An Ebook Publishing Failure Story: My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon This Year
June 10, 2011
I decided to start this online journal about my goal to write and have published 50 ebooks on Amazon by December 31, 2011 because, quite frankly, I’m way behind schedule and I need a kick in the pants. And, there’s nothing like declaring your goals publicly – especially your lumps along the way (ie, your failures) – to keep you on track.
Note: See all posts in this ebook writing series at the end of this post. Get the ebook that came out of this series: SELLING EBOOKS ONLINE: How I Published 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year – And You Can Too!
Why Am I So Behind in Writing and Publishing My Ebooks
Well, there are several reasons. None of them are excuses; they’re just . . . reasons.
My Personal Life: Quite frankly, it’s sucked for a while now and it got the better of me in the spring of this year. I wasn’t able to concentrate and be super-focused like I usually am.
I’m a Type A personality. This means I tend to give my all to everything – personally and professionally. And, when it doesn’t go my way (especially personally), it can f*** me up pretty badly – especially because I didn’t see it coming.
So, that took me off track for a bit and I’m just now recovering – and finding my mojo again.
Travelling: While living the “international freelance writing life” is nice, it’s kind of disconcerting. I’m back and forth to Jamaica, and have been feeling out of sorts lately. Like:
“Is that extra computer battery here, or did I leave it at my house in Jamaica?” and
“Where are those – my favorite – running shorts? Ah crap, I left them in Atlanta!” or
“Why can’t I access this site from Jamaica? Arrggghhh!”
While on the face of it little things like this are no big deal – I’m a creature of habit (the older I get, the more I think I’m developing a bit of OCD). I like to have things in their place, working the way they’re supposed to, and nothing out of sorts at all times. If something is “off,” it throws me off. So little things have been adding up . . . and creating a big headache for me.
Work Problems: Over the past two months I’ve had a spate of problems – namely, my laptop died. I lost six months of work. It was my own fault because I had a backup in place, but just didn’t do my part and save the darned files!
Uggghhh – I could literally puke at my folly!
I’m an optimist by nature, so tend to think that, “This won’t happen to me.” Which is very stupid considering I got a nasty virus in December that cost me over $500 to get fixed. Six months later (this month), I got another one that crashed my whole system – which I hadn’t backed up since December.
I know, I know. STUPID!
And, it couldn’t be fixed; so no recovered files — and I had to buy a whole new computer (which I’m loving!). But, there went six month’s worth of personal photos and video, not to mention work files (my last two published ebooks namely, as well as one I had 90% completed that I have to now rewrite). Now I’m so paranoid that I back up stuff even when I’m going across the hall to the bathroom.
Some other stuff has happened too professionally that’s just put a black cloud over everything.
For a couple of weeks there, it was all I could do to log on. I just wanted to lay in bed with the covers over my head I was so depressed (which is TOTALLY unlike me).
The Sun is Shining Again — I’m Gonna be an Ebook Writing Fool!
Now, I’m finally coming out of my personal and professional funk. I feel inspired again and will be working my tail off to make my ebook writing and publishing goal. The writing starts tomorrow.
I’ll be doing regular updates on my progress – this is more for me than anything else.
If you want to chime in with your ebook writing (or other professional) successes and failures, I’d welcome it. Share in the comments section below. And, here’s to always getting back up, dusting yourself off and getting going again!
Have a great weekend,
Yuwanda
Listing of All Posts in This Series
A Freelance Writer’s Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part I
A Freelance Writer’s Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part II
A Freelance Writer’s Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part III
A Freelance Writer’s Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part IV
A Freelance Writer’s Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part V
Writing and Selling Ebooks Online: Diary of My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part XV (Final post in series)
P.S.: Want to write and sell ebooks online for a living? You can! Get the guide that shows you how to start a successful self-publishing career — start immediately.
P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.
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Related Posts
Writing and Selling Ebooks Online: Diary of My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part XIIIWriting and Selling Ebooks Online: Diary of My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part XI
Writing and Selling Ebooks Online: Diary of My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon in One Year, Part IV
An Ebook Publishing Failure Story: My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon This Year, Part III
An Ebook Publishing Failure Story: My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon This Year, Part II
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4 Responses to “An Ebook Publishing Failure Story: My Quest to Publish 50 Ebooks on Amazon This Year”
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Definitely not a “failure,” Yuwanda! The real world is chock-full of set-backs and hurdles; you will, as Walt Disney exhorted- “Keep moving forward!” Failing is the result of not learning from the bumps and tumbles of pursuing goals.
Perhaps making a one-page “Stuff for Jamaica” and a “Stuff for Hot’lanta” packing list will ensure you have the favs and spares when you want/need them?
Continued successes! Kel
Thanks for the the inspiration Kel, and for the packing tip. I think I’m gonna take you up on that.
Not only did I leave my favorite running shorts in Jamaica, I left my iPod too! Ugghhh!
Luckily, I found a brand new one that a friend had given me for Christmas like 5 or 6 yrs ago. I’d never even fully unwrapped it. I loaded that sucker up with new music and am a happy camper again.
So yeah, things ARE turning around. Thanks for the encouragement; just what I needed!
I’ve had a few business ventures that didn’t go as planned and so I know a little bit about failure. Yes, I was in a funk about them both, and now I’m much happier with the path I’m pursuing now. I’m failing forward much better now.
Ohhh Kimberly, boy do I know about “failing forward.” I stopped getting business cards printed years ago, b/c my friends would ask, “And what business is this now?”
The funny thing is, when you’re going thru the process, it’s frustrating, aggravating and just downright difficult. But, once you come out on the other side (where I am now), you look back and are grateful. At least I am.
So, while I was down for the count for a minute, I’m fully recharged and refocused.
Thanks, as always for dropping by and lending your thoughts to the discussion.
Best,
Yuwanda