Today’s the day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) where, on the first Wednesday of every month, writers get together to share their insecurities and offer encouragement. The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and you can learn all about it and sign up for it here. 
I’ve been trying to finish the final edits on Book 2: Trouble By Any Other Name, but the past month or two, I haven’t accomplished nearly as much as I wanted to. Summer was just too busy. Now that the kids are back in school, I’m hoping I can pick up the pace.
Sometimes I worry if I’ll lose the small audience I have if this second book is delayed beyond the six-month time frame in which I’d hoped to publish it. I’m hoping readers will still be interested when it finally does come out.
But then I worry, what if they read it and don’t like it? What if they think it’s not as good as the first one? I know it’s pointless to worry, but sometimes I can’t help it.
How many others out there worry about these things?
© Lori L. MacLaughlin and Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams, 2015. All rights reserved.
Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams 
I think that is natural worry, but those who really liked it will still be waiting–I will. You could also offer the first book free for a limited time, if they buy the 2nd book. I just hosted an author who did this type of promotion. It worked well for her. Just a thought. Hang in there.
Juneta Writer’s Gambit
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Thank you, Juneta! That’s great to hear. And that’s a good promotional idea. I’ll keep it in mind.
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I don’t think you’ll lose fans. I wished I could’ve cranked out books faster, but the time frame of their release still worked.
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I hope not. I’m glad the timing worked for you. Everything can be so unpredictable.
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I published Hurricane Crimes in November 2013. And my publisher just now has book two. Which means it still may take 6 months to come out, if it’s accepted. But I plan on being faster with the other books in the series. I’m almost done with the first draft for book 3.
But I don’t think you’ll lose fans with a wait. I think they will still be there, anxiously anticipating the next book. 🙂
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That’s what I’m hoping for. Congrats on being so far along with Book 3!
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Sounds like some typical published author insecurities. So much pressure to succeed, again. I doubt your fans will leave for a small delay. If they are looking forward to the next book, they will still be there. Try to relax a little, breathe, and carry on 🙂
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Thanks! I will!
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You’re definitely not alone, that’s for sure. I’m just trying to finish up revisions on Book One of my ‘The Other World’ series, but I’ve already started working on Book Two and I’ve already started to make myself insecure about the entire thing. I think that’s probably a given when working with a series, because in the back of our heads we see all the sequels that were never quite as good as the original. You can’t think that way, of course, because in that direction lays disaster. You’ve just got to keep moving forward and make each book as good as it can be and hope for the best! 😀
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That sounds like a good plan! Thanks! 🙂
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I don’t think your fans will mind too much if finishing book #2 take a little longer than you expected. Good luck.
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Thank you! I’m hoping they won’t have to wait too much longer than planned.
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I don’t have to worry but I know a few series writers that think about this. Keep in mind that the new book will bring new readers the first. And the readers that loved your first book are on the look out for your next. Some authors only put out one book every year or so.
Anna from Elements of Writing
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That’s true. There’s one author I follow that puts out books every 3 or 4 years. That seems a bit long to me, but I still read them. 🙂
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You aren’t alone. With every book I release, I have the same worries. For the authors I like, I’ll wait however long it takes them to publish their stories. Good luck with your edits!
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It’s good to know others feel this way, too. And I’m glad to hear people are willing to wait for new books by the authors they like. Thank you!
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The second book in a series is one of the hardest to write, and it’s even harder when you feel the pressure of publishing it before everyone forgets about you. If I had to do my series over, I would write them all and then publish. But we just have to do the best we can. After all, if they really loved our book, then they’ll remember. Plus, publishing book two means you can give book one another push to find new readers. 🙂
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Being able to publish all the books in a series at once would be ideal. I wish that were easier to do. I’m looking forward to having two books out there. Slow but sure progress! 🙂
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I think your audience will still be there. If they liked your first book, they will definitely want to read the second. I am working on my second book too and I share your fear. But I think as long as you are happy with your book, then I know your readers will be too. Best of luck.
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That’s a good point about being happy with your book. Thank you!
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I worry about stuff like that all the time. Book 3 is taking me “for-ev-er” (said in a teenage angst voice) and I’m hoping a few readers who liked the first two will still exist when I get it done.
However, I think you’ll have an audience . . . and I’ll help promote when the time comes for that. 🙂
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Ha, ha, I can just hear that angst. Your book is on my long TBR list. I’m looking forward to reading it when I get there.
Thanks so much for the offer!! I really appreciate it! Let me know when Book 3 is ready, and I’ll do the same. 🙂
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The only thing you can control is doing your best. You can’t please all readers. Good luck on Book 2.
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Well said. Thank you very much!
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Lori, I read many successful fantasy series authors who only put out a book about once a year, so I think you’ll be in good company. 🙂 I think the most important thing is to make sure you’re satisfied with it before it goes out, rather than rushing!
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Thanks, Sue! That is very true.
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One thing you can do now but also going forward is create a newsletter that you send to your readers (they can sign up via a link here on your blog or in the book) and once a month inform them of your progress. That way, the delay will be accompanied by little teases about the story, and when it’s ready you can have a bigger preorder.
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Thank you for the suggestion! I keep telling myself I need to do a newsletter, and that’s exactly why.
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