From what I can see and have been told by those wiser than I, we’re looking at another slow period for book sales. Not just me, but authors in general. People are saving their month for turkeys or, most likely, Christmas shopping. So, I guess this is the panic before the storm.
I’ve only been publishing since February 27th and I’ve finally started to come to terms with these slumps. They aren’t fun, but they’re part of the job. I think this damn deadline looming over my head is making it worse for me and is probably the source of my panicking when I see rankings dip or sales freeze. I’m sure I’m a special case and most people take it in stride. Then again, I’ve been seeing a lot of the posts about pricing and marketing in the last week. The tension and frustration are under the surface if not in your face.
Here are some tips to survive what I’m going to call the ‘Pre-Turkey Slump’:
- Write that next book in the series or write something. Make yourself feel artistically productive.
- Keep on promoting your published works on Twitter, blog, and Facebook. Realize that every sale this month is probably more than what most are doing.
- DO NOT change your book price every few days to see what will happen. If anything, people might think you’re mentally unstable or a toddler is playing with your account.
- Get outside of the house and enjoy the autumn weather. Disclaimer: Blogger not responsible for anyone who walks out into a storm after following this advice. Check the weather before going outside. Also, remember pants.
- Catch up on old friends who forgot you existed because you’ve been J.D. Salinger-ing it for a while now.
- Pick up a new hobby such as origami or fly fishing.
- Realize you have no interest in either of those new hobbies I suggested.
- Go watch a movie. Try to refrain from yelling at the screen about how you could have written something better. That big screen is not your television and you’re shouting at the Let’s All Go To the Lobby short.
- Talk to those other people in the house. I think they’re called family. This might only last a few minutes or days depending on how interesting they are. If these people call the cops on you then there is a chance you’ve been hiding in the basement of a stranger’s house.
- Ignore sales and rankings for a while. Just do your promo work and then walk away from the computer. Use the Smartphone as a regular phone and just spend some time doing nothing. Let the mind wander and see where you go.
Legends of Windemere 
Slump sales always suck! I like your advices, I hope you also will follow some of them, like the relaxing ones 🙂
Living in these times sucks tho. I think a book is the perfect gift for Christmas.
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Definitely going to push for Christmas sales. I’m hoping to relax this week once I finish my book editing. I have 80 pages to go and then I become one with the couch and television. Seriously, I’ll probably grab a notebook and start designing characters. Believe it or not, that’s relaxing to me.
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I guess you do what you have to do to keep your mind off of the slump. If it keeps you from being driven crazy then its a good thing.
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Especially since most authors are already nuts. 😉
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Excellent advice Charles. I would seriously hope that I am not living in someone else’s basement though as I don’t remember descending stairs to get here – hang on, does that mean my memory is really that bad?? 😀
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Maybe you’re in the attic?
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Hmm… it’s a bit stuffy so could be. Not sure about your point that we should interact with the others in the house though. That just seems to be madness to me 😀
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Think of it this way: If you don’t then they might declare you dead. Then you have to waste time proving to the government you’re alive. Such a pain.
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There is that…
I suppose if I just sit in my lair and demand food and drink now and again then that ought to do it.
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Wander out for a shower and make a loud announcement. Reminds them you exist and prevents anyone from wandering in if the house is busy.
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See – you’ve got it all sussed!
Are you still keeping up with the exercise bike?
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Barely. Still missed a day this week, so I’m trying to get back into it.
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I’ve just started back on the treadmill – only half an hour a day. Am finding that the tranquility opposing to the blast of the iPod is very refreshing.
If I lose weight as well, then bonus!
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I always need my iPod. Drowns out the rest of the noise in this house.
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Okay Charles. I read all this. Is this really you? Are you taking the advice here? Hummmmm?
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I’m working toward it. Once I finish editing, I’ll be taking a week of relaxing character creation and restructuring. Just check the blog and do advertising while watching television amid my notebooks.
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We will be watching you
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That’ll be easy. I’ll still be here, but won’t be editing or writing the next book. It should do me some good because I’m getting anxious about marketing the third book. Blog tour, cover reveal, and the Twubs Chat idea are new to me.
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Great advice. Loved #4. 🙂
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I did that one today to enjoy the sight of a toddler in the leaves. I think I’m slated for more outdoors stuff on Tuesday since the little guy is home from school.
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Oops! Wrong house. hehe
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Quick, pretend to be a time traveler and race off to save John Connor.
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Good advice. I am doing that and funny thing, aside from my paperbook, I really haven’t been too very active with my book and I have seen a surge in sells. Funny thing.
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Maybe some reviews helped? I’m hoping to get to the relaxation tomorrow. Though, my chances of finishing my editing today does not look good. I should stop planning stuff or setting deadlines. Something always goes horribly wrong.
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I think the suggestion to take up origami is very wise. Thanks for the suggestions which I will keep in mind if I ever decide to publish something! 🙂
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You’re welcome. Good luck with the origami. I’ve mastered the crumpled ball.
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ROFL…that is a very difficult one!
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