Author: James Burns

The second of our two followup interviews with Bobby Nash:

Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, short stories, novellas, graphic novels, and the occasional screenplay for a variety of publishers. He is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com

Jim: Writers often say there’s more to being a writer that simply writing. What does being a writer mean to you?

Bobby: Writing stories is a big part of what I do as a writer, but there are many writer-related and admin type jobs that go along with being a writer. Taxes and paperwork is a biggie. Keeping track of receipts, expenditures, mileage, things like that. Answering emails, fan mail, requests for interviews, convention correspondence, and notes from editors and publishers. Not only am I doing the work I have now and editing and promoting work I did previously, but I am also working on setting up future work. There’s also promotion and marketing that happens each day as I try to find new audiences for my books. Social media is part of that promotion work. I also do some self-publishing so there is production work, layout, cover design, and writing press releases that have to be done. All of these things are important, but doing these tasks takes away from my writing time.

Jim: What is the best way your readers can help promote your work?

Bobby:

Reviews are a fantastic way to let others know you read and enjoyed a novel. There are many places to leave a review. Amazon, Barnes & Noble’s website, GoodReads, book review blogs, places like that. Reviews don’t have to be complicated either. One thing I hear a lot of “I don’t know how to write a review.” A review can be as easy as “I liked it. Great book.” Reviews are a big help. The more reviews a book gets on Amazon, the more often Amazon recommends a book to customers. Then, share your review on social media. Share the link that gets your friends to Amazon, B&N, etc. The easier we make it for people to find the book, the better.

Word of mouth is great. Tell your friends. Tell your librarian. Tell you local bookstore. You’re your local book club. The more who hear about a good book, the more will hopefully pick it up.

Jim: What are the pros and cons between working with a publisher and self-publishing and do you have a preference?

 

Bobby:

There are pros and cons to both, I think.

With self-publishing, the writer does everything. Or pays to have things done. That means, in addition to writing the novel, the self-published author also creates the cover, does the editing or hires an editor, does the production and design work on the covers and interior, deals with pre-press, writes back cover copy and sales copy, writes press releases, promotes books, gets author photos made, sets up interviews, sends out review copies, and whatever else they can do to get the word out there to let as many know it’s available as possible because, without distribution, the self-published author can easily get lost in the sea of books on Amazon. On the plus side, the author has total control. The book will be exactly how he or she wants it. There is a lot of creative freedom in that.

Working with a publisher means that the writers turns in the manuscript to the editor and doesn’t have a hand in any of the production until the galleys come in. Often, the author has no control over the cover. Sometimes, they get to see the cover before it is released. Sometimes, they don’t. Working with a publisher means you don’t have control over everything, but they may have better distribution which can help sales. This is not always the case. Some small publishers are using the same self-publishing tools so their books aren’t any more widely distributed than your self-published books. You have to do your homework before querying any publisher.

Jim: How can writers and other creators help each other? Do they help one another?

Bobby: I see a lot of help happening in the creative community. Sometimes it’s obvious stuff like reposting another creator’s news of a new release or interview, leaving reviews of their work that you’ve enjoyed, or just giving them a shout out. Have you ever heard a writer say, “if you liked my novel, you’ll probably also like…”? I have. Creators, for the most part, tend to be very helpful and welcoming. They also help in less obvious ways. I know many writers who are supportive behind the scenes. If I have a problem, or even a bad day and need to talk, there are several writers I know I can call and they are there for me as I would be for them. It’s nice having someone who understands what you’re going through. When I have writer problems, telling my family doesn’t help because they don’t understand what I’m talking about, but one of my writer friends does.

Jim: What are your goals as a writer? How do you achieve those goals?

Bobby: I set many writing goals for myself instead of one big goal. One of my first goals was to see if I could actually write a novel. Then, I had a goal of getting published. Then, getting published again. I never really had a specific goal in mind with regards to winning awards, but I did have the goal of gaining the respect of my peers and I think the awards are a reflection of that. A future goal is being able to make a living as a writer. This one is hard and I’m still a long ways off from reaching it, I fear. Another goal is to have the term “Bestselling Author” in front of my name. Sadly, I still have a ways to go to reach that one as well.

Jim: Do you ever have days where you want to give up and “throw in the towel”? What do you do on those days?

Bobby: Yes. Yes, I do. Writing can be a frustrating business. The actual writing isn’t what makes me want to throw in the towel from time to time. It’s the business side of it that usually gets to me. Sales are low, books aren’t doing well, there’s no money for promotion, I lost money at a con, things like that do weigh on me from time to time and I wonder why I keep putting myself through this, but then I remember the parts of this that I love and all the hard work I’ve put into it and I press on. Will there come a day when I give it up? I hope not, but you never know.

Jim: Writing can be a very solitary profession. How do you keep from going “stir crazy”?

Bobby: Every once in a while, I have to get out of the house and be around people. That helps. I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like due to other obligations, but it’s nice to get out when I can.

An award-winning author, Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, short stories, novellas, graphic novels, and the occasional screenplay for a variety of publishers. He is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. On occasion, Bobby appears in movies and TV shows. For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com 

The first of our two followup interviews with Bobby Nash:

Jim: Please tell us about your family connections within the military community.

Bobby: While I have not served myself, several members of my family have served in the military. My Dad, grandfather, aunts, uncles, and friends have served. I have the utmost respect for those who serve and I have researched and written military characters on multiple occasions.

Jim: Do you identify as an Indie author? If so, what are the best venues for a new Indie author?

Bobby: Generally, I call myself a writer or author. I don’t like attaching labels like indie author, New Pulp writer, sci-fi author, etc. to myself because I am more than just one thing. That said, if I’m talking to or being interviewed by an indie author group or publication, then I’m an indie author. Same with pulp, comics, etc. The labels don’t bother me. I just don’t apply them to myself. I do refer to myself as “award-winning author Bobby Nash” in press releases and promotion. I’ve found it helpful in reaching some readers.

Jim: What barriers to success does an author face day to day?

Bobby:

The biggest obstacle in my way daily is me. It’s time to write so I… clean the office, fall down the internet/social media rabbit hole, see what’s on TV, do laundry, fix a sandwich, take a walk… you know, anything but write. The hardest part of my day is making myself sit down and get started. Then, once you’re finally working, the outside distractions start, the phone rings, someone stops by, your parents need an errand run, emails come in, things like that. A writer has to learn how to juggle.

Once your work is ready to go out into the wild, there are hurtles that small press, indie, and self-published authors face. Distribution is how authors make money. Authors are paid in royalties. We get a small percentage of the price the publisher sells the book to the distribution chain, which is usually 40 – 50% below the cover price. A simple example: A $10 book is sold to Barnes & Noble for $5. If the author is paid a 10% royalty (to keep the math simple), then the author makes $.50 per book sold. Again, this is an example to keep the math simple. I’m a writer, not a mathematician.

The more books sell, the more the author makes. If they get an advance, that advance is against royalties/sales. In small press, indie, and self-publishing, there usually are not advances against royalties. If you have distribution in B&N, WalMart, Target, Publix, at the airport bookstores, Amazon, etc., the odds of your book being picked up increases. If your only avenue is Amazon and through them, B&N’s website, your odds of your novel being discovered by accident decreases and you sell fewer copies. Fewer copies = lower royalties. We have to find ways to get out work in front of potential buyers. This takes time and effort to do, which is fine, but you’re probably not writing while trying to sell your book. This is a barrier I am constantly working to find a way to overcome.

Jim: How do you best connect with your fans ?

Bobby: Either through social media or at conventions and appearances. I am on social media daily. That’s probably the easiest way to find me. It helps me stay connected. I do several cons and appearances a year and love getting out and meeting people face to face.

Jim: Do you enjoy doing book signings ? Are they successful ?

Bobby:

I love them. As I mentioned above, writing is a very solitary job so it’s nice to talk to people every once in a while. As for successful, that depends on what you’re looking to get out of a signing (or con, or event). For me, if I can expose new potential readers to my work, I consider an event a success. I give out business cards with my website, Amazon Author Page, and social media links on it. The hope is that they will look my books up from the comfort of their home in case they didn’t buy anything from me at the event. It’s all part of my promotion efforts.

In terms of promotion, I think they are successful. I share photos from the event, promote it before and during the event on social media, and do a write up on my website after. Doing this not only promotes my work, but the other authors in attendance and the venue hosting the event.

If you’re talking about money/sales, I’m not sure I would call them successful most of the time. I don’t make a lot of sales/money at these events. As an indie creator (I guess I did call myself that, huh?), I usually bring my own books to signings, usually at the store’s request. I bought those books, usually at a 40 – 50% discount plus shipping costs. In most cases, the store hosting the event then takes a cut of the sell (as it is in their store and they should get something out of the event), usually 40% (although it varies from store to store and some don’t take a cut). Doing that simple math again, $10 dollar book costs me $5.50 (a lowball shipping estimate per book). Store takes $4. That leaves a whole $.50 for me (and that’s without factoring in gas to the event, water and soda I brought with me, pens I purchased to sign with, business cards and postcards I bought, etc).

Jim: I purchased your Bobby’s Big Box of Books. Are you planning to offer a second box of autographed books ?

Bobby: Absolutely. I have some plans in place for other Bobby’s Big Box O’ Books releases. I’m looking into a Domino Lady themed box. That one might be limited as there’s not much stock left of those at the publisher. I’m also thinking about doing a crimefighters box featuring The Ruby Files and some other private eyes and crime fighters. That one is still in the early stages of planning.

Jim: Your Abe Snow thrillers are my favorite. When is the fourth book in the series coming out?

Bobby: Thanks. I love these characters. The fourth book, SNOW TRAPPED will be out in July.