One of the things I quickly got used to
when I made the transition from being a ‘signed’ author to a self-published
author was, is, that I have complete control over everything I do. Everything.
I would be lying if I told you that it wasn't downright terrifying AND
stressful but for me it’s worth it because when it works, it really works, and
when something I do doesn't it’s a hard learned lesson.
One of the things that I did that hasn't
been done before is the way I layout the interior of my anthology. The table of
contents is hand written, it’s laden with graphic elements but it’s not a
graphic novel. I knocked that shit out of the park! I’m really happy with the
way it turned out because having an anthology of my own short stories is basically
the gateway drug to the nightmares I create. I know I am not going to be your
only horror dealer but I have every intention of becoming a reliable one.
The problem with the layout though is
that the format does not translate well into a eBook, which left me reeling
because not everyone is willing to spend $14.99 on an up-and-coming-author and
at that time most of my royalties’ were coming from digital sales. So even
though I had a kick ass print version I felt like I fucked myself because in
order to convert it into a digital format the graphics would have to be removed
and that wasn't an option because that would completely change the tone of the
stories.
So just as I was coming to terms with
the fact that I had cut myself off from all the ‘gadget guys’ I met a woman
named Kay Richards. And over the next two years this amazing woman that God had
sent my way produced two audiobooks for me. A forever free version that is
available on Podiobooks and a premium version that can be purchased on
Audible/Amazon/iTunes
The free version went live in Dec ’14 and
as of this posting has been downloaded more than 33K x, dudes, really? So mind-blowing
I’m still kind of pinching myself, and top of that two people have donated despite
the fact that it’s absolutely free. I was so moved by that I actually cried…both
times.
So fast forward to right now and my
control issues. Ok so Createspace is the self-publishing platform for Amazon,
and the only thing you can not do is set the price of your paperback
below the price it cost to print it. Fair enough. The platform for self-publishing
audio books for Amazon is ACX (Audiobook creation exchange) I have no control,
none whatsoever, no say at all, over how Audible sets the prices for the
audiobooks. So when the premium went live on Feb. 19th with a sale
price of $19.95 Audible members I panicked.
Quitting your job in order to make your
dreams come true is insane, hard, and oftentimes ill-advised. There a months
were I have to budget to the dime and I mean to the dime. I know how important
book sales are but even still I buy my books from a 2nd hand store
and at the end of last year I started bartering books with other authors, some
who are far well off than I am. Buying a brand new book is something I have to
save up for. As of right now I cannot afford to spend $19.95 on a paperback, let
alone on an audiobook.
So, just as I was coming to terms that
at least I have a free version of the audiobook, I check my sales report. I sold
12 premium audiobooks in 9 days. I’m paid 40% royalties’ and even after taxes I
earned $103.57. Me, more than 100 dollars in just nine days. Selling stories.
Me.
I am an emotional wreck right now. This
is what I wanted, but now that it’s happening I can’t believe it. I’m afraid that
at any moment now I’m going to wake up. I've cried, did my happy dance, checked
the sales report more than a dozen times to make sure I’m looking at it right…this
is the most amazing thing ever! Like I am drowning in a sea of love and
support, not really drowning more like bobbing gently in the warm tide.
I just can’t thank everyone enough, I
just can’t. I’m going to take a nap now because I really can’t think but the
only thing I want to do is to continue to be worthy of your time and support,
this is really the most amazing day and it’s all because of you.
Thank you, you guys. I really mean it,
thank you…
Here is the link for the forever free version of
Free Version of And They All Lived Happily Ever After!
Free Version of And They All Lived Happily Ever After!
And here is the link to the premium version with bonus material not heard on Podibooks
