Transgressive Fiction discussion

Hello. I'm just looking for a bit of advice, some hints, a nudge in the right direction, anything really.


So I've written a novel and put it out there on Kindle (Kindle Unlimited too, if anyone knows any ways I can take advantage of that).

It's kind of dark, pessimistic, nihilstic. No real genre, not much of a plot really. Nothing to 'hang it on' if you know what I mean.

I've sent it out for reviews (using a very helpful list on The Indie View).

I've signed up to some promotion sites but I'm not sure how they work. (The Writers Room and Wall of Books).

Nothing seems to be gaining traction or momentum though. I realise marketing is easier if your book has something in it you can use as a hook (a novel about a golfer, you'd spread it on golf blogs etc.). Maybe I just need to find the hook in mine?

I'm not sure though. So I'm kind of looking for advice, help, hints, anything really.

Thanks in advance

- Joseph J. Wood

I think everybody is finding it tough to get reviews, nothing really seems to work, I guess the thing is to be patient, hopefully things will move along for you. I've read lots of amazing books by authors in your position and it's really sad they get ignored and some amazingly bad drivel gets read by everyone.

Jason's spot on. Finding a readership takes time and patience. It used to be the case that you could contact people through Goodreads who looked like they'd be interested in your work, but they've since banned that on the basis that it's tantamount to spamming people.

As for tips: look for those authors who write a similar thing or will be open to what you do and then trade reviews, join relevant forums like this and let people know what you're about, become friends with like-minded people on here, organise a give away through Goodreads, perhaps contact anyone who has added your book and offer them it for free in exchange for a review.

G'luck!

I would add another advice, a bit transgressive though. I say, make money elsewhere and then enjoy being an author. Unfortunately, I'm not there to talk from experience, but my men's intuition tells me it might be true -:) The more you have to invest in promotion and advertising the better sales you'd probably have.. (Says the guy, who invested a lot in editing and covers, but zero in advertisement -:))

Hi Joseph,
The best advice I can offer is to get active on Goodreads and any other social media where you feel comfortable but don't be too aggressive in your promotion. If people take an interest in you, they will be more open to your books.

I've advertised three times on Bookbub and have 191 reviews. I've never had to ask for a review, but my subject is unusual, and so people are not used to talking about it. If you write something different that people are not used to, or haven't seen before, they seem more eager to write about it.

I hope this helps,
Anonymous-9

Check out this blog, ya might find it helpful.

https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Thanks Jason.

For anyone interested, I found this blog post (and the one that follows it) to be really good. It might seem abrasive and arrogant at first, but it's actually quite good to read that I really shouldn't be attempting everything at once and shouldn't be just whoring my book.

http://www.whimsydark.com/blog/2015/4...

Joseph wrote: "Thanks Jason.

For anyone interested, I found this blog post (and the one that follows it) to be really good. It might seem abrasive and arrogant at first, but it's actually quite good to read tha..."

Read the link, thanks. Not too innovative, but nicely summarised and put ...

Joseph wrote: "Thanks Jason.

For anyone interested, I found this blog post (and the one that follows it) to be really good. It might seem abrasive and arrogant at first, but it's actually quite good to read tha..."

Thanks for sharing the blog post Joseph. I know it's been a while since you put it on here, but I am new to the group. I have been whoring my book too, I guess I liked the tone of the blog, since it seemed more honest and realistic about numbers. I also read the second one about what actually might work for promotion. I guess now I have to dress up my work like it's not such a filthy, filthy girl. Or guy. Thanks again for the post man, it is helpful to hear that even writers who have been in the game a while like this one have a lot of the same issues. And I have stopped reloading my book stats every 37 seconds, that has to mean something in the blog stuck with me.

-bb

I'm interested in doing reviews and interviews Joseph...


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