Highlights 2018
So it’s the end of December and like many of you I am looking forward to 2019 by looking back at the year past.
I am wondering what happened? It’s good to review the steps taken from the beginning of this self publishing journey . Certainly there are things I should have done but did not, things I could have done better and things I should not have done at all. In this introspection perhaps lies the answer to the general questions “where the heck am I?” and “where am I going?”
The best way for me to begin this is by a bullet point summary of the activity highlights of the past year
“The Kingdom Without Rhyme” picture book project printed in February 2018
Marketing and advertising was limited to word of mouth, IBPA, SCBWI and social media
Pre-order discount deal applied
Book signing and reading event held at Northshire Bookstore Saratoga in July 2018
We held another similar but unsuccessful event in October at a library (no one came)
Established our on-line bookstore through Aerio - An Ingrams wholesale feature
Focused our social media marketing for Christmas sales
Tweeted to booksellers nationwide announcing our books and offering Tweet support
Participated in Inctober 2018 - affirmed why I am not an illustrator! My contributions
Advertised in IBPA indie booksellers summer and winter catalog
Participated in SCBWI featured Bookstop promotion
Continuous development and fine tuning of a system tracking sales and royalties
Connected with a school library reading program called #WeConnect @Arrowhead_Lib
Preparing for tax season
Submitted manuscripts to traditional publishers for consideration
Evolving into a hybrid indie author/publisher
These are highlights of the past year activities carried out while maintaining a paid full time position doing something completely different.
Now if I were given a large sum of money allowing me to pursue this project unhindered by economic necessity, I would perhaps spend more time and money doing the following.
Writing more books
Visiting bookstores
Scheduling Bookstore Promotional Events
Spending more on Advertising and Marketing
Writing more books
I am interested in what works for you. Is there something else I should be doing?
Please check out the links above and feel free to respond, I always appreciate positive and helpful words.
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year filled with opportunity and success and love!