The time has come. I released my first trilogy - The Watchman Saga

[MattT]

I finally did it, I released my first trilogy on Amazon Kindle. I decided to release all three books in quick succession, to give a reader to first full chunk of story. I have 12 total books, but the other 9 need refinement and editing. But my first milestone is complete and I wanted to say thank you for all the advice given to me by various other writers. It all was extremely helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWJW1BMR

[TimothyEllis]

Why did you go with $7?

The comparison on the first blurb to other series is not a good idea. Makes you seem presumptuous and desperate.

I don't recall if it's actually against Amazon rules or not, so maybe someone can comment on that.

Why release outright, and not do pre-orders? Just curious.

[MattT]

Im not trying to make money here. And according to my research $7 is very fair. First book is 283 pages, 2nd is 350 and third is 395. Most people sell books from 100-200 pages for $3.99-$5.99. Considering the amount of content. $7 is fair. Plus 7 is the number of completion in the Bible. Its a Christian fantasy, numbers matter to me.

Why be so critical?

Remember, Im a first time Author. Im sure when you did your first book, you didn't have everything figured out. Did you?

[Bill Hiatt]

Congratulations!

I just realized you weren't really asking for advice here--after I'd already written some. I'll offer it apologetically and hope that it won't seem too critical. It's not my intent to be overly critical.

$7 may be a bit high for a debut. I'm not saying go bargain basement, but people are more likely to try a new author at a lower price than at a higher one. Particularly if, as you say, you're not trying to make money, a lower price point may help you build audience more quickly.

Also, psychologically, $6.99 is better than $7. Crazy, but true!

Also also, I'd think about a hook at the beginning of the series description and move the straightforward statement about the series to just below the hook. Your current first sentence does a good job of identifying for readers what kinds of books are in the series, but a little adrenaline pump at the beginning is never a bad idea.

[TimothyEllis]

Im not trying to make money here. And according to my research $7 is very fair. First book is 283 pages, 2nd is 350 and third is 395. Most people sell books from 100-200 pages for $3.99-$5.99. Considering the amount of content. $7 is fair. Plus 7 is the number of completion in the Bible. Its a Christian fantasy, numbers matter to me.

Why be so critical?

Remember, Im a first time Author. Im sure when you did your first book, you didn't have everything figured out. Did you?

For first time authors, size is irrelevant. I'm not being critical, just realistic. At $7, they won't sell. I'm 98 novels in and I'm at 5.99, with no plans to go higher. I was 6 years in before I raised prices that high, and the majority of my novels are still 4.99.

We recommend $2.99 for all first novels, regardless of size.

Those in the 4.99 to 5.99 range are experienced novelists who have fans. 3.99 is a stepping stone after a year or so to get there.

[MattT]

Its okay, I think criticism is good when its tempered. But implying that Im desperate because Im not dripping my content for clout. Is what irked me. Maybe I'm not doing the norm by releasing three books in quick succession. Some might call it desperate, I call it devotion. I wrote for months and months, every single day for 5-7 hours straight. That's not desperation, that's devotion. So, I don't see a challenge in releasing my first trilogy in quick succession.

I am going to make some tweaks to my hook, as suggested. I probably need a bit more of description, and I was told by some others in this field that most first timers release books within the 100-200 page range. To release at nearly 300 pages, shows depth. Then to release 2 more books shortly thereafter shows that there is already a story there. I don't need to boost my ego, by dripping content or by going by the standards of other writers. I'm not trying to make money, I'm trying to send a message. I think I'll probably drop it to $3.99. I just like the number 7.

[TimothyEllis]

I was told by some others in this field that most first timers release books within the 100-200 page range.

That sounds like very genre specific advice being applied way too wide.

100 pages is not a novel.

And in Litrpg for example, the average first novel is 150k to 200kwords  long, and they think that's short.

I'm not sure what genre would average out at 100-200 pages. 200 pages would barely be 50k words. I don't know any genre where that's acceptable to readers.

[MattT]

Im not trying to make money here. And according to my research $7 is very fair. First book is 283 pages, 2nd is 350 and third is 395. Most people sell books from 100-200 pages for $3.99-$5.99. Considering the amount of content. $7 is fair. Plus 7 is the number of completion in the Bible. Its a Christian fantasy, numbers matter to me.

Why be so critical?

Remember, Im a first time Author. Im sure when you did your first book, you didn't have everything figured out. Did you?

For first time authors, size is irrelevant. I'm not being critical, just realistic. At $7, they won't sell. I'm 98 novels in and I'm at 5.99, with no plans to go higher. I was 6 years in before I raised prices that high, and the majority of my novels are still 4.99.

We recommend $2.99 for all first novels, regardless of size.

Those in the 4.99 to 5.99 range are experienced novelists who have fans. 3.99 is a stepping stone after a year or so to get there.

98 Novels is impressive. But correct me if I'm wrong, it seems like your market model is quantity over dense legacy. More like Episodic, over Epic. No insult intended. You may be able to produce a new book within 1-3 months, or something along those lines and you've already likely generated a devoted reader base. So, you have a loyal fan base that will likely pick up your next short book, because you've already established a history of 98 novels. So it makes sense that you'd have your prices set at that price. You even mentioned that I am bit long-winded, when I sent you a demonstration chapter.

I think that's what separates us, Tim. You have a huge number of smaller books, and a huge fan base. I don't have that yet. And so it may be more practical for you to have those lower prices, because you already have a throne of devotees that are used to your story model and price model. As a first timer, I don't have that benefit. I have to go with my instincts. I am not trying to build a living off my writing here. I am far more interested in people connecting with the message and the content, than I am with filling my pockets. I believe my opening Trilogy stands as a cohesive theological statement, over market value.

I think when you called me desperate, it irked me. But, then I realized that you're judging my work through your own lens. To a "production-line" author, dropping three big books looks like "dumping inventory." But in the context at my mindset is that I have a unified release of the first full complete act of my story. Im releasing a story that is finished, not dripping content as I go. With all due respect to you and your way of writing, it might be harder for you to recognize what Im doing, because you've conditioned yourself to think of books as individual revenue units. Not chapters in an Inspirational Saga. Just my opinion and observation.

[TimothyEllis]

I think when you called me desperate, it irked me. But, then I realized that you're judging my work through your own lens.

No, I'm not.

I'm telling you how readers react to that sort of thing on blurbs.

It puts a lot of them off.

I didn't call you desperate, I told you it made you seem that way to some readers.

[Bill Hiatt]

Trad novelists seem to shoot for 80K to 100K words, but genre does certainly play a role in the expected length.

Releasing three books at once does open the possibility of someone clicking the button to buy the whole series. However, that's not a particularly common behavior. I'd say that happens about once every month or two on my nine-book series.

It used to be that releasing quickly (but not three at once) helped keep the algorithms agitated. I don't think that's as true as it used to be.

[MattT]

I think when you called me desperate, it irked me. But, then I realized that you're judging my work through your own lens.

No, I'm not.

I'm telling you how readers react to that sort of thing on blurbs.

It puts a lot of them off.

I didn't call you desperate, I told you it made you seem that way to some readers.

I'll accept that. Implied is how it seemed. I was actually excited to release my first trilogy, because the first two books ended on cliffhangers. With Christmas coming up, I wanted a gift set, something someone could purchase as a whole, for someone who is into Christian-Fantasy writing and given ample time before the holiday, to do so. That was part of my market strategy. I plan on releasing my next trilogy around Palm Sunday and Easter. Strategizing by utilizing those Christian-based holidays as launching points for the next act of my story.

[MattT]

Trad novelists seem to shoot for 80K to 100K words, but genre does certainly play a role in the expected length.

Releasing three books at once does open the possibility of someone clicking the button to buy the whole series. However, that's not a particularly common behavior. I'd say that happens about once every month or two on my nine-book series.

It used to be that releasing quickly (but not three at once) helped keep the algorithms agitated. I don't think that's as true as it used to be.

The Sword and Shepherd - 80k
Ten Thousand Reasons - 150k
Thrones Awaken - 190k

I scaled up each time. Initially, my first trilogy was only 246k total. But, Ive spent the last few months deepening and adding to each book, to strengthen the core content.

[Lorri Moulton]

Congratulations!! 

They're all in Kindle Unlimited, so why not try a higher price?  If it doesn't work out, you can always have a sale/lower price later.

I shared on my Facebook page!

[Anarchist]

OP, congratulations on publishing your trilogy!

You didn't ask for advice in this thread, so I'll leave it at that.

[alhawke]

Congratulations, MattT!  Welcome to the club.

[LilyBLily]

Congratulations!

For a book in KU, price doesn't matter all that much. People interested in your stories will add your first book to their Kindle, and if they like it, they'll go on to the rest, and you will make some money. The point is to get the books out, and YOU HAVE DONE IT!!! Yay you!

[Bill Hiatt]

I was actually excited to release my first trilogy, because the first two books ended on cliffhangers. With Christmas coming up, I wanted a gift set, something someone could purchase as a whole, for someone who is into Christian-Fantasy writing and given ample time before the holiday, to do so. That was part of my market strategy. I plan on releasing my next trilogy around Palm Sunday and Easter. Strategizing by utilizing those Christian-based holidays as launching points for the next act of my story.

Clever! It's obvious that you've thought a lot about marketing.

[MattT]

OP, congratulations on publishing your trilogy!

You didn't ask for advice in this thread, so I'll leave it at that.

I'll take advice, I think I was just a bit taken aback at the notion that it seems that I was desperate or something. But I'm open to advice. Thanks!

[MattT]

Congratulations!! 

They're all in Kindle Unlimited, so why not try a higher price?  If it doesn't work out, you can always have a sale/lower price later.

I shared on my Facebook page!

What would be a good price to set them at, since they're in Kindle Unlimited, truthfully I didn't quite understand what that was until I saw that my books were at 0.00. What's a good price?

[Lorri Moulton]

Are you using $7 for a reason?  Is that a number that means something?  If not, you could try $6.99...which is the more common way of doing it.  However, some people purposely use a different pricing strategy to stand out.

I think your price is a good start.  See if you get sales or page reads! If you do, other authors might try raising their prices.  If not, you can always drop them a bit.

The nice thing about Kindle Unlimited is that higher prices signal value, but the readers still pay the same monthly fee.  So a higher priced book can be seen as a better return on their subscription.

I think a lot of that probably has to do with genre, but why not try? 

[TimothyEllis]

Are you using $7 for a reason?  Is that a number that means something?  If not, you could try $6.99...which is the more common way of doing it.  However, some people purposely use a different pricing strategy to stand out.

I think your price is a good start.  See if you get sales or page reads! If you do, other authors might try raising their prices.  If not, you can always drop them a bit.

The nice thing about Kindle Unlimited is that higher prices signal value, but the readers still pay the same monthly fee.  So a higher priced book can be seen as a better return on their subscription.

I think a lot of that probably has to do with genre, but why not try? 

2 Problems.

The first book has been out for 10 days, and doesn't have a rank yet. So not enough sales to get one.

KU doesn't bestow visibility. You need rank first to become visible in KU. So regardless of the price, no rank is no visibility in KU, so it's not easily findable.

This is why I advocate pre-orders. The pre-orders get you the rank, even if it takes a few months to get enough of them. The rank then boosts into KU on release day.

[Lorri Moulton]

Matt, I'm reading the first book.  You should get a ranking pretty soon!

[Jeff Tanyard]

Congratulations, Matt.  Good luck!


 

Matt, I'm reading the first book.  You should get a ranking pretty soon!

Nice of you to do that for him.   

[MattT]

Matt, I'm reading the first book.  You should get a ranking pretty soon!

Yes, Im using 7, because in the Bible its the number of completion. As a Professional Mathematician, numbers mean something to me.

Thank you for reading it and for giving me a rating. I very much appreciate it. I have to make a few updates, minor font and formatting adjustments. But that should be updated in the next day or so. Thanks again for taking the time to do that for me.

[Lorri Moulton]

I only read a few chapters last night, but so far I really like it!  Not my usual book, but I do love history and this has a great way of combining that with what may be some great action scenes in the near future. 

Keep the $7, and go with it!  Do you have a website or social media page that you use to reach out to readers? 

This is the kind of series that I think will attract people who want to know WHY you wrote it.  Why is 7 important?  Maybe dive into that a bit.

ETA:  You can get a Wordpress .com site for free, or pay for the cheapest tier and eliminate their ads and get your own domain.

Also, Chubbs is stealing the story right now! 

[MattT]

I only read a few chapters last night, but so far I really like it!  Not my usual book, but I do love history and this has a great way of combining that with what may be some great action scenes in the near future. 

Keep the $7, and go with it!  Do you have a website or social media page that you use to reach out to readers? 

This is the kind of series that I think will attract people who want to know WHY you wrote it.  Why is 7 important?  Maybe dive into that a bit.

ETA:  You can get a Wordpress .com site for free, or pay for the cheapest tier and eliminate their ads and get your own domain.

Also, Chubbs is stealing the story right now! 

You might wonder why each of my books are 14 chapters. Why one trilogy is 42 chapters total. Why each book is symbolic. In the Bible, between Abraham and Jesus Christ, there were 42 generations. There are 14 between Abraham and David, 14 between between David and the Last Exile of Babylon and 14 between the Last Exile and Jesus Christ. The first book is about calling a Chosen One to his purpose, like David. The second book is about freeing captives, or exiles, like those trapped in Babylon, the third book is about Kings Returning to their thrones, like Jesus Christ did when He arrived and claimed Kingship. 14x3 is 42. Like I said, numbers have meaning to me. 6x7 is also 42. The Number 6 in the Bible is symbolic of Man and 7 is symbolic of Completion. When you put them together, Jesus Christ was a man, who came to complete the Law. The very structure of my books are tied around biblical numerology. I hope other people can see the symbolism in that.

Just wait till you get to Snoot. You'll fall in love.