Top 5 Things All Authors Were Dying To Know in 2023
A Literal Literary Loser Looks Back
As an author who has had books put out via several Big 5 publishers, a micro-publisher, and through self-publishing, I know which writerly topics interest me the most.
But when I launched this Substack back in October 2021, it wasn’t merely to chronicle my challenges as a Literal Literary Loser dumped by both publisher and agent, and looking to make a fresh start. It was to share my experience with others in the hopes of helping them along in their writing journeys.
Based on how many hits each received, here are the top five topics of most interest to aspiring and veteran writers in 2023:
5) Title: Is Everyone Selling More Books Than You?
Excerpt: It seems that many books sell less than 100 copies in the first year, with some selling only 5 or 10 in the first month of publication. Apparently the average yearly sales of books in the US is less than 200 a year, with less than 1000 in a book’s lifetime….Most self-published authors sell 250 books or less, regardless of how many different books they write….
Conclusion: Probably not.
4) Title: Beware Book “Brand Awareness” Bull
Excerpt: You’ve seen their grammar. You’ve seen their sales tactics. You’ve seen their ‘Brand Awareness’ results. I’m not telling you what to do. Make your own choices, always. But before hiring this “expert,” do give it some serious thought….
Conclusion: If they can’t even sell you on their marketing services, how can they market your book to anyone else?
3) Title: Beware: There’s a New Marketing Scam on the Rise
Excerpt: After I wrote here on Substack, and here and here about book marketing scammers who take your money and provide no service whatsoever, a handful of them have changed their approach. (They are growing as people and as automated ‘bots - please clap for them.) Now, they are offering to do the promotional work for free, and you pay them once you see sales. Seems foolproof, right? Seems harmless, right?
Conclusion: Even their “free” services aren’t worth the money.
2) Title: Show Me the Money: Large Publisher v. Small Publisher v. Self-Publishing
Excerpt: Let’s talk money! I am not going to talk about the hardcovers I’ve had published by Big 5 presses. Those advances were in the six figures (though the respective agencies who negotiated those deals took a 20% commission, which put the actual earnings in the high five figures). What I want to compare today is being published by a micro-press, versus going it on my own.
Conclusion: Non-fiction made more money self-publishing, fiction via a traditional small publisher.
1) Title: This Little Author Went to Market(-Ing)
Excerpt: Exactly a year ago, on January 11, 2022, I wrote a post about how, after almost thirty years as a professional writer, I’d finally broken down and decided to pay for book marketing. As promised, I am now back to report on how it went.
Conclusion: Sold more books. Didn’t make a profit.
These are the subjects which most interested readers in 2023. Got topics you’d like me to cover in 2024? Let me know in the Comments!