A Common Indie-Author Mistake and How to Avoid It

AJ McMullen
4 days ago
3 min read

Hi, I’m AJ McMullin, a fantasy author and the writer behind Legacy of the Arcanin Flame. After 11 years of crafting stories, I published my first novel in 2021, a milestone that marked the beginning of my Arcanin Calamity series. But along the way, I made a costly mistake that nearly derailed my journey as an indie author. In this post, I’m sharing that mistake, the lessons I learned, and how you can avoid falling into the same trap.

The Dream of Becoming a Full-Time Author

Like many new authors, I was eager to find my readers and make a living from my books. After publishing The Gem State Siege, a prequel to my World’s End series written during NaNoWriMo 2020, I dove headfirst into the indie publishing world. I stumbled across horror stories of authors who couldn’t make it, some earning a little money and others none at all. Then I heard about the 20 Books to 50K philosophy, a popular idea in the indie author community that suggests publishing 20 books could lead to earning $50,000 a year.

To me, this sounded like the winning lottery ticket. I thought I’d found the roadmap to becoming a full-time author, pumping out content and building a career. So, I shifted my focus to quantity over quality, churning out stories to hit that magical number. I believed this was the key to success, but it led me down a path I couldn’t fully stand behind.

The Mistake: Prioritizing Quantity Over Quality

In my rush to publish, I built on a shaky foundation. By the time I was holding the fourth book in my series, I knew I could do better. The stories weren’t reflecting the growth I’d experienced as a writer. I’d learned so much about my craft, my universe, and myself, but my early work didn’t showcase that evolution. It felt like staying in a toxic relationship, knowing there was something better out there but clinging to what was familiar.

The pressure to “get my work out there” had taken priority, and it shouldn’t have. I was caught in a vortex of chaos, driven by external advice that valued output over artistry. Quotes about publishing often glorify quantity, but I learned the hard way that quality should always come first.

The Turning Point: Starting Over

When I held Legacy of the Arcanin Flame in my hands, I felt a sense of pride I hadn’t experienced with The Gem State Siege. That moment solidified my decision to start over. It wasn’t easy—rebuilding an entire series is a daunting task—but it was worth it. This new work is my pride and joy, something I can confidently say I created. I don’t regret starting over, but I do wish I’d been more conscious of my process from the beginning.

Had I focused on quality and trusted my instincts, I could have avoided the need to restart. The desperation to publish quickly led to compromises I shouldn’t have made. But through this, I gained a deeper understanding of my story, my universe, and my personal journey as a writer.

Advice for Indie Authors

If there’s one lesson I want you to take away, it’s this: Don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. The indie author world is full of advice about rapid releases and hitting milestones, but your work should reflect your best effort. Here are a few tips to stay on track:

Trust Your Process: Take the time to refine your craft. Rushing to publish can lead to work you’re not proud of.
Know Your Story: Spend time developing your world and characters. A strong foundation makes every book better.
Avoid the Hype: Conventions like 20 Books Vegas offer valuable insights, but don’t let catchy formulas dictate your journey.
Learn from Mistakes: If you realize you’re off course, don’t be afraid to pivot. Starting over can be liberating.

What’s Next for Me

I’m thrilled to share that Legacy of the Arcanin Flame is available now in eBook and paperback, with an audiobook in the works as soon as I can fund it. You can also check out the prequel, Before the Flame: Conspiracy Codex, and pre-order my companion series, The Darkest Day, which releases on July 29th on Amazon.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear from you! What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made as an indie author, and how did you fix it? Share your story in the comments below, it’s a great way for us to learn from each other.

If you found value in this post, please consider supporting my work by grabbing a copy of my books or sharing this with fellow writers. Stay tuned for more insights, and until next time, writers, stay fly and write on!