The audiobook for Ghost Warrior bk2 is up for pre-order on Audible. I have to admit I'll be curious to see how it does, because the book has had the worst sales of any book I've ever published.
It sold about a thousand copies. That was it. I effectively 'lost' money, in that after paying for editing and artwork, I about $5 an hour for my work, (before taxes). I honestly don't know why it failed, a lot of folks I know who read it, loved it, but I guess a lot of the people who read bk1 didn't?
I don't know if it was the topic, the cover, the people in the story, if folks don't want to read a story with an American Indian in it, or I just sucked at writing it. I mean I enjoyed writing the story a lot. I do want to write more, I had a whole second 4 book arc planned. At this point, while I may still write it, it won't be getting published. I'll just put it up on Patreon for my fans. Then at least I won't have to shell out for editing and a cover. However, that means writing will be sporadic and only occasional.
I will however, be forever curious as to why people didn't buy it.
Sorry to hear that they didn't do well. I enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteI went back and re-checked the book. It happens I found it unpleasant reading - the topic of reintegration of spilt personalities is not one I enjoyed. I recall one of the Hammer books also had a chunk I found unpleasant - detailed POV from a psychotic murderer. Well written, meaningful to the plot, but unpleasant to read. And I skip those chapters on rereading.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if that's useful information for you, but sometimes there is nothing wrong with the writing, just some of your target audience doesn't enjoy the topic. Regards.
I assume most of your readers read it on KU. With it being a series some want to wait for the hope of a complete arc you usually get by the end of book 3. Also while book 1 is interesting, the violence comes across as setup for the future rather than important.
ReplyDeletePeople who wait for a series to be completely finished can all fuck off and die. Seriously. I hate those people. If a series isn't selling, I don't write anymore of it. Ghost warrior may become a monthly subscription perk on my patreon, et al. But it won't be getting published - and if it DOES get published it WON'T be in KU.
DeleteAlso the first arc was a two book arc. The next arc is longer, so if they were waiting for the first arc to finish, well it's done.
(and to be honest, only half my money comes from KU, so while I have more KU readers, it's not by that large of an amount.)