Amanda Hocking

As of… a few hours ago, I’ve sold over 20,000 books. This is all ebooks, of course, spread out over 5 different books sold in the last 5 months. I have sold a total of 101 paperbacks, though, which I’ve heard from the internet is pretty good for indie. I’m hoping this number goes up now that I was able to make the paperbacks more affordable (down from over $15 to under $10).

My books are also available for free on online sites like Scribd and wattpad, and a number of other sites. I didn’t put them up on any of them, and the versions are old and not as well edited (yeah, they’re even LESS edited than what’s out now). Since I’m didn’t upload them, I have no idea how many free downloads they’ve had.

The most I’ve sold for one title specifically is My Blood Approves, of which I’ve sold over 6,000 copies.

In my last blog about writing an epic tale of how it happened, I basically just explained my personal journey to get here. I didn’t express my thoughts on what happened or why I thought it’d happened. And now I am. So be prepared for another long post, but I’m going to say all the things I want to say on it, so later when people ask my thoughts, I can just direct them back to this post.

I don’t have anything bad to say about indie publishing. I also don’t have anything bad to say about traditional publishing.

This might be crazy talk, but I don’t think they’re mutally exclusive. Traditional publishing has never hurt me, and in fact, without their urge to publish Stephanie Meyer, I’d have a whole different blog.

I’ve never thought of traditional publishers or agents as evil gatekeepers waiting for me to fail. I’ve thought of them as people, who have careers and families, and part of their jobs entails figuring out the bottom line.

I definitely think there are flaws in the system, and the market sucks right now. People don’t have money and aren’t spending as much as they used to. Being a salesmen is hard right now.

I do know that I’ve accomplished more in the past 5 months than I did in the past 9 years trying to get published. However, if I’d had the opportunity to publish my first manuscript at the age of 17 when I’d first finished it, I know I would’ve. And I know that this would a vastly different story.

I am sooooo grateful for the fact that Kindle didn’t exist 9 years ago, or even 5 years ago. I would’ve put crap out there, and I know it.

On that note, here’s what I think would’ve happened if I had the chance to publish my first book Dreams I Can’t Remember on Kindle when I was 17-
-I would’ve sold very, very few copies
-I would’ve gotten almost entirely negative reviews
-I would’ve cried a lot and vowed to quit writing (which I probably wouldn’t have done, but I would probably quit trying to write professionally)

So that is a definite downside to indie publishing. Writers – myself included – risk putting out stuff that just isn’t ready yet, and the damage that can do to our precious egos is terrifying. Also, things about it polluting the indie market may or may not be true.

I do believe that people who publish to Kindle out of laziness will put out bad books, but they also won’t do the work to promote their books, so they won’t sell anyway, and it becomes a moot point.

I think if you care enough to market your book, you probably care enough to write a decent book. But I could be wrong about that.

This whole thing has afforded me opportunities I never even believed possible. The past five months have been surreal and amazing. They’ve also been hard work. I have to make a point of staying off the computer on weekends, and I rarely go to bed before 6 a.m. I spend a great deal of time stressing about covers, sales, blogs, editing, emails, etc.

Indie publishing is not the easy way out. I think, sometimes, even to me it feels like “easy way” because of the instant gratification of it. But I also forget that I’ve been working my ass on my writing for the past ten years – for free. And I sometimes spend 10-12 hours a day on the computer, writing and marketing. Because I enjoy what I’m doing and I’m getting paid for it, it makes it feel like the easy way, even when I’m exhausted by the end of the night.

Here’s something else to consider though: I’m selling really well for an indie author. But how well am I selling for a traditionally published author? Using my same numbers, selling 6,000 of one title in 5 months. What is that? Is that midlist?

A best-seller indie is a midlist traditional.

On the same token, my understanding is that I’m making more money than a midlist author. I’m not going to talk about money because my mother said it’s “gauche.” But I do think I’m making more as an indie selling 20,0000 books than I would as a traditionally published author selling 20,000 books.

But if I could get a book in Wal-mart, selling paperbacks, that would be an entirely different story.

So, if you’re asking me, should you go indie or traditional? My answer is: I have no idea.

I know a lot of you think the answer seems cut and dried, but it’s not. Also, I’m unwilling to do advise anybody on major career decisions in their life, especially when I don’t know them personally and haven’t read their work. So I refuse to be proponant for one side or the other.

But beyond that, I don’t actually think there is a “right” answer. Some paths work better for different people and different books at different times.

While I don’t think my path has been that improbable or unlikely for any other indie authors out there, I also currently don’t know many other indie authors having the same kind of response as I am. But I know that I’m not that the exception to the rule. I’m not the only one.

Going indie isn’t a sure fire means to success anymore than going any other route. All require work, timing, and the right book.

I do think that if you’re considering publishing, you should weigh the options. Crossing out indie just because of the stigma is silly, just the as silly as it is crossing out traditional because someone else is succeeding with indie.

So that’s that. And you should check out the Zombieaplooza. I’m still looking for people to do guest blogs and what not.

Quick reminder: Don’t forget to check out my gigantic massive awesome contest. It is awesome. And gigantically massive.

Now, down to business: I’m releasing my super awesome zombie novel Hollowland in October. So I thought it would be fun to have a big zombie-apolooza in October, because of Halloween and me releasing a book. But I’m not limiting it to just zombies. Zombies are awesome, but they aren’t the only thing that goes bump in the night.

So – to everyone out there: If you want to do a guest blog talking about zombies, monsters, ghosts, etc, or write a bit of scary flash fiction, or want to donate anything for a giveaway (i.e. books, movies, limbs) any time in the month of October. You can even do a review of your favorite scary book or movie. Whatever you’d like, as long as its in the spirit of Halloween.

Also, in really good news, my books are now available in paperback for a MUCH lower price than before. I think My Blood Approves used to be $15.49. It’s now only $8.99! Switched is also out in paperback for the first time.

I’ve revamped my tabs at the top, for fun. My Blood Approves has links to all the new paperbacks.

I’ve also added a tab for Hollowland, which is coming out in October. I included a cover created by the amazing Ronnell D. Porter, but I’m still in the process of paying for it (I’m Paypal illiterate) so I haven’t put it anywhere else. I’m not even sure if I should post it here, but I’m really excited about it and wanted to show people. 

Here’s a bit of bad news: I’m pushing back the release date for Torn. I was originally hoping to have it out before or around the same time as Hollowland, but I overestimated my ability for things to happen. I’m helping out with some family things, plus I’m going on vacatation in October, and combining that with getting two books ready for release is just a bit too much for me.

Hollowland is much more Halloween (and much more ready for release), so I’d rather get that out now. Torn will be out in November, though. I’m not going to set an exact date, but you’ll see it by the end of November.

On the subject of Hollowland, I’ll be looking for a couple readers to check it out in about a week. Be warned: it’s not a paranormal romance. While there is some romance, the focus isn’t on it, and I’d classify it more urban fantasy/dystopia. It’s a bit grittier than my other books, and I’d say its best for ages 17 and over.

And if anyone describes themselves both as a “grammar Nazi” and “zombie aficionado” and wants to go over it, I’d especially love to hear from you.

If you’re interested in doing some kind of post for zombie-aplooza, or if you’re interested in beta testing Hollowland, comment or email me – hocking_amanda@hotmail.com

Okay. So, I love this band called Black Lab that not enough people listen to, even though they should, because they’re awesome. But anyway, they have this really beautiful song called “Ten Million Years.”

I think it fits really with My Blood Approves. So for any of you with time on your hands and a knowledge of things, I’d love to see a fan made video or some kind of book trailer for My Blood Approves set to “Ten Million Years” by Black Lab. (Or I’d also enjoy “This Night” by Black Lab.)

So, if you’re interested, here’s what I propose:

1. Make a video anytime now until say… September 24th. You can still make a video after that if you want, but it won’t be entered. The only requirements for the video are: I want it to be set to “Ten Million Years” by Black Lab or “This Night” by Black Lab, and it has to be in relation to My Blood Approves. Either the first book or the series as a whole or any book in the series, really.

2. Post the video or a link to it or email it or any way to make it so its visible to me. If you want the prizes, also include your email address or some way for me to contact you so I can let you know you’ve won.

3. I’ll choose a winner based on my favorite, and I reserve the right to choose as many runner-ups as I’d like and send them prizes also.

4. Because I’m really excited about this and I’d like people to do this, I’m going to give away tons of stuff.  The whole series as paperbacks, plus pins, magnets, bookmarks, a t-shirt, and any other swag I can come up with by the time the contest ends. Maybe a bag too, to put it all in. I’ll autograph stuff too, if you want. I’ll pretty much send you any thing My Blood Approves related that I have. I’ll even throw in a paperback of Switched, and if its ready by then, an advanced copy of Torn. That’s six books, and lots of other stuff.

So. That’s my thoughts. If you’re interested, have questions, or just like to say things, feel free to comment. I’ll clarify as much as I can.

Also, for you Switched fans, I’ve got some new stuff about the Trylle Trilogy: here. 

Dear Jonathan Taylor Thomas:

On you’re twenty-ninth birthday (or the day after, when this posts), I think its time to take a moment to reflect upon your life. All the things you’ve accomplished. Six or seven seasons on Home Improvement, the voice of Simba, maintaing flawless skin throughout your teenage years, graduating from Columbia with a degree in something science-y, and successfully avoiding the pitfalls of young Hollywood.

So kudos to you for doing something that only about 4 other actors have done before you. (I’m thinking Natalie Portman, Claire Danes, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Neil Patrick Harris. So you’re in very good company.) (But why do all the boys have 3 names?)

But you know what the rest of those people did differently than you? They still act.

Don’t get me wrong. That’s not a bash against you. I just think that it’s time you come back. You took some time off. You grew up off-camera for awhile. But it’s been at least 5 years since I’ve seen you on film, and that’s long enough.

Do you know who the number one heartthrob in America is right now? Robert Pattinson. No disrepect meant to him or his fans, but have you seen him?

He does deep brooding vampires well and good, but let’s be honest, he’s no Jonathan Taylor Thomas. An entire generation is being deprived of your acting chops and your illogically perfect skin.

Sure, I did go through a phase where I questioned my sexuality when I realized that you look exactly like Jo from Facts of Life. Then I realized that you’re both just really pretty and she’s a little butch and I got over it.

You also look much like a young Val Kilmer, but I’m not going into that now, because then I’d have go into that whole thing about how Val Kilmer doesn’t look like Val Kilmer anymore, and that’s too long and too off-point.

The point is: It’s time to come back.

And Happy Birthday! 

Sincerely, your fan,

Amanda Hocking