Goodreads Sci-Fi/Fantasy Authors discussion
New Author seeking some marketing tips
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I'd call it the multiplier effect, but there are probably other terms for it as well. But it goes something like this, if you have ten books out, then every minute you spend promoting can help sell ten books. If you have one book out, every minute can help sell one book. So, you get a better return on your time the more books you've got out.
If you've got a minute you can spend writing or promoting, writing the next book is your better option.
And writing your next book and getting that out also helps to sell your other books. Promoting your current book helps to sell your future books, but it's a less effective tool. The time between a reader finishing your current book, and when you get the next one out dulls the reader's memory, making him less likely to search out your next book. But if he reads one of your books, and you've got three others, all mentioned and linked to in the book you've already got in his hands, you're a lot more likely to sell your other books.
There's a point, I'm thinking it's three to five books, where spending your time on promotion becomes worth more. Especially if you've got your three to five books out, and not a whole lot of readers. But until you've got a decent sized list of titles, use your time to write more books.
Now, you've got time where you probably can't write, but can promote. Time like that, tweet useful stuff, hang out here and get to know people, find places where people who read the sort of thing you write are, and become a useful member of the community. The idea is that you are a brand, (not your books) and you want people to know your name, know who you are, and want to see what sort of stuff you've created. This will take time. But, if you're working on the idea that you're not going to do a full court press publicity blitz until you've got several books out, you've got the time to build up your brand.
Then, when you've got friends, when you've got some fans, come out with something and really blitz the world with it. Have your friends and fans tweet, post, review, and tell the world about it. As people read that book, they'll want to get to know what else you've done, and you should see your sales start rolling.

As always, your advice is dead on. But, don't put yourself in a position to be forced to chose between writing and promoting. Schedule your time wisely so you have time for both. If you have to cut something, sleep is something you don't "really" need. Red Bull goes a long way in that department!
Maxwell Alexander Drake
Read the first five chapters of my award-winning fantasy saga at www.genesisofoblivion.com

I'm mostly a stay at home mom. So I've got plenty of time where the kiddos are doing something I can keep one eye on, and I can keep the other eye on goodreads, twitter, and the like. (Example, right now they're spinning themselves dizzy, and I'm on the sofa four feet away doing this.) But since I routinely have to spring up and deal with kiddie issues, I don't try to do any sort of story writing at times like these.
When I've got time by myself, where I can concentrate on writing, you don't see me doing anything other than writing.

For me, I am a full time writer. And, even more lucky, I have a wife that totally supports what I am doing. So, she deals with our kids, etc.
I write all day, from about 8 to 4ish. I have the ability to take sidelines, so I have my email open all day, and peck at stuff outside of my writing, like Goodreads.
My marketing has moved from social media, to fan centered events, however. This year I have finally started getting recognized by the industry, so I am a guest at Sony Fan Faire next week, then I am a guest of Comic-con followed by Gen-Con after that.
That is a lot more time consuming with the travel, hotel, event, etc. But, I think it is helping my career the most at this point.
Of course, I have to continually be producing new and better products. So, back to the grind for me...
Maxwell Alexander Drake
Read the first five chapters of my award-winning fantasy saga at www.genesisofoblivion.com


My book is the first in a completed trilogy (other two in rough manuscript form) so I hope to have more books out in the near future - which goes along with the thoughts of Keryl and Noor about maintaining a writing.
I have a three small events scheduled for later this summer (two library presentations and a book signing at a local, independent book store) and have managed to get a couple book bloggers to review the book - they have been positive.
Danielle,
Thanks for bringing up the contests...it is not something I think off. I will likely enter one or two and see how it goes.
I'm not sure how valuable facebook is at this point...seem to have more people who are looking for help with Farmville and other games than anything writing related.
Maxwell,
Great website! I was wondering, have you always been with your current publishing company? You have communicated that you have and are continuing to grow in your career so I was curious if you grew in that company or into it via leaving another.
Thanks again for the feedback everyone.
jim
I can agree with the advice about writing more. The 4th in my YA fantasy series will be released August 1st. This generates a lot of interest as people are curious with an author who produces. You're not just a one hit wonder.
I also give kids a lot to do on my website to explore, read and watch. http://www.allonbooks.com
But the best promotion for me are events. Even with backing and unlimited bankroll, NOTHING beats the personal touch and word of mouth advertising! Publisher can't reproduce it, though they try. It is organic and it takes TIME! Be patient.
I also give kids a lot to do on my website to explore, read and watch. http://www.allonbooks.com
But the best promotion for me are events. Even with backing and unlimited bankroll, NOTHING beats the personal touch and word of mouth advertising! Publisher can't reproduce it, though they try. It is organic and it takes TIME! Be patient.

Thank you. The genesisofoblivion.com website is run by my publisher, so I can't take credit for that. However, I maintain (with some help) the maxwellalexanderdrake.com website. A snazzy looking website does tend to impress fans.
I.I.I. was my first publisher. I have branched out, however, and I am always looking for other avenues to help spread my name. I am still selling to some of the smaller houses, but a few of the big boys have taken notice and are now approaching me for submissions. As I climb closer and closer to that wonderful 100,000 fan mark, people in the business tend to stand up and take notice.
But, I market heavily. I do a personal event about every 3 to 4 weeks, now. And Shawn is dead-on. This is a long-haul business. As I always say, it takes an average of 10 years to become an overnight success. Those that drop out of the race before then, never finish. There is no magical, "Write a book, get it published, make a million dollars." This business is about hard work, massive time and money commitment, thick skin, a pinch of blind luck, and tenacity. If you are missing even one of those, you have some serious obstacles in your path.
Maxwell Alexander Drake
Read the first five chapters of my award-winning fantasy saga at www.genesisofoblivion.com

Speak of investments have you, or anyone still following, ever heard of/worked with Pump up you book? They are a company that helps set up virtual book tours (something else I just heard of). After a little research the concept of the virtual book tour makes some sense in terms of trying to reach a new readers/increase online presence aspect of marketing plan. I have four small in person event planned for late august/early september - local libraries and indie bookstore. Like most of you have said - you just keep slugging along

Even an avid reader can read only 30 or so books a year. With over 1 million books published a year, the choices they have are overwhelming.
This market is about as competitive of a market as you can find. No offence, but if you are sitting next to me at one of the many conventions I attend, you can darn well believe it is my goal to out sell you... by a lot if I can swing it.
Actually, now that I think of it, I take back everything I said. I think an author should NEVER market themselves. Let your publisher handle it ALL. Just sit back, pop open your favorite beverage, and hang out checking your mailbox for your million-dollar checks to start rolling in. The $20,000 to $30,000 dollars I spend a year on conventions and self-marketing has in no way helped out my sales, grown my fan base, gotten me deeper penetration into stores such as Barnes & Noble, moved me up the reviewer ladder and had any book reviewers start to contact ME asking to review my books, nor in anyway helped me get invited to events such as Comic-Con International as a special guest. Trust me, your publisher can handle it all. Just relax. These are not the droids you are looking for. This is a magical land of sugarplums and gumdrops where all you have to do to become a New York Times Best Selling Author is turn your computer on and write down your amazing thoughts.
You can trust me on all this, I am a sci-fi fantasy author. You know, just like L. Ron Hubbard.
Maxwell Alexander Drake
Read the first five chapters of my award-winning fantasy saga at www.genesisofoblivion.com

Yog's law has changed a bit with the advent if DIY publishing.
It should now read: Money flows from the author to get money to flow to the author.
At the same time there are just about as many scams as there are legit expenses, and you need to be on your toes for them.
Keryl, the upheaval today in publishing isn't much different than in the mid 1800s. I posted a blog about it earlier this week. I found every interesting facts.
http://allonbooks-thekingdomofallon.b...
http://allonbooks-thekingdomofallon.b...

So, my advice to the new authors out there who want to make a portion of that "almighty buck" to be had? Expect to wait several years to get your name out there. Plug away and do what you do best...and that is WRITE! Put it out there with style and enjoy doing it, and chances are someone, somewhere will be bound to notice you...eventually.
I know that isn't what most people want to hear. In fact, it's an incredibly unwelcome piece of news. But, Ernest Hemingway and Voltaire didn't rise to fame over night. Let's hope that the most refreshing thing we see today is the post that reminds us we are small fish in a big sea. Hopefully the sharks won't see us, and the dolphins will want to come out and play!
Thanks for your post. I really enjoyed it! Truth, in any form, appeals to the inner me!
http://newauthorsforum.blogspot.com/
http://formbenders.blogspot.com/

I liked your post "What drives writers"...very interesting thoughts."
Much appreciated. :-)


Lots of readers find constant "Buy my stuff" on Facebook and other places annoying. So, if you've got a huge list of friends, just send them fun, interesting updates that make them want to know more about you. Occasionally mention the book(s). But most of the time talk about what you're doing or link to other cool stuff. Follow Neil Gaiman or any other writer you really like and see how they do it.
So, I might post how my characters are giving me trouble, or the plot's rolling along nicely, or how many words I got written. I link to stuff I like and stuff my readers might like. When a new book rolls around I talk about how close it is to coming out. Link to little snippets of it. On opening day, free coupons come out. About 30% of my posts are my writing/book related. The rest of it's cool stuff.
(Oh, do all of this on a fan site. That's where you want the followers to be coming from.)






There is no end to what you can do to publicize your own work. Come on, guys, we're creative! We can connect with folks through discussions and our ability to think and write creatively. Contact your local news station...see if you can't get some names of folks to send your book to. If it's an e-book, offer it in contests, or see if you can't get it into the curriculum at a school. You can find outlets. There's no reason that sales should intimidate us...look how far we've come!


The internet is a tool that we can use to refer folks to our websites and let them see what we're all about. Blogging helps us to relieve our stress and connect with people. I'm a firm believer that we all have to hit as many markets as possible to get the highest saturation point and the widest possible audience.
Best of luck to you, Stephen!
My name is James Rourke and my first work of fiction, The Eternal Struggle, was released in March. I was wondering if any of the more experienced authors or just plain better marketers out there had any tips or advise they would care to offer. Just so you know where I am at thus far - I have a website, facebook fan page, have contacted some book reviewers/bloggers and am currently working on a postcard marketing campaign targeting libraries/independent book stores. Thanks for any help that comes this way!