My novel was published by a big house last week. I got told sales figures (1k mark, PB and e-books combined, I don't mind sharing as KookyKay obviously isn't my real name ;-) in the first 3 days, they sounded good to me having read what to expect on forums like this and elsewhere. My friend who's also been published by a big house sold half of what I did in the first week, and said the figures were 'amazing'. So I felt excited, optimistic.
But during a chat with my editor today, he confessed he was a 'bit disappointed' when comparing the sales to other debuts on the imprint. So now I'm totally bummed out.
I've been looking at the blogs of other authors at my imprint (yeah, I know, obsessive much?) and a large percentage of them were bestsellers within a couple of weeks (even as debuts). One gave her sales figures in first 3 days and they were 5k! No wonder they're disappointed!
Thing is, before now, I'd have been happy after years of rejection, ANY sales would be amazing. I was realistic, aimed for a snowball effect, maybe one day see my fourth or fifth novel as a bestseller (yeah, I know, even this is being a bit unrealistic! But you know what I mean, need to aim for something). But now I see my publishers wants that all NOW and it worries me. They're disappointed and disappointed isn't good for a debut author.
To be fair to my editor, he did say they might see them pick up and you can't really judge until 6-8 weeks in. But I hear the first week is so important. Argh. I don't know what to think really. DO they pick up?
But during a chat with my editor today, he confessed he was a 'bit disappointed' when comparing the sales to other debuts on the imprint. So now I'm totally bummed out.
I've been looking at the blogs of other authors at my imprint (yeah, I know, obsessive much?) and a large percentage of them were bestsellers within a couple of weeks (even as debuts). One gave her sales figures in first 3 days and they were 5k! No wonder they're disappointed!
Thing is, before now, I'd have been happy after years of rejection, ANY sales would be amazing. I was realistic, aimed for a snowball effect, maybe one day see my fourth or fifth novel as a bestseller (yeah, I know, even this is being a bit unrealistic! But you know what I mean, need to aim for something). But now I see my publishers wants that all NOW and it worries me. They're disappointed and disappointed isn't good for a debut author.
To be fair to my editor, he did say they might see them pick up and you can't really judge until 6-8 weeks in. But I hear the first week is so important. Argh. I don't know what to think really. DO they pick up?
You never know, your book could just need a little time to take off! 
