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A question to all published writers?

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Canuak99
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A question to all published writers?

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Hello, I've recently published my first book "Utopian Socialism". It's on Amazon.com and it's being sold on online bookstores and what not. I have been waiting with excitement to recieve my first purchase and it seem's to be sorta like an addiction, checking up on it every day just to see if any bought a copy. I find it to be quite exciting checking up on it from time to time. So my question to all you published writers out there how long did it take you to sell your first copy?
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Busygirlbooks
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I published in early October and did not register any "real" sales until January. I should be more specific though. I published through Create Space both an ebook and a paperback version. The ebook took longer and was not available until November. Also, I sold the first thirty copies of the paperback which were included in my publishing package to friends and family within the first week of receiving them, but I don't count those as "real" sales since these folks obviously had a vested interest in supporting me. So my first sales to strangers, both the e version and the physical copy, did not happen for about 4 months. I still check almost every day to see what is happening with both versions and still get completely pumped by every single sale. I am guessing this will take a while to wear off. Best wishes to you in your journey :D
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PJ Roscoe
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I think I sold an e-book fairly quickly but to be honest, to my shame, I can't remember the exact date but I do remember the exact feeling - of triumph! I stared at the screen where it showed my sale for ages, seeing in my mind a multitude of sales coming now that the first sale on the internet was done!!
I sold paperbacks during both my launches and that had an appeal all of its own - especially when it is to a stranger. (NOT to say that friends and family don't count!) But I know what you mean about checking to see if someone you probably will never meet has made that decision to buy your creation - it is wonderful. You have succeeded. I used to check every day, now I make myself check only once a week - or it will drive you mad!
Author of 'Echoes' and 'Freya's Child' available on amazon and all e-book formats x
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mjlaughlin
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I remember how I was with the first book I published I almost wore my fingers out doing a refresh on the screen - waiting for sales - it took about a week or so before sales started coming in.
Melody Laughlin
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TheWizard
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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A lot of people ask me about this, because I went from being independent to being published, and that is what a LOT of people want to do.

I published first to Lulu and then to Amazon. I had moderate success - if I sold a copy two months in a row, that was a lot.

The first thing you're interested in is your price point. You are new and even though you know you wrote an awesome book, no one else does. They will figure it out if more and more people buy it, so pitch your book as cheap as you possibly can. When sales come up, you can start increasing the price a little at a time.

The second thing you're interested in is getting the word out. There are more than 10,000,000 titles on Amazon alone. Most of it is crap. True or not, most readers believe this, and they are trying to find good books in a pile that they can't actually see.

You want to talk about your book on every forum you can. Utopian Socialism tends to say that you want to get on progressive boards, you want to get into chats, you want to tweet when you can and get people interested in your tweets by talking about them. People who want to know more about your opinions will then find your book.

You want a WEBSITE. Sorry - it's the new millennium. Your book needs a website. Even if you do a Wordpress site and just blog your opinion, you need to get the word out.

What you're doing isn't selling your book - you're selling YOU. You're saying, "Look at what I think: you want to learn to think this way, and you can by reading my book."

Hope this helps. Good success.
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DJWilde
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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Man, TheWizard hit it dead on.
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Singa Crew
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I wish I could answer the question, but I am not really sure...

My publisher did not inform me of the exact date my books were delivered to the bookstores, so I can never be sure when the first copy was sold.

I do remember the first copy I sold personally. The sale took place outside a public library. And afterwards, I met a few more interested individuals.
DontDietJustThinkcom
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I sold my first paperback in two days. I sold the Kindle edition in of my book in a day.
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Mahree
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I guess I should feel lucky. I was freaking out thinking I should be doing better. My first week I sold 28 (not family and friends) copies, which worried me. Now I don't know if the graphs are accurate, but I've been sitting in the 30-200 a day range. I hope that is correct. I have hit all the book websites and I've ran a few free book contests. Learned how to do forums, somewhat. Going to work on blogging and tweeting. My website will be done this week. I am advertising with Google Adwords and Facebook. Goodreads is great. I have cards with my book cover and where to buy it and hand them out to one or two people whereever I am. I go to the music in the park in my town and the next town up and hand out quite a few. I contacted all the newspapers where I have lived. And I have two book signing coming up. I lay in bed at night racking my brain on how to get exposure on my book. The most exciting part are the reviews. I always check for new reviews from people that don't know me. That really excites me, lol. Good luck, Canuak. Hang in there!
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christopheranton
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Re: A question to all published writers?

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I got my first few sales in the first week on Amazon and there have been around a dozen sales per month since my book was published last September. I put it free for a week about a month ago and 562 people downloaded it. Sales have been tolerable, but not remarkable since. Best wishes with your book. :)

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Controversial and occasionally annoying author, (but with a heart of purest lead).
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009 ... pp_rt#tags
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