Indie novelist here. I’ve moved over 30k copies of my books but mostly as free giveaways. It’s the only way to build an audience as a non-entity who is being denied entrance via old routes. And those old routes don’t work too well anymore either.
Selling fiction these days seems impossible. But I keep at it, taking promotional advantage where I can. Writing these best novels I can. Submitting to Kirkus Reviews and publishing their review whether it praises or criticizes my books.
This fall I am releasing a dystopian political adventure called The Never Not Yes, to be released 10/7, and Kirkus invited me to be featured in an interview for their Indies Worth Discovering fall promotion.
I also have tried to develop relationships with intelligent readers here for “first look” reviews.
It’s a very difficult process. The rewards of doing it must supersede the hope for big success, which may no longer even be possible given the fracturing of the industry, the lack of readership, and the niche-obsessed marketplace.
😂😂😂 I enjoyed his experience with the writering group because it was the same for me. All young aspiring authors who hadn’t finished their books and struggling. I was done with first draft and wanted advice on next steps. None of them had published. The leader of the group was never there and she was the only one who had published “a book.” After she failed to show twice more, I never went back. 😂
Indie novelist here. I’ve moved over 30k copies of my books but mostly as free giveaways. It’s the only way to build an audience as a non-entity who is being denied entrance via old routes. And those old routes don’t work too well anymore either.
Selling fiction these days seems impossible. But I keep at it, taking promotional advantage where I can. Writing these best novels I can. Submitting to Kirkus Reviews and publishing their review whether it praises or criticizes my books.
This fall I am releasing a dystopian political adventure called The Never Not Yes, to be released 10/7, and Kirkus invited me to be featured in an interview for their Indies Worth Discovering fall promotion.
I also have tried to develop relationships with intelligent readers here for “first look” reviews.
It’s a very difficult process. The rewards of doing it must supersede the hope for big success, which may no longer even be possible given the fracturing of the industry, the lack of readership, and the niche-obsessed marketplace.
Good luck to all. 🙏
😂😂😂 I enjoyed his experience with the writering group because it was the same for me. All young aspiring authors who hadn’t finished their books and struggling. I was done with first draft and wanted advice on next steps. None of them had published. The leader of the group was never there and she was the only one who had published “a book.” After she failed to show twice more, I never went back. 😂
I think a lot of us have had that disappointing experience 😂
This was a good one!
It was a blast to talk shop. You're, as always, a gracious host and very easy to talk to. My only complaint is you let me run my mouth way too much.
That’s what editing is for 😂
Great episode! I need to listen to your podcast with Devon Eriksen at some point.
Of course -- Rian is finally leaving the Red Pill. Great to see him going towards the fictional route.
How would you compare his perspective of "All Genre is Setting" to Shawn Coyne and Steven Pressfield's editing philosophy from the Story Grid?