We swim in a small sea, at least in my opinion. We test the waters here and there looking for the best sales or to try something new. Reviews seem harder to get than two years ago when I first dipped my toe into the water. We all talk on forums about the best promo tactics, the best giveaways. I'm convinced there is no magic bullet.
Some authors feel the need to write fast because a new book is the best promo, in their opinions. I can't write fast so that one won't work for me. Plus, when you're a wild card, you can't necessarily expect sales from a core group of readers. It shifts, like the content of my work shifts.
Then there are big fish in small ponds and small fish in big ponds. I don't know where I fit in some days, or where I can hope to make a bit of a splash. So, after a few days of soul-searching and whining, I've decided to:
1) Quit whining to hubby, friends, or anyone who will listen. I'm going to write instead.
2) Try to write longer. I've got a few things in the works that will be longer than my normal extended short stories or novellas. Readers surveyed at one ePub of mine say they want longer stuff. Slow-poke me will try her best. Of course, I'll still write some shorts, which will slow me down and keep me from focusing on the longer work. I'm a short story writer at heart. What can I do? :)
3) Try for print in 2008. It's now or never in my opinion. The NY erotic romance market is flooded.
4) Keep doing what I love best--writing erotic shorts. These are my favorite things. Edits are quicker because the word count is lower. And I like the possibility of being in a small press antho with writers I admire.
5) Rethink whether I truly belong in the romance category. One day, I want to write a thriller with a lot of erotic content and perhaps a touch of romance. Maybe that's the direction I need to head in...
Until then, I'll tread water and stay proud of my sales whatever they may be. When you're doing something that you love, you stay in the water be it clear or murky, crowded or thinning out as folks sign with NY.
In other news, here's a new blog about epublishing called Loose Change created by Margaret Riley of Changeling Press and Treva Harte of Loose-Id.
9 comments:
Those musing have a familiar ring to them for me. I am thinking fo aiming my next novel at NY, not a romance at all though.
I'll be cheering you on :) No matter what people say about epubs being able to do what NY can't in terms of erotic content, there are still limitations, expectations... I just want to write the story I want to write. We'll see what happens.
I think your goals are great. Just making them is a step in the right direction.
It's nice to hear I'm not the only one who enjoys writing shorter. :)
"...of erotic content and perhaps a touch of romance..."
Romance can and is highly erotic too!
Thanks, Kim! Now if I could only sell those 1K WW tales :)
True, Rhet. That's what I get for posting when I should be napping. I meant like straight-up raw erotic, nothing sweet about it. No tenderness at all.
"...I meant like straight-up raw erotic, nothing sweet about it. No tenderness at all...."
Que?
Not sweet and not tender?
Raw?
I'm a physician, will my presence be required?
These are great thoughts, Laura. It is so easy to worry about the business end and forget the pure joy of writing and setting goals for one's self.
Sigh, working on it!
Oh boy, Rhet - you're a doc?! You're gonna love my Friday Five this week then. And yes, a physician's assistance may be required. If I do it right, that is. Heh heh...
You can do it, Amelia. Congrats again on your new release!
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