From Preview to Novella: changing times, changing options.
It’s been a while since I made my last post, not because I slipped up, but rather I found my priorities. Nice to be able to say that for a change. It’s been very long work days, sitting across the kitchen table from Kathi, working on the prelude book and also filming interviews, getting the new website rebuilt and the list goes on.
Stress is up, only because I still don’t have a job and if it wasn’t for Shawn Morely and his kindness, I’d be out in the street with my wife and 10 kids. So each day is a miracle and I’m working from the moment I wake up until 2am the next day or I pass out from exhaustion. The focus has been on Wanted Hero. I’m planning on making history with this and when you want to do the impossible, you have to put the equivalent effort behind it.
I had hoped to have the preview out by now, but each time I made that a goal, something sinister got in the way. I gave it all I had and the goal could not be reached, so I paced myself. Then a new picture formed. So much has been included into this book and following series, the preview turned into a Novella.
Originally the preview was to be the first 10 chapters of the book while Kathi and I finished the last 13 chapters. But the whole PURPOSE of Prelude to a Hero was to set up the novel series anyway. The first 10 chapters do just that. So my question was, why wait any longer? Let’s do the Novella and move on to the meat and potatoes!
There’s also so much news in the media about self-publishing, to which I’m not a stranger. I was selling .pdf’s for $.97 a pop before there ever WAS a reader available and we did well. Not rich, but we made a living and people were willing to buy a $.97 comic book because it was under a buck, they could print it out…and they loved the story. That’s why I believed it would work and behold….it did!
Now we have the Kindle, the Nook, the iBook and more will rise–all selling lower priced digital versions of stories and the industry is growing. I’ve watched the whole ride with Amanda Hocking and I couldn’t be happier for her, regardless of if she stayed in self-publishing or this new traditional book deal. She’s writing, which is her passion and she’s been rewarded for her efforts and dedication to her fans. That’s exactly what I have desired to do for nearly 20 years.
Now it’s time.
BTW, if you want to get a great grip on what’s truly happening in the industry, I would suggest you read this recent article. It’s a talk between two brilliant men: Joe Konrath (a thriller author) and one of my favorite authors Barry Eisler. The two speak openly about the transition going on right now and their own experiences, which are priceless for those of use wishing to go that route. Here’s a taste:
Joe: You’re on track to make $30,000 this year on a self-published short story. I’m not aware of any short story markets that pay that well.
Barry: Well, it’s early yet, but yes, The Lost Coast has done amazingly well in its first few weeks, netting me about $1000 after the initial fixed cost of $600 for having the cover designed and having the manuscript formatted. I plan to continue to publish short stories and I’ll be getting the new John Rain novel, The Detachment, up in time for Father’s Day, and I have a feeling that each of the various products will reinforce sales of the others.
Joe: That’s a really smart plan. My own sales, and the sales of other indie authors doing well, pretty much confirm that a rising tide lifts all boats. Virtual shelf space functions a lot like physical shelf space. The more books you have on the shelf, the likelier you are to be discovered by someone browsing. And when a browser reads you and likes you, she buys more of your work, and often tells others about it.
In other words; the more stories and novels you have available, the more you’ll sell.
Barry: Gotta just jump in here to point out the significance of this. It means that a writer’s best promoting tool is once again her writing. Advertising costs money. New stories make money.
Joe: I told you so…
Read the whole article here: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2011/03/ebooks-and-self-publishing-dialog.html
In short, the more I write, the more the path seems to be creating itself and it becomes clearer every day. I started this journey self-publishing when I was told it wouldn’t work. It did. I was told not to self-publish my graphic novels because it wouldn’t work. It did. So now I want to step it up and do the entire series in digital form, through our family publishing house. The funny thing is…people no longer tell me it won’t work.
Read MoreEngage Your Passions
Those who know me, know that a dear friend of mine is the International Bestselling Author, Barry Eisler.
Now Barry and I have never met in person, only over the internet. We have many of the same friends and I became a huge fan of his RAIN series. After a time, I gained a respect for Barry and his writing genius to the point that he inspired a great character in my Wanted Hero story.
So I’d like to encourage you to go to barryeisler.com and spend some time getting to know Barry and his writing adventures, but for now, I’d like to share this great TED talk he did. Especially for those of you seeking to turn an idea into a reality.
Enjoy.
Jaime Buckley
Barry Eisler: good friend & amazing writer.
Years ago I had an email from an astounding author who has come across my comic book and purchased on. His email was a thank you for the fun. I was excited and appreciated the timing, when I was feeling the strain of putting out the comics but not getting any feedback.
Were my comics any good? Did anyone read them?
I emailed Barry back immediately and asked him if he would be willing to write something about my comic which I could post on my site. With no obligation to do so, this first class author sent me my very first review, which I had posted on my site, but also became a primary review on my first graphic novel.
He also has a link on his site BarryEisler.com:
“Jaime Buckley is the writer and artist behind a fantastic comic book series, “Wanted: Hero.” Jaime’s art harkens back to the heyday of Eerie and Creepy comics, yet his vision is refreshingly original.”
Barry has entertained so many people around the globe and I became such a huge fan, one of my characters, Bookworm–a Gnome assassin who was able to go unseen and his hits untraceable, shifted. I wanted to promote the incredible talent of Barry and realized I could do this by making some alterations in my Gnome character. Hence Bookworm became a national best selling writer, who did hit man work on the side.
You can learn more about Barry Eisler and Bookworm by going to WantedHero.com.
Barry recently gave a talk on “What Does It Mean To Be A Learner Today?” of TEDxTokyo 2009, held on May 22 at National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. He has unknowingly been an encouragement to me in pursuing the novels and becoming a published author.
Watch the video below:
Barry Eisler teaching talking.
I have a great friend named Barry Eisler. If you don’t know Barry, or heard of his fantastic John Rain novels, I suggest you check them out and give yourself an action-packed treat. However, there are many facets to Barry, and his talents are not few in number.
In surfing today, pondering about teaching and how in the classes I give, the children always give their parents good reviews. Ok, maybe not always, but I don’t get the negative feedback—and I receive praise on a regular basis. Why is that? The kids told me it was because I ‘talked’ to them, instead of lectured, or ‘giving a talk’. I interacted with them and brought them into the lessons emotionally and mentally.
That was great news, but even better when I was led to Barry’s own message board and the topic, lo and behold: How to Give a Great Talk.
This is great stuff here. Read it, print it out and take your interactive lessons, talks and speeches to the next level.
Read MoreMy Latest Book
