Recently self-published my first novel (well a series I wrote a couple years ago, and decided to self-publish recently).
Sold 8 copies so far, but at least half of those are from friends and acquaintances. Numbers suck ass, but still feel somewhat accomplished of getting my shit out there. Should I feel proud IQfy?
>Should I feel proud IQfy?
Are you unironically asking strangers on IQfy for permission to feel proud of your own accomplishments or are you just trying to shill your book?
Nah, not shilling the book, no worries. Just wondering what lit thinks about self-publishing.
Well, no print runs or anything, no bookstores etc. But put together the manuscripts for ebook, paperback and hardcover (not hard with Amazon's publishing stuff tbh).
Never asked for anyone to buy it, people just did to support me and have physical copies of my work. Sure I told them I published something, which could lowkey be a call for action...
Couldn't afford one for this one, saving up for my upcoming one which is a much more through and well crafted effort (probably still not a good novel, but at least average).
Did the best I could on my own, and using shit like ProWritingAid etc. No substitute for an editor though, I have to admit that.
>Couldn't afford one for this one
How much can you afford? I do custom offers
Right now pretty much nothing. Currently waiting for some money to come in from other places, and hoping to sell a few short stories.
Thanks! Yeah, right now I'm pretty much set to put together a portfolio. I've got another novel in the works (final edit), as well as a novella (still needs a ton of work though since the stories not really working as I intended.
Oh that's pretty damn awesome! I'll definitely check it out.
Thanks man, appreciate it!
It was mostly a passion project while I got burned out on my other novel. It's an action-horror novel about people fighting interdimensional monsters. It's cheesy, corny, and rather clichéd in terms of story, but I enjoyed writing it and thought the final result wasn't half bad. I've always been a big fan of monster movies / series / media, so I tried my hand on the stuff as well.
Not that I plan to ever publish something but I'm curious: how much does it cost to hire an editor?
seconding this.
also this.
OP anon if I were you I would be disheartened too. But you sold at least four books. Four books more than I have ever sold, and likely more than 99% of lit has ever sold. Take pride your work is out there. Find some youtubers with less than 10k subscribers who review books- now send them your book free.
You have time anon. Keep writing.
By "self-published" do you mean "posted on the internet?" Because any random moron can do that.
If you actually paid for a print run and tried to get bookstores to stock it, then kudos. But taking sympathy money from your friends is pathetic. You should have given them free copies.
have you hired an editor yet?
>Should I feel proud IQfy?
Yes, what you have done is a great achievement. Consider sending copies to youtubers who may appreciate being asked to read and review it and potentially boost the sales.
Well that’s the most important part honestly. As long as you come into it honestly and not expecting to make a living off your first few books then who can criticize you for it(as long as it doesn’t get you put on a list). Keep going and be honest with yourself when writing and it’ll hopefully become popular
Now listen here bub, not only have you earned my respect, but also my admiration. In fact, it just so happens that you’re in decent company, and that several just like you who put in the effort to painstakingly compose, edit, and produce a novel, no small feat, indeed, often a thankless and lonely endeavour, have also conspired to compile our efforts into a catalog of IQfy authors, for the benefit of our prestige, and in the service of our collective notability.
https://lampbylit.com/magazine/authors/
>F. Gardner
I had no idea he came from these parts.
Sure. I think it's cool. Not knowing anything else about it, I still think you're committed and not lazy.
That's great anon, you should feel proud because you did something and saw it to the end. What's it about?
>actually finished AND got a book out
As long as you didn't write it to MAKE money you've won.
Congrats, Anon!
My own novel is scheduled for publication December 1, 2023. Hoping to get a pre-sale option up sooner, but I'm struggling with keywords.
Otherwise, I've got it up on BookSirens for ARCs and Kirkus owes me a review by Oct 15th. That will look nice on my cover (assuming it's a good review, I suppose).
You definitely should feel good about yourself. Any time you create something is a win. Be proud, but also modest. Learn something from the experience and make the next creation better.
I salute you!
Without reading it, I can't say whether you deserve to be proud or not. I don't have the time to read it, so I'd rather not pass any judgment. It's more that I simply do not care. My interests have become narrower over time.
I also tend to be much more critical and abrasive over fiction, especially if it's a part of the weird fiction genre. I'm assuming your work is dark fantasy or weird fiction based on your thread image. Your work will probably not impress me unless it's on the level of the greats or close to it.
>"I don't have time for sich nonsense"
>Spends the time to post longwinded and pretentious posts on IQfy
You're a remarkable intellectual, sir. Please share more of your intriguing and timely opinions.
>You're a remarkable intellectual, sir.
Thank you, but you don't need to state the obvious.
It would be more dignified if you were shilling your book
I'm exactly on the same boat as you are anon, I could've written this OP. Spent years on it, struggling back and forth whether or not I should put it out into the world and decided frick it, might as well two weeks ago. 10 copies so far, most of them to friends and family. I know it's not going to make me any money and I wasn't really counting on it either, but I might try the Youtube reviewers the thread was suggesting. May we both get lucky!