Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

As self-publishers we wear multiple hats.

We're expected to not only be writers but also editors, formatters, cover designers, marketers, publicists, and the list goes on. Learn what steps you can do yourself and where to find the resources for the hats you don't want to wear in my newest self-publishing guide where I walk you through each of the steps.

**Sale for the eBook goes from today through November 30th.**

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Hi there!

I know this thread is probably almost as old as the hills by now...Or maybe, it isn't! Still, I'd like to introduce you to what I call the worst-selling science-fiction/fantasy novel series of all time: https://www.goodreads.com/series/2616... <---- Sky Fighters and Houndy Crunchers.

And here is my latest book trailer for said series: https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1639... <---- This is from my least-popular book of all time: The latest 7th one and the one with 0 sales whatsoever! o_o

This is on top of my already worst-selling novella/novel series of all time. Virtually nobody will read or buy it! Will...You?

I ask the same questions? My novel Secrets and Silence is hardly flying off the shelves.
I wish you luck in your endeavors. Wouldn't you like to be like new Canadian author Ashley Audrain who got a million dollar deal for her debut novel The Push published January 5, 2021.
Being our own publicist is hard. it is a journey and we don't know where it will take us. Good luck on your journey. Remember we overestimate what we can do in one year, and underestimate what we can do in ten. Enjoy.

@Ross and @Belynda I can relate to your struggles. If I can make a sale per day I'm doing good! Writing the book is one thing. Marketing your book and getting people to buy it is a whole other monster! Whether you self-publish or trade publish you are still going to have to do some marketing.

While my book is no longer on sale on for 99 cents it does offer some valuable insight behind the key things needed to give your book the best chance to succeed: 1) Packaging your book so that it's not only well-written/edited but the cover, blurb/description, and the title speak to what your book is about in a way that will connect with your target audience and 2) Positioning your book- this means putting your book in front of more readers (esp. your target readers). To find your targeted audience look for targeted niche groups your book fall under whether that's Facebook groups, Reddit, Goodreads, etc. A simple search on Google is a good place to start.

What has helped me boost lagging sales is periodic sales promo whether that's offering the book for free or offering it for a reduced price. To help amplify downloads/sales you want to seek out book promotion sites to promote your book on your sales day to their subscribers. The good book promo sites will allow you to pick the specific genres to promote your book to.

One popular book promo site is Bookbub. They are very expensive but I've heard great feedback from authors who got accepted into their promotion services. The next best options are Freebooksy (free books) or BargainBooksy (ex: 99 cent books). They were game-changers when I 1st launched How to Self-Publish Without Going Broke and when I ran a sale on Black Friday weekend.

If you need assistance or looking for more guidance for free to check out my site: https://writersnookblog.wordpress.com

I also run a newsletter too. Let me know if you need any ideas or guidance.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Writing the book is the easy part.

You can research marketing until your head hurts, make many errors along the way, spend money incorrectly, but it's all in the learning process. There is a fine line between spending money to get your book(s) noticed and losing money while doing it. No one wants to lose money.

I've come across many helpful sites-and many not so- and I've connected with so many awesome writers and readers.

J.U - I'll check out your blog!

Belynda wrote: " Wouldn't you like to be like new Canadian author Ashley Audrain who got ..." All you need to do is get "The Mention". David Chilton, of The Wealthy Barber fame, said in one of his marketing videos that getting a well known figure (i.e. celebrity) to mention your book is a fast way to get on the best seller list. Look at what a mention on Oprah use to do. Yeah, I forgot to mention: This is probably harder than all other marketing combined. Oh, to have connections...

Ross - I like your candidness!

J.U. and Ross
"The mention," isn't that the dream? This publicity challenge is a new learning experience. Always up for learning, and hoping it can be effective. We are on the "Wheel of Fortune," and where it goes nobody knows. Isn't that part of the fun? What if we already knew the outcome - wouldn't that detract from the journey?
We have to love the journey, not just the destination.