Nicholas Ponticello's Blog, page 7
July 5, 2022
A Little Advice Before You Self-Publish that Book
I was recently giving some advice to an author who plans to release his first self-published book in the fall. I’ve self-published three books already, and I’ve learned several hard truths and a few simple tricks that have made the process a little less discouraging. I thought I would adapt the email I sent my author friend into a blog post that I can share with other aspiring self-published authors. So if you plan to self-publish, read on:
First piece of advice:
Reach out to reviewers/bloggers. They usually have guidelines about requesting reviews. Don’t send the book until they agree to review it. Use the contact method they suggest on their site. You probably won’t hear back from most of them, but when one accepts, gift them a copy in the format they prefer.
I don’t recommend paying for reviews. The exchange should be a free book for an honest review.
I actually just discovered a database of reviewers on BookSirens that is really helpful:
https://booksirens.com/book-reviewer-directory/
For my new release, Cuckoo Cuckoo, I’m not using their paid service. I’m just contacting reviewers through their free directory.
A few hard truths:
Tweets hardly ever translate to sales. I don’t care how big the Twitter account is…Tweets are next to useless for selling books. So I wouldn’t pay for a Tweeting service (I did originally, and got very little out of it). Mass emailings that feature your book have a better return on investment. However, it only really works when your book is discounted or free. Expect to give away a lot of free copies if you want to grow your readership. In the seven years since I published Do Not Resuscitate and The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown , I’ve made 1000+ official sales through Amazon (many of them discounted). But I’ve given away 9500 free copies of my books. NINE THOUSAND free copies. These giveaways translate to reviews and word of mouth sales.The other horrible thing I’ve learned:
The people least likely to buy your book are your friends and family.
Of course mom or dad will buy a copy. But strangers are far more likely to take your work seriously. It’s sad, but true. Everyone you know will say, “Congratulations!” but will delay buying the book unless you put direct pressure on them. Even worse, friends almost never actually read the thing. You need to cultivate your own readership—people who like what you write (not people who like what you are).
Another cool resource that I’m using for the first time with Cuckoo Cuckoo:
BooksGoSocial. You pay this service to list your book on NetGalley where reviewers can download it for free and are compelled to write reviews. I just started, so I have no idea if it will pay off, but I think it will because my first two reviews are already in—both 5 Stars.
Go to https://bgsauthors.com/pricing/. Scroll down: I chose the Silver Package for $99.
One more thing:
Depending on how you plan to make your book available, a Goodreads Giveaway is also a good idea. I chose the $119 package to list 100 Kindle copies for free. Check out their packages here:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show_create_options?ref=giv_creategiv
Finally:
Get your author profile up and running on Amazon and Goodreads ASAP!
Even now, with a dedicated readership, I’ve only *SOLD* 19 copies of Cuckoo Cuckoo in the first four days of publication, despite appealing to friends, family and 33,000 Twitter followers. It’s a very rough road. But as soon as that first 5-star review comes in, it’s worth it.
July 4, 2022
Cuckoo Cuckoo First Reviews
The first reviews for my new novella Cuckoo Cuckoo are in, and they’re all 5 stars! Here are some snippets:
July 1, 2022
I’m giving away 100 copies of my new book! Read on for details.
Enter to be one of a hundred winners to receive a free Kindle copy of my newest book, Cuckoo Cuckoo. Just follow the link below to enter.
Goodreads Book Giveaway
Cuckoo Cuckooby Nicholas PonticelloGiveaway ends July 14, 2022.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
June 29, 2022
Cuckoo Cuckoo is FREE on NetGalley
Good news! If you are a member of the NetGalley community, you can get an advance copy of Cuckoo Cuckoo for FREE right now on NetGalley!
The darkest secrets never stay buried forever.
Charles Abernathy Vanderough has been dead for nineteen years. But when his clone shows up on the doorstep of the old Vanderough estate, a family is forced to confront their troubled past and face their darkest secrets.
You can also preorder a copy on Amazon.
June 24, 2022
New Book Release (Give to Planned Parenthood!)
On this somber day—my birthday—I happen to be releasing my new book Cuckoo Cuckoo for preorder on Amazon. In recognition of the terrible news today, I will donate all royalties from today’s preorders to Planned Parenthood. So please preorder your copy today!
Charles Abernathy Vanderough has been dead for nineteen years. But when his clone shows up on the doorstep of the old Vanderough estate, a family is forced to confront their troubled past and face their darkest secrets.
Cuckoo Cuckoo is the story of Charlie B, a penniless clone and conman, who goes in search of the family fortune, only to find deception and tragedy at every turn. Set against the backdrop of the 2016 presidential primary, the proliferation of gun violence in America, and the apotheosis of selfie culture, Cuckoo Cuckoo reminds us that nobody can outrun their demons in an increasingly technological world.
June 20, 2022
Book Launch 
May 20, 2022
The Query Letter that Landed Me an Agent
Thought I would share the query that landed me an agent, in case other aspiring authors need an example. Disclaimer: I’m still looking for an editor to publish my baby!
Thanks for the idea, @themoosef!
King of Brave Query
May 14, 2022
Book Review x2: Do Not Resuscitate & Destiny Unknown
Thanks to Neal Holtschulte for the wonderful and insightful review of my books! Check out his review here:
Two book reviews in one!
Do Not Resuscitate is a near-future scifi-lite story of family conflict, life, death, relationships, and the mystery of what is in those damned coolers. It’s funny and insightful and comparable to Vonnegut. Available here: https://www.amazon.com/Do-Not-Resusci…
The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown is a silly scifi romp as a group of people cloistered on a starship experience all the conflict and drama one might expect when people are forced into close proximity. Destiny is a light and humorous story. Available here: https://www.amazon.com/Maiden-Voyage-Destiny-Nich…
In this video I’m going to do a double review: Two books by the same author:
The Maiden Voyage of The Destiny Unknown
and
Do Not Resuscitate
both by Nicholas Ponticello
Their experience is similar to that of a child who has just squashed a bug for the first time-the child understands she has killed the poor bug, but she still thinks she…
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May 3, 2022
Help Me Support Planned Parenthood
I’m guessing folks could use an escapist sci-fi adventure filled with absurdity and humor (think: Hitchhiker’s Guide) right now in light of the news about Roe.
I will donate 100% of the royalties earned on sales of The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown through Thursday May 5 to Planned Parenthood.
Click here.
April 12, 2022
Why Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill is impacting my ability to do my job in California
Dear Readers,
It is with great sadness that I must announce my return to unemployed life thanks to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. For the privacy of everyone involved, I am not going to go into the details of the situation. Let’s just say the decision to leave my current job was my choice, but it was based on the fact that Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and lots of other bills just like it around the country are actually impacting my ability to represent the LGBTQ+ community in the classroom… Yes, even here in California.
I think a lot of us imagine ourselves to be immune to the laws of other states. But that simply isn’t true. What becomes law in another state will bleed over into the policies of institutions in even the most progressive states, like California.
Once again, I am striking out to try to make a living as a writer. To those of you who subscribe to my exclusive Patreon posts, thank you for supporting me in this difficult time as I try to get published. I am very aware that most people can’t make a living off of writing alone, and I will continue to search for jobs in which I can use my background as a math teacher and still find time to write. I know writing alone does not pay the bills. The real hope is that while I am unemployed, I can spend the extra time working hard toward getting published.
As some of you already know, my wonderful agent, Stephanie Rostan at the LGR Literary Agency, is working with me to get my YA novel about a gay teen with OCD into the hands of editors who might want to publish a story about overcoming the stigma of mental illness. I’m also still asking my supporters to buy copies of my self-published books, Do Not Resuscitate and The Maiden Voyage of the Destiny Unknown, and to leave reviews!
My final word to you all: It doesn’t matter what state you live in. Once the “Don’t Say Gay” bill passed in Florida, it started affecting people everywhere in the nation. You’re not safe from the bigotry, even if you live in Los Angeles, California. As I found out the hard way.
