2025—a new year—another opportunity for growth.
Finding my footing as an Indie Author has been about as challenging as walking on a steep hill made of gravel. Sometimes, I feel like I'm making progress, and other times, I feel like I'm sliding back.
Don't get me wrong—last year was full of achievements and wonderful moments. I had a book signing at Barnes & Noble, participated in three larger events and several smaller ones, and published two full-length novels and two novelettes. I also ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to release deluxe editions of The Light Keeper series, and The Light Keeper and the Other World audiobook won in the best YA category from the Audiobook Reviewer awards.
The unglamorous side of publishing is that most of the things I get to do come with a price tag. Even using more affordable editors and cover designers can still cost between $700 and $1000 to produce a book. If we assume I make about $3 per book sale, I need to sell somewhere between 233 - 333 books just to break even. Last year, I sold 365 books between the 4 I published and the two previously published. I've been operating in the red with the understanding that it "takes money to make money." Publishing is a small business, and I think of my books as not only investments in myself but also my future.
I won't be providing a breakdown of my spending versus earnings this year. Most of what I spend is on one-time expenses like editing, covers, narration, etc. Those things were expensive this year, but I don't have to pay for them again.
So, what's the plan for 2025?
- This year, I'm partnering with my husband, and together, we want to get ads working in our favor. I've learned that you have to figure out what works for you, and social media is not what works for me. I struggle to come across genuinely, and I don't exert a presence that people are drawn to. It's outside of my comfort zone and I think people can feel that. While I'm more than happy to share about my books and what is going on with me author-wise, I struggle to post consistently. So, even though I haven't run successful ads yet, I believe that is where I need to invest my time and effort.
- I have three book signing events centered around fantasy-themed balls. I plan to sell my special editions and book boxes, but I do not know yet if my books will resonate with the attendees. I have one ball already paid for in 2026, but depending on how these events go, I may not participate in this style of event again. The fees are not expensive, but once you factor in travel, lodging, and food, they become quite pricey.
- Book 4 of The Light Keeper series will be released this summer, and I will release volume one of True Tales of The Light Keepers on paperback. I'm looking to add more books to my YA fantasy and romance collection, but my budget may prevent me from being able to release as many as I'd like.
- Also coming this year is the audiobook for books 3 and 4 for The Light Keeper series. I will begin releasing novelettes from True Tales of The Light Keepers volume two in the fall, but I've not yet decided which stories I will be including. I also have a novella in an epic fantasy collection that is being published this summer called Beyond the Realms. My entry is The Stolen Queen, which I believe will become a series of 3 novellas when the rights are reverted back to me.
- One final ticket item for what I hope 2025 brings is connecting with elementary and middle schools and beginning author visits across the US.
Let's talk goals!
I have big goals for myself this year.
During a sermon last Oct, my pastor challenged us to think of a tithe amount that could only be a God thing. As most months, my Amazon royalties are less than $50. I set a goal to tithe $500 one year from that date. Amazon takes 60 days to pay out royalties, and a tithe is 10%. My goal is to earn $5000 in royalties by the end of August.
It seems absurd to think I could earn such a significant amount more, but that is why it is a "God thing." I wrote out the tithe envelope and I have it pinned just behind my laptop screen so that it is always within sight, and I pray over it. I broke everything down into monthly goals, beginning with a meager $150 for January.
Most of my ad revenue will be re-invested into my ad spend for the next month. So, if I earn $150 in January, I will have $5 per day to run ads. When I make $250, that will go to ads. The same will happen when I earn $500 and $1k. I hope $1k per month will get me where I hope to be, but those authors who make six figures spend far more than that, so we will see.
If I meet my goal, I won't have to substitute teach any longer because I will be making enough to contribute to the household and pay for authoring expenses. If I can make $5k per month from that point moving forward, I will no longer be in the red.
I have an even bigger goal to triple that amount by October of 2026, which would allow my husband to leave his job and work with me.
I will do my best to share with you my progress toward my big goal and what is and isn’t working for me.
Final Thoughts
I believe that God has big plans for The Light Keeper series, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. We don't get to know his perfect timing, but I know God honors hard work. No matter what, I'm going to continue sharing my books with as many people as I can.
Remember, to hit your goals, you need to make a plan. I wish you every success as you embark on this new year.