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June 16, 2021

Why Put Existing Titles in a Collection?

Pamela S Thibodeaux





When I began my publishing career over twenty years ago, I had a full-time job, marriage, and children at home. If you factor in writing, editing, pitching, contracts, edits from publisher, setting up promotion and/or book signings, speaking events, etc., etc., etc., I decided one book a year was a feasible goal.

As the industry continued to change and evolve, I became more of a “Hybrid” author than trad-published, and a whole new world opened for me. Suddenly things like, audio books and collections and numerous distribution options became a reality. I found there is a lot of trial and error in this business, therefore, I reevaluated my writing/producing one book a year goal and changed that to one product per year and asked myself the following….



Write to market or stay true to my heart – in other words; is it about the money or about the message?

Which categories do the books fit into and what boxes can I think outside of in this?

EBook, Print, Audio, Single title, Series, Collection?

Amazon Exclusive or Wide Distribution?

Marketing (where, when, and how much money can I spend)?



All viable questions each author must answer for him/herself.



Why would an author put existing work in a collection?



Because it is a whole new product. You can offer the collection cheaper than individual titles (after all, the major work in writing, editing, etc. has already been done) and readers LOVE bargains!



Love’s Overcoming Power is a collection of 3 full-length women’s fiction novels and a novella all of which are independently published as single titles. Each had their own set of emotional challenges in writing. The Visionary deals with adult survivors of child abuse – something I never experienced and was terrified of getting wrong. The book is set on a piece of property that once belonged in my family, so researching was imminent but fun. Circles of Fate is a romantic saga covering twenty-years in the lives of the main characters. The intriguing twists and turns fate uses to bring together these people whose lives will forever be entwined was a constant rollercoaster. Keri’s Christmas Wish was a sheer joy to write because through Keri, I got to visit heaven and learn something about one of the most precious times of the year in a Christian’s life. My Heart Weeps deals with one woman’s journey through grief into new life and parallels my own after my husband’s death in 2009.



Blurb: Temptation, Abuse, Grief and Doubt are plagues common to women all over the world. In John, 16 Jesus said…. In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.

In this Women's Fiction collection comprised of three full-length novels and one novella, Pamela S Thibodeaux shares stories that exemplify the power of God's love to overcome whatever situations life throws at you.

Includes: The Visionary, Circles of Fate, My Heart Weeps and Keri's Christmas Wish.

Pamela S. Thibodeaux is an award-winning author, and is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.” 

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15 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for spotlighting Love's Overcoming Power today! I appreciate everyone here at Suite T!

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  2. Thanks Pamela, for the valuable info you shared on here.

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    1. Thank You, Lesa for stopping by! I appreciate your support
      PamT

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  3. I love hearing about the inner-workings of a person's life, whether it's a knitter, a photographer, or a writer.
    So . . . can you answer (most)the other questions you asked yourself?
    I love to learn.

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    1. Yes, I answer them regularly Susan...
      It's about the message. WIDE distribution, All publishing options when possible (have started the Audio process & have 5 so far). Try to keep promo budget reasonable until I know what works....

      Hope these help you answer your own questions.
      I appreciate your support!
      PamT

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  4. This is a wonderful idea. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. I'm sure your books will be in collections soon, Kara - after you stop cranking out those new stories LOL!
      Thanks for your support!
      PamT

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  5. Good advice! Now how to figure out how to put it into practice for myself...

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    1. One step at a time Susan....
      A TO DO list always helps me stay on par
      THANKS for your support!
      PamT

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  6. I have two collections I've put together for the same reasons. For the readers who like the author's storytelling and voice, collections are a great deal!

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    1. I agree Alina! I'm always buying these types of bargain books myself!
      I appreciate your support in stopping by and commenting.
      PamT

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  7. Great wisdom here, Pam! In a world that operates fast and furious and hungry for more from an author they enjoy, this all makes perfect sense. We write to be read and putting stories together like you've done is good strategy.

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    1. Thank you so much Mary!
      My goal is to reach readers for God so I try to utilize as many avenues as I can.

      I appreciate your support!
      PamT

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