October Reflections: Royalties, Audiobooks, and the Quiet Triumphs of Creative Care

 

This morning brought a small but welcome surprise: a modest uptick in my Kindle Direct Publishing royalties. Someone picked up a paperback copy of Save Me the Aisle Seat, my first self-published book—a collection of movie reviews originally written for the now-closed site Epinions.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about that book. Of the four titles I’ve published, it’s the one I’m least fond of—not just because I rushed it out in 2012 so my mom could see it while she was still with us, but also because I believe it doesn’t measure up to my fiction work: Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, and Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen. Many of the reviews weren’t edited as carefully as they should have been, and I gave away more plot points than I intended. Still, the introduction—written specifically for the book—feels true and heartfelt. That part came from a place of love.

Sometimes I consider retiring Save Me the Aisle Seat, but I probably won’t. Despite its flaws, readers seem to appreciate it. It holds a 4.7-star average on Amazon, and every review has been positive. More importantly, it’s the only book my mom saw before she passed in 2015. Even as her dementia progressed, she kept her copy close, resting it on her hospital-style bed until the very end. That memory alone makes it worth keeping in my catalog.

With October still young, I’m hoping for a modest bump in sales before November rolls around. Honestly, it would be a bit disheartening if my royalties for the month amounted to just $6.16!

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The Garratyverse in Audio: A New Chapter

In other news, all three of my Jim Garraty stories are currently in production as audiobooks through ACX, Amazon’s audiobook platform. For those unfamiliar, ACX is to Audible what Kindle Direct Publishing is to print and e-books—a way for indie authors to bring their stories to life without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t initially enthusiastic about releasing Audible versions of the Garratyverse. I’ve lived with hearing loss since I was 12 and need a hearing aid, so audiobooks aren’t my preferred format. I rarely buy them unless they’re unabridged, and even then, I seldom listen. The idea of transforming my stories from a reading experience into a listening one didn’t exactly thrill me.

But I’m not working on new stories at the moment, and at least one longtime reader told me she now listens exclusively to audiobooks. That seems to be a growing trend, so I decided to explore ACX and see how I might reach a broader audience.

Here’s a snapshot of where things stand:

• Reunion: A Story – Narrated by Brandon Padilla. Final production due December 1, 2025
• Reunion: Coda – Narrated by Stefan (Steve) Lee. Final production due February 4, 2026
• Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen – Narrated by Bryan Haddock. Final production due October 30, 2025

Assuming all goes smoothly, Comings and Goings will be the first to launch on Audible, arriving November 1, followed by the Reunion Duology. I’m cautiously optimistic that this new format will resonate with listeners—especially those who might have hesitated to try the print or Kindle editions.

And for those who still prefer reading, all three titles remain available in those formats. Library patrons can also request the Reunion Duology through Expanded Distribution on KDP.

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A Quiet Thanks

Whether you read, listen, or simply follow along, thank you. These stories—flawed, tender, and fiercely personal—are part of a larger journey. And every sale, every review, every message reminds me that I’m not walking it alone.

Until next time,
Alex