Whew! What a difference a year makes!
When HOUNDED debuted on May 5 last year, I wasn’t sure how things would go, or that I’d even get to write book 4, but thanks to your support I will technically have four books published inside of a single year! I’m stupidly lucky to be here. Thank you, sincerely.
So what have I discovered in a year of being a published author?
1.) You don’t need to hire social media experts unless you are truly incapable of human interaction. They’re not selling anything you can’t figure out yourself—or if they are, it’s probably something akin to spam. I might be able to sell a few more copies here and there if I reeeeeally wanted to, but I think it would involve a Faustian bargain. Like most people, I’d rather keep my soul, thank you very much.
2.) If you write about your favorite sports team in your books and portray them as struggling mightily, they will open the next season by sweeping the San Francisco Giants 3-0. True fax.
3.) I vastly prefer interviews to guest posts. Vastly. The chasm is wide and deep, people. Even when the interview questions are repetitive, and they often are, that’s totally
- okay. I prefer interviews because book bloggers usually have a good sense of what their audiences want to know, and I’m happy to provide that. With guest posts I’m constantly thinking I’ve either already written what I’m writing or else I’ve read it somewhere before. I can’t keep from second-guessing myself and I wind up spending way too much time on them. However, I have recently written a very spiffy post with my editor about the revision process for novels, and if you’re an aspiring writer I’m sure you’d find it educational and perhaps even entertaining.
4.) Some authors, in addition to being excellent writers, are also excellent human beings.
5.) I geek out pretty hard when I meet an author I admire. Sorry, Mr. Rothfuss. I couldn’t help it.
6.) My dogs really don’t give a damn that I’m now a published author. I get absolutely no credit with them for unlocking that achievement. They still climb right up to my face while I’m sitting on the couch, turn around, and let one rip.
7.) My readers are frickin’ rad. They send in pictures of my books with action figures and stuff to create Nerdscapes. They tell me about cool beers they’ve had and neato tabletop games they play with their geek friends. They create amazing sausage recipes and take pictures of them with their dogs. And so far I’ve gotten some beautiful fan art for Atticus, Oberon, Leif, Granuaile, and the Morrigan. I’m kind of waiting for someone to do Vainamoinen and the sea serpent… :)8.) Indie bookstores are super cool! Plus: libraries! Also: book bloggers!
9.) Social media is kind of hard to keep up with and I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of it and be a deity of Twitter. I’m following under 100 people and I can’t even keep up with that. I just try to say howdy to the people who say something directly to me via @ replies. If you do follow me on Twitter, don’t be shy, I’m happy to chat. Facebook seems to be my biggest social doohickey but I’m not sure why. It’s a mystery. Can’t even consider joining Google + and LinkedIn and Amp My Orifice. (That last one isn’t real, but wouldn’t it be fun? There wouldn’t be friend requests. Instead you’d get this: “Kevin wants to amp your orifice. Will you amp his?”)
10.) Yeesh. I’m still pretty immature.
11.) Publicity is sooo much different than I thought it would be. I thought publishers spent all their money on ads and lunches with agents, and sometimes they do. But most of their budget these days tries to generate word-of-mouth. They give away lots of free copies to reviewers and bloggers and hope that they build buzz and stuff. There are probably nifty marketing words I should have used instead of “buzz and stuff,” but if I did use them you might think I knew what I was talking about.
I actually think I learned much more than that, but some of it is Sekrit and some of it I can’t remember right now. I’m kinda tired so I’ll hit the hay, but thank you again for reading IDC and spreading the word so I can write more. We’re only two weeks away from the release of TRICKED (squee!) and I’m so glad that you’ll finally be able to dig in!
May harmony find you,
Kevin
Tags: Tricked
Has it only been a year since Hounded was published?? Dude, you rock. I can’t wait to get my hands on Tricked.
You’re wonderful, Kev. Can’t wait to review Tricked!
Yes, book bloggers are super cool! But Atticus and Oberon, and by association, YOU – are even cooler! :) LOVE the series, can’t wait for Tricked!!
iT ONLY TOOK ME A WEEK TO READ THE FIRST 3 BOOKS…SADLY, IT WILL ONLY TAKE A DAY OR TWO TO READ TRICKED AND THEN I’LL BE WAITING AGAIN FOR THE NEXT ONE. HURRY PLEASE!
Can’t wait for Tricked! I think you are a delight.
IDC… fun and entertaining . I can’t wait for the next one.
You’re my favorite find this year :) You’re gonna write 4 books EVERY year, right, RIGHT?
*Squee* Only 2 weeks – can’t wait.
You’re a very talented writer, and it’s been so very much fun to get peeks into your world and your writing. And, it’s so great that you take time to Facebook your fans. Your dogs’ mission of keeping you humble is working! :-)
The books are brilliant and you are a rare treat! Thanks for sharing so much with us and we’re all looking forward to the next book! Congrats on a such a great year.
I read the first book because the jacket looked good and the synopsis was not too bad. I had it filed “to look into”. After the first few pages i was hooked . Great series. Keep writing and thanks for the writing
Wow! It’s seems like the hounded crew has been a part of my life for more than a year! Congrats!! You are doing great on the marketing part FYI, loved meeting you last year at SDCC :) Wishing You Continued success !
Really it’s been only a year? Wow amzing stuff. Quite frankly I’ll read anything you write. Don’t sweat about the guest blogs I haven’t seen anything not interesting yet.
So now that you’ve set the standard. I think we all expect 4 more books in the next year. Right guys?
Thank you for writing such amazing books! My friends and I are waiting with bated breath to get our hands on Tricked.
I also wanted to comment that the reader for the audio books, Luke Daniels, is just fantastic. He was a great choice for the role. Is there any indication of when Tricked will be available in audio format?
Thanks!
Can’t believe it’s only been a year. I see your books recommended in a lot of places and I recommend them to my friends. A lot of word of mouth in just a year. You are definitely doing something right.
Thanks everybody!
Mina—TRICKED will be available on April 24. It just won’t show up on Audible and other audio sites until that day.
I think it’s even more incredible that you *wrote* 4 books so quickly when I waited 3 (4?) years for Christopher Paolini’s last book. I thought the Morrigan might come for me before it made the shelves!
*sigh* came for a read after squeezing to my hubby that there is only 11 days to go *does happy dance*. You thank us? I so don’t think so Mr Hearne! it is “WE” that thank you for all the pleasure of new friends including but not limited to Atticus and Oberon.
Recent reader, but after the first chapter of the first book I was hooked! Wasn’t able to put it down until I had read(listened) to every book in the series. Really looking forward to Tricked.
I did want to say that the Barnes and Noble site is offering the book as a pre-order on CD’s even though I know you said this one was completely digital. Personally I listen through the Audible app on my phone, but just wanted to mention since it seems to be a possible faux pas by B&N
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tricked-iron-druid-chronicles-series-4-kevin-hearne/1107055494