by Janis Patterson
Help.
I really need help.
As most of you know, I spent half of
last year republishing my backlist (and two new novels) through my own company
Sefkhat-Awbi Books. It was a lot of work (and a lot of money!) but once they
were out there I wouldn’t have to worry about them again. Or so I thought.
Of course, there is always the
continuing publicity, which is the bane of all writers both self and
traditionally pubbed, but there was one pitfall I didn’t foresee, one which is
strictly on me.
Curiosity.
One of the benefits of
self-publishing is that you can see your sales numbers almost instantaneously.
One of the dangers of self-publishing is that you can see your sales numbers
almost instantaneously.
Oh, I started out with plans to be
good and businesslike. I checked my sales stats in all markets first thing in
the morning, right after turning on the computer. I checked my sales stats in
all markets last thing at night, right before turning off the computer. Fine.
But a day is a very long time when you’re excited about a new career as a
publisher and you work at the computer all day long. It’s a new world to me, as
I sold my first novel in 1979, back when everything was done by snail mail and
royalties came sometimes a year or more later. And you never saw your sales
figures, which publishers guarded as closely as the secret of the meaning of life.
Unfortunately, it seems little has
changed since then for too many publishers, other than email replacing the
snail. In self-publishing, however, you get figures instantly and money either
monthly or quarterly. I never knew that information could be so addictive.
My descent started slow – first morning
and evening, then a quick look at lunch. Then mid-morning, and mid-afternoon,
and… well, you know. I started keeping my cell phone in the bathroom so that
when I got up to use the toilet at night I could give my numbers a quick check
without disturbing The Husband. While at lunch with friends or at a meeting I
became adept at working the phone without looking until I could get a quick
look at the numbers screen. Seeing the sales rise or – as happens depressingly
often – stay the same is much more engrossing than a well-scripted drama.
So – I’m wondering if there is a
twelve step program for self-publishers like me who have become addicted to
checking their sales numbers. Or even if there should be. Where does good
business research end and obsession begin?
I have no idea. Anyway, I have to
get this blog posted and then before turning off the computer I think I’ll
check my numbers one last time…
Help.
