When to Quit
Quitting isn't inherently failure - it's a strategic decision.
Series — Sales Dry Up After an Initial Rush
Sometimes a series loses momentum. Book one may sell well, but if readers don’t move on to book two or three, your read-through collapses. If you sold only a few thousand copies, there may still be opportunity. But if you sold tens of thousands and nobody continues, it may be time to stop adding books.
Look at the problem objectively: is it the book itself, or the audience engagement? Sometimes you can fix a faltering series by revising the first book. Other times, the series is simply done. Quitting in that case isn’t failure — it’s strategy.
Book — Fatal Flaw in the Story
Not every book resonates. A story may have a fatal flaw, a twist that readers dislike, or it simply fails to connect with your audience. If the book consistently gets poor feedback, it may be time to step back.
Quitting a book doesn’t mean quitting writing. It’s a chance to learn and improve. Analyze what went wrong, adjust, and move on to your next project.
Book — Misalignment of Tropes and Audience
Sometimes the problem isn’t the story itself — it’s the audience. Mixing too many tropes or targeting the wrong group can tank a book. You can fix this by realigning your marketing or refining the story to match your audience.
Quitting isn’t necessarily quitting — it can be learning. Recognize when changes are possible, and when continuing is futile. Treat your writing as both art and business: your job is to create, then to sell effectively.
You Find Plenty of Reasons Not to Write
Writing should be a priority. If you consistently find excuses, avoid your daily words, or feel resistance every time you sit down, it’s time to examine why.
Ask yourself: is it external stress, lack of inspiration, or something deeper? Understanding why you avoid writing is key to deciding whether to persist, pivot, or quit a particular project.
It Causes You Pain — Why?
If writing causes significant stress or anguish, dig deep. Is it because of sales, feedback, or internal pressure? Sometimes the pain signals a misalignment between your goals and your methods.
It’s okay to acknowledge that a project — or even writing itself — may not be serving you mentally or emotionally. Explore why it’s painful before making a decision.
You Find More Joy in a Different Endeavor
Life is finite. If another pursuit brings you more joy, energy, or fulfillment, it’s legitimate to shift your focus. Writing should bring satisfaction, mental health benefits, or creative joy.
For me, writing and publishing are perfect. But for others, stepping away — or redirecting energy — can be the healthiest choice. Always consider how your time aligns with your well-being.
Final Thought
Quitting isn’t inherently failure — it’s a strategic decision. Whether it’s a series, a single book, or a creative path, evaluate objectively: what can be fixed, what can’t, and what truly serves you.
Writing is both craft and business. Protect your joy, honor your mental health, and keep learning. Quitting the wrong things frees you to focus on the projects that truly matter, helping you grow as an author and as a person.
When to Quit - Original Medium Article
When to Quit — Over 1000 Five Minute Focus videos on the Successful Indie Author YouTube Channel
Craig Martelle is an author, leader, and entrepreneur living in Alaska. Retired from the Marine Corps military intelligence community and physical security, he graduated summa cum laude from law school and went into business consulting. From intelligence, to the inner workings of company boardrooms, to on-the-ground leadership, Craig has seen it firsthand.
He is a million-selling author of over 200 science fiction (post-apocalyptic, military sci-fi, and space opera), thrillers, and the non-fiction series, Successful Indie Author. Craig has been running author conferences since 2017, and also the Successful Indie Author Facebook Group, and the Successful Indie Author YouTube Channel.
Leadership is a service, not a crown to lord over others.