Okay, so world domination is a metaphor for the success of my business. I don’t really want to annihilate cities and enslave the masses, though my books might make that seem like a possibility. Maybe I can come up with a less aggressive way to express this goal. I suppose the closest comparison would be becoming a “household name”. You know the type: Michael Crichton. Steven Spielberg. Snooki.
My path to this level of success has been…different to say the least. I started successfully self-publishing in 2005, when most authors still scoffed at the idea and before anyone gave e-books a second thought. Happily, readers didn’t hold as much contempt for self-publishing, and my books sold well enough to interest agents and publishers. Since then, my career has been an ever-expanding mix of big publishing and self-publishing. Despite the fact that I’ve never once been featured in an article about self-publishing success, I’ve had one of the longest running (eight years) and most successful self-publishing careers around.
And it’s not because I’m so amazingly talented. I’m not. I’m just determined. You don’t set goals like “world domination” without gobs of ambition pushing you forward. Now that it’s 2013, I’m looking back at 2012 and asking myself, did I get closer to my goal?
The answer: yes!
Here’s how. *Disclaimer, I will discuss sales figures, but not money, so don’t ask.
In 2012, I wrote seven and a half new books, published seven new novels and novellas and seven audiobooks via my Breakneck Media imprint, expanding my total number of self-published books to twenty-eight. I sold 82,431 books in e-book, print and audio formats. That’s a 31% sales increase from 2011. Not too shabby! And it doesn’t include books sold by my publishers.
But my successes and growth for 2012 haven’t been limited to self-publishing.
My latest hardcover novel, SECONDWORLD, increased my hardcover sales by 100%! As a result, ISLAND 731 is getting a larger release in March, and I signed with Thomas Dunne Books for a 2014 hardcover release, tentatively titled XOM-B. It’s a very different kind of thriller. It’s going to be amazing.
But wait, there’s more! As Jeremy Bishop, I signed a two book deal with 47 North, Amazon’s horror imprint. That’s right, New York Times, I’m a successful self-publisher who is also published by a Big 5 publisher AND Amazon. Sounds like an article worth writing, right? Ahem. 47 North will be re-releasing THE SENTINEL in March, followed up by its sequel, THE RAVEN, in May. I cannot begin to describe my excitement about this.
And if that weren’t enough, Nemesis, the 300-foot tall star of PROJECT NEMESIS, received the honor of being licensed to be the boss character in Kaiju Combat, a videogame currently in development and slated to be released in 2013.
What all of this really means is that 2013 is going to be an even bigger year than 2012. Amazon rocks e-book sales, and I expect Jeremy Bishop sales to soon rival Jeremy Robinson sales. ISLAND 731 is going to get an awesome release, and I expect hardcover sales to increase yet again. And as for self-publishing, I have 10–12 original books in the works for 2013. And, if all goes well, perhaps a short film…or maybe even a movie deal. One can dream. Wait, I don’t dream. I set goals and then destroy them! Almost forgot that this was a quest for world domination.
Wondering what I wrote and published in 2012, or maybe what’s coming in 2013? Here’s some lists!
Written in 2012
1. Ragnarok (co-authored with Kane Gilmour)
2. Callsign: King – Blackout (co-authored with Sean Ellis)
3. The Raven (Jeremy Bishop)
4. Island 731
5. The Last Hunter – Lament
6. The Last Hunter – Onslaught
7. Project Nemesis
Published in 2012
1. Ragnarok
2. Callsign: King – Blackout
3. The Last Hunter – Lament
4. The Last Hunter – Onslaught
5. Project Nemesis
6. SecondWorld
7. Callsign: King – The Brainstorm Trilogy
8. Threshold (mass market paperback)
To be published in 2013
1. Prime: A Jack Sigler Thriller (Chess Team origin story, co-authored with Sean Ellis)
2. Omega: A Jack Sigler Thriller (Chess Team book 5, co-authored with Kane Gilmour)
3. The Sentinel (Jeremy Bishop – re-release)
4. The Raven (Jeremy Bishop, Sentinel sequel)
5. Island 731
6. SecondWorld (mass market paperback)
7. Unnamed 5-book novella series (from Jeremy Bishop)
8. A possible Cowboy novella (from SecondWorld)
9. A possible Jane Harper book #3 (from Jeremy Bishop)
10. Project Nemesis sequel
To be written in 2013
1. Prime
2. Omega
3. Xom-B
4. Jane Harper #3 (Jeremy Bishop)
5. Unnamed 5-book Jeremy Bishop series
6. Cowboy novella
7. Project Nemesis sequel
Holy guacamole, that’s a lot! But I’ve got some of the coolest readers on the planet, and I want to make you all happy. After all, you all are really the masterminds behind my success. Without all of you spreading the word, world domination would never be possible! Seriously. Thank YOU for reading the books. I am in awe of your support, and I promise to treat you all well when the thousand-foot tall statues of me stand in the heart of every major city around the world! Mwahahahahaha haha hahaaaa.
– Jeremy Robinson
JEREMY ROBINSON is the author of more than thirty novels and novellas translated into ten languages, including the wildly popular new novel, SECONDWORLD, as well as PULSE, INSTINCT, THRESHOLD and RAGNAROK, the first four books in his exciting Jack Sigler series. Visit his website at: www.jeremyrobinsononline.com
It’s great to see your success Jeremy. I have been a huge fan for years, and it’s awesome to see how fast your popularity is rising. You give Indie Authors like myself a ton of hope, which is needed to continue on this path. I hope 2013 sees your success grow exponentially! (btw, I just finished Secondworld and it was fantastic! Best book I’ve read in 2012.)
Comment by Nicholas May — January 1, 2013 @ 2:39 pm
I am a relatively new fan, and have only read the Chess team books but I plan to branch out in 2013. Congrats on all the success, but feel free to slow down at least a little or else I will never catch up!! lol
Comment by Mike — January 2, 2013 @ 3:00 pm
Wow… several books I need to read… and more on publishing list I can’t wait to read! Congrats on the signing with a Big 5 and keep it up!! You know what you want and are making it happen!!!
Comment by Jennifer A — January 4, 2013 @ 4:09 pm
I have read a lot of these from 2012, have read everything Chess team, and have some of the pre-orders already ordered and you can say all you want but you are talented in what you do. Determination only goes so far and there are a lot of determined people who get books published a year, maybe 1 or 2, and they are garbage. Every book, and I mean every book, of your that I have read has been absolutely fantastic. I read 70 books between September of 2011 till now and I am here to tell you that yours are the best. It is not only the quality I love of these different books but, the shear quantity. I am a hugely fickle reader and it is just getting harder and harder to find things that keep me entertained and are also a smart read, which is sorely laking in some books. You keep writting and we’ll keep reading! Can not wait 2 more Chess novels this year and a Nemesis sequel.
Comment by Wesley Hendrix — January 7, 2013 @ 6:46 pm
Your kind words are greatly appreciated!
Comment by Jeremy Robinson — January 7, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
I LOVE your books. In the past few months I haven’t had a lot of time to read but EVERY bit of spare time is spent glued to your books. I have read several and just printed out the checklist. I will definitely be reading them all. My little brother introduced me to your books several years ago. Since then we have been passing them back and forth and having long conversations about how great they are and how great the next one is going to be. I know it makes us sound kinda nerdy, which we are, but we are huge fans. I am thrilled to hear about your success! Your talent and imagination are exceptional. I am an avid reader. I have read more books than I can remember the title of, in that mass there are a few that have blown me away. Many of those books are yours. Your characters are so well thought out, you weave these fantastic webs of tales and feats carried out by people who seem real enough to be my neighbor. I get lost in their stories, their struggles. I stay up way too late trying to make sure that they make it, hoping things work out, wondering if this is the end….. Yes, I am definitely a fan. I have many more books to read but the ones I have read are so different from each other. Even in the same series I know I won’t be reading the same story again and again. It’s incredible that you have such an imagination. I wish you continued success for the new year. – Best Wishes!
Comment by Anna Moreau — January 11, 2013 @ 11:36 am
Anna, those are some of the nicest compliments I have ever received. Thank you VERY much. And I am thrilled to have nerdy readers, as I am one myself. Tell your little brother he’s awesome for sharing the books with you.
— Jeremy
PS — The checklist will be updated soon. Lots of 2013 books to add!
Comment by Jeremy Robinson — January 11, 2013 @ 11:41 am
Lol! My little brother, who by the way is about to be 27, grinned from ear to ear! He said “Wow! (smile widens) I’m awesome.” You have made our day. Thank you for all your hard work.
Comment by Anna Moreau — January 12, 2013 @ 2:23 pm
Hi Jeremy. I don’t know where to start. I can’t believe I haven’t read any of your books. I will continue to check out your blog and am now following you. I have printed out your list of books and will be checking them out. It looks like my TBR list is going to be expanding. I love thrillers, but read most any genre. I am looking forward to becoming one of your fans.
Comment by sherry fundin — January 27, 2013 @ 12:04 am
Hey Sherry, I’m looking forward to you becoming a fan too!
Hope you enjoy all the books! — Jeremy
Comment by Jeremy Robinson — January 28, 2013 @ 2:01 pm
I am Huge fan! And really looking forward to the next Chess Team novel. You are a brilliant writer and inspire me to read beyond my comfort zone and write more. I picked up the first Chess Team novel by accident but I was hooked from the first Page! Keep up the great work. It is so refreshing to read an author who doesn’t go for the easy sale and isn’t afraid to go for Big Monsters. Thank You.
Comment by Ayanna M — February 2, 2013 @ 9:02 pm
Thank you VERY much. It’s sometimes tempting to go the more conventional route. I know books without monsters might sell more, but I just love writing monsters! The books would quickly lose their fun for me and I think would suffer as a result of my own boredom.
Thanks for reading!
– Jeremy
Comment by Jeremy Robinson — February 4, 2013 @ 11:19 am
Wow!! Snooki was reading your book in this picture!! How cool is that! I remember seeing this shot awhile ago… awesome!!
Comment by The Love Guru Blaire — March 13, 2013 @ 1:03 pm