This book is about the social construction that is money and how insubstantial it is. The only value it has is what we attribute to it as a society and it could easily become worthless. 

It's a look at how the poorest in UK society are being punished and blamed by the contemporary media for the state of things at present. Labels like 'Good hardworking families' are banded about as if those who can't be measured by their financial contribution are worthless. It takes this venom and turns it around on those they perceive to be the ones laying blame. Although the main looter, Dean, is a psychopath using a cause to vent his violent tendencies - Much like some of the EDL members have been doing of late and other hate groups. 

It's also a look at how class identity isn't a reflection of those within the class, more a group identity that is based on judgments and prejudices - from both sides. It doesn't reflect the individual, yet sweeping generalisations are made. Those being punished - Like Michael - don't deserve it, but we live in a polarised society where these judgments are made. 

Finally, the level of violence is a look at developing countries, such as The Democratic Republic of Congo, and the atrocities happening there on a daily basis (while I accept this book is very dark, I couldn't go as far as what's actually happening in places like the DRC). It's a look at how low humans can go when there is a motivation to control and dominate - as many wars have demonstrated. (See the UK and US bombing of Dresden as an example). In The DRC's case it's for minerals. In Crash's case, it's for food. 

Again, I can't speak to whether you enjoyed the book or not but I'm thankful that you read it and took the time to review it. You asked the question, so I wanted to give you the answer.

Thanks again

Michael

Should I have responded? I don't know. It's not something I plan to make a habit of. 

Sales Figures so Far - Since June 20th:-

Amazon - 446 copies sold. 
Kobo - 3 copies sold.
Smashwords - 0 copies sold.

I'm pleased with my figures for less than three months. The negative reviews sting but I'm developing a thick skin pretty quickly. Again, I expected it with this book. My next one is much less violent, so it'll be interesting to see if it generates the same reaction.

15 Things to Think About When Editing

Because I find it so easy to get lost in my writing, especially when I'm editing it for the seventeenth time and the meaning of the words don't even make sense any more (time to put it to one side I think), I like to use a checklist of the fifteen things that can often escape my attention. It offers me a modicum of objectivity about my work when I need it most.  

My checklist changes as I get more comfortable with each point on the list. However, as of today, this is my list: 

Writing Checklist

1) Are the five senses included in the descriptions?

Touch:

            Sight:

            Smell:

            Taste:

            Sound:

2) Am I showing the reader the story rather than telling them it?

3) Character development - How has the character been changed by the story?

4) Is there enough description of both the physical environment and the characters?

5) Unique character traits - What traits are unique to each character and how do I show this in their behaviour / speech?

6) Is there enough conflict? Is the main character being challenged enough?

7) Are there enough moments in the story? (Character interaction and events).

8) Is it too verbose? Only leave what's necessary.

9) Avoid passive voice where possible.

10) Keep the tense consistent.

11) Keep POV character consistent - If it changes, make sure it's signposted.

12) Is the back story necessary, and if so, only do as much as is needed.

13) Does the theme need to be stronger? Do I need more symbolism?

14) Is the main character being challenged?

15) Am I clearly showing my character's motivation? What do they want?

I have pieced this list together from all of the information I have read or heard about writing. This list is very specific to me, so I'm sure that some of the points on here happen naturally for many writers, but i like to remind myself of these in particular. 

I try to keep the list to no more than fifteen items because otherwise it can be too overwhelming and it loses it's effectiveness. Fifteen works for me.

Some days, when I write it feels like the entire universe is working with me, throwing ideas at me like debris in a meteor storm. Some days, like this morning, I feel like I'm in a lead lined box a mile under the earth and I can't find a shred of clarity.

It's days like today when I know that i'm meant to write. At four in the morning, reading and re-reading that same sentence fifteen times should drive me to the point of insanity. I think taking a break is really important, but I also feel that if the breaks are coming before I've even started, then something is up.

Writing today was hard, but with perseverence I ended up a little further along than I would have done if I'd walked away and waited for my inspiration.

I think it's important to keep going and not panic. Everything works out as it's supposed to.

I also found out today that I didn't get shortlisted for a competition that I entered. I'm gutted that I didn't make the shortlist, if I wasn't I would be worried, I think feeling sad about rejection is okay, I think it's what I do in response to it, and tomorrow I will write like I do every day. I feel pumped for tomorrow. I will get up at five in the morning and get back on with editing the chapter that has been holding me back.