Barbarians of the Boom & Bust

...trying to move forward through challenges and uncertainty

I didn’t want to write this or really bring this out publicly. However, when I set out to start this Substack, my intention was to chronicle the development and growth of the Barbarians of the Storm universe, as well as the lessons I’ve learned or that are thrust upon me during the process. So, with that, I figured that I’d find a way to put this to digital paper.

I was riding high there for several months. Really high, in fact. My books were gaining traction and my sales kept increasing with the release of each new book. My biggest boost came when the Iron Age movement was essentially born last summer. I rode that into the release of the third and fourth books. Then I started getting legit reviews beyond just the few I had on Amazon, my Wednesday promo threads quickly grew into a thing of legend, and my subs here, as well as my Twitter followers really started to blow up.

The first quarter of this year, was outstanding and, by far, my best ever. Going into the second quarter, I released Fenrik 1984 - A Barbarians of the Storm Side Quest. That release was my most successful for the first week or so. However, then, for whatever reason, I hit a wall. My traction in every measurable metric fell off a f’n cliff.

I think that this is probably due to a combination of things.

In general, people seem to interact with the big promo threads less and less, other than the steady flow of regulars. I’ve fine tuned the list, because if people aren’t utilizing it, what’s the point in putting them on it? Also, the expanding list of creators was creating issues with tagging on Twitter, which was kneecapping the threads before they really got started. I also started doing this as a way to inspire others to do the same thing. A few do but the vast majority do not. People have always been thankful to me for doing this, but imagine if some others took the bull by the horns and did their own variation of it? Also, the feeling of it being a necessity and on my shoulders every week has worn me down. I’m at a point where I don’t know if I am going to keep doing it. Maybe, I need to focus exclusively on myself. That doesn’t mean I won’t lift up those who have helped to lift me up along the way. I’m pretty f’n loyal in that regard. I just want this energy that was there a year ago to still be here, but I feel it dissipating.

Another thing that I think has run its course is my marketing style. The daily made custom GIFs worked really well for quite awhile, but they seem to be pretty ineffective now. I need to figure out a new strategy, I think. What that is, I don’t know yet. But one has to adapt to stay fresh and ahead of the curve. I think that maybe I have become complacent with it, as it is something that was initially a challenge to do, but I have since gotten down to a science.

I’ve also been distracted, as of late, by a lot of fan requests. While I want to listen to my fans and give them what they want, if I can, sometimes these things take a lot of work and detract from other things. Then when filling the request leads to nothing, it sucks. I’ve made merch by request, only to have it sell zero units. I also made the Patreon after multiple requests, and that sits at zero. While I launched it last week and think it can grow into something, that was a real bitch to build and get going.

Years ago, I used to write about politics and economics. A decent-sized publisher wanted to publish my writings into a book. I didn’t like the proposal, so I asked my fans at the time if they would support it if I did it on my own. They overwhelmingly said “yes”. However, once I put in all that work, I sold a half dozen copies. It’s not something I’m sour or mad about, but it is a lesson I need to remember. That lesson is to follow my own instincts above all else and not to try and give in to every demand. I know that people mean well and probably want their request in the moment, but I need to stick to my plan in a more iron clad way, and only carve out the time when it’s not going to get in the way of a more important objective.

The fight to get reviews has also been demotivating as fuck. I write about the need for indie creators to get reviews and everyone rallies around that, shares my tweets and articles, and goes on to preach the same thing to their followers. While I appreciate it and it’s all well and good, it still never generates reviews. The message is clear but it truly seems to fall on deaf ears, man. Frankly, I’m tired of trying to make that point.

On top of all this, I’ve also had some health issues, but I seem to be turning the tide there. But with that, and with my real job really f’n testing me this year, I’ve been dealing with pretty immense depression. While it is something I’ve battled my whole life, this year, so far, has been exceptionally difficult. A big part of my drive and motivation is to keep building the Barbarians of the Storm IP, so that it can become something I can focus on full-time. Every damn day, I’m fighting for this dream, and beyond myself, I don’t want to let my fans down, and want to provide them with new, cool shit, as often as I can.

The thing is, even if my current mental state isn’t obviously apparent, I know that it is probably having an adverse effect on the success of the books and their growth, as of late. I’m stretched really damn thin between the dream and the job that allows me to get by just enough.

When I’m feeling more upbeat and confident, I seem to gain more success. When I feel like shit, well… this is where I find myself.

I’m not sure how to fix this, how to adjust and adapt, or how to push through and hope the chips fall back into the right place. I’ll either figure it out or I won’t.

Regardless, I intend to finish what I started. I now have a clearer idea of when and where the Barbarians of the Storm saga will end… at least, the story for this generation of characters. At the moment, reaching that conclusion is my motivation.

I also don’t mean to shit on anyone, be it fans or other creators. I mean all of this as a broad generalization of everything boiled down. I also didn’t write this for pity or to demand support. I just know that other creators face challenges when trying to “make it” and better their lives. I think many will relate. Also, I hope that I do come out of this with a solution that I can write about as a follow up at some point.

I appreciate all that I have gained from those who have taken a shot on me and for those who remain in my corner. You guys don’t know how much that gets me through the worst moments.