In late 2016, I made an extraordinary decision: I would hit the writing pause button. Obviously, this was not an easy decision to reach. I made it for a number of reasons:
- By working simultaneously on both writing and marketing, I felt I wasn’t doing justice to either. My sales were stagnating at a time when I needed them to take off.
- I wanted to spend more time with the wee one and enjoy her nutty antics before I missed out on all her toddler silliness.
- And after 4 consecutive years of non-stop writing, during which I published 16 titles, I was feeling burnt out. Even turning my ideas for short stories into fully fleshed-out stories felt like a chore. This was a new feeling–I had turned to writing as an escape from my day job–and one that scared me. A lot.
So, I decided to spend a whole year focusing on book marketing and reevaluate the situation at the end of 2017.
I.e., now.
Which means, it’s time for a reckoning: how has this year shaped up?
My Failures
Well, a year with almost no writing feels by definition like a failure to a writer.
But there’s more. Like many of us, I grew up watching my parents build a life through sheer determination, hard work, and personal sacrifice. They brought me up with the belief that, standing on the shoulders of these small giants, I could do anything I wanted. They started with nothing and built up so much. How much more could I do, given all the help I had?
Which is why it pains me to admit to an occasional feeling of failure, as I’m still unable to make a living solely from writing. It’s a nice side-earner, amounting to roughly one-third of my income nowadays, but, throughout 2017, my day job(s) remained my main source of income. And it’s definitely unimpressive for the amount of work I’ve put into my writing and promoting. It was always unrealistic to expect that I would go from minnow to whale in 12 short months (unless you’re talking about my waistline), but… you know, hard work, sheer determination, and personal sacrifice. What if I had to work not one but two jobs (three after June)? Surely I could do it, right?
Wrong.
And it’s good to acknowledge that, as it keeps me grounded, preventing my small wins from inflating my ego to the point of my head taking off like a balloon.
My Successes
For yes, through a lot of hard work and even harder praying, there have been successes as well:

KDP sales and KENP reads, 2013-todate. Doesn’t include print sales, where the difference is even more pronounced. After a high point in January, sales declined until April, then picked up again to peak in December.
- You may remember how Azure Fire Publishing has both hired me to be their Editor-in-chief and asked me to publish my fantasy/sci-fi books with them. Although things are moving at a relatively slow speed, we are already preparing our first Junior writing challenge. We have met some amazing writers, some as young as 12. And we’ve successfully run one writing challenge (and are in the middle of the second one). Watch this space for more!
- Following the success of Runaway Smile and Musiville worldwide, Patakis, the largest Greek publishing house, has bought in advance my next 3 children’s books and will publish them next year in Greece. Which means I am officially a hybrid author, as they also offered me a cash advance (a small one, but it’s the principle, right?)
- After 4 years of daily slog and countless trials-and-errors, my book sales have increased dramatically this year (see graph above). Starting from an average monthly income of under $100 in 2016, I expect to make ten times as much this December, with expected sales of over 500 books and 20,000 KENP reads.
- I have met some amazing fellow authors, both in Greece (hi Marina, Kosta) and abroad. Several have hired me to help out with their projects and book promotions. One even asked me to ghost-write a book for them (I’m currently waiting for their detailed feedback on the first draft).
- Istomedia has published a medical book on HPV, meaning it’s officially taken its first step into the world of publishing.
- And I’ve been growing my social media presence. For the first time, my blog visits exceeded 100,000 (yes, that’s thanks to you wonderful people who tune in every other day to read my posts). My overall followers are over 20,000. I love and cherish each and every one of you (OK, some even more. You know who you are!)
What’s Next?
As an Indie author, I find myself in a weird place. All of my previous work has been (or is in the process of being) bought off by various publishers. Azure Fire Publishers already has asked to publish any future fantasy/SF works of mine; Patakis has dibs on my children’s books. For an Indie author, that’s remarkably few Indie books.
I did all this so I could get back some of my writing mojo. Ironically enough, after a year not writing, I’m even more exhausted than before (did I mention my day jobs?). I have several ideas for future projects but always seem to lack the time to work on them.
What, then, should I focus on in 2018? Part of me says, “you’ve done so much while only working part-time on your writing career. Imagine how much more you can achieve if you do it full-time. Just take the plunge. Focus on your writing this year, and all will be well.”
And another, more realistic, part scoffs. “What a splendid idea. So, what’s for supper? I hear great things about mashed pine cones and stewed dirt” (yes, the more realistic part of me is a bit of a jerk).
One idea I’ve had that may be of interest to you is to write down everything I’ve found out about book marketing in a new book. But there are so many of them around nowadays, I wonder if it’s worth it. Another idea is offering an online course on the subject. And a third one is taking on authors as clients. Starting at something like $30 per book per month, I could handle their Amazon ads, as I believe I can now replicate my own success with other people’s books.
Thoughts?
I had almost all of last year to focus on writing, Nick, and I can’t believe how little I achieved. I’m firmly coming to the conclusion that without the pressure and focus of a day job I am about as useful as a solar-powered torch. I seemed to have even less time to write and read blogs, but despite this, I’m not sure what I have to show for all the bits and pieces I did during the year – which now seem to be in bits and in pieces.
I’m sure your writing hiatus will produce a more joyful experience, for starters, but my gut tells me that the payoff is already beginning, and that your hardest work has indeed already been done.
From your mouth… Mind you, I’ve already started writing my next book, so maybe you’re on to something.
I hope so, or else it’s going to get reeeeeeeeally awkward when you try and tell me I’m wrong.
You? Wrong?! Never!
Ah, I thought so…
Good morning dear ,
I read your blog everyday, it is very interesting,
i like it very much , helps me to understand the sophisticated life of others.
The happiness you bring to others by sharing your daily life , i am thankful to it.
I, believe originality of a person is more recognised by their real life experiences.
Today , i would like to nominate you for the Liebster Awards 2018. Herewith the link https://wp.me/p8QP9J-m3
Incase unable to open the link, i could to request you please do visit my timeline.
I just now noted that you have huge followers, incase you are not comfortable take it , i will not mind .
Sorry for the inconvenience caused by me.
Thank you very much
SK Sandhu
It sounds as if you have had a successful year, thought it may not seem so at times. Making a living as an author is difficult, so I can understand your consideration of branching into educational resources for authors. Hope you follow your heart! Best wishes for a New Year.
Thank you so much, Linnea! May 2018 bring you nothing but joy and success 🙂
Sounds I me you had a great year but we are often our own worst critics. I expect you have considered this already but have you thought of compromising and going part time on your day job?
Thank you, Eric. I have been trying to find the right balance for years now. Part of the problem is that the day job is essentially freelance, so there’s no standard amount of time I have to put in. Some days it may be naught; most often it’s all-consuming. I hope to do better with this in 2018 🙂
All we can do is our best so don’t beat yourself up.
That’s my favorite line, actually. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Congratulations, Nicholas!! Those are all great achievements and I’m so happy for you!
I did a year of not writing last year, not because I decided it, but because my head was not in it. And I don’t know whether it is just me, but I had a hard time going back to write. So – me – I would suggest not to cease writing completely to just devote yourself to marketing. I’ve noticed that marketing sucks your time the more you give it to it. Sometimes it’s worth it, sometimes it’s not, but I came to a point where I asked myself: do I want to market my existing work, or do I want to write more stories?
Guess what I answered 😉
And still it took me an effort to cut on the marketing work and go back to write.
Of course, this is just my experience, it may be widely different for you or any other author. I just thought I’d share it.
Have a great 2018, whatever direction you decide to go!
Many thanks for sharing your experience, Sarah! I appreciate it 🙂
Congratulations on all your successes Nicholas. It is certainly a challenge wearing 2 hats at the same time. I too said I’m not going to write a book in 2018 and focus on marketing, but I don’t know if I can ‘not write’ LOL. Wishing you much success whichever way you choose to go and Merry Christmas to you, Elektra and the Wee One. 🙂
Thank you so much, Debby! Whatever you do in 2018, may you be happy. Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
Thank you Nicholas. 🙂
I think you can have your cake and write about it too 😀 … it’s all about time management though, isn’t it? 🙂
Time management would be so much easier with 48-hour days 😀
Merry Christmas 🙂
I like this idea! 😀
Congrats on your successes, Nicholas. You’re inspiring. Though I want to be generous and say, “just write,” I know it isn’t that easy. Following our dreams is an important part of life and writing books is a great way of selling books, but dirty pinecone stew? Meh. A marketing book is a fine idea, but to be honest (for me), your blog already offers great ideas that I don’t follow through on. In fact, I wrote myself a note yesterday: “Try Amazon ads.” Honest, I did. Right above: “Try Goodreads ebook promotion.” So when you mention managing Amazon ads, my little eyeballs bulge and my pointy ears perk up. If you want a guinea pig, I volunteer. 🙂
Thank you so much, D! My idea for offering AMS services came to me because so many people like you indicated they lack the time to run them themselves but would be happy to part with a modest amount and have someone else deal with them.
As for pinecone stew, it’s not dirty! Nothing but the best pinecones for family 😀
Merry Christmas 🙂
You have to do what’s best for you, of course, Nicholas. We only get this one life so we have to do what brings us joy (and puts the best pinecones on the table). Happy New Year.
Wow! Sounds like your previous writing has started to make a dent in the publishing world. Only a Greek knows what a big deal it is to be in partnership with Patakis. Well done, my friend!!! Very proud of you! I didn’t vote in your poll, but you know me. Follow your heart, that’s what I say! Good luck for 2018 and beyond. I know you’re going to do great as a writer, no matter how much or little of your time you give to it simply because your talent is immense… Hugs! xxx
Aw you, thank you so much!!! Merry Christmas to you and Andy 🙂
I’m not sure what to vote for! Congratulations on your success so far. It’s a great achievement. 🙂 With regards to your taking a year off from writing…try nearly 18 for me. :-O Yeaaahhh, marriage, children, life happened (still is present, but my kiddies are teenagers, one of which is technically an adult at 18), and through the infant, toddler, and early childhood of my second child, he had special needs (he’s still monitored every two years, among other check ups), so my mind wasn’t and couldn’t be focusing on writing of any kind, and it didn’t really come to my mind during these times, to be honest (I guess that happens with moms, parents). So, I just came back to writing in 2014 when I went back to school to major in English Creative Writing. Good luck on your future writing endeavors. 🙂
Thank you! It actually gives me courage 🙂
🙂
I voted, but feel you always best decision when you follow your heart! ?
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Nicholas! ????
Thank you, Felicia 🙂
I see only successes hrre. Congratulations on it all, you’ve some incredible achievements there!:):):)
Aw you, thank you! The voices in my head are fierce critics 🙂
I left a comment on your poll, but don’t know if it appeared there.
Pleased to read that you are doing well, and always happy to see that success hasn’t gone to your head! 🙂 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you so much, Pete, for both the vote and the comment 🙂
Confessing to some vested interest the ‘agenting’ or handling of ads etc would be a winner for many,who ,as a result.would all concentrate on writing! Not convinced that you would last long on that treadmill! With envy growing like a carbuncle?
But your work has demonstrably paid off, both in the market and with the recognition its has brought. I have made the opposite decision- spent a year writing a work that will never find a reader, but has satisfied the creative urge!
The choice is hell whichever you choose.But this comes for just a very happy Christmas to you and yours!
You’ve nailed it, Philippa! I have no idea which option will make me happier and am scratching my head as a result 🙂
And I wish you even bigger success with your writing in 2018, whatever you decide. And I am pretty sure you will succeed. And I know that, because, as I can see you follow your dreams, you set up your goals, you do not give up, and you learn from your failures. So, All the Best in 2018!
Aw, thank you so much for the vote of confidence 🙂
Maybe there’s only so much writing you can do. You know what? I would like to see you do what makes you feel happy and fulfilled as a person. It sounds, to me, as if that’s writing the stuff you’re committed to writing for your publishers and helping other authors with their marketing rather than trying to produce some more indie work.
Do what fullfills you and the best of luck deciding!
Cheers
MTM
Thank you, Mary! I think that would be shutting myself in the house and churning out book after book. It’s just that I find rock soup a tad on the heavy side.