Shaking My Head.....

Saw a post on social media about how little a particular author made in royalties, and while I mentally rolled my eyes (why do you torture yourself that way by checking your author stats every day???), it was the ensuing conversation that sparked this post.

Someone commented they have several author friends who have already quit writing, due to AI crap taking over, and that 'self-publishing is too expensive'.

*needle scratch*

Excuse me???

I write the book. $0

I purchase cover art. $250

I pay an editor.  $150

I upload to Zon or D2D.  $0

Total:  $400.

If you think $400 is too much, then you're either paying your editor too much  or have a cover artist or editor who doesn't accept payments.

Admittedly, I went out and got a part-time job seven years ago when my hubby refused to pay for any more book-related items, and I've managed to budget everything.

But also, here's where things get pricey.

The author I referenced 1st spends a lot of $$ on special promotions.  I don't.  I concentrate a lot on in-person events.  So yeah, I pay a lot to do this, ranging from $50 all the way to $250 for an event. The most expensive one is my Christmas Show, which costs me $700, which I break down into $30 and $40 payments throughout the year. I've been doing this show now for over 10 years, and have people who return every year and ask me 'what's new this year?'  So yeah, loyal customers plus new ones. 

Do I make a profit?  Not even close.  In fact, if I didn't have to pay for gas, food, or lodging, I'd probably get a lot closer to breaking even. But I enjoy it and it gets me out of town, away from hearing a grumpy spouse demand attention or my adult kids and small grandkids wanting me.

Yes, I know that sounds a bit selfish, but two of them live with me 24/7.

My dear, self-publishing doesn't cost much. But self-PROMOTION does!  And I've only covered table fees. There's also swag, signage, marketing tools.

I think I paid $150 for my table runner.

$50-100 for business cards every year.

I think I spent maybe $200 on Temu this year for notebooks, pens, sticky notes, book bags, and keychains.  

Had to cancel all but one of my spring shows, due to transportation issues that weren't fixed until JUNE!  Which meant I had to rent a car twice in order to make it to Indy Comic Con (I was a panelist, and only spent $200 on food and souvenirs, plus $75 for a one day scooter rental and $120 on parking) and one other trip to take my mother to the dentist.

But the takeaway is this:  While I'd like to make a profit every year, on every event, I'm happiest when I'm out talking to people who love to read.  Coming home with funds in my money bag is always good. There have been a handful of events where either the crowd's not there, or I'm not more reader's choice of genre and I end up thinking 'why did I choose to come here?'  Thankfully, those events are far and few between.

In a way, being an author is much like a gambler:  You take a chance on events or promotions and sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But remember WHY you choose to do this in the first place:

Make money?

Get the stories out of your head?

Be on the NYT/USA Today Best-Seller list?

Childhood ambition?

Keeping up with your author friends?

For me, it's because if I didn't write, my head would explode. The fact I proved I could do it was just icing on the cake, and the fact that people LIKE what I write is the cherry on top.  If I get any royalties in my account or come home with extra to deposit in my account to order inventory or even simply get to the next event, that's extra toppings.

But don't say Self-Publishing is too expensive, because it's not.

It's what you choose to spend your money on AFTER that's expensive.

Because, let's face it....you can't just put your book up and expect readers to find you. You have to make an EFFORT to be noticed.

Trust me; I've been slogging away for 23 years.  Do I wish I'd written something that 'caught' right away and started making triple digits every year?  Sure! But I didn't, and that's still okay. I'm doing what I love, and as long as it never becomes a 'have-to', or get burned out, I'm happy.

On that note, the author I originally referenced has hit that magical 200 count, while I've only reached 46. But she feels tied to her computer, even though she said she'd slow down after Book 200. I've not really seen any sign of that, since she just released 217.  I guess 17 books in a year is 'slowing down'....I slowed down to 2 per year.  But that's me.....and I'm not tied to my computer as I was from 2011-2013, when I released 11 books from July 2011-August 2013.  It also put 50 pounds on me that's I'm still struggling to get off.

So yeah, posts like what I saw today push my buttons!

No Whining Zone

 An author I've been friends with for nearly 10 years now is mildly driving me crazy.  Why?  Her social media posts.

Normally, I can scroll by with just an eye roll.  Sometimes I come here to vent. This is one of them.

This particular author's main gripe for the past year is low book sales. First she'd have great success, then rage about how half of them were returned. 

(Sidebar:  I whole-heartedly believe people who return E-BOOKS should be put in their own circle of hell; it's unethical! Don't treat us like a library; join KU to do that, or actually go to one of the library sites!)

I've managed to scroll on by when this author gripes about the heat (for the record, migraines seem to be their whole summer, so I sympathize!), or even when they go ahead and put out Halloween decorations in SEPTEMBER, or admit they decorate for Christmas as soon as Halloween is over (I at least wait until October for spooky season and after Thanksgiving before anything Christmas shows up in my house!).

They went to WDW in August for a four day weekend, and-I get it; they go once a year and last year was sick during the trip-but why oh why did they have to gripe about prices/crowds/heat?  You're at the happiest place on Earth!  It's a vacation; get out and enjoy yourselves!!!

For the record, I've not been there since 2004 and would LOVE to go spend another week there!  Even a whirlwind trip, if it were comped! But I digress,

Their latest post just had me gritting my teeth in frustration.  Why?  Again, low book sales.  "I may have to stop writing..."  "I'm sad about the future..."  Sheesh.....have a little FAITH, will you?

And yes, I admit....when my hubby decided he'd had enough of funding my book ventures after the whole KU-killed-the-small-press kerfuffle, I went out and got a job to see if I was capable of funding it myself.  And guess what?  I was.  Granted, I only work 25-30 hours a week, and in a place where I can write during the down times, but I've done it.  Since 2019, I've managed to write 11 books and 8 short stories.  So yeah, you'll have to stop the book-of-the-month club (or even two per month....seriously, I thought you were going to slow down a little after hitting a record high number of books???) and maybe stop buying makeup every week/month and outfits you're only going to wear once (seriously, who needs that many clothes?  I've got stuff I still wear since college!)

The point is, have a little FAITH and cut out the extra. There's only two of you; I have a household of SIX! And we're living off a pension, Social Security, and my twice a month paychecks.  You don't see me griping on social media about only getting cents on the dollar, or even the amazing $3 Zon paid me last month! (okay, I guess I just did, ha ha!)

But for god's sake, don't panic. IMHO, if you're that worried about money, don't post your expensive makeup; the clothing you've bought; your plans to return to WDW.  Let your hubby take me instead; I guarantee I'll have a great time in the park!

Weird Dream 8/30

 Dreamed I was on the back of Mike Switzer's motorcycle and we passed an outside bar where Brian C and some of his buddies were. Mike kept backing up and going forward; I finally got him to stop so we could chat.

B and I ended up confessing our strong friendship feelings to each other, then we hugged and I agreed to follow them back to the stadium to watch the Sectional game (not sure BBall or FBall, lol!). I got in a VW Bug, but couldn't find my way out of downtown Columbus, and finally drove into a parking garage, where it broke down.  I guess I didn't have a phone, because others in the attached office building called a tow truck and all I could do was express joy at the fact B and I shared the same strong feelings for each other.

And all the women had blue hair.

But woke up with Eagles' Lyin' Eyes in my head.

Strange.....

Reality TV Rant

 So I just saw a post where some alphabet community members signed a petition to be 'more friendly' toward the members of their group, or to have more representation.

1) There have been PLENTY 'rainbow' members on these shows over the years.

2) Yes, some were targeted, but NOT because of their sexuality; it was their PERSONALITIES or their ATHLETICISM, which made them a THREAT to winning the game!

3) I guess the solution would be to have a 50/50 cast and see which ones do a better job of PLAYING THE GAME and not becoming crybabies ala 'You just want me out of here because I'm different...'

No, a$$hat.....you either have a toxic personality; have rubbed those 'in charge' the wrong way, or you're such a good competitor, they're trying to get you out!  Man up and take it as a compliment, then try to come back and get 'in' with the right group of people!  And keep your damn mouth shut.  

BUT....it's been proven that DRAMA gets aired, so if you cause DRAMA, be prepared to face the actions of your consequences, and not blame it on your ethnicity/sexuality/life choice.

Or, just have the Alphabet version of the game.  Then no one claim 'we're being shut out.'

Authors Behaving Badly, 2026 Edition

 I've been getting emails from Amazon about a certain author, CS, and since I didn't recognize the name, I've simply been deleting them.

Then I saw this author was going to be at Indy Comic Con.  Good; I'll stop by his booth and maybe remember WHY I'm following him on AZ.

I motored up, introduced myself, recognized he's the author of a comic I'd heard of about a year or two or three ago.  I own a digital copy, but it's hard to read.  I told him about the connection through Comic Book Spectrum, and asked if I could take his picture.  He agreed....then promptly says to me, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to talk to someone who actually wants to BUY something."

Taken aback, I smiled and thanked him for his time, and moved on.

But inwardly I was fuming.  What a d*ck!

The next day, I realized I could actually buy the $20 comic, so I returned. I was the ONLY one in line; he commented on the fact he liked my 1st name, and pronounced my last name correctly.  Then after taking my payment and signing the comic, he handed it back and said, "Bye-bye."

Again, I was taken aback.  No thank you?  Just, "okay, now get out of here so someone else will buy from me?"

I came home and promptly UNFOLLOWED him.  I'll read his comic, and IF I happen to ever see him again, maybe I'll get the next installment, much like I do with Ron Braun, who seems to LIKE my company whenever I stop by his booth!

I do NOT hang around. I keep my interactions BRIEF, since I myself don't like it when people monopolize me at shows, unless of course, I'm ENJOYING it!

Now onto Author #2.

We all have bad days. I get it. I had one myself in April, as I sat there hearing nearly everyone walking by my table telling me they either don't read or they only read The Bible, or some other genre.

I got over it and recently published a new one.  

Author SS posted earlier tonight how she's depressed due to other authors in her genre have decided to quit writing. Dismal sales of her last two books. She's run sale after sale and people buy, then return the book. She cries in the bathroom so her hubby doesn't see her tears. She's tired of sending out a newsletter that nobody clicks the links. (I'll admit, I'll only click the link if I haven't bought the book yet!  Some of her work I love, and others I find tedious to get through, but I still read the book!)

1) Stop putting so much faith in online sales/book bub promos and DO SOME IN PERSON EVENTS! I get she's an introvert.  So was I until I had to put myself out there and talk to people, hoping they would buy my books!  It CAN be done!

2) I've seen this author in person, and yes, she's a little standoffish because she's shy and opinionated about certain topics, and she's flat out said she's not going to bring a lot of inventory b/c she's tired of hauling them back and forth.  In fact, after every in person signing, she bundles up the leftovers and sells them on FB.  Me, I haul them back and forth, sometimes for an entire YEAR or two until they sell!

3) If I got depressed every time a release date came and went without an online sale....I'd probably be in a mental hospital right now. I don't care if I don't sell anything, because once copies arrive, I KNOW someone at a future show is going to buy it.  I have a glass of wine, sing some karaoke, and insist someone take me out to eat.  Two weeks ago, I celebrated by buying to books at B&N on my TBB list.

4) This author also spends waaaaaay too much $$ on makeup and dresses, imho.

5) She also overshares her perimenapause journey, imho.

Just had to get that off my chest.  Yes, sometimes her posts annoy me more than other friends' political posts!  But maybe it's just my own menapausal brain fed up with bullsh*t??

Wow......Showing True Colors

 Last night at the State of the Union Address, the Left showed their true colors.

"If you agree that the first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens, then stand up."

Not one Democrat stood.

The rep from MN heckled him, then the other Squad member (Rashida??) joined in.  

"You should be ashamed of yourselves."

"No, YOU should be ashamed," Omar yelled back.

I really hope she loses her seat. Get these idiots out of office, please?

If you're so into protecting people coming into our country to tear it apart, go to THEIR country with your convictions.  See how well it goes.

Weighing In.....

 First of all, the Grammys:

-WTH did I see on the red carpet?  A singer whose (and I use this term loosely) dress was held up by her nipple rings?  A) OUCH and B) Okay, you just out-did JLO 15-20 years ago.  Congratulations.

-If y'all are soooooo 'F-Ice' and hate America so much, get in your private planes and LEAVE THE COUNTRY!

-It's not your job to call out the President, the police, or anyone else protecting innocent (and LEGAL) citizens; it's your job to ENTERTAIN!  PERIOD!

-Yes, you're entitled to your views. Wear your buttons; boycott events.  I don't care if you accept your award via proxy, video, or whatever.  But I feel sorry for everyone in the room that had to suffer through your diatribe.  At least I watched (fast-forwarded, mostly!) the repeat, and couldn't hardly stomach what I did see.  The only part I liked was the In Memoriam (though I disliked the fact I couldn't read all the names, due to the camera focusing on Reba.  I know what she looks like; just show me the damn names!), the Ozzy tribute and the Cher debacle at the end.

Now onto the Super Bowl:

-First of all, I love watching the Super Bowl, the commercials, and the halftime show.

-I heard the controversy over Bad Bunny, and learned of the TP Halftime show, and decided to watch it instead.

-BUT....now I KNOW who BB is, and let's break this down.

A) He's from Puerto Rico and 'omg, he might sing in Spanish'.  So what?  Shakira, JLo, and some other Latina singer sang Spanish,  Did I turn the channel? No.

B) 'OMG, he's going to wear a dress!'  He has every right to wear whatever-the-hell he wants; it's his 20 minutes of fame. Didn't Shakira wear a sparkly, fringy body suit?  Course, she's got the body for it.  Did anyone slam Beyonce for her military-style choreography and clothing?  I criticized it, but then again, I'm not a Beyonce fan.

C) Did I refrain from watching the Rap-centric show a few years ago? No, because I was curious. It may not be my cup of tea, but I watched it.

D) 'He's anti-American'.  Here's where it gets dicey.  The Super Bowl, and football in general, is an all-American sport.  It's had its controversies in the past several years (Colin Kapernick taking a knee during the anthem, saying it was 'racist', QB's wearing scripture under their eyes), but here's my take:  1) If you're playing a sport for a country, you don't diss their flag or the anthem. 2) If you're invited to do a concert in a particular country, you adhear to the rules and don't diss the money they throw at you.  If BB is so 'anti-American', will he refuse to take the $$?  I think not.  So on this one, BB needs to either shut up and put on a good show, or give back his advance and go home.

E) When the World Cup was played in Venezuala, did any American players/performers spout their anti-socialism views?  I think not.  Forgive me; I'm not that familiar with soccer games, or even IF the World Cup has been held there since socialism sank its teeth into the country,

So what am I saying?  Will I watch or boycott?

I'll probably watch both.  Start with BB and if I don't like what I'm seeing after a few minutes, I'll exercise my right to watch something else. That's the beauty of the Internet.  I can CHOOSE to watch or not.

I'm not telling anyone what to do; you have brains and your own level of tolerance. 

Come back here next week and see if you agree with me or not.