My first novel, "The Obsidian Mirror," did not sell thousands of copies, either--and then my publisher went out of business. Within two months and maybe 10 queries, I found a new publisher, Diversion Books, which is republishing "The Obsidian Mirror" AND the sequel that I am writing now. Don't let this guy's negativity get you down. Keep on writing and keep on promoting!

I have been reading the comments and the book Daily feature articles, and boy! you people make it sound like an awful lot of work. I thought I did an awful lot of work when I wrote the dozen short stories and the two novels I have completed. Now I have to develop a platform and put myself "out there," wherever out there is. I have created a Blog and a Web site, and I have no idea what to do with them. I have sent out 340 queries to agents, publishers, and magazines, and so far, two of my short stories have been published by two different magazines. Both rewarded me with contributor's copies. The most common reply I get is, "Your work is not a fit for us at this time." A fit! I don't even know what that means. A fit! I'm not trying to sell them a pair of shoes. I'm trying to sell them a story. I wish, just once, someone would tell me my work stinks, then I could just quit, and tell myself, "I tried." Sometimes I feel the agencies are a bunch of snobs. Their responses are cold, indifferent, and arrogant, and I don't believe anyone of them ever read anything I sent them. Saying all this, I'm sure, will not gain me any friends in the publishing world, but that' s all right. To me, writing is an item on my bucket list. Incidentally, my one novel "Life Everlasting -The West" is available on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google, Kobo, Scribd, and Sony, for only $.99. It's been there for a few months, and not a nibble, yet. I'm certainly never going to get rich off that novel. Venting feels good. Now I have to go back and edit this, so no one will think I am an idiot.

I just finished re-reading my first novel, and as I read a particularly poignant paragraph, I choked and began to tear up. I stopped and asked myself. Did I actually write that? Well, yes I did! What does this mean?. It means, to me, that I can write good and effective prose. So, I guess I will just keep plugging away, keep writing and hope for the best. J.C. O'Brien.

First of all, the person who said this is not your friend. With friends like that, who needs enemies?

Second, I am always shocked by the lack of business acumen displayed in the writing/publishing world. What does it take to be a 'successful' writer? It takes books. Lots and lots of books. The chances of anyone being a one-hit wonder is pretty much like winning the lottery. Most indie authors start making decent money after the 12th or 13th well-written, quality book. That's when their name has finally become recognized by enough people in their genre that readers start buying the new book and reading their back list.

For you, Christina Abt, this is your first book. Oh, you might think that you are an experienced writer with several books under your belt - but you are not. Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, Heart Warmers books, and CDs are not the same as contemporary women's fiction mystery/ghost stories. The market is different, the readers are different, even the section in the bookstore is different. You have just written a new book in a new genre, appealing to a new market, and now you have to write 12 more to get the ball rolling in that market.

I don't believe that any of us should be happy just sitting around and writing for pure joy with no profit. But we have to understand that writing is a CAREER PATH, which means you have to work it just like you would a job. If you're a contractor, you don't just do one contract and expect everyone to suddenly be beating down your door begging for you to do work for them. You have to do job after job after job *in the same industry* before people start to tell other people about your quality and they start calling you. You can't do one window job, one roof job, and one landscaping job and expect that people will be calling you. People are actually more apt to be confused about what exactly it is that you do. That's pretty much what you've done with Chicken Soup type books, CDs, and now a fiction novel.

The ONLY thing that I agree with is that you should stop marketing that book so heavily - so you can get back to work writing the sequels. The only way you are going to make more money and attract more readers is to write more books in the same genre. And once you've hit book twelve and you are suddenly 'successful', you can thank me. What's that old quote? Oh yes, "It takes 20 years to make an overnight success." Write two books a year and you might do it in ten.

I agree with the others. Enjoying what you write and sharing it with others that
enjoy it too is priceless. I just published my third book because I was encouraged
by my readers. Poerty has become my thing and I enjoy it. Thankfully, I also get
a social security check. Keep doing what you love! Cynthia Young ; )

What he said may have been true in the past. If you didn't sell a lot of copies in first six months you were out of luck. But now, especially with self-publishing, we control our marketing, are not dependent on publishers for this, so we can keep promoting our books for years and bring out back list books as well periodically.

You're correct in that the definition of success is up to you. If you entertain one person for a few hours, in my definition you've succeeded. Persevere - many authors don't become popular until they have written several books. Once written, each book can be viewed as an employee who continues to work for you for free. Namaste!

Hi everyone. This is Christina. Thank you all for your comments and feedback. It's helpful to receive the support of writers in the form of their experiences.
For all who suggested I continue writing, I agree. I am currently editing a book for release this year and working on a new historical fiction book for release next year. No doubt, I have a brand to build on and writing more books will help.
As to the publishing industry, it's as confusing to those who have operated it for years as those of us newly jumping into the waters. The bonus is that the web has provided writers with amazing new platforms, like BookDaily, to share our words and our stories and I look forward to continuing to do just that.

It's too bad you needed a consensus of other people to reinforce your desire to write. I believe as you first stated, storytelling is a passion which cannot be dulled by poor sales, disinterested publishers, or skeptical agents. Writers write for the person they face in the mirror every morning, even if they need a day-job to support their passion. If you need a pat on the back to keep storytelling in the future when things on the sales side aren't working quite as well as you hoped, do what I do, take a couple of Advil and do it yourself. :)

I was a "success" the first time someone read my first novel and enjoyed it. Period, end of discussion.

Since then, I am about to cross over the 100,000 books sold mark, and I have pocketed a nice chunk of change, but nothing beats the day I saw that someone had actually bought my book, except for maybe that first review. Reading the positive comments there made my day and launched me on my way.

Christina, I have been facing this truth of yours now since 2006. I know my work is good, nobody else seems to think so, at least in the quanities I believe it should be. I am now on my 22nd novel and do believe I am getting in the grove... Should I think in terms of It's my book and I love it, or why arn't they selling. Why can't an agent see the value of my work. Well, I just don't know. However, I have reached the point of knowing that my work is good and it's alright with me. Let's keep on writing.

Regards,
James M. Copeland

Agreed, James, let's keep on writing.
Christina

You need to build yourself, Christina. Very, very, very rarely does one book of fiction work the magic for you. It may take six or seven. If you fall at the first hurdle, get up and tackle the next one. Each book will be a personal growth for you, and a massive step towards the career you seek. With each book your following will grow as new people discover you and tell others about you. A one book pony is a non starter in the race, it will gallop a little of the course, but without stable mates that's it. Where does a reader go next if they have nothing more to look forward to from you? On to the next stable of an author that they enjoy just as much but can keep their hunger fed. It took five books for me to reach my winning post. Number one galloped for a few paces, but number two galloped further, and brought up number one to its level, and so the process had begun, number five, won me a seven book publishing contract with Pan Macmillan, two new ones and my five backlist. That is now complete and I have a new two book deal. So saddle up write down that tittle and start on your next novel. And, it is worth promoting, get and keep your name out there at all times, twitter, facebook, facebook ads, join writing groups on line, blog, you do it all girl and do it for each and every book and don't stop doing it. Good luck, I'm betting on you for the biggest race of the season, By the way, though I don't agree with your friend's sentiments, I think he is a wonderful friend as he tells you how he sees the truth. He is coming from the traditional publishing world where a book is only taken notice of for around 6 weeks, if it hasn't made it by then no money or time is wasted on it, they move on to the next. You are in the self publishing world, you push every book with everything that is in you, but, you too must move on to the next as the next will be your most valuable tool in promoting your first. Much love, Mary Wood x

Mary, your words are most kind and caring. Thank you for encouraging me in ways that support my writer's spirit. Congratulations on your success. I am going to go and search for your books right now! Christina

You're welcome, and good luck. Sure you will do it. Thank you for looking at my books. If you do read one, I hope you enjoy xxxx

Thank you for sharing your journey Christina! I'm not in this to make money. My singular goal is to write fantasy to help kids trudge through some of the tougher issues in life. I'm tired of being told I have to sell products, that the book will never make it unless I branch out into other products. Hopefully as I continue the journey, kids will discover the beauty of modern fairy tales and they'll make a difference.

You're welcome. It was my pleasure. And I agree, money is not the only goal here. However, it certainly helps one afford the luxury of pursuing one's passion! Christina

To me, the point of writing has always been to be read. If one person reads my work and likes it, even if it was a gifted copy, that's one more time that I've fulfilled my purpose as an author. If I was only writing to sell I would have quit before getting to my 5th book, which is the one that finally started selling. It's barely treading water at a few copies a day, but I will continue to write because it is a passion.

I've sold quite a few copies of my books but I write for the enjoyment of it, not to make a bunch of money.

I have written eight books and working on number nine. I have probably sold less than fifty copies. Most of the time I give them away. It's not because some one thinks they are lame, my friends and readers expound nothing but compliments and encouragement. If you sold 50,000 books would that take place of the joy and self satisfaction of your accomplishment as an author? Not all of us write thinking of sales.
I am fortunate, I have Social Security!

Who cares how many copies you sell? Did you enjoy writing your book and was it fun to spend time with your characters? Have the people who read the book enjoyed it? Isn't that really why we tell the stories...to give the gift of our thoughts to others? It sounds to me like you are a great success if your readers are pleased. The rest is purely icing on the cake.

You sound like a wise woman, Alice, and I appreciate your words of encouragement not only Christina, but to all writers. You are exactly right...we tell stories to give the gift of our thoughts to others.

Shine on, girl!

Thank you everyone for your comments and feedback. It's always helpful to receive the support of writers in the form of their experiences.