The reason I shared my sales info is because when I first got into publishing, I wanted to know what to expect. The only people who talk about numbers are the ones making thousands of sales. What about the little guys and nobodies like me? I knew I’d never be one of those big time writers, but it would have been nice to have had some realistic expectations beforehand. Mine were much higher than they should have been, which is why I was so disappointed. If someone had said, “Look, you’re probably only gonna sell 10 books your first month,” I would have been not only prepared for the worst, but pleasantly surprised in the end.

I’m glad this post gave you some frame of reference for what to expect. Thanks for your well wishes, and best of luck to you with your new book!

2. I think I’m more obnoxious than awesome, but thanks. :-)

3. I wasn’t at all surprised by the low EXHALE numbers. I think you’re absolutely right – people want to see if INHALE is worth a damn before they go spending any more money on other books in the series. This doesn’t bother me.

4. I can’t imagine writing a story I don’t love, but I’m definitely more invested in some ideas than others. That’s why I think it would be good to try writing a totally different kind of book after the trilogy finishes. I look at it as stress relief. If people don’t like the book I’m planning next, I won’t care nearly as much as I do about the JUST BREATHE trilogy, which has been tumbling around in my head for 4 years.

5. You are so right about the support team, and I appreciate every single one of you guys who’ve been there for me and cheered along the way. YOU GUYS are the reason I write. I don’t give a flying fuck about people who don’t like my books. If you hated INHALE, don’t read EXHALE. It’s just more of the same. No use torturing yourself (or me, when you write a shitty review). Thanks for buying the first one, but don’t bother with the others. I don’t want to hear about how much you despised books 2 and 3 after you already publicly professed your hated for book one. That’s just fucking stupid.

Sorry, that was a major tangent, but it irks the fuck out of me when someone writes a terrible review, gives INHALE 1 or 2 stars, then says, “But I’ll read the next two just to see what happens.” WHY??? You clearly HATED the first book. Do us all a favor and read something you do like! UGH.

1) These books are babies…and by that I mean that they were just recently released. I know we all want our stuff to be wildly successful right out of the gate, but these things usually take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, homegirl ;) I have absolute faith in the success of your books; just need to be patient!

2) People are just learning about your awesomeness!! I mean, I know you’re wicked cool and a bunch of other people know you’re wicked cool…we just need to give the world a chance to learn it too!

3) I truly believe that the reason EXHALE’S sales are lower than INHALE’S is because most people probably purchased INHALE but haven’t read it yet. Keep in mind, they were released fairly close together and most of us hardcore bookworms probably have a disgusting backlog of books to get through. I am sure that once they read INHALE, they’ll jump on EXHALE soon after :)

4) NEVER stop believing in your stories and NEVER stop writing about what you love! Readers respect authors who invest themselves into their books. If you write a turd and you know it’s a turd, your readers will too! I know it’s hard to pour your heart into something and have someone trample it, but then again – doesn’t that make its success that much sweeter?

5) You’ve got an awesomesauce support team and we’re here for YOU! If you just can’t keep up, if you’re heart is not in it one day…dude, holler at a sista! That’s what we’re here for. You know that we have mad love for you and are only too happy to help! You are in a funk…tweet, text, email me (or Kara or Amy or Andrea) and we’ll give you a slap on the back, a kick in the ass and a vodka in the hand to make it better;)

Seriously, don’t beat yourself up anymore! You’re amazing and your books are amazing! Oh and listen to M.R. Merrick, he said some good shit ;)

Love you like whoa!
Isalys / Book Soulmates

Keep believing in your trilogy–it’s FAB!!!!!!!!!!