Just a quick blog today, since we're driving home and have to get on the road super-early:
I stumbled across another review of One Night in Memphis, 5 Nymphs from Literary Nymphs! Here's part of what the reviewer had to say:
"Boniface conveys some real danger and tension in this fast-paced tale, but shows astonishing and realistic growth in her characters. It’s not a sensual relationship yet, but it’s sweet, sensible and extremely entertaining.This is an absorbing novel, nearly impossible to put down. It has coincidence, a car chase, corruption and cool piano music. I definitely plan to read more by Allie Boniface."
OK, I know some of you might be getting tired of me posting my reviews here. But to get such positive feedback on this novel makes me really happy...especially since I just received my first month's royalty statement from Samhain, and sales were, well, not really what I had hoped. I have to keep in mind (as my husband reminds me) that Samhain readers tend to read way more spicy romance than what I write, and that a lot of my readers, I think, will still buy print rather than electronic books. (I hope, anyway.)
Interestingly, I've talked to a couple of other authors in the last 6 months who are also discouraged by their sales. One has decided to write straight erotica, "just because smut sells." The other is toying with the idea of quitting writing altogether.
It's tough, when you write and publish and market and then don't sell the way you'd like to. I suppose it comes down to why you write in the first place: to make money? to have a creative outlet? to become famous? I write because, now, I can't imagine NOT writing. And I do believe that, at some point, I am going to break into the bigger markets. That's why reviews mean so much to me...the more good stuff I can put in those query letters to agents and editors, the better :) And honestly, I'd rather write a story I knew was my very best effort, the best story I could possibly create, than give in and write to a trend.
What do you think??
6 comments:
Stay with what you like to write.
Your two books in the local library are in constant circulation. I know that isn't reflected in your sales, but people are reading them!
Fortunately you don't have to sell books to put bread on the table!
Someday you'll get the break you want, I'm sure.
I am right there with you. The thing is, I LOVE this book and it was a lot of hard work and it's just not spicy enough for most people who buy the ebooks. And like you, I've gotten good reviews, but it hasn't translated. Sigh. I even did an experiment over summer to see if promotion will help and the only thing that did help was an author day on the reader loop. Still, it only netted about a dozen sales and took hours of writing time away.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I'm having the same experience, and it's okay to be frustrated.
Keep writing for YOU and you'll have no regrets. Plus, those who read you will follow you anywhere . . .
I think you'll break into bigger markets - you're a fantastic writer. I'm busy with trying to sell our house right now but still trying to write the best book I can. I think all of us (published authors) just didn't have a clue how hard it was going to be - we thought the hard part was getting published.
BTW, I tagged you. But it's a fun and easy one. Really. :)
Yeah... I just got my royalty statement, too. And it's a good thing I don't need to pay the rent with it, lol...
Publishing for me is just an added bonus to writing. And, like you, I want to eventually break into the bigger markets.
Still, I write because I enjoy it. And sharing it makes it that much more fun.
I don't care for erotica, myself. Some of it, I actually consider porn!
I would rather read books that lead up to an intimate relationship and not those that have the characters hopping in bed every chance they get. Cindi
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