http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huQoDlHmqrE
So I woke up to this for The Merchant of Nevra Coil:
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,354 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #87 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Fantasy
- #98 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Action & Adventure > Fantasy
- #165 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Sword & Sorcery
This means Legends of Windemere is 8 for 8 on getting onto the Top 100 lists. So I can relax a bit . . . except that the kid is awake. Also the Giants play today. Wife is looking at me funny for looking through several Final Fantasy victory themes to find the one I want for this. On the plus side, I woke up to the above.
Before I get into other things, I’m going to explain why I’m obsessed with this specific milestone. Back when I published Beginning of a Hero, there were several things that I was told. One was that first time indie authors don’t sell a lot of books and my first attempt will be a failure. Another was that 500 sales is a moderate success in the indie world and it may take a year to do so. Also the, ‘you really want to write in present tense third person’? Then there were the people saying I shouldn’t do it, I’m wasting my time, too much risky, etc. You see, I’ve never really had 100% support outside of the computer because people have always felt like they had to play Devil’s Advocate with me. I’m getting to the point here because this is what happened to my first book:
It sold 1,000 copies in a little over a month and was dancing around the Top 100 Fantasy lists. This was before I knew how to get on Sword & Sorcery, which was a lot smaller at that time. Before I understood marketing or even had a lot of sites to use. The method was I’d see or hear about one, see the price, and jump in if I could because I had maybe a $100 advertising budget back then. To this day, I have no idea what caused this and always wonder if it was a fluke. So, getting another book on the lists kind of acts like a personal justification and a tangible victory that I can show to those who are still on the fence about me doing this. Even after nearly 3 years at this full-time, I still feel like I’m trying to prove myself and the day I can afford a non-Barbie mansion with my royalties is still a long ways off . . . . like never because that’s too many rooms to dust.
So what else is going on? I’m making my way through Crossing Bedlam and hope to finish it by the end of the month. Got Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah (2 chapters), Nevada (2 chapters), and California left. The weekly holidays and annoying weather have gotten in the way a bit. I do enjoy writing these characters and will do the violent introduction of Lloyd Tenay on Tuesday. Not sure when I’ll release it or what to do prior to that. My alpha reader is 2 books behind on Legends of Windemere and I won’t be doing my own read through until November or December. Maybe I’ll do a January release to avoid tripping over another book too much. Still, it’s a tough thing to do since this is a full novel and not a short story like Ichabod Brooks. Need to think up another story for him next summer, but I’ve got time.
A final note:
This Wednesday is YOM KIPPUR
That’s the Jewish day of fasting, which means I’ll be hungry and getting quiet as the day moves on. My tradition is to stay in my room and play an engrossing video game. This year is God of War 1 and possibly 2. So I’m going to be moving my Wednesday post to another spot that will probably be in November. The subject was writing action scenes that involve a lot of jumping, leaping, and acrobatics. Too energetic for me and Kratos isn’t the type to wall run. I’d play Prince of Persia, but my coordination will be a mess by late afternoon. Odd things may get said in comments and tweets though.
So, what’s the targets?
- Write at least 3 chapters of Crossing Bedlam. Probably 4 because I don’t want to stop halfway through Utah.
- Prepare myself for Yom Kippur and hope things run smoothly.
- Make it through Wednesday, which isn’t as hard as one thinks. Just need people to keep the kid entertained because he’s an energy drainer.
- Watch the Giants today.
- Bike, eat on non-Wednesdays, sleep, and all the parent stuff that comes up.
- Curse at Facebook for being a pain.
- Post the original music video I wanted to use below.
Legends of Windemere 
I consider you one of the most successful indie authors out there. It always amazes me how long it takes for the successful to really feel successful. Maybe they never do and that is what makes them so successful. (I guess that made sense) Anyhow good luck with the fast and have a good week.
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I get it. A person’s level of humility alters what they see as success. Other authors who reach the Top 100 list will announce ‘Bestselling Author’ in everything they do afterwards. Others do a blog post to announce the victory and leave it at that. A person’s marketing strategy can be a factor too, I guess.
I’ll still be somewhat around during the fasting period. Can’t stay away for long . . . mostly because my email and tweet notifications would be insane. 😀
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Last year you managed to post a little. How about one of those, “I’m captive with God and here’s how it feels” call for help kind of post.
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I’ve got something scheduled. Bunch of Yom Kippur memes and advice on what NOT to do with your Jewish friends. Need to add a nod to you since it’s like your lists.
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Congratulation! And well deserved!
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Thanks. 🙂
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Congrats on your sales and enjoy the moment.
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Thanks. Sure the moment will be brief, but it’s been blogged for posterity. I always fear that I’m spelling that last word wrong.
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Ha! In your face, nay-sayers! You can’t see me, but I’m doing a happy dance for you, over here 😀
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Thanks. I was so happy that I almost went back to bed to celebrate. 😛
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Heh heh – can’t think of a better way to do so 🙂
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That’s such fantastic news, Charles 🙂 I hope the happy lasts for days, and the buzz gets you through Wednesday’s hunger pangs!
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Eh, it fell off the last around noon. Oh well. At least I was there for a bit and I’m near the door.
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Absolutely 😀
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Congrats, Charles! That’s awesome. Stick it to the naysayers. Lol.
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Thanks. After a really rough summer, it definitely helped my confidence.
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It’s nice to see your hard work pay off, Charles. I’m rooting for you!
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Rooting for you and your show too. Looks like everyone is going to be having fun.
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I hope so. It’s still rough in parts.
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Wonderful news, Charles! ***ellespeth does a little jig*** you’ve worked so hard.
Ellespeth
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Thanks. It was fleeting, but at least it happened.
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Congratulations Charles! Your books always do well, and I’m always impressed. 🙂
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Thanks. Hoping it can get back on there and put on a good show. 🙂
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Congratulations, Charles. As others have said, this is well deserved. 🙂 I love stories like this where hard work pays off.
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Thanks. Glad to be there. 🙂
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Wow, good for you, Charles! Very impressive and deserving! I read book 1 and enjoyed it! Keep up the great writing!
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Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the first book. 🙂
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Eat on non-Wednesdays? Did someone establish a no-food rule for hump day?
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It’s Yom Kippur and I’m Jewish. So a day of fasting.
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Sitting here, feeling like a nontheistic lunkhead. Have an easy feast. (According to the internet, it is taboo or just poor taste to wish you anything chipper.)
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Not really sure. The two routes to take are going to temple where you suffer as a group or avoid all human contact to avoid succumbing to cannibalism. I never got an answer if human is kosher or not. Did get in trouble for asking though.
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