Here's the thing: I'd rather give away all my books than sell them. It's just the way I am. It's not that I can't tell someone it's $15.00 to buy my novel, but if I'm speaking to the person face-to-face, nine times out of ten I know them personally. And if I know them personally, well...I just want to be nice and give them a book to enjoy and not make them pay for it. I know I can't afford much - who says they can?
And thus, the never-ending roller coaster of balancing what I want to do and what I need to do.
The unfortunate truth is that the economy is not doing so hot right now, and as such, most people are pinching pennies whether they want to or not. Food or fun? While I have to admit that sometimes I'd rather spend money on food than nutrition, lots of families simply can't do that. "Here, this book is my gift to you. Enjoy." It slides so easily off the tongue, doesn't it?
But here's the other unfortunate truth: I can't keep on writing and self-publishing if I don't at least sell a few of my books. I don't earn enough money in my day job to do that. It would be nice. It's just not my current reality. Thankfully, I've had many people who have been willing to purchase one or more of my books. Granted, now I have to file taxes for a small business, but at least it keeps my head above water after all my expenses are paid.
So now I've got four novels, the first one out of print already, one anthology, and a devotion book and new novel still unfinished in my computer. There's not really a whole lot to make money there. To compensate, I've taken on a new hobby of creating items with my abstract art or other nifty designs. I go to craft sales and try to sell my wares in the hopes that, again, I'll keep my head above water and make up for my craft expenses and keep funding my writing ventures. So far, what I've earned has helped very little, but I'd rather have some help than no help. In the end, I'm still more comfortable giving away my books rather than selling them. Both my books and crafts are, thankfully, hobbies, not my livelihood.
Here's the real thing though...I firmly believe God blesses me because I'm willing to share what I have. I'm willing to share a talent I wouldn't have, were it not for Him in the first place. How can I feel good about charging someone a fee to read words that were a free gift to me? Now, I know that there's nothing wrong with me putting a price tag on my books, or recouping some of my expenses. I don't think God expects me to go broke on this principle. But I do know my attitude affects this overall experience. I don't think I'd want to be so hard-nosed that I wouldn't give a book away for free. I don't think I'd want to be so rigid that I couldn't give a book to someone who really couldn't afford it. I want to share those words! Who knows who might enjoy that story, or who it might encourage?
Just today, my order of promotional pens arrived. They're bright green and proudly display my name and website. It was a minimal expense, and yes, it advertises me. Will I gain any sales from it? Maybe. But if not, I'll have gifted people with a handy writing utensil. I'll still try to promote myself and my books - I think not to would be going too far the other direction. I have to work at keeping people aware of me and what I do. If I didn't, it would just prove laziness and then no one at all would read my books, and that would be a shame if my purpose is to encourage someone.
In the end, we all have different marketing methods and different levels of enthusiasm. Me, I know a lot about marketing, and I can be good at it...it's just that usually I'd rather give blessings instead of earn a profit. As long as I have a different job that takes care of my everyday needs, I'll have a hard time selling my books. That's not to say I'll allow anybody to take advantage of my generosity - I do have limits and there are lines between being a miser and giving too much. But I think that line is in a different spot for everybody.
For me, I need to earn enough to keep on with this writing adventure. To keep on self-publishing. To continue getting the word out there that I've got something worth reading. That's why I charge for my books. Is it easy for me? Not at all. Do I like selling things? No. I just have to, in order to keep doing what I'm doing.
I'm a writer, not a salesman. I'm just thankful for the family and friends who are willing to speak loudly about me and my books so that others might gain interest. Then I might earn a couple bucks, and someone else might gain a smile. It's the smile that makes the work worth it.
No comments:
Post a Comment