Satin Sheets sold 35,000 copies. I was a success. I made back my advance plus. Unfortunately, I never saw the royalties. I got several different stories as to why. I just know something was tied up in court and even though the court ruled for the publisher, trying to collect was another story. So, alas, I'm out quite a lot. But that's okay because Satin Sheets will be released as an eBook from MuseItUp Publishing, revised and with a new title, It's Only Make Believe, in August 2012.
It didn't take long to learn authors don't make much money. Getting published isn't about the money. If anyone thinks authors automatically get rich because they sold a book, they're dead wrong. Unless you write a best seller - and let's face it, how many of them do you really see out there, you're not going to get rich. Seriously, with the millions and millions of books available only a handful are best sellers.
It didn't take long to discover selling one book doesn't make you an instant success. It took four more years before I made my next sale. I signed my next contract in June of 2010 for Double the Trouble. This time for an eBook.
A lot of people ask when I'm going to write a real book, meaning a print copy. These are the die-hards who won't read an eBook for love nor money. Apparently they can't see the wave of the future. That's okay, Double the Trouble will be out in print probably next year. Hopefully, they'll buy it then. In the mean time, I'll bask in the glory at having another book published.
I'm just as excited about these books as I was Satin Sheets. Sure Satin Sheets was a hard copy that I held in my hand and there's nothing like the feel of a book with your name as author. It makes it easier to do book signings for one thing.But eBooks are quickly taking over publishing market and I'm happy to say I'm part of it. Getting in on the ground floor so to speak. There's also a way for us to autograph eBooks now, so readers can have that autographed copy through a new media called Kindlegraph. My autographs are available from Kindlegraph at http://kindlegraph.com/authors/roseannedowell
11 comments:
Very interesting Roseanne.....You have so many books out! One of my heros!!!!
Thanks, Penny. I'm fortunate to have several more coming out next year. These are books I've written and submitted over the years. After I found Muse, I revised them yet again (can't believe how much I've learned over the years about writing and editing) and submitted them. Fortunately, Lea liked and contracted them.
You are a busy writer with a great publishing record. Well done, my lady, well done.
Ro,
Thanks for sharing the post. I always enjoy reading more about my favorite authors. Your work is a treat for those of us who are moving with the times, and I actually converted a "book" reader into an "ebook" reader at the beauty salon. Of course, I gave her names of authors I thought she might enjoy as much as I do. Guess whose name topped the list?
Ah, Ginger you are the sweetest! Thank for helping promote me. Your name tops my list also. I love your books.
Wow, Roseanne. I can't believe how many books you've written. Guess I have a lot of catching up to do. I also know who I'm going to go to for advice in the business ;)
LOL Diane. Anything you want to know. I love talking about writing.
Great work Roseanne! We all wait for the day to hold one of our books in our hands, but today's ebook is as much work to create/get accepted/promote as an print book, and probably more profitable.
This week I learnt that my local library (here in Australia) is adopting the idea of loaning a kindle complete with ebooks. So even downunder the ebook is taking off!! The university is alreay loaning Kindles. It hasn't happened overnight... but it is happening.
That's great, Rosalie. And what a great way for the library to purchase new books.
Roseanne, I am in awe of the amount of books you have published and what a sad story about your first one. That sucks!! In fact, there are so many horror stories about publishing like yours someone should put out a book of them so new writers would be able to check and see if their publisher was one of the stories.:) I know we have Preditors & Editors, but I don't think there can be enough warning stories for authors.
Great post and I have read your work. Can't wait to read your book. I have it as a TBR!!
Thanks, Barbara, Yeah it did suck, but I was one of the lucky ones. I at least got all of my advance. Some didn't even get that. I can't say it was a bad experience. They were great people to deal with. They lost money in the process also. From what I understand they're owed a lot of money from sales. And I got to hold my book and do book signings and it was all fun.
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