One year anniversary: The Heart of Abundance
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Exactly one year ago today I published The Heart of Abundance, my free best-of e-book. Since then several thousand people have downloaded it, and the e-book market has grown exponentially. Now I'm beginning to make money with my e-books as new markets evolve. It's still early days, but there are many exciting developments happening. I published The Heart of Abundance with little expectation of monetary reward. It wasn't until the second half of 2010 that I saw my first e-book royalty, $34.53. My royalties have grown each quarter since.
When I published The Heart of Abundance a year ago, I thought it was career suicide. I just decided that if publishers didn't want what I had to offer, I could still offer my gift to the world. This was pre-iPad, before the Nook took off and before I knew about many of the e-book role models who have helped me see the incredible potential this new paradigm holds for independent authors. It was an act of faith and love, giving what I had to give. I could never have imagined that it would grow into this new world of opportunity.
I'm still a long way from being able to live off e-book money, but some money is coming in now, and the long term future is bright, in spite of short term struggles. I discovered e-books by following my intuition and being willing to try new things. I found Smashwords when it was barely a year old and I'm so grateful for visionaries like Mark Coker who saw what the rest of us could not yet see. I'm excited about my digital future in writing my e-books and creating wonderful new products with my art and music.
I have added some great links on my Helpful Information page for those who want to know more about all things self-publishing and e-book. I include links to favorite bloggers like J.A. Konrath, Mark Coker at Smashwords, and Mike Schatzkin, plus links to two succinct articles that offer an overview of current players. There is so much information out there, but I have found these people to be the most helpful in my own researches. Follow the links, and one thing will lead to another.
These are unusual times with challenges we have never faced before. I'm reinventing myself, and I know many of you are, too. I know you will find the answers you seek if you follow your heart. I pray that some of my words, and the quotes I share, may help you connect to your own inner strength and to the possibilities that God has for you.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.
Sir Winston Churchill
The job crisis is a symptom of something much deeper; a crisis in our relationship to work and the challenge put to our species to reinvent it.
Matthew Fox
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.
Vicktor Frankl
We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.
Carlos Castenada
Do one thing a day that scares you.
Eleanor Roosevelt
We awaken from the dream that we are weak, and accept that the power of the universe is within us.
Marianne Williamson
[Note: over 200,000 people had downloaded The Heart of Abundance at the end of 2013 and more continue go download the new edition, published fall 2013]
Comments
April 8, 2011 10:49 AM CDT
Congrats! You're a pioneer. I am preparing my first e-book.
- Leisa Hammett
