It’s done!
Yes – much to the shock (I’m sure) of Kid Sensation fans everywhere, Incarnation (KS #7) is complete and in the hands of my editor. I know – considering how long it took to get Replication done, I’m sure everyone had settled in for a nice long wait for the next book. Well, sorry to disappoint you, LOL!
So with the manuscript in the hands of my editor, I’m thinking about trying something new in terms of the book’s release. Without beating around the bush, I’m considering setting Incarnation for pre-order.
For those who don’t know about pre-orders, it means I would establish a release date (say, July 15) and readers could actually buy a copy of the book now with the understanding that they would get it on that date. As with most things, there are pros and cons to consider. In terms of pros, readers would have a date certain on which they’d know the book was scheduled for release. On the con side, I have to select a release date that’s far enough in the future that there’s no chance I’ll miss it. (The punishments for missing a pre-order deadline are Draconian.) Also, for pre-orders, I think everything regarding your book – cover, manuscript, etc. – has to be loaded something like four days before the release date. Of course, if everything’s in place 4 days before, it means I actually could have released four days earlier had I not done the pre-order.
So that’s the dilemma. Pre-orders provide a date certain for release of the book; no pre-order means the book gets released earlier, but without an established release date (i.e., you won’t know when it’s available – other than me saying I’ve hit “Publish”). I’m wrestling with this, but in all honesty am considering just letting my readers decide. Thus, if you have an opinion on the subject, please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks.
I believe a lot of your fans keep an eye on this page I know I do so I guess it comes down to how much you think a pre-order will benefit you.
If you’re talking about from a pecuniary standpoint, I don’t think there’s a significant benefit from my perspective. Any sales don’t get credited to me until release day, so – for instance – selling a thousand books during the pre-order period profits me no more than selling a thousand on the release date.
Having a pre-order WILL allow the book rank on the sales charts (and presumably increase visibility leading up to the release), but I don’t know the extent to which that confers a benefit. I suppose it comes down to whether you think being able to market the book during the pre-order period gives it longer legs, so to speak.
Basically, I’ve gotten asked about release dates a number of times in the past, so I thought it would be fun to let readers have a say. As noted, it probably comes down to whether you think its preferable to know the release date in advance, or to not know but understand you’ll be getting the book as soon as possible. I suppose it’s like your boss coming to you and saying you can get your next paycheck exactly two weeks from now, or you can get it on some unknown day during that period but definitely before the two weeks is up.
I personally prefer as fast as possible but pre-order gives you a massive ratings boost when all the pre-orders go in as sales all at once rather than spread out.
Actually, there’s no ratings boost from the standpoint of Amazon rankings; that boost happens when the sale occurs (which is why you’ll see pre-order books ranking in the Top 100 and such). However, you’re right in that all sales are counted at once, so if you’re trying to make a Best Sellers list it can certainly help in that regard.
Sooner is better
Did the holidays come early? It’s done? Someone pinch me. My gods I can’t wait to read what happens next.
LOL
Of course I’d like it 4 days earlier but with preorder it gives me more time to spot it in amazon etc. recommended lists. Then I don’t have to remember to go check for it then. I frequently preorder for that convenience. Of course if it means a delay of weeks or months then I’m totally against it! Lol. It all depends on how reliable your publisher is. You sent it to them so now it’s in their hands set the earliest date they’re ok with and get it available. Put a deadline on them! LOL Why do I get the feeling that Jim and us haven’t even scratched the surface of the powers he’s going to develop? The things said about that by the antagonist in Replication towards the end have me on tenterhooks! That and learning more about Rune of course. I wonder if there will be a parallel between the two where Jim becomes a super version of what Rune is to magic? That’s my current theory based on what I’ve read several times through now. You aren’t as prolific as some authors but I love the regularity. Hope the next few fly by like 7 did! Thank you!
Without a pre-order, it will be released at least four days earlier. However, I’m not trying to cut it that close, so I’d probably build in some extra time in case things go off the rails – at least a week (more likely two). So a pre-order would mean the certainty of a release date, but with it comes the knowledge that you could have had the book at least a week earlier.
If I had to pick a date right this second, it would probably be July 15. That’s based on the latest I expect my editor to get it back to me, how long the formatting takes, getting the cover done, and so on. But let’s say that the stars align, Fate smiles on my efforts, etc., and the book is ready to go by June 30. It’s going to have to sit there for 2 weeks until the release date. That said, you can move a release date up, but it requires resubmitting and republishing, and I’ve heard that when you make changes there’s a chance of Amazon screwing things up.
As to prolificacy, I actually can write pretty fast. The problem, as I’ve often mentioned, is finding the time. That said, I’m trying to regain my mojo in terms of writing (and hopefully I’m not jinxing anything by saying that aloud), but we shall see.
The excerpt that you published in January is from kid sensation 7?
If, that’s not from KS#7, but a future book. Believe it or not, I’ve actually got the plots for books 8 – 10 laid out in my head and have actually started working on them. The working titles (if anyone’s interested) are:
Isolation (KS#8)
Prestidigitation (KS#9)
Reparation (KS#10)
For the first time, one of the working titles may not stick. I like Prestidigitation (because it fits the novel), but it seems to be a mouthful and I worry that readers will find it a bit much and think I’m taking the naming convention too far. Hmmm… Now that I think about it, Reparation may also get changed – mostly because it would be the third title that starts with an ‘R’ and I don’t want people getting confused. (I’ve already had it happen where I contacted Amazon about an issue with Replication and they wrote back saying everything was fine with my book and there were no problems. I replied with, “Thanks, but you’re talking about Revelation. The issue I pointed out is with Replication…”) I don’t think that’s a real problem for readers, but why make things difficult?
Obligatory: When is it coming out? Please hurry up lol. But in all seriousness that is great news. Can’t wait!
LOL. Sounds like you are in the release-as-fast-as-possible camp.
Great news! How many pages are in it?
What, Incarnation? About 260. It may expand slightly after I do another read-through; I already know one area where I want to tweak some things.