How Long Until I'm a Kindle Success?

How Long Until I’m a Kindle Success
by Jackie Vick

It’s easy to believe in overnight author successes when you hear about the great things happening on Kindle. Free promotions. The KDP Prime lending program. Record sales. I’m hopeful my new release, Barking Mad About Murder, will sell about 20,000 copies this month. (Snicker)

The truth is, as with anything, blossoming into a successful author takes time. Success is usually defined by monetary gain, but it also refers to one’s ability to write well and turn out readable material. It takes practice.

I still have the check from my first sale framed on my wall. The year was 2001. Yes, that’s a long time ago. True, I went down many side paths--screenwriting, essays, and the dreaded satire. It takes a while to figure out where your talents lie as well as your interests, but I finally figured out I like writing mysteries. And then comes the work.

I still remember hosting a particular author’s panel for Sisters in Crime. There was a writer wannabe in the audience who had many questions. That’s cool. I’ve found mystery writers are very generous with their time and advice.

It became evident that this person wanted to be a writer but didn’t want to do the legwork. She had answers for everything.

You should research publishers online.
I don’t have a computer.
Then go to the library.
There isn’t one near me.
Attend a class.
I can’t find any I like. Can’t you just tell me where to submit my work?

(Cricket chirps.)

There are millions of people out there willing to do what you won’t. That should be motivation enough. Don’t get me wrong. We all have bad days when we’d rather curl up on the couch with a good book and eat Scooby Snacks, but that’s okay. Reading is research, and Scooby Snacks contain vitamin C!

Every published writer’s journey comes down to the same steps. They wrote. They read. They wrote some more. There are disappointments (read: learning curves) in-between, along with a lot of hard work and, yes, joy. You may never publish. You may not want to publish. But I’m happy to tell you that if you write, you’re a writer! 


Barking Mad at Murder:

Frankie Chandler is a pet psychic—at least that’s how she bills her services. Her “telepathic abilities” actually come to her via animal behavior books and her ability to cold read people, a skill that she learned from her tarot card-reading Aunt Gertrude, a.k.a. Madame Guinevere. That was before Sandy, a Golden Retriever with a secret, blows through Frankie's mental barrier and shows her an image she'll never forget. 


 (Jacqueline Vick and I have been online friends for quite a while now. I've been a guest on her blog more than one, can I'm thrilled to have her visiting me. Isn't this cover great?)

 
Jacqueline Vick has published short stories in Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Orchard Press Mysteries, and Every Day Fiction Anthology Two. She has several e-novellas and ebooks on Kindle, including her latest, Barking Mad at Murder.

Thanks for visiting me today, Jacqueline. Your book sounds absolutely fantastic.
 
Marilyn

Comments

M.M. Gornell said…
Oh, Marilyn, love hearing from Jackie. Reading Barking Mad About Murder(life intervened so I haven't finished)your latest, Jackie, but I'm loving it! Continued success... You deserve it!

Madeline
Jacqueline Vick said…
Thanks, Madeline. I'm in the same position--in the middle of your book, "Lies of Convenience"! Loving it!(As if that's a surprise.)
GBPool said…
Jackie, You do satire so very well. Your quick wit comes across on the page and your plots are always so intriguing. But most of all, the words that come out of your character's mouths fit them to a "T." Good luck with your latest adventure. I've read some of it and thought the idea was so totally you - lots of fun. And if writing a good book is a sign of success, you have done it in spades.
Jacqueline Vick said…
You're so kind, Gayle. Speaking of wit, can't wait for the Johnny Casino collection. July, right?
Maryannwrites said…
Enjoyed the post very much. That kind of subtle wit is my favorite. Wishing you much success with the book.
Anonymous said…
Love the cover, and post. Like you, Jackie, I'm met many wannabes who don't want to do the work.

Barking Mad at Murder sounds like a great read, and if you excuse me, I'm heading over to Amazon right now!
Anonymous said…
I've meet writers whom I call "professional amateurs" because they talk about writing, go to classes, join writers groups but never actually write anything. Congrats on your new book! Lately the e-book version of my novel is selling more than print, so I'm grateful for whatever medium readers want.
Sally Carpenter
Jacqueline Vick said…
Thank you, Maryann. I'm always a little self-conscious saying I write humor, because what I think is funny may result in cricket chirps for someone else!
Jacqueline Vick said…
Anne, didn't the cover artist do a great job? Patty Henderson at http://boulevardphotografica.yolasite.com/ is the lady behind it, all you authors!
Jacqueline Vick said…
Sally, I know just what you mean. It's not a bad thing to love the writing environment--classes, conventions, groups--as long as you don't expect to become a bestseller without doing the work! You can always tell who is going to make it, because they are grateful for the advice (though they don't have to follow it) they take notes, and they make the effort to check it out for themselves. Good luck to them! The world can always use more good writers!
I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments to you and your responses. And yes, your cover is great.
Marja said…
Terrific post and thanks for pointing me in the direction of a new book to read. It sounds like just my kind of book. Your humor brightened my afternoon. Thank you!
Morgan Mandel said…
Cute cover. I've come to the conclusion not everyone can be an overnight success, but it's fun and sometimes aggravating to keep trying anyhow!

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Popular posts from this blog

Need to Catch Up With My Blog Tour?

Meet Morgen Bailey from the UK

The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries By Heather Haven