Monday I handed off my latest WIP, code-named Macari, to the editor. I can’t tell you how excited I am to share it with all of you. Now comes the part where I get the cover done, the edits, the book formatting, you know – all that publishing business stuff. In the meantime, I’m re-thinking the website here, and already in revisions for Book 2 (or Book 3, depending on how you like to count), Promise of Magic.
Now would probably be a good time to tell you a little about the publishing strategy for the House of Xannon. There will be five books in the series, and five novellas. The five main books are all told from Tarian’s point of view (well, sort of…you’ll see). The novellas are all told from other character’s points of view, and give a little bit of what’s happening behind the scenes that Tarian and her family might not be aware of. It’s like getting to peek through a keyhole, or hiding on a wall. Snooping, in a really fun way. The novellas are a bit shorter, but all contain vital elements of the storyline. Macari will introduce some new characters who all will be affected by Tarian’s actions in one way or another. Tarian, like most of us, doesn’t always know the consequences of her decisions, especially on others. And of course, likewise she has no idea what other people are doing that might push her to make those decisions in the first place. It’s a tangled web, with someone behind the scenes pulling the strings. And sooner or later, all of it will come to rest on one girl’s shoulders. It’ll be her job to save the world, to right the imbalance, and to find space for forgiveness. And you haven’t even met her yet!
All that to say I have big, big plans. And big decisions to make, so I thought I’d ask your advice and opinions. I originally thought that I would try to publish every 29 days. Why? Because Amazon likes it that way. It helps a book become more visible, and for ebooks and indie authors, visibility is everything. On the other hand, I worry that a schedule that quick might be too crammed for my readers. I’d have to market the next book while the current one is just launching, which seems a little hard and fast to me.
I could stretch out the timing, to every 59 days, which would give time for the currently released book to find its way into your hands, and for you to enjoy it, before the next one is beating on your door. But then perhaps the Amazon machine doesn’t like it as well, because the pace is slower. That, my friends, is my dilemma.
My question to you is this…if you’re reading the House of Xannon series, how fast would you like to see the next book or novella pushed out to the virtual shelves? Please feel free to leave a comment here, or shoot me an email, or find me on Facebook, or Twitter, or Google+. I’m everywhere, and I will see the comment. I’m a techie girl, and obsessively check those things. Just be sure to tag me.
At the end of the day, I’m far more concerned with how my readers would like to receive their next read than what Amazon thinks about it. So tell me, readers…what say you?