At a Standstill

My novel is currently at a standstill, and the thing is, it really doesn't bother me.

Accepting the things we can't change is a good mindset, far better than my absolute panic the first couple months after my book was published. "Experts" tell authors that it's entirely possible to still move copies of an older book, but the truth is, if nothing much happens soon after launch, few people will be inclined to pick up a straggler. Readers want "new".  

Those same experts advise a relaunch, which includes slapping on a new cover, but I love my cover. Plus, I can't afford that! "Revise your metadata." Know how many times I've done that? At some point, there's nothing more to revise. 

Too, depending on the genre, books can become outdated. I don't think mine is--yet--but once the technology references in it become obsolete, it would be akin to trying to sell a plot set in current day that involves a telephone booth. Mine could become wholly obsolete any day now. "Nobody streams music anymore! Doesn't this imbecile know that everyone Cadoodles it?" (I think I should trademark that name, just in case.)

All is not lost, just mostly lost. My giveaway ends today, and while it didn't trigger any KU reads, 36 people still "want to read" it. Maybe they're waiting to see if they won or not. 😉

 

And of the 134,000 people who've seen the giveaway, 72% of them entered. Yes, I know people crave free books, any free book, but it's possible a couple of the winners might read it.

Apparently I can download a CSV file of the winners, but I can't imagine what I'd do with it. I'm sure not sending newsletters anymore, plus an author can't just add someone as a subscriber without authorization. (And, no, we can't email the winners directly. Not that I would. "Wanna join my newsletter?" Pathetic.) 

I still have my Book of the Day feature coming up on August 17. Hope eReader News remembers to remind me, so I can lower my price to 99 cents. Maybe I should just do it now to avoid any screw-ups. I'm the queen of screw-ups.

So, all that being said, what's my life look like going forward? As you know, I won't be writing anything new. I'm ambivalent about reconstituting my third novel. It sounded like a good idea when I thought of it, but...

It's hard to maintain a publishing career when I have nothing to publish.

I do rather enjoy the pre-publication prep, like designing my cover and coming up with an intriguing title. It's just the writing part that I dread. Does the writing matter? All signs point to no.

If it wasn't for paralyzing boredom, I wouldn't even contemplate revising anything. 

I definitely need a new hobby.