Author Journey (September 8, 2025)
I’m not sure how many times that I’ve had to pivot this year, but it’s been a lot. However, this is probably the first time where it was not forced on me. I’ve had a bit of a realisation that might change everything!
Author Journey (September 8, 2025)
What happened?
I mentioned in the last Author Journey that I recently backed a Kickstarter by Johnny B. Truant called The Artisan Author: Escape the Self-Publishing Rat Race. Last week, I received the eBook and the audio book. The paperback is winging its way to me, however, I am certain that I will have finished the audio book before it arrives. I am just over half way through, and while I wouldn’t say that I’ve heard anything new or revolutionary, the fact that Johnny has said it out loud has given me the chance to actually accept what I already knew. Sometimes, someone else has to say it before you really believe it.
In the Artisan Author, Johnny talks about the perils of having all of your eggs in one basket (Amazon exclusivity), the madness of the rapid release philosophy, and much more. It’s given me a lot of things to think about with my own journey, especially as I tried the rapid release model and it didn’t work for me. The ideas behind the Artisan Author appeal to my desires to build tie-in websites to my books, create companion art books, and produce stunning paperbacks. I don’t just want to write stories, I want to create experiences that people will enjoy and appreciate.
The Impacts of the Realisation!
As a result of the first half of the Artisan Author book, I’ve been doing some thinking about this site as well. One of the things Johnny talks about is how the Artisan Author focuses time on cultivating relationships, sharing experiences, and generally been a decent human being. Well, this website is part of my way to do that. I love talking about the things that I enjoy. I love when I find others who also enjoy those things and want to talk about them too. So, first things first, this site is not going anywhere. It’s a part of who I am – it also proves that I am not an AI posing as a human… at least, I hope so.
That said, I am slowing things down a little bit for the rest of the year. I’ve done a lot of pivoting. There have been far too much times when I’ve been desperately trying to keep up with a schedule only for real life to get in the way over and over again. As a result, I’m pausing my anime reviews for now. I want to get to a point where I have an entire season of reviews ready before I start to release them.
I’m going to continue with my manga reviews, and even increase them from two a week to seven a fortnight. That will give me four posts a week (including the fortnightly Author Journey) which is only one less a week that I was trying to do. However, I don’t feel like I have to have read and reviewed an entire series of manga before I post about them. I think it reflects the way they are released. Anime tends to be weekly, where as books can be months and months apart. Anyhow, it’s not a huge change.
A couple of Author Journeys back, I talked about the rapid release model as I weighed up the pros and cons. I think I came away leaning towards a slower and more steady pace, which again fits into the Artisan Author’s approach to things. One thing that I did want to do was write an entire series before I started releasing it. My main series is a very long one and would likely take several years to complete. So, what I’ve decided to do is to focus on a different series. One that will likely only be a trilogy, although I can’t promise I won’t get carried away, and chip away at the big series in between.
That way, I’ll be able to produce stories at a reasonable pace and still work on my main series in the background, without feeling pressured to release it before I’m finished. I feel a lot more relaxed already about this approach as it takes a lot of mental pressure off me, even though I was the one to put it there. I feel more relaxed in general, and that seems to have allowed me to get excited about the stories, and the other things that I will do to enrich those stories.
I doubt that Johnny B. Truant will ever read this post, but I need to say thank you. I am so glad that he published the Artisan Author and gave everyone who was struggling to come to terms with the rapid release model’s dominance of the indie author world the chance to break free. For so long, I’ve been struggling to decide whether to go exclusive with Amazon or sell my books wide. Again, I can see the pros and cons of both, but the idea of giving Amazon the reigns to my author career doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t like giving up control of anything, let alone something so important.
What are you planning?
Unsurprisingly, there seem to be some parallels between my plans for my author career and my plans for the Otaku Author. Focusing on a shorter series and manga while working on my long series and anime in the background makes perfect sense to me at the moment. I can do a bit here and there without feeling the need to get them out there as the other side of the business plan will be plodding along. Then, when I’m in a position to release a full season of anime reviews, I’ll let them out. Similarly, when I finish my long story (which won’t be for a while) I can start releasing them knowing that I have finished the series. That process feels infinitely more manageable.
Of course, I have another half of the Artisan Author book to finish, and I’m excited to do so. I’m sure that I’ll probably listen to it again once I have the paperback. I’ve got plenty of books to read and anime to watch. I’m still keeping up with Alien: Earth, which is making me want to watch the movies again. There’s lots to do. There’s always lots to do, but somehow, I feel more relaxed about it. It’s amazing what a small change can do to clear your mind. Anyhow, thanks for reading.
Waiting until a series is written to release has worked for me, at least with the last two releases. I think readers like it more, too. If they like the first book, there’s no wait for the second and third!
I like your idea about working on your longer series in the background. That sounds like it’ll give you the best of both worlds!
I tried to go wide; my first series is still wide. But good heavens, the effort to market is much greater! I’ve seen some folks do a hybrid: go Amazon/KU for 90 days to get their initial set of reviews, then pull out of KU and go wide. Of course, YMMV. I’m staying with Amazon for now, because I have too many other things going on.
With the understanding that one misstep, perceived or real, could bring things crashing down. That’s why I’ve joined the Alliance of Independent Authors. They have a reputation of helping out with situations like that. That’s my insurance policy.
I also like your idea of companion works! Sounds like something readers will like, too!
Now I just need to make time to listen to my copy of Mr. Truant’s audiobook!
Yeah, I know it’s not the ideal situation for authors, but I’m the same as a reader. I like to read complete series and get frustrated when I have to wait for the next one. A Song of Ice and Fire instantly springs to mind. I read them all back to back and have been waiting ever since for the next one.
I figured if I chip away at it between other projects it will keep it moving. It’s going to be a very long series so I don’t want to focus purely on that as I’d get nothing else done.
It’s one of those topics that I find really hard to reconcile. Amazon is obvious the big dog and they reward KU books with greater visibility. However, I’ve seen a lot of authors have their accounts shut down without notice. They may eventually get them back, but the stress I felt when this site when down for a couple of weeks was bad enough, I can’t imagine how it would feel with money involved.
I have lots of ideas for things to do alongside the books which I think will help to find the super fans.
You need to listen to the book. Like I said, I don’t think there is anything revolutionary, but Johnny has finally said out loud what many have been thinking for a long time. He’s not overly preachy either, which is nice.
This is my first time reading your material and I am glad to have discovered you because much of what you speak of here is highly relatable. I have also experienced my own “pivots” with regards to my creative outlet in writing and like you I think I have finally found my stride. Your plan sounds like it will really help you and is suited for you and what you wish to accomplish and that’s wonderful! Especially with regards to your decision with Amazon. I understand loving something you have created, it shows you really care for your creations when you’ve put so much thought into how they would be handled in the effort to share them with the world. Such thought and consideration to your author career is highly respectable. For what it’s worth, it would seem you are doing what is best for you and where you want to be in the years ahead.
I am happy to follow you in your journey and I look forward to what you have to share in the future!
Thanks for reading and commenting. It’s been a crazy year for pivoting, but I feel like this is the one that makes the most sense.
And thanks again. I don’t dislike Amazon, but giving them that much control makes little sense. I think setting things up with a long-term approach is definitely the best way to go. Maintaining as much creative freedom is also important.
“Really enjoyed reading about your author journey! It’s always inspiring to see the dedication and creativity that goes into your work. For those interested in staying updated with daily anime news and insights, I recommend checking out https://dailyanimenews.com . It’s a fantastic resource for anime enthusiasts. Keep up the amazing work!”