Indie Author Snapshot: An Introduction

Indie authors have to shoulder the responsibilities not only of writing, but also as a publisher. This includes all promotional activities, as well as developing a longer term business strategy. It is a challenge which can be both exciting, and intimidating.

There are a number of resources which I have used to assess the market, and how best to promote my work as an indie author. These include:

• Advice from other indie authors (including from forums, websites, and books)
• Advice from promotional resources supporting indie authors
• Observations and profiles I've assembled from individual authors who have "made it" in the self-publishing world

As part of this effort, I recently completed a cross-market review of several indie authors in the fantasy genre, looking for trends and common attributes for success. I will be sharing my observations from this review in a series of upcoming blog posts.

The market survey included statistics collected from:

• 24 indie authors who have published in the fantasy genre
• Each author had anywhere from one to sixty books under their belt at the time the data was collected
• A total of 259 books were included in the study
• These books spanned a total of 59 different series

Data was compiled for each book in the study, to reflect a snapshot for each indie author's publications - as compiled on a single day in June. The data collected included:

• Amazon ranking for each eBook
• Amazon rating
• Number of Amazon ratings and reviews
• Goodreads rating
• Number of Goodreads ratings and reviews
• Original release date for each book
• "Print Length" for each eBook
• Price and formats available (eBook, paperback, hardcover or audiobook)

Plus other details about each novel (which I'll be discussing in coming days)

All of the authors reviewed had published at least one novel in the fantasy genre - falling into sub-genres ranging from urban fantasy, to sword and sorcery and high fantasy. For the purposes of this assessment, a few sub-genres were omitted - including grim dark or dark fantasy, as well as erotic fantasy.

Other fictional works attributed to each author were also included as part of the overall assessment for the breadth of each author's portfolio - although any non-fiction books were omitted. I also omitted books published under a different pseudonym.

In the coming blog posts, I will be reviewing the statistical findings from this miniature survey, and comparing them to those reported by others in the indie author community.

Review for Book 2 in "Diary of a Wannabe Writer"

It was great to see a review for Storm's Clouds, the second book in the Stormfall Chronicles, appearing on Anie's "Diary of a Wannabe Writer". To quote from her review:

"The world created is so imaginative, well set up and fleshed out. When I read I felt like I was right there with them."

Anie's review also marks the first review for Book 2 to appear directly on Amazon's UK website. So glad Anie enjoyed the novel:
https://diaryofawannabewriter.blogspot.com/2020/06/storms-clouds-by-j-w-golan.html

A Moment of National Reflection

I've been debating how best to respond during this period of national reflection, following the murder of George Floyd. Whether it was best to put my own thoughts down, or if I should highlight some of the voices of those most directly affected by the inequality which persists in our nation. I ultimately decided to do the latter.

Of the many commentaries and reflections I have read on this subject, the post appended below struck closest to home for me. As a father who also has to explain all that's right or wrong in this world to my own daughters, Pam's advice from her father reminded me of just how far we still have to go.

https://adultingwithpam.com/remember-who-the-true-enemy-is/

The Stage Presence of a Great Villain

One of the job hazards of being a fiction author is wanting to talk about the characters who make up our novels, and not being able to do so for fear of giving away spoilers.

This weekend I received my first beta-reader feedback for the beginning of Book 3 in the Stormfall Chronicles.

There are a couple of important characters who become introduced or fleshed out in the third novel. One of them has been one of my favorite villains to portray. It's delightful to finally get my first beta-reader feedback, and receive confirmation that the villain really did live up to the intended impact. I'm so looking forward to introducing them to my broader, reader audience.

Status Update - Book 3: Fifth Draft Complete

Just completed my fifth draft for Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles. In parallel, my middle daughter (who is also my first beta-reader), has already begun reviewing the first chapters.

The word count has grown from 132,000 words at completion of the fourth draft, to 133,000 words for the fifth draft.

Time to start thinking about cover designs as well.

Review for Book 1 Appears in "Diary of a Wannabe Writer"

Thrilled to see a review for Storm's Herald, the first book in the Stormfall Chronicles, appear on Anie's "Diary of a Wannabe Writer". To quote in part from her review,

"My favorite thing about the story was the world created. As I read the story, the world became alive. It has a very good magical system (love those :)), lots of magical creatures and interesting history of the world. I liked the way the world and how it became that way is slowly revealed through the storyline, so it doesn't take away from the flow of the story."

So glad she enjoyed the novel:
https://diaryofawannabewriter.blogspot.com/2020/05/storms-herald-by-j-w-golan.html

Status Update - Book 3: Fourth Draft Complete

I have completed my fourth draft for Book 3 of the Stormfall Chronicles. The word count has grown from 128,000 words at completion of the third draft, to 132,000 words now.

At this point, I'm pretty satisfied with the general flow and story line for the book, although it will still require some polishing.

Rather than completing another front-to-back proof-read and re-edit of the book, before handing any chapters off to my beta-readers, I'm currently leaning towards handing-off copies on a chapter-by-chapter basis throughout the fifth edit cycle. In other words, the fifth edit would occur concurrently with the first beta-read of the book.

Looking forward to it.