This might interest other indie authors. You know when you’re
stuck in a rut and you’re not sure what to do about it? That was me a few weeks
ago. My rut was KU select. I’ve just begun to free myself from KU. Now I know some indie authors are making it
work, but it wasn’t the case for me. I have tried to make it work, but with
anything, after trying and it’s still not working it’s time to stop! That doesn’t
mean giving up, rather it’s a time to step back, reflect and come back with a better
strategy than the one that’s not working.
I finally accepted that it was time to go wide again. Time
to find new readers, new adventures and leave the old behind. It was time to see the world as an abundant
place, full of opportunities and lots to discover. What KU did was put blinkers
on me, placing me in a competitive mindset that only put me in high stress. It also
stopped me from seeing anything else. Just because you’ve reached a brick wall
doesn’t mean you can’t go over it, go around it or walk back in the direction
you came and take a different turn a few miles ahead. Opportunities are endless, we’re the only
ones who get in our own way, limit ourselves with our limited beliefs.
Slowly I have begun to remove my titles from KU. I have to
wait a while for some of my titles because of the exclusivity clause. What I like about going wide is I can put my
first book in a series out for free for as long as I want and not just five
days that KU allows. What I’ve noticed about slowly putting a free book in a series
is that I find new readers and some of those readers continue to read the rest
of the series. This will be a slow process but a more sustainable one in the
long run. I’m looking ahead and hoping to keep my head afloat. That also means
more titles from me this year and next.
Like building a business or a house, it’s about taking a step at a time,
one brick at a time. One day there will be a house. Life is no quick fix, it’s
a process. Just like you can’t plant a seed today and expect it to be done in a
week, so is everything in life. We want instant, we want it now. I know I did,
but instead of trying to get to the finish line, I want to enjoy the journey.
Take in the ups and downs as I get to where I want to be. That’s the life I’ve
chosen from this day forward. I know I’ve
made the right decision, and I will write about it again in about six months
and to report how I got on. I hope this helps other indie authors who are
struggling with whether or not to stay in KU.
Now other news! I received a message about my inmate
series. I haven’t thought about the series in a long time, but the question was
when would I be writing book three. Now that’s a very good question and I’m
grateful for this reader for bringing it to my attention. This has focused me
to look at it and make a commitment to write book three so look out for that. I
am in the middle of writing the Ruby-Rae series at the moment, but after that I
will take a look at the inmate series. I also have my Lilly book to write as
well. This is all good for me, it means for the next few months I have a lot of
writing to do. I’d like to tie up all loose ends before the end of the year on
all books.
Okay, this is about it for a while. I’m about go on holiday
and so I’m already in holiday mode. I’m off to Prague to meet my family. I have
family in South Africa, and a nephew in the Netherlands, so we’re meeting up,
it’s a family reunion. It will be a good
break and I promise to share some snaps when I get back.
I’m really beginning to feel optimistic about my life, about
the coming months and I’m looking forward to the new year. A whole lot has
happened that has forced me to refocus my life and remember who I am and what I
can and have achieved so far. I am the woman I am because of the strength I have
within. And next year you will hear all about it, changes, changes, that’s all I
can say at the moment. Change even though hard, forces growth and when you look
back you thank the stars, the universe or yourself for the things that
happened. The moment you embrace change and stop struggling against the current
you actually begin to enjoy it and understand it. Understand that life just is!
That’s all for now. Stay blessed and I will update you with
snaps and new books soon.
- Iris
