Finally took the plunge and published my book on Amazon

[SJP]

Dang it, now I have to read more books!  Thanks a lot, people...

Actually, let me know how Amazon works out for you.  Been working on a novel for some time (actually, working on several novels on and off for some time), but I've been hesitant to try Amazon and self-publishing.  Also, though, my current novel wouldn't work to sell a series (my plan is to have the story take up two, fairly massive books rather than be a continuing series), but Amazon might be a good fit for other things, like a novella I've finished and let sit rotting on my hard drive for far too long.

[Edgewriter]

Dang it, now I have to read more books!  Thanks a lot, people...

Actually, let me know how Amazon works out for you.  Been working on a novel for some time (actually, working on several novels on and off for some time), but I've been hesitant to try Amazon and self-publishing.  Also, though, my current novel wouldn't work to sell a series (my plan is to have the story take up two, fairly massive books rather than be a continuing series), but Amazon might be a good fit for other things, like a novella I've finished and let sit rotting on my hard drive for far too long.

Thanks. Let me know what you think when you have read it!

So far, Amazon has been working out pretty good. Word of mouth is spreading slowly but surely as people read the book. I have over a hundred downloads since I put it up 5/14.

The thing is that you have to sell it yourself. Until you are high in Amazon's rankings, people are much less likely to stumble upon your work. Also they probably won't read it unless it has a lot of good reviews because there is a lot of junk out there. 

I will probably post here from time to time with updates on how the book is doing. It has felt pretty good to have some fellow Rifftraxians give it a chance.

[Lembach]

Congratulations man! I have seen many new authors break big publishing their first works as e-books. May you go far. This is how Hugh Howey, the author of "Wool" got his start. Now he's on the best seller list and the rights to make a TV series has just been purchased by Fox. And he started just...like...you.
(going to go grab your book) 

[Edgewriter]

Fantastic! I so hope it works. It has been exciting and freaky at the same time.

Putting a book on Amazon is also different than major publishers because of the instant feedback. With a major publisher, your book isn't out there for at least six months and it is a long time before you hear sales figures. Then you get paid six months later. With amazon, I go on there multiple times every day and watch the number tick up each time a book is downloaded. If a day goes by with one or zero downloads, it's depressing. I rise and fall with the numbers. It's a roller coaster.

Thanks for the support!
Please let me know what you think of the book!

[Edgewriter]

My book has been updated and is now available in print on Create Space. The print version will show up on Amazon as well in the next few days!

https://www.createspace.com/3917143

It is all really exciting. The Kindle version price will not change though.

My own copies won't arrive until next Tuesday. I can't wait to open that box and pull out that book!

[mattwnelson]

You'll have to tell me how Createspace's quality is. I'm shopping around for ways to print my second volume of Catbeard (what did you think of the first one, BTW?) when I finish it.

[MSTJedi]

Oh yeah, finished reading it about a week ago, but forgot to say something. Really enjoyed the story and looking forward to more. There were a few typos and format issues, but I was reading it using the Kindle app for my Windows phone, so some of the formatting might have been due to that. So anyway, get cracking on the next one!

[Edgewriter]

Oh yeah, finished reading it about a week ago, but forgot to say something. Really enjoyed the story and looking forward to more. There were a few typos and format issues, but I was reading it using the Kindle app for my Windows phone, so some of the formatting might have been due to that. So anyway, get cracking on the next one!

Great! I have noticed some format issues on the smartphone apps, though I believe that that is just an issue with the app itself because Kindle support said that it was just the way it shows up on those platforms.

Please write up a review on Amazon, it would be a great help.

And book two is on the way. I am working on a final edit right now and hope it will be available in a week or two!

[Edgewriter]

You'll have to tell me how Createspace's quality is. I'm shopping around for ways to print my second volume of Catbeard (what did you think of the first one, BTW?) when I finish it.

I will let you know when my books come in! Though I have seen a few others and they looked great. The best thing about it is that you do not have to pay to print. The books are printed as they are ordered so there is no need for them to charge you up front.

I liked Catbeard. I showed it to my daughter and she thought it was hilarious. My son liked the later parts that were more action filled. Keep up the good work! If you get a print version let me know and I will write a review for you.

[mattwnelson]

Cool beans! Actually, that campaign you donated to was to print the book - three boxes of it are in my apartment now.

How old were the younger readers, if you don't mind my asking? That's the audience I really want to reach - kids should totally read comics!

[Edgewriter]

My daughter is Twelve and my son that read it was 10.

[JimJ]

Do you have an account over on Kindleboards?  If not, they have a forum set aside there for indie authors who've published on Kindle (it's the one called "The Book Bazaar").  Self promotion isn't allowed in your posts outside of that one forum but you are allowed to put a link to your book in your signature.  It's a great community and a really good way get the word out about your book to a group of people who are really passionate about reading and about supporting self-published authors.

Anyway, I just bought your book but I probably won't get around to it anytime soon.  I have a ton of library ebooks to get through (I recently figured out that, somehow, my expired library card, with some late fees still on it, actually works to get ebooks).  I'll post here and put a review on Amazon whenever I get around to reading it.

[mattwnelson]

My daughter is Twelve and my son that read it was 10.

Sweet! I also am happy that both your daughter AND son liked it. I do tend to write what I like (don't all authors?) and I know that I think of the things I like as being more traditionally "boy" stuff.

So when's your next one coming out?

[Edgewriter]

Do you have an account over on Kindleboards?  If not, they have a forum set aside there for indie authors who've published on Kindle (it's the one called "The Book Bazaar").  Self promotion isn't allowed in your posts outside of that one forum but you are allowed to put a link to your book in your signature.  It's a great community and a really good way get the word out about your book to a group of people who are really passionate about reading and about supporting self-published authors.

Anyway, I just bought your book but I probably won't get around to it anytime soon.  I have a ton of library ebooks to get through (I recently figured out that, somehow, my expired library card, with some late fees still on it, actually works to get ebooks).  I'll post here and put a review on Amazon whenever I get around to reading it.

Thanks so much! Heading over to Kindleboards now.

[Edgewriter]

My daughter is Twelve and my son that read it was 10.

Sweet! I also am happy that both your daughter AND son liked it. I do tend to write what I like (don't all authors?) and I know that I think of the things I like as being more traditionally "boy" stuff.

So when's your next one coming out?

Book two will hit in a couple weeks. I am doing one last edit and waiting on a cover. I'll keep you posted!