With a family tree that size, that may be the best that you can do.

When I was creating genealogies for my Greek mythology book, I tried to do it in Word, which is complicated because they never came out right when converted to ebook. I explored genealogy software. That was a few years ago (2017), so the landscape may have changed, but most of them were geared for small, simple family trees. I ended up using SmartDraw (which is more expensive now than it was then), only to discover that saving as an image kept creating something that expanded file size too much to be practical in an ebook. Probably, I could have found a way to convert it to something that worked better, but I was working under time constraints. I ended up including the genealogies in the paperback only. For the ebook, I linked to my website, where readers could download the genealogies as a PDF file.

I have one open slot in February and one in March!

My plan is to keep writing until I have a big enough backlist to think about saving up for a BookBub.  I don't want to try one with only a couple of books in a series.  Not with the results I've been reading about lately and not with my G to PG books.

I write in different genres, and while some may think that dilutes the brand...it is my brand.  It's also why I'm still here.  If I had to write in one genre (or worse, one niche) all the time, I would have quit by now.  Variety keeps me engaged. 

So, that has become my brand.  I have no idea how effective it is, but I enjoy it.  I know everyone has things to deal with, but for me...I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't fun. 
(Image courtesy of Pinterest)

Yes, it seems new news with Amazon tends to always be bad news. I think it's because Amazon has been such a gem for Indie writers over the years and that's going away. Amazon is becoming more and more like the other retailers which aren't as profitable.

Direct sales are indeed unlikely to work without a huge fan base. Perhaps we're nearing the point at which I just write for my own enjoyment... 

Well, I'm not giving up yet. I'm grouping older books into series with the intention of selling a lead-in book. This has worked for me for years with my witch series and I have a hunch it will work again. It's the only way to advertise and make money back.

And I'm creating more professionally narrated audiobooks. My audios are selling well wide in libraries and retailers and are becoming a large part of my yearly revenue. The catch with audio is the overhead. They cost a lot of money to produce. AI could offset that, but I think my professionally performed audios are a better sell than AI audio and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't see nearly the profit.

I can do these things in 2025 because I have a large library of books written to play with. If I only had one or two books to sell, it'd be a much harder prospect. Hate to say it, but I also think our old writer advice of producing more and more books holds truer now more than ever in this biz. I literally feel like I'm not only indie writing, but running a publishing company. Whatever comes of it, as I keep saying here and to myself, I'm loving getting my stuff read.

Does your writing:

Dip, wobble, and sway like a train on an unstable railway?
Derail frequently on plot holes, or continuity issues?
Have trouble finding junctions for all your ideas?
Keep getting bedeviled with typos like weeds sprouting on a railroad line?

I can get you on the write track! 

I offer copy and line editing, and proofreading. But my work covers considerably more than simply making sure your prose's grammar is fine and your writing is typo-free. If, say, you are writing a detective novel, and he/she is a likable sleuth, I am going to offer you suggestions as to plot and/or character detail that will help ensure your readers cheer on your heroes. No editing software ever made can offer writers that kind of encouragement, because technology is impersonal, and I always bring a personal touch to my editing and proofreading, because I love my work and want to see my clients succeed.

I work on the following genres:

Mystery
Historical
Action-adventure
Fantasy
Literary
Sci-fi
(Space opera and the like, but nothing too dark.)
Romance
(Serious only, especially romantic suspense.)

I also edit blog posts, articles, letters, dissertations, etc. (FYI: I do not edit anything political.)

The way I operate is by working in close collaboration with my clients. I send them regular queries and updates as the project progresses from start to finish.  This is your manuscript, not mine. All I am here to do is help make your work roll as smoothly as a train on well-maintained rails.
For further details, such as pricing and contact information, please consult my website: www.heldediting.com 

All new clients are eligible for 25% off any editing service on works over 50K words, and 15% off on works under 50K! 

--Tony Held

Testimonials

"Working with Tony Held helped me to significantly improve my book, add needed scenes/chapters and remove unnecessary elements. His chapter by chapter feedback was detailed and pointed out where I needed character or scene development, had inconsistencies from any point in the book to another or had simply nailed it and he loved it. He was timely in responses to me and I couldn't be more satisfied with the experience. I highly recommend working with Tony."

Patrick Adams
Owner, Patrick Adams Books

"ABSOLUTELY THRILLED!
Yes I'm thrilled. Tony just delivered his highly professional proofread of my book. I have not had this level of excellent editing with previous editors. Without any reservation in any quarter I enthusiastically highly recommend Tony."

Ivy Ruth Luv
Action/Adventure Novelist