Craig Martelle - Release Strategies: Plan your self-publishing schedule for maximum benefit (Successful Indie Author Book 2)

Section 1 - Getting readywrite the book, prep the book, know the book, publish the book

Section 2 - Starting from ground zero

Section 3 - Determination of Intentionality

Based on the Theory of Constraints

Section 4 - Release Timing

Section 5 - Serials & Short Books

Section 6 - Advertising and Marketing hints

Section 7 - Checklists

Section 8 - Final Thoughts

Bibliography

List of Acronyms

Copyright 2019 Craig Martelle

All rights reserved.

ISBN - 9781070854694

Editing services provided by Lynne Stiegler

Cover by Sapphire Designs

Formatting (both eBook and paperback) by Drew Avera

Illustrations done in Canva.

This is a book on writing books. If that wasn't your desire in buying this eBook, then please return it within seven days for a full refund from Amazon.

I wrote this book to consolidate everything Ive learned over the years regarding the best ways (financial, exposure, or both) to publish books. I dont know it all. Hardly, but Im surrounded by some incredible people. We have looked at the data around these launches. I also wanted a one-stop resource for the good people of 20Booksto50k, a group of professional self-published authors who strive to climb the mountain of success, individually, together.

This book is for them, with a hearty thank you to Michael Anderle for forming the group, giving it life, and bringing the purpose to the forefront of the community.

Having spent the last few days at a professional writers conference (SFWA), we heard incredibly moving things. Foremost, the 20Booksto50k brand and 20Books Vegas are two of the most powerful things in the entire industry. Authors who know nothing outside of traditional publishing were talking about us in a positive light. One gentleman told me last night that he had heard 20Books Vegas was the best conference, an amazing conference.

We are setting a new and nearly unreachable standard in author supportall authors, not just indies. The publishing processes Michael Anderle has set up condense the publication timeline in such a way that books don't sit around on someone's desk for six months, waiting to earn money. This is the ebook market, and one might as well earn for six months, re-roll, and earn more. There is a great saying that we have in the Marine Corps: Amateurs talk tactics and professionals talk logistics.

In the Facebook group and in this book, we talk about the uncool logistics. You want input on your tactics (the quality of your story), then talk to those who are vestedyour readers. Six indies nominated for Nebula awards last night, and zero indie winners. What matters most is which stories resonate best with the readers and which ones will lead to new stories, bringing more readers on board.

I am not talking down about any winners or any other authors. Being a full-time writer comes with great risk. It is not something to be encouraged lightly. You must work hard at the right things, with intentionality of purpose, and personal drive toward achievable goals. If you can't motivate yourself to write when you're supposed to be writing, then maybe a full-time author gig isn't for you. It's really freaking hard. Indies represented strong and proud last night. Professionals in every way.

We had a great luncheon yesterday with fifty-some fellow authors from around LA. The conversations and the gathering were motivating as hell. Michael and I never even gave speeches (so unlike us) because we would have had to interrupt so many deep conversations about writing. Different genres, different styles, but with a singular purpose.

We don't make any money off the 20Books conferences, and I think that is such an unnatural state that your average professional author cannot wrap their head around it. We make our money off our fiction. I personally must give back, the Marine in me because of doing things during active duty that no one should ever have to do. But that's me. That giving nature is Michael's too. We do just fine without having to make money off the conferences. Those are for us as much as you, because the movement that is indies supporting indies in a drama-free, focused zone is so compelling.

So many in 20Booksto50k have changed their financial situations vastly for the better because of applying a business side to their stories and the smorgasbord of marketing and advertising options they were able to implement. Many more have hope because it's not a dream. Making money as an author is hard work, but it is denied to no one. The barrier to entry is lower than ever before, while the rewards can be ever greater. That doesn't mean you can throw any garbage out there. A great story told in a compelling way will always be timeless.

Your legacy starts early in life and continues until you die. What will you leave behind? Authors can smile because they know. There it ismy story for all to see for as long as people read (or listen).

Thank you all for joining us here in 20Booksto50k, for supporting your fellow authors by explaining what worked for you, for celebrating success, because to each person, that success is a major milestone, even if it's simply finishing that first book, which isn't simple at all. It'll be the hardest thing you do until your book has been written. It will also be incredibly gratifying. And your legacy.

I'm publishing the fourth book in a series tomorrow, a series that was found on a popular western author's computer after he passed away. He never published his post-apocalyptic series. Four years after his dad passed away, we have a new revenue stream for the Roderus Estate. One element they asked to insert into the contract was that Frank's name always get top billing. That was easy to agree to, and a legacy lives on because an indie was able to license the IP and tweak up the story a touch, give it some love, and give it new life.

Purpose is important. We know that more than ever this week after our friend Tommy D passed away. We don't have time for anything that distracts us from bringing quality books to market and getting the most from them once they are there. If you can write a book, you can do the other things that will improve your chances of making that book successful. It's not hard, but it takes diligence and focus on your goal. Figure out exactly what you want from self-publishing, then go after it.

I write because I love to write. I love to craft prose that flows and dialogue that entertains. It is my calling, and I have no intention of half-assing it. I know that I have not. Sometimes I get distracted by the needs of the many, but I look at my family and know that those few deserve the right amount of my time, the words I can write for them, maybe not today, but ten years down the road when I'm not here. The words that someday my grandchildren will read. No. I can't half-ass that. The words must stand on their own. I won't be there to explain.

Make every word count. Make every action matter. For the long game. The indie sled is heading down the track, and no one is going to stop it.

Peace, fellow humans

When you read books to learn, you want to make sure the person writing the information has been there, done that.

Craig Martelle has.

Whether he is publishing for his own company, publishing with LMBPN (my company), publishing collaborations, anthologies, helping others by answering questions, or just reading the stories of others, he is always learning.