It is done! It is available!
Book 2 came out at the end of October, which was several months ago at this point, but, life happens.
I have mixed feelings regarding the launch of book 2, on the one hand I am super happy it is finished and available and I am truly proud of the improvements on my writing I've made compared to book 1. But, on the other hand the launch day and release just kind of happened and it didn't really feel like an event or some kind of day to remember. To explain, I have to reflect on my most recent experience with FriesenPress.
Book 2 is polished, mostly because of Lynsey's editing. There was some added reassurance from the editor's evaluation at FriesenPress - they didn't try and sell too much which I'd consider a win - but I knew I had made some improvements since book 1 as a writer, so I was much more confident this time. The cover is... good but I think book 1 is better. With book 1, I am a sucker for a night sky and mountains, the bluer tones are more appealing, and the orange highlights are great. For book 2 I went with redder tones since it suited the theme better, but the contrasting green colours just wouldn't make sense. Initially it was an inverse of book 1, with orange as the main colour and blue highlights, but this just didn't look right with the first design round, so the warmer colours stayed. I don't believe the designer was as good this time, it took quite a bit more discussion to get things right, I thought more direction would have helped but that didn't seem to be the case. So, a little disappointing, but the style matches and consistency matters for a series. I think the trees bother me the most, they are just too similar, I dunno maybe I am just picky. Blue for book 1, red for book 2, so... yellow for book 3?
I was happy with the writing, the cover and internal design was good, so why was the release not a happy occasion? Well, after a few minor changes being made here and there (things that probably shouldn't have been an issue but happened during the internal layout design phase, luckily I caught things in the final proof) I was ready to start marketing and getting a strategy ready, maybe talk about options with FriesenPress, but then, nothing. It was released and that was it. Pretty much no warning. I was surprised, I had talked to them how I didn't want to think about marketing and release until the product was finished, they must have taken that as no marketing at all because it was released unceremoniously. This meant my plan to market things properly was cut short, I tried to scramble a review from Reedsy and other places, but it was a bit too late to make it part of the launch itself. So, I sort of shrugged and slowly got a few things done, but nothing more than I did for book 1, making the finale lackluster.
Like I said, I am happy with the book, but not with the launch and I feel FriesenPress weren't taking into consideration what my goals were. I worked with them again because... well... I don't have any other resources to publish. Not ones that feel more legit anyway, there's so many predatory resources I just don't know what or who to trust anymore. Sure, I can go ahead and fully self-publish, but I just don't have the support nor do I have the drive as an individual to get me through it all, I thrive on someone giving me a push, in addition, I don't feel confident sourcing things myself. So, FriesenPress was the choice. Do I regret it? A little, but at the end of the day, book 2 is published, and I like being able to order copies, I like that you can look it up online, I like that book stores can stock them, I just don't enjoy the feeling of being taken advantage of or being discarded immediately after launch. Since people don't seem to care about this series unless I pay them, it doesn't surprise me. We will see if I continue with FriesenPress, perhaps other circumstances will come my way in the near future, I have plans to be more involved with the writing community here in Calgary (writing clubs), so I'm hoping that will have positive impacts on my future publication choices.
Some big life things were happening in November and December that really stunted my involvement with marketing or even telling people about book 2, hence only getting around to this blog post in January. Right now, I plan to approach local bookstores to go on consignment, something that is probably easier to do in a less busy season, there are far more local options in Calgary compared to Lethbridge, perhaps there'll be more luck getting the limited stock I have onto shelves. There are some other... strategies I have to get exposed, we will see how these go. I am avoiding social media, it isn't for me, it feels so tacky trying to shamelessly sell this series on it, so I won't bother. I have a more realistic plan for marketing over the year, one that caters to my availability, I just have to keep myself motivated, a difficult task in itself. If I find a big pile of money, perhaps hiring someone is possible, but not something I am actively seeking.
The marketing and plans to be more exposed also pertains to book 1. I have an alternative plan for the audiobook side of things for book 1, I still like the idea but I want to try a more modern take first. I think it'll be a lot of fun, but no spoilers on that for now.
Other plans? Well, book 3 is being written. It seems to be much easier to write the series now, things are more established, the story has come together, and the characters are more refined. I like where it is going and I hope to have a full draft completed by the end of the year. I need to have a better writing schedule, perhaps something I can do daily again. I am working on it, sort of starting with this blog post. So, unless more life events happen, which I am really hoping won't be the case for 2025, book 3 will be written (famous last words).
Recap and plans for 2025:
Book 1: Plan on marketing alongside book 2 & an alternative audio book thing in the works
Book 2: Published - not a great launch due to FriesenPress - & plan on marketing alongside book 1 (consignments mostly, potentially ads)
Book 3: Being written via a better schedule, hoping for a complete draft by December
Other: Writing club? Other resources and advice?
We will see how things go this year. I'm realizing more and more that I write this series for me; having it published makes it real, and I need that. It is therapeutic. If I enjoy it, if I benefit from it, then it is always worth it.
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