So, at some point I became a writer.

I write as much as I can, as often as I can, which, to be honest, is not nearly as much as I would like to.

But I do write.

And, I guess, at some point by doing that, I actually became an author. And, for the sake of definition, I will consider that as someone who wrote and actually finished what they were writing. But that’s the whole point, right. Oh yes, and publishing it too.

And in case you don’t know, for me, there are alot of ways to do that. It just depends on your goals.

My goal with publishing my work, is to make enough to pay for the time I put in to it.  I want my writing, my art, to be self-supporting.

I had read an article called “A Thousand Fans”, which mapped out how to make a living as an artist. Basically, if one had a thousand fans, who were willing to drop $20.00 a year on the artists work, which as a writer, would be a novel or a few short stories a year, then they could gross $20,000.00 a year. Not enough to quit your day job. But what about 5,000 fans? That’s $100,000.00 a year, and then you can really quit your day job. Not that I want to by the way.

Suddenly, being on the New York Times Best Seller list didn’t seem so critical.

 And I could take my time.

As I said, I dont get to write as much as I’d like to. I still raise three sons and work full time and I dont want to get my priorities out of line.

So I’m taking a longer view, a longer range plan. I’m building my base up and growing as a writer. Mine is a mixture of traditional and self published work.

Over the last 2 years, I’ve started my own imprint for my self published work, called Gossamer Press. I’ve signed 3 contracts with an amazing publisher, Perseid Press, for short stories that I’ve written. I’ve made some incredible relationships and connections. I’m selling myself as an author.

And I’ve been able to earn a few bags of groceries a month.

In the 2 years, with my self published work, Veil of the Dragon, Awakening Evarun and Wolfbane each hold a ranking of 4.5-5 stars on Amazon.

This is how many units I’ve moved so far:

05/31/13

Awakening Evarun (I-VI):

Kindle Units Free:                1831

Kindle Units Sold: 295                        

Total:                                      2,126

  Veil of the Dragon:

Kindle Units Free:                1552

Kindle Units sold: 30

Paperback sold:                   122

Total:                                      1,704

  Fall of the Chosen  (I of VI)

Kindle Units Free:                84

Kindle Units sold: 5

Total:                                      89

  Wolfbane (I of 3):

Kindle Units Free:                139

Kindle Units sold: 17

Total:                                      156

Gross Profit:

Kindle:                   $681.83

Paperback:            $1,220.00

Total:                      $1,901.83

It may not be alot in the big scheme of things, I know, but it’s a good beginning, enough of one, so that in 3-5 years, I can actually see myself where I want to be, having a thousand fans.

Hopefully, If I don’t already, I can have you as one of them.

And if I do already, well, then thank you.