Self Publishing is Tough and Here's Why

When I first self-published my novel Shyelle - Rise of the Dragon Kingdoms, I had high hopes for it's performance. Unfortanutly, at the time, I just didn't know much at all about marketing. That was definatly a major setback for me. As I learn more with my colage education, it is becoming clear that I am capable of succesfuly marketing the book. But, it's still work. 

I will admit that while I had planned it as a serries, it has been incresingly more difficult to find the time to actualy write books. The upkeep of a youtube channel and many socail platforms keeps me busy from the couch at home. It's a lot of work to self - publish, so, I really do advise that you have a background in entrprenership and marketing first. Mabey even a degree in some sort of marketing. 

The cold hard truth is that doing all your own marketing is extremely difficult in addition to the effort that goes into a novel of your own. You have to do your own graphics or pay someone to do them. Your cover art isn't done by the publishing agency when you self-publish either. You have to craft your own synopsis for the back of the book that further sells it. 

What about book signings, convincing retailers to order your book and that they can also sell it. You have to get posters made, social media campaigns, library promotional materials, and you have to somehow get some reviews on your brand new book. There is a lot of work involved in getting your book from your computer, to your hands to the readers of the world. 

To Wattpad or Not to Wattpad?

Wattpad is admittedly an interesting writer's platform. I've used Wattpad a little bit to try and direct more readers to my blog. In all reality, my content published on Wattpad hasn't given me the return I was expecting for the time and dedication I put into those works. However, today I want to really evaluate the platform as a whole and perhaps even go into detail about what I did wrong while using Wattpad to keep you from making the same frustrating mistakes. 

Wattpad is a Search Engine

Just for a moment, I want you to think about the search feature on Wattpad and how it plays a role in users finding your content within the platform. The problem with Wattpad being a search engine is that you have to figure out what the most popular keywords are for your story. If you guess wrong, you won't get views on your work. 

Wattpad Writing Contests

Writing contests provide the opportunity to be seen on Wattpad. Often, Wattpad writing contest winners get into the paid stories program as well as extra promotion of their works on the platform. Most of the writing contests are free to participate in and are sponsored by large brands. The major upside to this would be about getting your name out there as a writer. It's great publicity for those who do manage to win. 

Paid Wattpad Stories

Personally, as a user these are annoying. I don't want to have to pay to read something on a writing platform. However, as an author, I would love to use paid stories for some extra income. The main problem with paid stories is that as an author you have to be somewhat consistent and you have to be getting views on your content before the Wattpad team contacts you. There really isn't a way to outright apply for this program, so you may end up putting your best work out there on the internet with the risk of it getting plagiarized and then monetized without any compensation to you for your work. 

Author's Note:

To finish up today, I want to remind everyone that the follow by email feature is ending in June. This means that blogger has decided you are no longer a loyal reader of my blog! How rude, right?! So due to the blogger's poor business decisions, I ask everyone to consider following me on social media to get the new post notifications. Thanks!

This post is sponsored by Serenity Links Business Solutions, a family-run small business doing internet marketing for local niche small businesses. 

Part 4 Tales of the Universal Knights

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Recap from Part Three:

Kirstein awakens in the hospital wing of the Universal Knights headquarters in St. Gorge, Utah. She doesn't know how she got there or why. She expresses her concerns for the Nahadian people because they don't want help from the knigts in fighting off the drageels.

Part Four:

"Kirstein," Someone called for me, "can you hear me?"

With heavy grogginess, I did my best to respond and voice a yes. The response was strained, but I managed to croak out a yes.

"I am doctor Flipper, I have been observing your health for the last several hours." He told me in a matter of fact tone.

"Why am I here?" I struggled to say as I fought to open my heavy eyelids.

"Patrick informed me that the portal between Naha and Earth was becoming unstable, we could have traped you on Naha. Your lucky to be in this good of health after all that." The doctor said as he rummaged around behind me.

"Unstable?" I repeated with confusion.

"The portal nearly fully collapsed on both of you." He said as he attached a bag of liquid medication to a rolling IV stand.

"Wait, both of us? I was the only Knight assigned to Naha."

"Patrick monitored the status of your portal personally. He cares a great deal about you as if you were his own. He went in after you to save your life." Doctor Flipper stated.

"Is he okay?" I blurted out.

"Relax, Patrick will be fine. I'll make sure of that."

"Is he here in the hospital wing too?" I asked nervously.

"Yes, he is currently being treated for atomic displacement shock. His prosthetic arm caused electricity to pulse through his body. He was a magnet for it. He should have thought to remove the arm before diving into the portal, but he acted on pure instinct alone to save you, Kirstein. He's so brave that I wonder if he is a bit reclass at times."

"Patrick is a creator. He wants to push the limits of humanity." I replied.

"I just hope it doesn't get him killed one of these days." the doctor mumbled before coming back to stand at the bedside.

"I will need to infuse you with hydration liquid." Doctor Flipper explained as he held up a needle to stick me with.

I hated needles, and I also hated hospitals. I hated the rubbing alcohol sterilization smell too. I wanted to get out of here and get back to school instead of starting at the tiled ceiling.

****

When I awoke again, several hours had passed. I didn't remember anything past the needle being inserted into my left arm's inner elbow. My head felt like cinder blocks had been dropped on it. My mouth was so dry that my toung stuck to my inner gums. I painfully pryed my sticky toung away from my teath.

As I gained consciousness, my thoughts turned again to Patrick. I wanted to see him. I felt guilty that he was hurt in my rescue effort. I tried to come up with what I would say to Patrick, but, my words seemed so empty in thanking him. He gave up everything to get to Shyelle years ago, yet Shyelle has never really repaid him for his service. He became the second in comand with the univercail knights with duty and honor, yet he also lost the trust of his son, Andrew.

I didn't have to look too hard to feel the pain of Patrick's loss. It was my loss too. Andrew was my best friend, but, he chose to break his oath with the knights. Andrew gave up his Shyellian gift, his double life, but also, he relinquished his own honor.

I loved Andrew once, it was beautiful. But good things can end when you least expect it. People can change, some even go as far to take advantage of your light. I had trusted Andrew far to quickly. It left me with a tragic ending to the relationship we once shared. Remembering Andrew made me sad and angry all at the same time. However, I learned that I couldn't save him.

My thoughts refocused to Patrick. I needed to know that he was going to be alright in all of his heroics. He was there to help me when his own equipment failed, but I felt that I was in a position to not be able to return his favor.

"Patrick?" I managed to call out from my bed.

"I'm here, Kirsten." He replied in a raspy, barely audible voice.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked, still unable to see him because of the curtain between us.

"Not really, but the experience was quite rare, according to Doctor Flipper." He chuckled.

"You always seem to find humor in the darkest hours we've faced together."

"I'm still human, I still feel the weight of the universe counting on me too." He replied before being overcome by a coughing fit.

A moment later he said "We have to remember what makes us human, Kirsten. We can't afford to lose our own culture."