Michael
asked
Adrian Selby:
I just stated your book, "Snakewood," and I am really enjoying it! I love the creative way of telling a story through a variety of "compiled" sources and I am really trying to learn from your style for my own writing. I just recently released my own self-published novel "Start of the Storm: Trials of Transcendence Volume I" and am working on Volume II. What advice would you give a new author with regards to marketing?
Adrian Selby
Hi. Sorry it's taken this long to reply. I don't really use Goodreads anymore.
With regard to your question, I'm not the expert. The challenge with self pub is getting some sort of curation of your work that elevates it into the consciousness of readers. The only things in your control are the quality of your writing, being willing to sacrifice the cash to get a good copy editor to make it the best it can be and then getting on various groups on FB and following authors etc. on Twitter. I'm using neither, for moral reasons, so I'm really not a great example of how to do it well. By joining other groups, looking at Fantasy Faction's forums as well, you will hopefully get a sense of what other writers are trying.
I would always send to agents if you can. Trad publishing is a great way to get 'curated' and you might get some valuable feedback on your work.
The SPFBO is something else to google, and submitting work there has helped other self pub authors get read and discussed.
With regard to your question, I'm not the expert. The challenge with self pub is getting some sort of curation of your work that elevates it into the consciousness of readers. The only things in your control are the quality of your writing, being willing to sacrifice the cash to get a good copy editor to make it the best it can be and then getting on various groups on FB and following authors etc. on Twitter. I'm using neither, for moral reasons, so I'm really not a great example of how to do it well. By joining other groups, looking at Fantasy Faction's forums as well, you will hopefully get a sense of what other writers are trying.
I would always send to agents if you can. Trad publishing is a great way to get 'curated' and you might get some valuable feedback on your work.
The SPFBO is something else to google, and submitting work there has helped other self pub authors get read and discussed.
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