I write a fiction series, currently titled The Courier under the pen name Winnie Jean Howard, but I’m changing the series name to Angels Dark and Dumb.
Why, you ask? Because the series title doesn’t speak to the actual series’ genre/sub-genres. Yes, the main character is a courier, and he continues to transport otherworldly things and beings in the series, but The Courier doesn’t speak to the fantasy, paranormal, and comedy side of the series. Taking apart the new series name, “angels” reflects the expected characters, “dark” reflects the horror/paranormal category, and “dumb” lets a reader know it’s funny or fascicle.
This isn’t my first remaking of the series. I originally published under the name W. J. Howard because I started writing horror many years ago, when women were not taken seriously as horror writers. Thirty years later–giving away my age and how long I’ve been struggling to be a fiction writer–expectations have changed.
Remaking myself and the series has been time consuming because many of the changes I have made require publishing a whole new edition. A whole new edition entails full unpublication of existing books, followed by assigning new ISBNs, publishing from start to finish again, and linking to old editions. Approach this level of changing your book or series with caution because it is very time consuming. You will get to know Amazon support intimately.
The first in the series, Call for Obstruction, is on it’s 5th edition. It was first released with a publisher back in 2008. Unfortunately, that didn’t last due to the publisher going out of business. Horror story for another day. Then I started a publishing cooperative and that lasted a few years before the whole thing became a distraction from my own work and way too much work in general. That’s when I decided to change to a self-published author and published version 3. The next version happened when I changed my fiction author pen name to Winnie Jean Howard. In hindsight, those two versions should have been done at the same time. Coulda, shoulda, woulda gets you every time! And here we are on version 5 with the whole series name change. Since I can’t think of another reason why I might need to remake the book or series again, I’m hoping to call it DONE!
These changes are not uncommon, especially when you start marketing a novel, which is the main reason for my new series name. Reinventions of books usually come in the form of rewriting cover copy or changing a book cover. In my case, add author self-discovery and a need to further clarify to potential readers what they can expect when they open Call for Obstruction or Fall for Freedom or Warrant for Damnation. The later is the most frustrating experience I’ve had due to my love of “bad taste” humor. More on this later.
If you are an author, and you’ve feeling something is not right with your series because it’s not selling, or the wrong readers are picking up your book and it’s reflected in your reviews, consider making over your titles too. Here are a few questions you should think over, then pick and choose things that could help your book series.
Does your author name represent you and your books? Only do this if you are early in your career as a writer. Imagine if Pepsi changed it’s brand name tomorrow. I know I’d go nuts. In my case, I wanted readers to know I’m a woman. I’d been out there in the horror community for many years, and there were an equal number of male and female writers and artists who loved and represented the genre equally. Women are no longer worried about the stereotypes of the past regarding the horror genre. But I also had to remake my name to something a bit goofy to let readers know my stories were not only horrific but also funny and nonsensical. To me, Winnie Jean sounds as such, although I also considered Mean Winnie Jean. So, take a good look at what you write, who you are, and see if you’re best represented by your author name choice. Are you fun or stuffy? Mysterious or romantic? Also know that this is one of those big changes and you’ll need a new edition.
Do your book titles speak to what you write? This is the big one I’m addressing now. I feel like I went with too literal a series title to begin with and forgot about the marketing. Did you do the same? While we spend years learning to write, how to market is in the back of our mind during the process. Why else would so many writers think that when the book is published, the readers will ooze out of the woodwork? Even I should have known better because I worked in marketing before and after publishing my first novel. So, think about your own titles. Could they be confusing or maybe even off-putting to the reader you are hoping to attract? This is another “big change” that will require a new edition, so be sure a new title will attract the right readers.
Did you publish your book(s) too soon? As someone who has led writers’ critique groups for many years, I’ve seen writers publish too soon or without professional editing. Crazy as it sounds, I’ve even seen writers who think poor grammar is their style of creative writing. Excuse after excuse just to publish ASAP, like it’s a drug. This is a path that leads to crickets on your book page. Give readers credit for spotting a hack. Also likely, when an author isn’t willing to perfect the story, why would he bother with marketing. But if he did market, he’s likely see angry reviews. If your ego is ready to admit you did this, re-write and re-publish…then see the other advice. Note that you should publish a new edition if you make major changes to a book, like any scientific manual or textbook publisher would do. It’s worth it if you have published multiple books in a series because no one will advance from your first book to the next, if they even finish the first.
Are your story lines outdated? I’m old, so I really worry about this one while writing Angels Dark and Dumb because I want readers in their 20s to enjoy the books. Why would you write a story about the invention of television as if it happened today. Kids have different issues than I did when I was a kid and there was no Internet. If you hate how society has changed since you were young, consider retiring your manual typewriter for a room at a nursing home (do they still call it that?), where you can complain to like-minded whiners. Otherwise, see where your books need a little updating. I believe writers should be a bit compassionate and open minded to write both sides of any story anyway. If you opt for this option, minor changes don’t require a new edition.
When did you last change your book cover, if ever? Yes, I am GUILTY! But I’m polishing them up with the series name change. Unless you are a bestseller, expect to do this periodically. And it should go without saying that you should hire a professional to do your covers. Don’t let your ego rule this decision! SERIOUSLY!! Just because there are tools you can use to make a book cover doesn’t mean you should do it. I’ve known too many authors with the “I’m creative. I can do it” attitude who are terrible artists only a mother would love. There are even spectacular pre-made book covers that are less expensive. Consider it! You can change your book cover as many times as you like without having to publish a new edition.
How old is your cover copy and does it best reflect the books and series? My biggest frustration with cover copy has been getting it right to attract the right audience. Like when I changed my pen name, I’ve learned the hard way that brutal honesty is the best policy. This is because I write trashy comedy that is an acquired taste. These days, there are a lot of people who are easily offended, but I’ve reached a point where I don’t care about offending anyone. Problem is…they are waiting for opportunities to trash books they don’t feel are appropriate. Read through your cover copy and assess whether or not it’s deceiving. Are you trying to sell books to anyone and everyone? Or are you trying to sell to readers who will love your story? Sell to your audience ONLY! There’s lots of advice out there on writing cover copy. So my advice is to seek it out and rewrite your books’ descriptions frequently and until you start selling to the right audience.
Remaking your books may seem overwhelming, but it is essential…and I’ve found it’s worth it. Why else would I be on edition 5 of my first book. It’s a tough and competitive market we authors work in. You won’t always get it right the first time, so keep trying, and trying, and trying, and trying.
I am the founder of ArmLin House, as well as the Chief Editor and Creative Director. For over thirty-five year, I’ve worked in technology, business development, marketing, writing, and publishing jobs. In the last 5 years I’ve returned to school and have become a graphic designer and social media video editor. In general, I have A LOT of experience in A LOT of industries and I love to help people, which is one of our main missions as a company. Learn more about me on my LinkedIn page.
