Yes to all of this! And even though social media is different now, I still agree about the Do Less. It doesn't move the needle like we want to think it does, because it's one of the few things where we can put active energy. But it's more an energy black hole than anything productive, 95% of the time.
Yeah. There are absolutely exceptions, authors who can use social media and sell tons of books! But I see even more authors putting so much time and effort into their socials and it's not paying off. I mean, maybe it's fun for them, too, and I wouldn't dream of telling anyone to stop doing a fun thing, as long as fun's the goal. But I know a lot of authors who've only put the effort into socials because they believed it would move copies.
I’m debuting in almost 3 months, and this was so so helpful to read. It is emotionally taxing and nerve-wracking and it’s nice to hear that the best thing we can do is just keep writing. That’s what I’m doing, and I appreciate the affirmation! Thank you!
Thank you for sharing Jodi! I’m debuting soon too - fiction. I’ve published in non-fiction before. Interesting to hear your views about Goodreads. Do you have an author profile on Goodreads now or no presence there?
I do have an author profile, in part because (as I mentioned) I thought it would be more useful for me, but also so that I can tinker with my own book listings as needed, and to prevent anyone else from getting it. :)
As far as using Goodreads as a reader, I update the books I'm reading, but I don't leave real reviews or star ratings. I used to leave five stars on some things, but I stopped that, too, when I began to worry I might unintentionally hurt feelings. It's all very bare bones for me!
I’ve really changed my behavior/use of goodreads over the last year. Also I miss chronological feeds. 😂 It will still be many years (likely) before I’m a debut, but this is all great advice!
Great article! I found the "don't spend all your money on merch" advice to be really useful when I debuted. I was all set to spend money on bookmarks and stickers and postcards and everything under the sun, until I read an article pointing out that it's not essential, so pick one or two things and leave it there. I ended up going with pins (thanks purebuttons!)
As someone with Book 2 in early stages right now, I'd love to read more about "Also by..." That's the next thing on my author goals to check off! Is there any rhyme or reason to it? What are a publisher's incentives for not including books?
I'm glad you saw something that gave you pause before you threw all your money on merch! I do think bookmarks are evergreen, but personally I'd do self-branded bookmarks at this point, not ones for individual books. Like business cards but for holding your place in a book. :)
Also by . . . Sometimes publishers don't want to include books from other publishers. Sometimes they can reach an agreement to list them. And sometimes there just isn't space. If you look at my NIGHTRENDER books, you'll see there's no "also by" page on either of them! But every single page has something on it, so adding an "also by" page would mean adding a whole new section (about 8 sheets of paper/16 pages, I think), which would increase printing costs. As far as the Janies books -- I'm not sure why it's just the Janies books, not our solo books anymore, but I assume it has something to do with space, because that list is pretty long by now!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jodi! I'm nine months out from my debut, and it's already easy to fall into that trap of worrying I'm not doing enough. Sometimes we need a little reminder that most of the things we stress over don't matter that much in the long run.
Does anyone have advice for a debut coming out from a small publisher (like, zero marketing dollars)? Other than social media, I can’t think of how to market the book in ways that extend beyond my small physical community.
I'd start off by seeing what they are going to do/what they are able, what their suggestions are, and then -- if it's truly nothing -- take a look at what self-published authors do. Indie authors are truly masters of self-promo.
Yes to all of this! And even though social media is different now, I still agree about the Do Less. It doesn't move the needle like we want to think it does, because it's one of the few things where we can put active energy. But it's more an energy black hole than anything productive, 95% of the time.
Also your knitting projects are incredible!
Yeah. There are absolutely exceptions, authors who can use social media and sell tons of books! But I see even more authors putting so much time and effort into their socials and it's not paying off. I mean, maybe it's fun for them, too, and I wouldn't dream of telling anyone to stop doing a fun thing, as long as fun's the goal. But I know a lot of authors who've only put the effort into socials because they believed it would move copies.
Personally, I'd rather be writing.
Exactly! Amen to this.
I’m debuting in almost 3 months, and this was so so helpful to read. It is emotionally taxing and nerve-wracking and it’s nice to hear that the best thing we can do is just keep writing. That’s what I’m doing, and I appreciate the affirmation! Thank you!
Congratulations on your upcoming debut! I hope the experience is everything you want it to be. <3
Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing Jodi! I’m debuting soon too - fiction. I’ve published in non-fiction before. Interesting to hear your views about Goodreads. Do you have an author profile on Goodreads now or no presence there?
I do have an author profile, in part because (as I mentioned) I thought it would be more useful for me, but also so that I can tinker with my own book listings as needed, and to prevent anyone else from getting it. :)
As far as using Goodreads as a reader, I update the books I'm reading, but I don't leave real reviews or star ratings. I used to leave five stars on some things, but I stopped that, too, when I began to worry I might unintentionally hurt feelings. It's all very bare bones for me!
That sounds like a really sensible strategy!
I’ve really changed my behavior/use of goodreads over the last year. Also I miss chronological feeds. 😂 It will still be many years (likely) before I’m a debut, but this is all great advice!
Great article! I found the "don't spend all your money on merch" advice to be really useful when I debuted. I was all set to spend money on bookmarks and stickers and postcards and everything under the sun, until I read an article pointing out that it's not essential, so pick one or two things and leave it there. I ended up going with pins (thanks purebuttons!)
As someone with Book 2 in early stages right now, I'd love to read more about "Also by..." That's the next thing on my author goals to check off! Is there any rhyme or reason to it? What are a publisher's incentives for not including books?
I'm glad you saw something that gave you pause before you threw all your money on merch! I do think bookmarks are evergreen, but personally I'd do self-branded bookmarks at this point, not ones for individual books. Like business cards but for holding your place in a book. :)
Also by . . . Sometimes publishers don't want to include books from other publishers. Sometimes they can reach an agreement to list them. And sometimes there just isn't space. If you look at my NIGHTRENDER books, you'll see there's no "also by" page on either of them! But every single page has something on it, so adding an "also by" page would mean adding a whole new section (about 8 sheets of paper/16 pages, I think), which would increase printing costs. As far as the Janies books -- I'm not sure why it's just the Janies books, not our solo books anymore, but I assume it has something to do with space, because that list is pretty long by now!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Jodi! I'm nine months out from my debut, and it's already easy to fall into that trap of worrying I'm not doing enough. Sometimes we need a little reminder that most of the things we stress over don't matter that much in the long run.
Congratulations on your upcoming debut! That's huge! I hope you're able to take the time to enjoy it, too. <3
Does anyone have advice for a debut coming out from a small publisher (like, zero marketing dollars)? Other than social media, I can’t think of how to market the book in ways that extend beyond my small physical community.
I'd start off by seeing what they are going to do/what they are able, what their suggestions are, and then -- if it's truly nothing -- take a look at what self-published authors do. Indie authors are truly masters of self-promo.