Navigating the post-publication day blues

In the lead up to the publication of my second novel Bad People on 30 March, I was nervous and excited, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the post-publication day blues.

I was more relaxed and organised this time around, sending out copies of my novel to ARC readers ahead of publication, scheduling book launches in Moruya and Canberra and doing my best to build anticipation for the sequel to Bad Country and second instalment in the Bad crime series.

There was a YouTube author chat with my publisher, Fiona at Contempo Publishing in the days leading up to publication, website banners and updates, social media posts and book teasers to encourage pre-orders. The new novel was covered by a couple of local media outlets providing much needed visibility. On the day, I released a reel on social media sharing my excitement and joking about over-ordering AusPost satchels for the expected avalanche of orders. But like many other significant milestones in life once the big day had come and gone, I felt flat.

I’ve chatted with authors and follow many others on social media and this seems to be a common experience. You give your heart to the process and invest an enormous amount of time and effort, in this case around 18 months’ worth, getting a novel print-ready before releasing it to the world. So, it’s no surprise that afterwards feels like a bit of an anti-climax.

Then I did a market stall at our local club on Easter Sunday with fellow author Tracey Lee and by the end of the day, I had a different mindset – I was feeling grateful and uplifted by the support from my town and region. While Tracey and I both sold books (a definite bonus), it was lovely to chat with our coastal community, with people who have a passion for reading and want to give small, local, indie authors a go. One of my favourite moments was chatting with a woman who had bought my first book at the same market stall last year, who told me she enjoyed it and had hoped I would be at the market again with the sequel. It felt like the universe was giving me a warm hug while also telling me to get over the pity party.

Now I’m rejuvenated and looking forward to the upcoming book launches in Canberra at The Book Cow on Wednesday 22 April and at the Moruya Library on Thursday 30 April. There are still tickets available for both launches. They will be fun and interesting evenings, so if you can, book your free ticket today. I am proud of what I do and have achieved, and for me it is first and foremost about storytelling, creating compelling characters, a pacy plot with storylines that twist and turn and giving readers a great experience. The early feedback from ARC readers has been positive, many commenting that Bad People is better than the first book, and is a gritty page-turner, authentic, at times terrifying, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.

What’s Next

I have an outline for a third book in the Bad series but for now I am working on creating a novel from my short story, Shame the Stars, which won the Banjo Paterson short story prize in 2024. It is inspired by my grandparent’s love story and their life together. I have a way to go but I am drawing on my father’s notes and his memories of my grandparents and growing up in the bush. It begins in 1936 and follows their lives during some of the most turbulent times in Australian history.

How you can help Aussie indie authors

I know, we are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, but if you are planning on buying a book for yourself or as a gift, why not support a local, indie author? April is Aussie Author Month, so if you can spare the dollars, rather than going for a big name overseas best-selling author, give a local a go.

Reviews on Amazon, Goodreads and social media are a lifeline for small indie authors and help us to get noticed. Follow authors on social media, engage with their content and sign up for their newsletters. You can also message an author whose book you’ve read and enjoyed via social media or their website/email. Getting feedback, as I did at the market, is a massive boost and keeps us going.

How to get a copy of Bad People

You can order Bad People through my website at Books – Kim Ulrick or ask for Bad People at any bookstore. If they don’t have it, they can order it in. It is also available on Amazon, Booktopia, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and other online retailers.

If you do nothing else this April, please read an Aussie author and support our home-grown talent.

Photos (Top L to R): Kim Ulrick holding Bad People on publication day.