I struggle with the target audience of the book *I want to write.* I highlight that phrase as I am not sure it will be the book *I do write.* I *want* to write a book about Santa Claus in a semi-biographical yet fictional way, but what genre is that?!? What is the genre of a book that is part fiction, part autobiography, and part self-help? Add in Santa, and it just gets more confusing. Am I writing the book equivalent of a platypus?
Honestly, I’d write the book first before worrying about audience. The book might change from what you think it’ll be. (Mine did.) Then you just decide yr most dominant audience from the main themes. I would think getting it done is priority. I also think self help is more nonfiction and autobiographical is memoir. So you’d be one of the many sub genres of fiction. Good luck!!
I republished my book hoping for a boost in sales, but what I got was a royal pain in the backside with Amazon! I kept my reviews, but it took some doing, and, yeah, having two versions out there isn’t fun for the reason you mentioned. Good luck on the relaunch!
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve had so much go wrong that I keep telling myself it’ll make a great book or article when I can laugh at it. Have you been able to combine yr books? Or do you have diff ISBNs?
I have different ISBNs, but I messaged KDP and told them that my updated version was the same book, just with a new series name (the reason I had to get a new ISBN instead of relaunching). They manually linked them, but then the older version showed up first for a while. Then the newer version started to show up...until Amazon finds a copy in a warehouse somewhere...then the older one automatically shows first because there’s a printed copy available 😕
At least they linked them! In the wrong version, I put in big bold letters at the top of the description that it was wrong version and gave ASIN of correct one....
Diane this was so helpful and a must read not only for those who are thinking about a relaunch but by those of us who are trying to publish and need to learn how to do it right. Soooo much information! happy to be on your team
I do KDP for Amazon only - paperback and ebook. I do IngramSpark for paperback everywhere else. I do Kobo, Apple, & Google Play directly for ebook, and put ebook on Draft2Digital for everywhere else. (B&N was being a total pain or I would have gone directly to them - you have to set up a vendor account and it's more complicated than other places, and they rejected me because of amazon or something. So I do B&N through IngramSpark. And, trust me, this took many months for me to figure out!!!
Oh, and if you're wondering why I do it this way, it's the best royalty rate while being minimal hassle. I also did an AI audiobook on GooglePlay but haven't promoted or even told folks yet. I wanted to test it out. It can only exist on there, if I remember correctly. If you want to play around with AI stuff (I know, it's controversial but I can't afford to pay voice actors....) - but GooglePlay is best. Apple does it also but it's not nearly as good. You can correct the pronunciation of words in Google. (Just in case you were thinking of an audio version and don't have money for it.)
You’re smart! I’m trying to get book 2 ready for professional editing at least, but I’m slowed down w the current book. But this way works for me. Hope you’ll keep us all posted on yr progress!!
I struggle with the target audience of the book *I want to write.* I highlight that phrase as I am not sure it will be the book *I do write.* I *want* to write a book about Santa Claus in a semi-biographical yet fictional way, but what genre is that?!? What is the genre of a book that is part fiction, part autobiography, and part self-help? Add in Santa, and it just gets more confusing. Am I writing the book equivalent of a platypus?
Honestly, I’d write the book first before worrying about audience. The book might change from what you think it’ll be. (Mine did.) Then you just decide yr most dominant audience from the main themes. I would think getting it done is priority. I also think self help is more nonfiction and autobiographical is memoir. So you’d be one of the many sub genres of fiction. Good luck!!
I like your point about getting it done being the priority.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.
Best of luck with it all!!! Excited for you getting pen to paper!
I republished my book hoping for a boost in sales, but what I got was a royal pain in the backside with Amazon! I kept my reviews, but it took some doing, and, yeah, having two versions out there isn’t fun for the reason you mentioned. Good luck on the relaunch!
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve had so much go wrong that I keep telling myself it’ll make a great book or article when I can laugh at it. Have you been able to combine yr books? Or do you have diff ISBNs?
I have different ISBNs, but I messaged KDP and told them that my updated version was the same book, just with a new series name (the reason I had to get a new ISBN instead of relaunching). They manually linked them, but then the older version showed up first for a while. Then the newer version started to show up...until Amazon finds a copy in a warehouse somewhere...then the older one automatically shows first because there’s a printed copy available 😕
At least they linked them! In the wrong version, I put in big bold letters at the top of the description that it was wrong version and gave ASIN of correct one....
Ooohhhh...that’s a great idea! I need to do that!
Helpful read for pivoting in general, not just a book relaunch! I have lots of fresh ideas now :)
Thanks!!
Diane this was so helpful and a must read not only for those who are thinking about a relaunch but by those of us who are trying to publish and need to learn how to do it right. Soooo much information! happy to be on your team
thanks, Noemie!!
This is really helpful. I'm thinking about doing this as well
Keep me posted! We can trade notes! I feel like I know soooooooo much more now!
I'm thinking about switching to IngramSpark. Are you sticking with KDP?
I do KDP for Amazon only - paperback and ebook. I do IngramSpark for paperback everywhere else. I do Kobo, Apple, & Google Play directly for ebook, and put ebook on Draft2Digital for everywhere else. (B&N was being a total pain or I would have gone directly to them - you have to set up a vendor account and it's more complicated than other places, and they rejected me because of amazon or something. So I do B&N through IngramSpark. And, trust me, this took many months for me to figure out!!!
Oh, and if you're wondering why I do it this way, it's the best royalty rate while being minimal hassle. I also did an AI audiobook on GooglePlay but haven't promoted or even told folks yet. I wanted to test it out. It can only exist on there, if I remember correctly. If you want to play around with AI stuff (I know, it's controversial but I can't afford to pay voice actors....) - but GooglePlay is best. Apple does it also but it's not nearly as good. You can correct the pronunciation of words in Google. (Just in case you were thinking of an audio version and don't have money for it.)
I am going to look into this asap. I couldn't justify the expense previously, but this sounds fantastic.
Will do as I get closer to finding my current project!
Really useful article. At some point I will relaunch my novel but I want to get the next two in the series done first.
You’re smart! I’m trying to get book 2 ready for professional editing at least, but I’m slowed down w the current book. But this way works for me. Hope you’ll keep us all posted on yr progress!!
These are great tips and an excellent summary. Thank you!
Thanks, Jim!