How Motivated Should I Be?
Around this time last month, I was kind of excited about the prospect of writing the 2nd volume of Code for Teens. Then I received the sales report from my publishing company. Sales are so low, they are almost non-existent. They tell me that things should pick up, and they are confident that we will do many more sales this year. But I can't help but think to myself "Did they actually anticipate sales numbers that were really this low in the first three months?" Surely not.
I'm not sure what to make of it all. I expected that people reading and enjoying the book would cause increased exposure and attention, but it seems like the book is only dropping rapidly in the Amazon ranking despite having an average of 5 stars basically 100% positive feedback from all of the readers.
It's an interesting age we live in where it's surprisingly easy to write a book and get it available for sale, but it's so hard for the book to receive any attention--likely because writing the book is so easy to do.
Anyway, this leads me to the question on my mind now: is it worth it to keep writing? At this point, I am leaning toward "No." Unless something changes, I don't see myself selling the first book enough to even get my initial investment back. And there's not much reason for anyone to buy the 2nd book without getting the 1st book, so as tough as it is to admit, this seems like a case of throwing good money after bad.
I am disappointed to have come to this point. I really wanted to follow up with a 2nd book. And i know that the people who have gone through the first book seem to be very enthusiastic about a follow up. But at the same time, I need to be realistic.
Here's what i think I will do: if i can sell at least 2000 copies of my first book, then I will get back to writing volume 2. I will be content whatever happens (and frankly, i don't expect to be able to do it), but I sure hope I'll get to write the 2nd book and feel good about it too.
I'm not sure what to make of it all. I expected that people reading and enjoying the book would cause increased exposure and attention, but it seems like the book is only dropping rapidly in the Amazon ranking despite having an average of 5 stars basically 100% positive feedback from all of the readers.
It's an interesting age we live in where it's surprisingly easy to write a book and get it available for sale, but it's so hard for the book to receive any attention--likely because writing the book is so easy to do.
Anyway, this leads me to the question on my mind now: is it worth it to keep writing? At this point, I am leaning toward "No." Unless something changes, I don't see myself selling the first book enough to even get my initial investment back. And there's not much reason for anyone to buy the 2nd book without getting the 1st book, so as tough as it is to admit, this seems like a case of throwing good money after bad.
I am disappointed to have come to this point. I really wanted to follow up with a 2nd book. And i know that the people who have gone through the first book seem to be very enthusiastic about a follow up. But at the same time, I need to be realistic.
Here's what i think I will do: if i can sell at least 2000 copies of my first book, then I will get back to writing volume 2. I will be content whatever happens (and frankly, i don't expect to be able to do it), but I sure hope I'll get to write the 2nd book and feel good about it too.
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