What Happens When You Write a Book
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Far, Far Northern California
Posts: 2,873
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What Happens When You Write a Book
My Kindle ebook, Drive, Ride, Repeat: The Mostly-True Account of a Cross-Country Car and Bicycle Adventure is free today through Apr 5, so click here if you want one.
This book started with a blog, and then I thought I'd turn it into a book.
But here's what happens when you finish a book. You want people to buy it. You don't care about making money (because you're not going to), but you start to check the sales figures every day. So then you want to promote it, so you do stuff on Twitter and facebook, and fill out submission forms.
The point is, that it gets a bit like work.
So, just be aware of that, if you start thinking about writing a book.
This book started with a blog, and then I thought I'd turn it into a book.
But here's what happens when you finish a book. You want people to buy it. You don't care about making money (because you're not going to), but you start to check the sales figures every day. So then you want to promote it, so you do stuff on Twitter and facebook, and fill out submission forms.
The point is, that it gets a bit like work.
So, just be aware of that, if you start thinking about writing a book.
#2
Senior Member
Got it, thanks. I'll post a quick review when I get a chance to read it. I did notice it got some positive reviews, so I'm looking forward to reading it.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ellensburg,WA
Posts: 3,180
Bikes: Schwinn Broadway, Specialized Secteur Sport(crashed) Spec. Roubaix Sport, Spec. Crux
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 168 Times
in
84 Posts
Thanks I'll read it soon.
__________________
Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
Sir Mark, Knight of Sufferlandria
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congratulations TromboneAl !
Some writers spend years, if not decades, working on their manuscripts (with many never finishing their work).
I wrote a 100+ leaf aviation book some years back and, as such, I have a lot of respect for writers. Took me almost a year and a half and over 2 thousand hours of research, writing, and editing to just to get it to the printing stage. This also includes the time I spent acquiring various photo rights from both individuals and government agencies from around the world (IIRC this hardcover book contained about 90 color and BW photos). And you can often add another month or two waiting for just a 50 copy print run to be completed.
Sure, it became a job that I struggled to complete. But now, when I look back, it was probably the best "job" I've ever had. Prospective writers might also keep this in mind when they start out.
Sorry, I almost forgot to bid you good luck on the promotion of your book!
Some writers spend years, if not decades, working on their manuscripts (with many never finishing their work).
I wrote a 100+ leaf aviation book some years back and, as such, I have a lot of respect for writers. Took me almost a year and a half and over 2 thousand hours of research, writing, and editing to just to get it to the printing stage. This also includes the time I spent acquiring various photo rights from both individuals and government agencies from around the world (IIRC this hardcover book contained about 90 color and BW photos). And you can often add another month or two waiting for just a 50 copy print run to be completed.
Sure, it became a job that I struggled to complete. But now, when I look back, it was probably the best "job" I've ever had. Prospective writers might also keep this in mind when they start out.
Sorry, I almost forgot to bid you good luck on the promotion of your book!
Last edited by FMB42; 04-01-14 at 12:49 PM.
#6
Avid Cyclist
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 340
Bikes: Diamondback Century Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey, Al, congrats on the book. I hope your promotion goes well.
I am in the process of writing my sixth book right now. I may be updating the first book I ever wrote in the near future, too. It has never been available on the Kindle like all the others, so that is one of the goals.
I am in the process of writing my sixth book right now. I may be updating the first book I ever wrote in the near future, too. It has never been available on the Kindle like all the others, so that is one of the goals.
#7
Senior Member
Got it, Thank You Very Much.
That head rest thing is either genius, or will cause permanent nerve damage.
That head rest thing is either genius, or will cause permanent nerve damage.
#8
alpine cross trainer
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Central New York
Posts: 289
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Quintara Roo Sendoza, DaVici In-2-Ition Tandem,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times
in
8 Posts
Hi Al,
I co wrote a text book back in the late 90's. It took over two years to complete and hundreds of hours per author. By the time the publishing house sucked out its' costs, fees and profit, there was little left for the authors. I figured I made less than 5 cent per hour on the book. For me it was a lose, lose experience.
I co wrote a text book back in the late 90's. It took over two years to complete and hundreds of hours per author. By the time the publishing house sucked out its' costs, fees and profit, there was little left for the authors. I figured I made less than 5 cent per hour on the book. For me it was a lose, lose experience.
#9
Banned
I don't think I ever heard an E-book author ever on a multicity book tour , like one in hardcover, print.
#10
aka Phil Jungels
Thanks, Al. Got it, and it's next up in the stack.......................
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great point! E-books are the way to go for both authors and readers imo. Certain copyright protected photo use agreements greatly limited limited the number of copies (paper or electronic) that I could sell or distribute. Otherwise, I'd gone electronic.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bemus Point, NY
Posts: 14
Bikes: 2009 Trek Madone 4.7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks...will read and review as soon as I get the chance. My wife is about to publish her first after teaching Lit for 30 years!
#14
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Fisherville Ontario, Canada
Posts: 40
Bikes: 2010 Giant Defy 3, Older Norco 10 speed road bike, Giant ATX 840 Mountain Bike, West Coast Chopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks And Congratulations on the book
I've just read a bit and it is very good, kind of like a book you don't want to put down after starting it.
Oh and my GPS's name is Nancy
Mark
I've just read a bit and it is very good, kind of like a book you don't want to put down after starting it.
Oh and my GPS's name is Nancy
Mark
#16
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Got it downloaded to the Kindle Cloud account and to Monica's Kindle. Congratulations Al, its my first time using an ebook/Kindle, this is a feather in your cap to get me to use one. Maybe this is the way to go.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
#17
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Congrats on the book! I set up an Amazon Kindel account and downloaded an app for my iPad just to read it.
Though, you pricing structure reminds me of an old joke:
"I worked for years writing this book. I'm selling it for zero dollars"
"That's crazy! How can you make any money doing that?"
"Volume."
Thank you. Thank you very much. We'll be here all week. Tip your servers. They work hard.
Though, you pricing structure reminds me of an old joke:
"I worked for years writing this book. I'm selling it for zero dollars"
"That's crazy! How can you make any money doing that?"
"Volume."
Thank you. Thank you very much. We'll be here all week. Tip your servers. They work hard.
#18
Coffin Dodger
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 2,138
Bikes: Motobecane Vent Noir, Lynskey R345, Serotta Nova Special X
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 794 Post(s)
Liked 292 Times
in
143 Posts
Thank you Al, looking forward to reading it on my flight home from visiting my daughter.
Pirk
Pirk
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Cabot, Arkansas
Posts: 1,538
Bikes: Lynskey Twisted Helix Di2 Ti, 1987 Orbea steel single speed/fixie, Orbea Avant M30, Trek Fuel EX9.8 29, Trek Madone 5 series, Specialized Epic Carbon Comp 29er, Trek 7.1F
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ordered. I'll need something to read on the plane next week
#23
aka Phil Jungels
Started reading it last night, Al...... I actually laughed out loud a couple times, and people thought I was nuts ------ oh well.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Far, Far Northern California
Posts: 2,873
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, Guys! What a sign of the times that so many of you have reading devices. I do almost all my reading on the Kindle reader app on my Nexus 7. I like the illuminated screen (don't need a reading light), and the ability to search for a character name when I forget who he or she is.
And what a change to the publishing industry. The total cost to publish this book was, just a second, let me add it up: ZERO Dollars. I'll have the paperback version out in a few weeks, and the cost for that will be about $4 to order a proof version (it's Print On Demand, meaning that Amazon will print a book each time one is ordered).
And what a change to the publishing industry. The total cost to publish this book was, just a second, let me add it up: ZERO Dollars. I'll have the paperback version out in a few weeks, and the cost for that will be about $4 to order a proof version (it's Print On Demand, meaning that Amazon will print a book each time one is ordered).
#25
Si Senior
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Posts: 2,669
Bikes: Too Numerous (not)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
8 Posts
I just grabbed it and headed into the can for a 15 min "reading" session. I liked it!
In younger days I dreamed of creating literary wonders myself. Too much stress later, I am certain anything I write would just sound like whining infused with obscene character attacks. Better to be known for what I didn't write.
I have a bunch of biking friends who might greatly enjoy this work. Should I wait for the freebie period to expire? None of them are cheapskates --but some of their wives are (...see what I mean about my writing). If they do download a freebie and later want to pay because it's just the right thing to do (most of them really are like that), is there a way to go back and pay?
In younger days I dreamed of creating literary wonders myself. Too much stress later, I am certain anything I write would just sound like whining infused with obscene character attacks. Better to be known for what I didn't write.
I have a bunch of biking friends who might greatly enjoy this work. Should I wait for the freebie period to expire? None of them are cheapskates --but some of their wives are (...see what I mean about my writing). If they do download a freebie and later want to pay because it's just the right thing to do (most of them really are like that), is there a way to go back and pay?