Red Walls was my sixth published book. And by my measure, the most successful. In all transparency, I don’t have the exact sales figures for all of my books, but in what I can compare, it was my best launch and absolutely my easiest to sell in person. In the first six months, I distributed 100 copies myself (largely thanks to Horrid, Colorado Festival of Horror, and Horror Writers Association – Colorado featuring it). Maybe not staggering numbers but good for me.
It felt like after over 10 years of publishing books, I had finally caught hold of some of that loft I had been chasing. But, unfortunately, after just seven months, I had to part ways with Graveside Press.
I really liked Graveside Press. I loved their inclusivity and what seemed to be their mission. The editorial team did an amazing job of getting Red Walls cleaned up and formatted beautifully. Honestly, I am not on the inside of much of the drama. I know the entire editorial team left abruptly, and I know I never received statements or payment until I asked for my rights.
When the drama culminated and authors were offered the option to their revert their rights, I did not decide lightly. I am annoyingly and foolishly loyal professionally. I ultimately requested a statement and waited. When I still did not receive one, I took that as my answer and asked for my rights back to Red Walls and the yet unpublished Savage Island (sequel to Savages).
This is not the first time I have had book rights returned to me. Assent Publishing went under completely, returning my first took books (Savages and The Waning). I was able to publish a second edition of both with HellBound Books. This industry is saturated and tumultuous. Aside from the Big 5, it’s hard to tell who will make it and who is legit at all.
The entire thing is just painfully disheartening. As a writer, I ALWAYS have my doubts. Crippling, paralytic doubts. I always wonder if I should stop wasting my time (and TurboTax asks the same question every year). Between struggles like this and the flood of AI into the industry, I don’t know how many more rides I can take on this rollercoaster. I debate the cost/benefit analysis of getting published. Red Walls made me think I had got my answer.
Red Walls was released just days after I was laid off from my day job. With the success of its release, I sold those 100 copies, so I ordered 50 more. They arrived, after the revision of my book rights. I have a pile of books to offload for a book that is moving to a new home. After it’s rereleased, I’ll have to start over on sales, reviews, and contests.
I tried to participate in a 90-day novel writing challenge the past couple months, but I have been working on a sequel to Red Walls, so this drama has been very uninspiring and demotivating. I think I have found my way back into the story, but it was like pulling out my own teeth for a while.
But I am starting over with Red Walls. The editorial team from Graveside Press established their own new house: Dead Fox Publishing. My guts said that the book belonged with the team that brought it to life, so I moved Red Walls over there. The digital version is back online with print to follow shortly. It will look (largely) the same. Thankfully, the rights to the beautiful cover came with it.
The momentum is lost, but the book is not. The motivation is crippled but not killed. I plan to continue on: finish Red Walls 2, release Invisible Girls and Savage Island. Keep going, keep writing… but I needed to bitch a little bit about the journey first.
Christina Bergling
https://linktr.ee/chrstnabergling
Like my writing? Check out my books!
- Red Walls – When Talia’s parents go after the monsters who hurt her, they never expected real monsters.
- Followers – You never know who is on the other side of the screen. Followers is a mystery and thriller that blends women’s fiction with horror.
- The Rest Will Come – Online dating would drive anyone to murder, especially Emma.
- Savages – Two survivors search the ruins for the last strain of humanity. Until the discovery of a baby changes everything.
- The Waning – Locked in a cage, Beatrix must survive to escape or be broken completely.
- Screechers – Mutant monsters and humans collide in the apocalyptic fallout of a burned world. Co-authored with Kevin J. Kennedy.
- Horror Anthologies
Fiery Pen 