Michael
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
I have absolutely loved your books and learning about your journey with the extras in the backs of the Orbit editions of your books. I am a new author in the fantasy genre and I have just self-published my book "Start of the Storm: Trials of Transcendence Volume I" on Amazon. Is there any advice you would give aspiring writers like me for marketing my book and gaining a following?
Michael J. Sullivan
Hey M.A. - Congratulations on releasing your first book. I'm glad to see "Volume I" because my most important advice is going to revolve around getting more content "out there" before you really pour much time and money into marketing to get your book noticed. Why? Well, it takes quite a bit of work to get people to give a new author a try and if you put all that effort in when you only have a single book out, the most you can recoup is the price of that book. But if you instead work hard to get book #2 and #3 released, then you have the opportunity to get 3x income from the reader (assuming you did a good job in writing a tale they want to continue with).
So, until you have released three books spend 90% - 95% of your time writing the next book. Once you have 3 then you can shift ot 50% - 50% regarding writing and marketing. What should you do with that 5% - 10%? I'd work on getting reviews. Complimentary copies in the HOPES OF (not in EXCHANGE FOR), is where I think you should concentrate your efforts. They don't have to be paperbacks, these days many reviewers prefer ebooks anyway. In any case, that's my best piece of advice for someone where you are now. Once you have 3 books released, and at least 25 Goodreads reviews on book #1 (and 10 on Amazon), write to me again and I'll tell you about the next steps. I wish you great success.
So, until you have released three books spend 90% - 95% of your time writing the next book. Once you have 3 then you can shift ot 50% - 50% regarding writing and marketing. What should you do with that 5% - 10%? I'd work on getting reviews. Complimentary copies in the HOPES OF (not in EXCHANGE FOR), is where I think you should concentrate your efforts. They don't have to be paperbacks, these days many reviewers prefer ebooks anyway. In any case, that's my best piece of advice for someone where you are now. Once you have 3 books released, and at least 25 Goodreads reviews on book #1 (and 10 on Amazon), write to me again and I'll tell you about the next steps. I wish you great success.
More Answered Questions
Britney (BookDrunkSloth)
asked
Michael J. Sullivan:
Hi MIchael! I just finished The Crown Tower, and I loved reading Hadrian and Royce's origin story. I will never tire of reading about these two so put my vote in to continue the ten book Chronicles! Ok, my question: Why is Hadrian the main POV in the books? Why wouldn't you do a more 50/50 POV changes between them both?
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."
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