First of all, do not misinterpret what I have to say. I am excited when any author does well. But with that said, I am always laughing when I hear writers using these examples, such as the Amanda Hocking success as a rationale why they should do the same thing. We have to remind ourselves that situations such as Hocking are simply not the norm. You cannot compare what she did with your situation.
If you want to make a comparision to your writing and your professional writing career, you have to look to the people that are really in the same boat as you. In other words, if you are a first time romance author, you have to look at the majority of other first time authors and their careers. Guess what? You won't be finding those amazing 6 and 7 figure deals. The simple fact is that your career is not the same as a Nora Roberts or James Patterson.
If you are into self-publishing then look to see what the majority of other self-published authors are doing. Do not look to the exceptions.
Now, does this mean you should not follow your dreams or your career path? Absolutely not. But please, just keep your feet on the ground and don't assume you will be one of the exceptions.
Scott
I think writers cling to The Amanda Hocking Story because self-publishing (at the very least) puts the work out there and could garner some level of feedback. One reader could lead to two and so forth. With that mindset, those three willing readers and the $2.13 are far greater than the fifty unanswered queries that one may have floating around in cyberspace. It's not so much the "audacity of hope" as "the immediacy of ego".
ReplyDeleteThat said, self-publishing isn't for me. I have a great deal of faith in the traditional model and see every rejection and unanswered email as a catalyst for improvement.
Amanda Hocking makes a great "I can do that, too" because the assessment is that she's a copycat writer. People see her as proof that you can write bad fanfic and become a million-seller. Now, the reality behind Hocking is different than that perception. However, she's out there, and very much as a "So easy, a caveman can do it" example.
ReplyDeleteI guess I approach my (new) writing career with open expections. That means, anything can happen, but then again, maybe little will. Either way, I win by learning, growing and honing my craft. Oprah Winfrey once said she stopped watching what everyone else was doing years ago, and learned to focus on what SHE was doing. Let others watch and worry. :)
ReplyDeleteEven established authors are having a hard time replicating what Amanda Hocking did online. Sometimes it's just like that, call it what you will, luck, talent (ahem, holding comments), etc.
ReplyDeleteJust yesterday I read a blog by Stephen Leather, a pretty well-established UK author, who tried to break into the US ebook market. Well, he did to to an extent. But nothing like A. Hocking. I have a theory on how she did it, but I'll spare you my behavioral theory. Hint: it does have something to do with releasing what, 9 books in one year??