Ask the Author: Greg Strandberg
Answered Questions (10)
Greg Strandberg
Selling a book is one of the hardest things to do, even harder than writing it. Sure, you can get friends and family, but after 20 or even 50 people...then what?
That's where marketing comes into play. There are tons of websites that will send out emails about your book. Usually these are genre-specific, so if you have a sci-fi book it'll be sent to 10,000+ people that like sci-fi.
Another option is advertising on social media. Just posting isn't going to get you very far, and don't waste time on author/reader groups - they don't work.
The best option I've found to sell novels, however, is writing a good book. If you have a good cover, blurb and look inside it also helps. Mainly, keep readers interested by having a compelling story with interesting characters.
That's where marketing comes into play. There are tons of websites that will send out emails about your book. Usually these are genre-specific, so if you have a sci-fi book it'll be sent to 10,000+ people that like sci-fi.
Another option is advertising on social media. Just posting isn't going to get you very far, and don't waste time on author/reader groups - they don't work.
The best option I've found to sell novels, however, is writing a good book. If you have a good cover, blurb and look inside it also helps. Mainly, keep readers interested by having a compelling story with interesting characters.
Greg Strandberg
Thanks, Don. Good luck!
Greg Strandberg
Hello Christopher,
I lived in China for 5 years, from 2008 to 2013. In 2010 or so I'd finished my first trilogy of books and needed something else to write. I'd given a few private PowerPoint lessons on ancient Chinese history to a student, and I had the ideas of the Warring States in my head.
After that I just started reading a bunch about it on Wikipedia and then made some simple maps. Then the writing began.
I lived in China for 5 years, from 2008 to 2013. In 2010 or so I'd finished my first trilogy of books and needed something else to write. I'd given a few private PowerPoint lessons on ancient Chinese history to a student, and I had the ideas of the Warring States in my head.
After that I just started reading a bunch about it on Wikipedia and then made some simple maps. Then the writing began.
Greg Strandberg
Well, Christine, I looked at the Look Inside and just in the first paragraph or so of Chapter 2 you have several words written like this: "fi nal...fl ung"
I'd also lower the price, myself.
I'd also lower the price, myself.
Greg Strandberg
I just spend time writing the next one.
Greg Strandberg
I have several projects going. I write fiction and nonfiction. My blogs have set posts for set days, like Midweek Content Roundup on Wednesday or Free Fiction Friday on...you guessed it.
A publishing calendar is also incredibly useful, and good for keeping you on track. Lists save my butt big time, and propel me to get going.
A publishing calendar is also incredibly useful, and good for keeping you on track. Lists save my butt big time, and propel me to get going.
Greg Strandberg
Not having a boss, at least if you get paid from your readers, enough to make a living by. I don't, so I write for other people. It's nice to work from home, however.
Greg Strandberg
Buy my writing advice books. If you're cheap like me, read the free stuff on my site.
Listen, John Grisham stared with 500 words a day, most of it rubbish by his own reckoning. George Orwell was laughed at by his friends when he showed them his stuff. Stephen King was rejected countless times as was Dr. Seuss.
Just keep going, which is often the hardest thing.
Listen, John Grisham stared with 500 words a day, most of it rubbish by his own reckoning. George Orwell was laughed at by his friends when he showed them his stuff. Stephen King was rejected countless times as was Dr. Seuss.
Just keep going, which is often the hardest thing.
Greg Strandberg
Right now I'm working on a book called Flight 370, which speculates on the missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.
What would happen if that was hijacked and used for nefarious purposes, perhaps as a target at a large building in New York?
And what would the team sent to stop it look like? I think I'm building a Tom Clancy-style series here.
What would happen if that was hijacked and used for nefarious purposes, perhaps as a target at a large building in New York?
And what would the team sent to stop it look like? I think I'm building a Tom Clancy-style series here.
Greg Strandberg
Getting angry works well. A picture of John Boener in the morning can really set me off. My fingers fly and words pour forth. Paragraphs, pages, reams are created. It's wondrous indeed.
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