Ankurita Saikia
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Dear Sullivan, you are an inspiration for new authors like us. I've published my novel, "The Chronicles Of Undiscovered Worlds Under The Sea" back in 2019 but I have pretty less idea how to take it to the world stage. You response is of great value for me. My question is how can I help my little creation to travel more?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey Ankurita, Congratulations on your debut! Writing a book is a huge accomplishment, so you should be very proud of that. As a new author, the best thing you can do is to keep writing and release the next book, and then another. My general rule of thumb is you need to get to three books (and hopefully related in some way (like a series)), before you start doing anything substantive regarding "marketing."
Unlike books on store shelves, digital books sold online have an unlimited shelf life. You should be spending 90% - 95% of your time writing "that next book." For the small amount of time that you are going to be doing "marketing", you should concentrate on getting free review copies into people's hands in the "hopes" (not in "exchange for") them writing a review.
I call this activity "priming the pump." If you've written a great story (which I define as a book that's so good people tell others about it, or they come looking to you for the next tale), then word will spread. One day you'll see people who you didn't reach out to personally who are reading the story. Once that starts happening, then you are in the "rinse and repeat" stage which means writing more.
Now, if you only have "one book in you" - well, that's another story entirely. Very, very few people can "make it" with that small amount of content. I'm not sure what to do in that case, because my "model" is based on giving people a book that scratches their reading itch, and then keep scratching!
Now, it may be that your first book just isn't firing on all cylinders (and if this is so, don't get discouraged as most first books aren't "up to snuff") But if this is the case it won't do well in the word-of-mouth system. Just keep at it. The more you write, the better you'll get. I put 13 novels "in the trunk" before writing The Crown Conspiracy (which was my debut).
Now, if that sounds like a lot of work -- you are right, it is. But as long as you enjoy the writing process, then it's not like you are working at all. The important thing is to enjoy the writing itself. Then, if the books eventually find a following, that's the icing on the cake.
That's the way I did things, and I'm not 100% sure if it's the best, but it's the only way I know. There are a lot of people (many much brighter than I) who have written books on how to market books. You may want to check out some of those as well. Also, there are all kinds of great websites (The Creative Pen comes to mind. You might want to check it out.
I hope some of that helps, and I wish you great success.
Unlike books on store shelves, digital books sold online have an unlimited shelf life. You should be spending 90% - 95% of your time writing "that next book." For the small amount of time that you are going to be doing "marketing", you should concentrate on getting free review copies into people's hands in the "hopes" (not in "exchange for") them writing a review.
I call this activity "priming the pump." If you've written a great story (which I define as a book that's so good people tell others about it, or they come looking to you for the next tale), then word will spread. One day you'll see people who you didn't reach out to personally who are reading the story. Once that starts happening, then you are in the "rinse and repeat" stage which means writing more.
Now, if you only have "one book in you" - well, that's another story entirely. Very, very few people can "make it" with that small amount of content. I'm not sure what to do in that case, because my "model" is based on giving people a book that scratches their reading itch, and then keep scratching!
Now, it may be that your first book just isn't firing on all cylinders (and if this is so, don't get discouraged as most first books aren't "up to snuff") But if this is the case it won't do well in the word-of-mouth system. Just keep at it. The more you write, the better you'll get. I put 13 novels "in the trunk" before writing The Crown Conspiracy (which was my debut).
Now, if that sounds like a lot of work -- you are right, it is. But as long as you enjoy the writing process, then it's not like you are working at all. The important thing is to enjoy the writing itself. Then, if the books eventually find a following, that's the icing on the cake.
That's the way I did things, and I'm not 100% sure if it's the best, but it's the only way I know. There are a lot of people (many much brighter than I) who have written books on how to market books. You may want to check out some of those as well. Also, there are all kinds of great websites (The Creative Pen comes to mind. You might want to check it out.
I hope some of that helps, and I wish you great success.
More Answered Questions
papasteve
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I know this is going to be an off-the-wall question, but why don't writers have their characters poop or pee? Brandon Sanderson, in one of his recent novels has the character Wayne use the "crapper", and has Wayne even ponder all the names that people have for the "crapper." I thought, "Wow, that's the first time I've read something like that."
Cameron
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I see that you cite Stephen King as one of your influences. I was wondering if there are any of his books you would particularly recommend? I have heard great things of him but have been put off by his reputation for horror (I cannot even watch the film 'Signs' all the way through).
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