SUCCESS COMES WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
SUCCESS COMES WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT
Something happened last night and when I woke this morning I thought I had dreamt the whole thing. I only just published my new book a few days ago on Amazon, yet last night I saw that it had a review already. It never usually happens this quick. But that’s how success works I suppose at times, comes when you don’t expect it.
Unexpected Book Review
I uploaded my new book to Kindle Direct Publishing on July 14, only a week ago. In the past it would be like pulling teeth, to get a review. Even when I am clearly making sales, I would not see reviews. In recent times I have offered interested reviewers a free copy of a couple of my books in exchange for an honest review. I have had books on Amazon for years before getting a review. So, you can imagine my surprise to look up my book and see 1 review. I was so surprised that at first I didn’t recognize the 5 stars. I just saw 1 review. Right away eagerness set in and I wondered if it was a review siting that something was wrong. I quickly opened the review, only to notice that it was five stars and that the reviewer said the book was very helpful to her. She even thanked me.
It’s funny how sometimes you may write a book and you see it doing really well, but it doesn’t happen. In fact, I invested a lot of time and money into the first series of my children’s picture book and expected it would be my greatest success, but that has not been the case thus far. Even though people have reacted favourably to it, the sales have only trickled in. The first review came maybe after a year and it was a 4 star review. Not 5 star, and not after only one week.
Writer Journey Has Been Tough
I count the little successes because it isn’t always easy being a writer. I find the corporate world to be easier in the sense that you show up for work, you do the best you can, you show respect for your boss and coworkers, then every month consistently you can look forward to a specific salary to show up in your bank account. You can sometimes even look forward to a bonus or salary increase. Maybe even both. My writing journey has not been so glamorous. Sometimes as hard as I have worked, all I gain in return is “Wow, you’re a writer. That’s so good.” Sometimes, those giving you the praise won’t even go out and purchase a copy of your book, or download one from online. All that hard work only to get a praise in return. I am guilty of it too. I may praise other writers but don’t always purchase what they are selling. While writing is not my full time job, it’s still nice to gain a profit and or some reward for the time and money invested. Without readers, what would be the point of writing. So, reviews are very important. They show that people read your book and cared enough to leave feedback.
Self-publishing Success
I am happy that my new book is considered helpful. It is important to me as a writer to know that someone benefited from my writing in some way. This book in particular sets out to help others. This is obvious from the book’s title – How to Self-Publish Your Children’s Picture Book Using PowerPoint. If no one read the book then that would be a fail, and if no one found the book helpful that would also be a fail. I published this book completely on my own. I wrote the text, did the editing and the formatting. I designed even the book cover myself. Only the cover image was externally sourced through a free source with no copyright. Then I published it myself through Kindle Direct Publishing. I had no idea how the book would have been received, but I would say it has received success faster than any book I have published before. My previous books were never designed by me and some were published through publishing companies, yet none gained me a 5 star review one week after publication. I see this as self-publishing success. Not only for me, but for every writer out there with dreams of self-publishing their book, but may be worried about the results. Remember, success comes when you least expect it, so if you have a book in you that you would like to self-publish, then go for it. If you don’t know where to start, then feel free to download a copy of my book and get a few tips from there. It’s only .99 cents, and free if you are signed up for Kindle Unlimited.
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