Reflections on Year One

March 20th marks one year since Enemies of Doves was released! And what a year it’s been. Highs, lows, and everything in between.

Looking back, I shake my head at how very little I knew about launching a book. I didn’t even take off work for my release date and had nothing scheduled for the day besides running a few ads. However, COVID struck, and I was home March 20^th. That afforded me the opportunity to sit and obsessively check my Amazon sales rank and my launch team’s reviews. 

I regretfully missed a few celebrations and both my scheduled book signings due to COVID, but I did gain something else valuable—time. I had more time at home to learn about marketing, specifically marketing solely online as the world went into lockdown and 2020 began its downward spiral.

I began to network, had great conversations with other authors, joined reading groups, and slowly learned ways to increase my book’s chances for success. Book sales were down overall nationwide due to COVID, so I feel authors had to work extra hard last year, specifically debut ones. That’s why the 2020 debut group I joined was so valuable to me. The friendships made and support received there was the best part of debuting my book in a year where nothing went according to plan.

Another high was making Amazon’s bestseller list after Ashley Spivey let me take over her Instagram book club for a day. I didn’t even have an Instagram when my book came out, so it was a huge learning curve. Then the day it was scheduled, roofers showed up at our house to begin completely redoing our roof. So, I sat in my car all day with my phone and made the best of it. That night I broke into the Top 100 in the Historical Mysteries category on Amazon. I only peaked higher when my book was on sale months later, but to make it that first time with a full price book was pretty special. Ashely was so generous to share her platform with so many debut authors. I have loved her since her season on The Bachelor, and I still fangirl when I scroll through my contacts and see her number in my phone. I honestly can’t love her or thank her enough.

I’ve also been really moved by the requests for sequels or spin offs that I’ve received. So far readers have asked for a sequel detailing what happened after the book (Did Garrison and Molly get together?), a book that tells the story of what happened between Joel and Clancy’s decision at the end of the 1940s timeline and the prison visit in 1991, a spin off book about Crawl’s life, and a spin off book about Garrison’s grandmother’s life. It’s truly an amazing feeling to write characters that people want to read more about.

Probably my ultimate high for the year was getting the audiobook deal. Not only was I dying to hear my story come alive, but the fact that another publisher bought the rights to it meant that they saw the same potential my original publisher did. That’s a really validating feeling. Not to mention, it made the Amazon top 100 on release day.

A few other noteworthy moments of the year — holding my book for the first time, every day of my two incredible blog tours, and being selected as a Finalist for the IAN book of the year in the Debut Novel category.

But what are highs without lows? I had plenty of those as well.

 I was really deliberate about which contests I entered. I wanted a win to mean something. Honestly, some contests give out so many prizes, it really dilutes the significance of them. If everyone wins, did you really win? Some fine print I read on several contests explained that your book might not even be read by the judges. So, I chose carefully, knowing I was entering competitive and reputable contests.

That knowledge didn’t really lessen the blow when the first contest I entered, a local one for my state, posted results and Enemies of Doves didn’t even make the finals. Ouch. In that moment, I honestly wished I would have entered a few where a win was more likely. Luckily, I was a finalist in the next contest and am still in the running for the last two I entered. However, if I’m being honest, I do still feel the sting of that first loss, especially since it’s tied to my home state.

A few lows also came from reviews. The reviews for Enemies of Doves have been overwhelmingly positive. I believe I have a 4.8 average on Amazon and 4.5 on Goodreads, but those bad ones did hurt. It’s hard to put something so personal you created out into the world and have someone tear it apart. However, I remind myself that means my book is out there, being read by more than friends and family, and bad reviews are part of being an author. All I can do is learn from the critiques and try to improve. However, there will never be a book that resonates with every reader.

Besides reviews, I occasionally got an email or message on social media about my book. Most were positive, but I got a few doozies as well, even from people who know me who were disappointed by the book for one reason or another. (I don’t know why the boldness of people still surprises me, but it does).  

Ultimately, of course, I don’t like the idea of having disappointed anyone, but I’m proud of my book and wouldn’t change a thing.

Probably my lowest low was around September, when I had to make a difficult decision — continue promoting Enemies of Doves, or write another book. I was going back to work and couldn’t do both. I decided to stop marketing and focus all my free time on writing. I honestly felt grief over leaving my first book behind. You can read more about that here.

However, six months later, I can say it was the best decision I could have made. I’m on my third draft of that project I began, and writing has been so much more fulfilling than marketing. Somehow, I’m still getting royalties and reviews for Enemies of Doves. I’m pleased it’s still finding its way into the hands of readers in spite of inaction on my part.

All in all, I’d say it was a pretty good year author wise. I have learned a lot that I’m eager to apply when my next book releases. I’m also hopeful that new readers who enjoy A River of Crows may go look up what else I’ve written and discover the story of Joel, Clancy, Lorraine, Garrison, and Molly. Those characters and their story will always have a special place in my heart.

Happy first book birthday, Enemies of Doves!