T.I.E. (Entry 13): Reality Vs. Expectation

By Thio Isobel Moss

A new book, a new you!

There’s so much joy, panic, and forced adaptation wrapped up in releasing a book. I expected it to be hard. I expected to fight for every sale, constantly tweak marketing strategies, and slog through industry articles that only half made sense to me. Then release week hit — and suddenly it felt like everyone wanted my book.

So I pivoted. I burned all five free promo days at once and bought a promo for the $0.99 price bump. Then I waited, chewing my fingernails.

And…nothing.

My brain demanded an explanation, so I went looking — and found it. The promo I’d picked hasn’t been performing well for a while, and many readers who might’ve bought the book for $0.99 had already snagged it during my free run. Worse, I realized I may have hurt myself by changing strategies midstream.

To be fair, I’d read success stories recommending this exact approach. But the cyber landscape is always shifting. My free-download numbers went 1 → 519 → 94 → 37 → 37. If I’d stayed the course, I would’ve missed out on 74 downloads — and the potential early reviews that come with them. On the other hand, who’s to say that if I’d saved a day for a future promo, I wouldn’t have hit another 519? Or 319? Or 619?

I’m choosing not to waste time on regrets. I am learning from my mistakes. And honestly, I’m grateful. Yesterday I had my first full-price sale — no promo involved. It cemented that my price is right, the cover, and the description are appealing enough. We’ve made a quality product and now it needs time!

A little research tells me I’m following a typical trajectory, maybe even a bit ahead of schedule. After free days, there’s often a lull. Then, after a week or two, things start moving again.

Today (December 8th, 2025), Blind Spot is featured on eBookSoda. Check them out if you love free and bargain ebooks. A heads-up, though: a minor phishing attempt (not their fault) appeared through an ad disguised as part of their form. I’ve reported it.

As of now, I’m genuinely happy with where I am. I’ve applied for several competitive promos and been accepted to all of them. Dennis Young told me I’m exactly where I should be — which was deeply encouraging. I even Googled my pen name and got nearly to the end of page two before finding something not related to me or Blind Spot.

My book is showing up in German online bookstores, sitting alongside Rebecca Yarros and Tolkien. It’s in Australian marketplaces too — roughly four Aussies have downloaded it so far. Seeing the Booktopia listing startled me at first because of the price… until I realized I was staring at Australian dollars. Live and learn.

And then there’s Waterstones. I expected it to appear in bookstores eventually through Draft2Digital and IngramSpark, but nothing prepares you for seeing your own book on any real bookstore’s website. Why, hello, Barnes and Noble; fancy meeting you here!

I ran around the house showing my laptop to everyone. My family and my team all made the same open-mouthed, stunned donkey face I did. Honestly? I should’ve taken pictures, but I was too euphoric to think of it.

I’m still wildly impatient — I want everything to happen now — but when it doesn’t, that makes me all the more grateful when someone does choose to part with five hard-earned dollars to read my ebook. One well-timed purchase can change my whole day! It’s reaffirming.

This whole adventure is a violent rollercoaster. Sometimes you’re upside down. Sometimes you want to toss your cookies. Sometimes you feel like you’re flying. My best advice, distilled from the vast wisdom of two whole weeks of experience, is this:

Read current marketing articles (this year — ideally from the last few months).
Make a plan based on what’s working right now.
Then stick to it.

Good or bad, you’ll learn, and you’ll adapt.

There’s no secret formula. But the views are absolutely spectacular!