As I sit here and type these words, I can’t quite believe that RyanCaseyBooks.com is entering its third year of existence.
What started up as a blog to keep me sane during the writing process fast turned into a way to share my experiences with others, from marketing tactics to publishing talk. The mantra ‘Blogging for Writers, Writing for Readers’ was pretty much embodied all through 2012, but perhaps more so in 2013, where I feel I really discovered my blogging voice.
But the truth is, there comes a time when everything must change.
First off, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. Quite the opposite, in fact. If you’re a fan of my fiction, then my word, you should see my schedule for 2014. If you thought 2013 was a prolific year then damn. You haven’t seen anything yet.
Or at least, that’s the intention. 😉
If 2013 was the year I started blogging honestly rather than trying to follow in the footsteps of others, then 2014 is the year I hone that honesty even further. The truth is, I find blogging fun, and I enjoyed reporting on marketing tactics and publishing techniques, but I think that everything there is to say has been said already.
Or, it’s out of date information.
Take my posts on KDP Select, for example. Good posts, apparently, that still get a ton of readers every day, not to mention a comment every once in a while. But the truth is, the information is out of date now. What worked in 2012 doesn’t work anymore. Hell — what worked yesterday might not work anymore. That’s the nature of publishing. And, in all honesty, that’s why my blogging focus has changed of late, and will continue to change. I’m no longer interested or compelled to write about short-term tactics that will be out of date soon after.
I’d rather focus on lasting methods. The kind of methods I truly believe in when forging a career. Methods that have worked for decades and continue to work to this day.
I recently picked up Write. Publish. Repeat. by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Truant, the guys behind the Self Publishing Podcast. It’s a great book. A really great book. And in it, it touches on so many things that I’d love to go into, but I’d rather you just picked it up because a.) they deserve the sale and b.) it will help your career. In essence though, the book talks about the benefits of long-term strategies over short-term tactics. Strategies that have never changed and will never change.
In light of the advice I’ve read, and simply from my gut, in 2014, this blog will primarily focus on two things.
1. My fiction
My fiction is my living. I write thousands of words a day, and therefore it only makes sense for me to share fiction related stuff on my blog.
I’m talking cover reveals, excerpts, and just general updates. As much as I value both my blog readers and my fiction readers, I feel I have more to offer my fiction readers on my blog. So there will be more fiction coverage for you. It just makes sense.
2. Craft, productivity & motivation
I’ve recently reached a stage where I feel I’m qualified to be somewhat motivational. I’ve written over 400,000 new words in 2013, smashing my early targets. It’s been fun at times, it’s been difficult at others, but I got there in the end.
This is the sort of thing I want to share with you. Interchangeable skills that you can use for writing, but also for other aspects of life. I want to hold your hand through the tricky first draft and give you tips to keep you at the writing desk/whatever desk. It’s the sort of article I enjoy writing, and judging by the response to my Pomodoro post, something readers enjoy, too.
So, yes. As well as talk about my own fiction, there will be talk about the craft, as well as ways to stay productive and motivated, too.
Real-life strategies you can implement in order to build a long-term career, not short-term tactics.
Marketing? Yes. But not knee-jerk marketing.
BONUS: New mailing list focus
I have a mailing list. You might not be aware of this because I barely send an email out, which is about to change.
From now on, I’m going to keep in touch with fans weekly. I want to encourage something of a two-way conversation with readers, and that’s exactly what the mailing list is going to allow. I want to keep people in the loop, give them exclusive content, and offer occasional freebies and goodies.
Head on over to the new section of my site at https://ryancaseybooks.com/fanclub if you are interested.
So there you have it. Three areas that will form the basis of RyanCaseyBooks.com in 2014 and beyond. Really, I’ve been headed in this direction for a while with regards to point one and two, but point three is all new and shiny.
Right! That’s all for today. I’ll be back again some time soon with news on my plans for 2014.
It’s a big year ahead. Oh wow, it’s going to be fun.
Ryan.