Thursday, April 11, 2013

Publishing 101 - Scheduling Your Release (and a 2-months-til-ONE GIVEAWAY!!!!)

Hi, sweet readers!!!!

I know it's been awhile since I posted...well...anything over here.

 Truth be told, I've been in sort of a holding pattern with ONE for the last couple months. Pretty much everything's been done on the book since then, and my last blurb just rolled in a couple days ago (thanks Emma!)

I just sent the final print version, pretty formatting and blurbs and acknowledgements included, to the printer, last week. Right now, I'm holding the final printed copy of ONE in my hands. I could put the ARC sticker on the front, but I probably won't. This one's a gift to one of my nearest and dearest CPs, and it's the same as the one anybody will be able to buy from Amazon.

So, why don't I start selling this mofo tomorrow? *sigh* I wish I could. But waaaay back in December, I set the calendar for ONE's release...based on the release date for TWO, its sequel.

It's common wisdom in the self-publishing universe that the closer the release dates between an author's books, the better. This is especially true for sequels. Three months is ideal, four is workable.

Why? Well, really the same reason that it's a good idea for any sequel to have a close release to its first installment. We keep readers' interest more easily. Especially in the primarily digital book world, there's an expectation that things will happen more quickly. Really, because we self-publishers can pull off a close release, we should. It's better for building an audience and making a profit if a reader who loved ONE can buy TWO in short order.

In short, close release dates are better for both reader and author. Happiness all around, right?

So, back to TWO's release date. Back in January, when I announced I was self-publishing ONE, TWO was only about half-drafted. I knew I couldn't have it ready to publish until late spring at least, but life throws curve balls left and right, and I wanted to give myself plenty of breathing room. Theoretically, I could have had TWO ready to go by July or August. But the problem is - you guessed it - pesky real life. *smile*

I work at a Jewish student center on a college campus. That means that August (Welcome Week) and September (High Holidays) are impossible for doing anything but those things. It's part of the rhythm of this job, thankfully, so I already knew back in December I couldn't schedule a book release then.

That's how TWO got an October 8th release date. And that, dear readers, is how I decided ONE would come out on June 11th. At four months apart, they're about as far as recommended to draw the most possible readers and build the best buzz.

Now, for some fun. Today is April 11th, which means ONE will be out in the wild in exactly two months. I'm beyond excited, and so I'm having a little one-day-only giveaway to celebrate. Even more exciting, with the help of my Twitter friends, ONE hit 1000 "adds" on Goodreads yesterday, so I'm doubling the prizes!!! Woohooo!

Up for grabs:

2 ARCs of ONE (digital or paper - digital can go international, paper US only please.)
1 DVD of X-men: First Class
1 DVD of X-men (the original from '99. Love.)
2 custom ONE posters by Andrea Hannah, signed by me and the artist
2 soundtrack CDs of ONE (you can see the playlist on this post in All The Write Notes) Here's the Rafflecopter! Have fun and good luck!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

13 comments:

  1. I'm psyched for One because a) you're awesome and b) I loved the snippet I read on your blog! And I LOVE your cover. Makes me want to design my own too :)

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  2. I can wait for one because I have found so many indie authors in the last year that I LOVE I can't wait to have found another. The description of this book looks SO GOOD! Can't wait!!

    Kristalyn Thornock

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  3. Woohoo!! This is so exciting! Can't wait to read it when it comes out :)

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  4. Why am I psyched for ONE? Because it is an awesometastic book written by an awesometastic person. I can't wait for more and more people to read it!!!

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  5. After reading your excerpt who wouldn't be psyched? :D

    The idea is so different from anything I've read and Merrin is immediately likable that I can't help but root for her... and you! ;)

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  6. I'm psyched for ONE because IT'S AMAZING.

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  7. I'm psyched for ONE because what a great, unique idea!! And superheroes!!!! (Plus, the only things I've heard about it are that it's AWESOME.)

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  8. I am so psyched for ONE because I love love love stories about superheros/superhumans!! I was SO LUCKY to win an ARC of ONE on a contest on IceyBooks, which I can't wait to start reading. Love the gorgeous cover!! I was unsure if one person will be winning all of these things or if there will be 8 different winners, so...figured I'd enter in case it's 8 winners, cause I'd sure love a copy of the soundtrack or a print of the cover!! Congratulations on the impending release, I'm so excited for you - and thrilled that TWO will be coming out so soon after! :)

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  9. I'm psyched for ONE because SUPERPOWERS!!!

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  10. I can't wait to read ONE, the idea sounds interesting and I love anything that involves superpowers. Plus, I've read some reviews from people who had the chance to read it already and it sounds like an amazing book and a great read :)

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  11. I'm looking forward to ONE because I love the sound of the science fiction element to it as well as the romantic one :-)

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  12. That is super exciting! I can't wait to read ONE! :)

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  13. I'm so excited for One because the first chapter was such a tease and I cannot wait to see what happens to Merrin.

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