Can an AI be a useful tool for authors, or a crutch that prevents an author from using their own judgement and enhancing their writing skills. Can AI give us agency, or rob us of it? No doubt the answer is both or either. Independent author expert Joanne Penn raises this interesting topic, with the assistance of Grok, the resident AI on X. I suspect the main problem will be (or already is) the absolute tidal wave of AI enabled and initiated content that will wash through the publishing world, much of which will be complete forgettable rubbish. The desire of most readers to read stories about humans for humans may be a difficult one to satisfy. Amplifying the already near-infinite supply of content will not assist with the long-term problem of declining readership. With many people welded to their phones and compulsively watching extremely short-form videos, the sight of a person reading an actual book or even an e-reader is rare enough to be remarkable.
Web Vision Solutions -- online marketing for Authors
Independent authors often lack a plan for promoting their books and author brand online. Vanity Press publishers and others charge exorbitant fees for very uncertain results in this space. We approached local online marketing expert Ilana van Geijn and asked her if she could put together some affordable marketing packages designed for authors. She obliged and the results were as follows, with the associated introduction:
At Web Vision Solutions, we’ve been assisting our clients for over 10 years to create and establish a strong online presence to enhance brand recognition, elevate business and personal profiles, and drive sales of services and/or products.
As authors, we understand your specific needs. Our Book Marketing Professional team member has over 15 years experience, and teamed with my passion of creating and enhancing clients' online businesses, we combine our knowledge to craft a tailored strategy for you as an author. With a proven track record of collaborating with self published, traditionally published, USA Today and New York Times Best-Selling Authors, as well as small publishers, we ensure that every project we undertake meets the highest standards.
Ilana van Geijn
Founder, Web Vision Solutions
Some of the packages available are:
Book Launch and Marketing Strategy Packages — full and half
Amazon Publishing Package
NetGalley Promotion
Information For Ingram Spark Users
Websites, Social Media & More...
The full document can be downloaded here.
To get in touch with Web Vision Solutions:
To book in for a Discovery Call with Ilana, please click here.
Alternatively, please email us at info@webvisionsolutions.com and we will
connect with you within 24-48 hours.
5 of the Best Site Design Tools for an Effective Online Author Presence
Guest Contributor: Eleanor Hecks
Grabbing readers’ attention in a crowded publishing marketspace grows more complex with each passing year. Authors must get their work in front of a target audience via various channels, such as social media, online groups, newsletters and websites. Ensuring the site is a stellar example of the writer’s brand helps drive engagement and develop a lasting reader/writer relationship.
Developing an online presence that attracts ideal readers means maintaining brand consistency across all those channels and especially websites, which serve as a writer’s home base. Fortunately, many site design tools are available that are simple to use, even without coding knowledge, and will give an author’s site a professional look.
1. Shopify
Shopify boasts over 4.5 million live stores in more than 170 countries. The platform’s flexibility makes it popular with people who want to sell their products online. Many authors have griped on group forums about Amazon’s stranglehold on electronic publishing. They have been at the retail giant’s mercy if they want to accept ebook returns or judge pages on Kindle Unlimited reads as being fraudulent.
In recent years, experts have pushed authors to go wide and sell books on various sites to avoid putting all their eggs into one basket. Shopify makes the process simpler.
2. Wix
For authors who aren’t very techy, adding a site through Wix is simple. They can even take out a domain name and attach it to their pages. However, users should be aware of a few limitations with third-party sites, such as the upgrade fees and cookie-cutter designs.
While authors can customize Wix designs, they still look the same. Creative people often see repetition as a drawback. Still, if a writer needs a quick and easy way to get the word out about books, Wix is an excellent solution.
3. Facebook Page
Today’s published authors sometimes forgo the traditional website and select a Facebook page as their main means of communication with readers. They can even point a domain name to the page if they’d like, update it with photos and videos, and engage directly with their followers.
Researchers found that 76% of consumers plan to keep buying from brands they feel more connected to. By keeping up with a social media site, writers can simultaneously keep up with comments and share personal information that fosters connection with their readers.
4. Ucraft
Similar to sites such as Squarespace and Wix, Ucraft offers another option for authors wanting to get online quickly and establish their presence. One thing a lot of people like about the design platform is that users can sell their products in over 100 markets. Also, buyers can pay in multiple ways, including crypto, PayPal, Square and Stripe.
Ucraft offers templates that users can customize with their images and text. Writers can also create downloads of their products so people can pay and gain instant access to the book. A website can look professional when combined with design tools like Canva, Book Brush and Adobe Creative Cloud for unique images.
5. WordPress
Experts estimate there are around 151,200 authors and writers in the United States. Selecting the perfect platform and theme to showcase talent is challenging. Although prebuilt sites offer convenience, they might not give the level of customization required to truly stand out.
Another option is to lease hosting space through a shared provider, install a WordPress content management system (CMS) on the site and design something unique. Authors may want to work alongside a designer for a custom solution, but using WP to post unique content is as easy as tapping into Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Writers can choose a free theme on WordPress.org, pay to license a professionally designed theme or work with a designer to customize the site’s look, colors and layout.
Why a Website?
A website is a bridge that connects readers and authors, driving engagement and loyalty. Writers who want raving fans who buy every book they release must work to communicate with them through storytelling, chats and interactive elements on their sites. Authors should look at their websites and digital footprint, which share the tale of who they are and where they're going. Hopefully, book sales follow along and show the connection between authors and readers.
About the Author
Eleanor Hecks is a writer and web designer who is passionate about helping other writers grow their online presence. Her work can be found on her site Designerly, as well as publications such as IndependentPublishing.com and I Need a Book Cover.
Draft2Digital: a good idea for independent authors?
Draft2Digital offers a very cost-effective distribution route for ebooks (print on demand also, but that service is still in beta, for various reasons). Its sale channels cover all of the large ebook retailers. It has a very simple and attractive service proposition:
We are Self-Publishing with Support. Your book is your priority. Our priority is you. We build tools and services that let you focus on writing while we take care of layout, publishing, distribution, print-on-demand paperbacks, and more. Keep writing. We’re here for the rest.
In a long and very informative blog post, author services firm Reedsy describes them as “The gold standard for self-publishing aggregators, Draft2Digital distinguishes itself with excellent customer service and a user-friendly interface. They’re the best way to sell your book with dozens of retailers without tearing your hair out.”
Kindlepreneur also has a largely positive review that dives into the details of uploading a new title and how the royalty payments and update fees work.
Users discuss vcry specific pros and cons of the service on a reddit thread. Important note: the 10% Draft2Digital fee is charged on retail price, not on profit, and comes on top of the share taken by the end seller.
Writers Weekly has published a number of very negative user reviews that indicate some administrative problems.
Plenty of users had complaints about the non-payment of royalties.
Draft2Digital books cannot access Amazon advertising or other Amazon sales tools.
In summary, a service that will be useful to many authors, but go in with your eyes open and aware of the moderate drawbacks, especially the Amazon advertising issue.
The Library of Lost Horizons by Trevor Hay: a review
Local author and academic Trevor Hay’s book The Library of Lost Horizons has been reviewed at some length in Quadrant magazine (subscription). Two brief excerpts:
“Hay speaks fluent Mandarin and since 1975 has journeyed widely to study Chinese literature,
theatre, and folklore. A compulsive collector, his library holds a multitude of forgotten stories from
travellers along Silk Roads in remotest Asia. In The Library of Lost Horizons, Hay recounts stories
garnered from the many archeologists, ethnographers, scientists, historians, anthropologists, and
inveterate dreamers who passed through deserts and harsh mountain passes to the soaring peaks
and mysterious valleys of Tibet and on to fabled Shangri-la. He adds reflections arising from his own
last trip to Dunhuang and the remarkable ‘Caves of the Thousand Buddhas’ on the edge of the great
Gobi Desert.
”
“Hay was soon captivated by China, a country that haunts him still. As he
notes,’…for nearly fifty years I have been in love with a much older woman. She likes to be called
Han. Sometimes she will answer to Tang’. He continued to be drawn to her languages and cultures
as he collected books ‘in English or in translation about the places that have contributed to the
formation of her character’. The Library of Lost Horizons takes you into the world of these books.”
The Library of Lost Horizons is available from Australian Scholarly Publishing, along with several of Trevor’s other titles.
Rules for Reading
Author Ryan Holiday details his down-to-earth reading habits/strategy.
“If you see a book you want, just buy it. Don’t worry about the price. Reading is not a luxury. It’s not something you splurge on. It’s a necessity. Even if all you get is one life-changing idea from a book, that’s still a pretty good return on investment.”
Music and cultural critic Ted Gioia outlines his lifetime reading plan, and it is very impressive and inspiring.
“When I was 18, I tackled War and Peace. When I was 19, I did Don Quixote. The next year, I read The Brothers Karamazov, and after that it was Moby Dick and The Tale of Genji and The Magic Mountain. And I’ve kept doing this for decades. The cumulative impact of this is life-changing.”
IngramSpark Drops Setup Charges But Adds Another Fee
In welcome news, IngramSpark have dropped their excessive new title charges, and also removed revision charges if corrections are made within 60 days. This aligns them better with their competitors at Kindle Direct Publishing. The revision fees were particularly egregious — one of the advantages of Print On Demand is the ability to correct and update when necessary, unlike long print runs, and IngramSpark were effectively penalising people for doing so.
Of course, what one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away — a new ‘Global Distribution Fee’ has been added:
Effective July 1, 2023, a market access fee will be charged for every print book sold through Ingram’s Global Distribution network, reaching 40,000+ bookstores, retailers, libraries, and schools. The fee will be 1% of the list price of the title sold. For example, if your book has a US list price of $20.00, the market access fee will be $0.20 cents.
Tips for Building an Effective Website (guest post)
Unveiling the Blueprint: Crucial Tips for Building a Stellar Website
In the dynamic landscape of online presence, building a website that captivates users and performs exceptionally well on search engines is a multifaceted task. The journey from conception to a fully functional website involves strategic planning, technical finesse, and a deep understanding of user behavior. In this comprehensive guide, we'll uncover pivotal tips that will serve as the backbone for constructing a website that not only stands out but also thrives in the digital realm.
1. Strategic Planning: Define Your Purpose and Audience
Before diving into the intricacies of web development, embark on a strategic planning phase. Clearly define the purpose of your website and identify your target audience. This foundational understanding will shape every subsequent decision, from content creation to design aesthetics. Knowing your audience ensures that your website resonates with the right people, leading to enhanced engagement and conversions.
2. Thorough Keyword Research: Fueling SEO Success
Keywords are the building blocks of SEO, and their strategic integration is paramount. Conduct exhaustive keyword research to identify terms and phrases relevant to your niche. Utilize tools such as Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush to uncover search volumes and competition levels. Infuse these keywords organically into your content, meta tags, and headers, providing search engines with valuable context and enhancing your website's discoverability.
3. User-Centric Design: Navigating the Digital Landscape with Ease
User experience (UX) is a critical aspect often underestimated in website development. Craft an intuitive and user-friendly design that facilitates seamless navigation. Prioritize responsive design to ensure a consistent and enjoyable experience across devices. Incorporate clear calls-to-action (CTAs) and minimize clutter, guiding users effortlessly through your digital space.
4. Effective Content Strategy: Quality Over Quantity
Content is the heartbeat of your website, and a strategic content plan is key. Prioritize quality over quantity, delivering information that is valuable, relevant, and engaging. Regularly update your content to reflect industry trends and user needs. Consider incorporating various content formats, including text, images, videos, and infographics, to cater to diverse audience preferences.
5. Optimized Page Speed: Swift Loading for Enhanced User Experience
Page speed is not just a user preference; it's a critical SEO factor. Compress images, leverage browser caching, and minimize code to optimize your website's loading times. Users and search engines alike favor websites that load swiftly, contributing to a positive user experience and improved search rankings.
6. Mobile Responsiveness: Adapting to the Mobile-First Era
In an era dominated by mobile devices, ensuring your website is mobile-responsive is non-negotiable. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its rankings, making this aspect crucial for SEO success. Choose a responsive design that seamlessly adapts to various screen sizes, providing a consistent and enjoyable experience for users on smartphones and tablets.
7. Technical SEO Best Practices: Lay a Solid Foundation
Mastering the technical aspects of SEO is akin to building a robust foundation for your website's success. Create and submit an XML sitemap to guide search engine crawlers efficiently. Optimize meta titles, descriptions, and headers with relevant keywords. Implement clean and semantic HTML, and ensure your website adheres to best practices for canonicalization to prevent duplicate content issues.
8. Secure Hosting and SSL Certification: Safeguarding Your Digital Presence
Choose a reliable hosting provider to ensure your website remains accessible and performs optimally. Additionally, prioritize security by obtaining an SSL certificate. Secure websites not only instill trust in users but are also favored by search engines, positively impacting your rankings.
9. Regular Monitoring and Maintenance: Keep Your Website in Prime Condition
Building a website is not a one-time task; it requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Regularly check for broken links, update content, and ensure that all features are functioning as intended. Conduct periodic SEO audits to identify and address any issues that may arise, ensuring your website stays in peak condition and continues to attract and retain visitors.
Embarking on the journey to build a website is an exciting venture laden with opportunities. By following these crucial tips, you'll be equipped to navigate the complexities of web development with confidence. Remember, a successful website is a dynamic entity that evolves with user needs and industry trends. Stay committed to delivering exceptional user experiences, staying on top of SEO best practices, and consistently refining your digital space. With these tips as your guide, you're well on your way to crafting a website that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of your audience.
You can learn more here.
Using Fiverr to Promote Your Book on Amazon
If learning and managing all the intricacies of Amazon’s advertising engine in order to promote your book/s seems just too hard, perhaps you might consider hiring a consultant through the outsourcing websites Fiverr and Upwork. You can check reviews of each consultant’s work in order to see if any of them might be a good fit. Packages start at quite low rates, so you could experiment without committing huge amounts of money.
Bush Tragedies
Author Bill Poulos has been getting plenty of press for his excellent new book Bush Tragedies. Bill has been using Facebook and Instagram to good effect and tapping into his community connections.
https://arr.news/2023/09/01/new-release-bush-tragedies/
https://www.nswcountryandpicnicracing.com.au/former-racing-writer-launches-new-book/
https://www.netimes.com.au/2023/08/20/new-crime-book-from-moree-author-accidental/
Frank Burkett, The O'Connor Protocol and author websites
Author Frank Burkett has set up a simple, effective long-scrolling author wordpress website. The site includes a blurb, book thumbnail, author bio, an order form and some local context, and a comments capability. A navigation bar to go to different sections of the page abd back to the top would have been helpful, but perhaps was not an option for this build of WordPress.
Frank’s biography reads as follows:
Frank Burkett lives in tropical Queensland, which is the setting of his second novel, The O’Connor Protocol. His previous novel, View from the Clock Tower, was shortlisted in 2006 for the British Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger award. Although raised in Queensland, Frank has travelled extensively, including three years in the United Kingdom where he studied at the University of London for a Diploma in Dramatic Art. He spent three years in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he worked in the field of land conservation. In 1980, back home, he completed a journalism major at the University of Queensland. Following a successful career in news media, he wrote and published The Tropical Son, a biography of country music singer Graeme Connors. Frank is now retired and working on his third book in which, once again, sugar cane, rainforests and coral reefs provide an exotic setting.
Available here and direct from the author. Published by Sid Harta Publishers.
Choosing Amazon Book Categories
Uploading your book to Kindle Direct Publishing / Amazon is the beginning of a process rather than the end. The next task is to optimise your metadata for visibility / search. Reedsy is offering a free course on the basics of Amazon advertising.
“In this article, we’ll reveal the importance of choosing the right categories and provide you some practical steps to perfectly place your book on Amazon’s bulging shelves. ”
Manuscript to Market: the life cycle of getting your book into print
by Susan Pierotti, writer, editor and proofreader.
Does a burning desire to write a book light a fire in your belly? Have you already begun to write but self-doubts have conquered your self-confidence? Do you have all the material ready to write but don’t know how to assemble it together?
I wrote Manuscript to Market to answer these very questions and more. I’m an editor who polished others’ books for publication. I never in a million years thought that I would write a book, yet I’ve now published four. I know what it feels like to write and then hand over my hours of inspiration (and perspiration) to someone else to get feedback from. Will they like it? Will they loathe it?
I wrote Manuscript to Market in response to a number of prompts.
The first came from a business colleague. He said if I was going into business as a book editor, I’d better write a book to show I knew what I was talking about. So, for all you businesspeople out there, let me tell you – writing a book is a business card on steroids! I have sold so many of my books to prospective authors and they now think I’m an expert.
Am I the only book editor around, or even the best? No, but I’m the only one they have met who can tell them what they need to know. This adds to my credibility and their reassurance. So, if you’re in business and want a product that does the marketing work for you, write a book. (How do you do that? Read mine!)
The second prompt came from my first-time author clients. They had great stories, engaging characters and dramatic plotlines, but few knew how to construct a good story arc with an appropriate pace, many didn’t know who they were writing for, and marketing ... well, isn’t that what the publisher does? Knowing how little some of these authors know about the book publishing world about understanding how they feel about their work motivated me to help them.
Every author I have worked with regards their book (rightly) as if it were their baby – precious, delicate, valuable. This gave me the structure for my book. From the birth of your baby (where the idea is in the head) to going to school (finding your editor) to dressing up (cover design, layout) and graduating (publishing), Manuscript to Market is a step-by-step guide to getting the idea in your head to a book in the hand.
Available at Susan’s website.
Australian Society of Authors Guide to the Australian Book Industry
The Australian Society of Authors (ASP) has just released their 2023-24 Guide to the Australian Book Industry. The book contains the following elements:
Industry organisations
Industry newsletters
Literary magazines and journals
Literary podcasts
Reading communities
Sensitivity readers
Literary agents
Trade publishers
International book fairs
Literary festivals
Funding your work
Grants
Residencies and fellowships
Competitions
Literary Prizes
Publicising your work
Book publicists
Book review services
Bookshops for events
Speaker agencies
Understanding self-publishing
Self-publishing service providers
Custom publishers
Print book distributors
Printers
The book is free with an ASA membership, which is not cheap, but certainly worth considering if you are serious about your writing life. Another ASA title available in Kindle format is the Guide to Getting Published: Understanding and navigating Australia's book industry, available from Amazon.
Manuscript Assessment Agency
If you have completed a first draft of your manuscript, but are unsure of the next step and need experienced guidance, the services of the Manuscript Appraisal Agency are worth considering. Their menu consists of the following:
In the highly competitive world of publishing, getting your manuscript read, assessed and/or edited can be the first step to finding success. The Manuscript Appraisal Agency can help you take those first publishing steps, getting your manuscript ready for agents, traditional publishers, and self-publishing.
We offer:
Manuscript Appraisals (assessments)
Editing (structural editing, copy editing and proof reading)
The MAA is an ethical service, not an entry point to a vanity press.
Australian Newsletter for Independent Authors
Thorpe-Bowker publishes an interesting newsletter on the independent publishing scene. Free subscription link here.
Introducing Euan Mitchell, Editor...
We highly recommend the experienced services of Euan Mitchell, an editor with a wealth of experience in large publishing houses and with independent authors. In the words of one of his author clients:
““Working with Dr Euan Mitchell was a wonderful experience. His knowledge and excellent advice have guided me to where I am now, with a growing number of readers. Some of the most positive feedback has been how well-edited, flawless and easy-to-read my novel is. This helped my readers to focus on enjoying the story and, for that, I cannot thank Euan enough. If you want someone to bring the best out of your work at a reasonable price, I highly recommend Dr Mitchell.””
Angela and her book on ABC Radio
Radio is an excellent medium for authors promoting their work — there is a significant overlap between readers and listeners (and a perfect overlap when it comes to audiobooks). Author Angela Dawson conducted a ten minute discussion with ABC presenter Jacinta Parsons.
During the depths of the pandemic Afternoons listener Angela J Dawson rang the talkback line and told Jacinta Parsons about the novel she was working on. Now the book, Red, is finished and published. Angela dropped into the studio for a chat about her humorous tale of a Top Gun obsessed pilot, and how she published it.
Maximizing Your Reach: Using Podcasts for Book Promotion
Guest Post contributed by Farlyn Lucas, Podcast Advertising.
Promoting your book can be a challenge. With the abundance of content available online, it can be difficult to get your book in front of the right people and generate buzz. This is where podcasts come in.
Podcasts have become increasingly popular, and there is no shortage of listeners. In fact, the number of podcast listeners increased by 15% during the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia, and an estimated 424.2 million listeners worldwide.
This presents a unique opportunity for independent authors and self-publishers to reach a wide audience and promote their books. With the right approach, podcasts can be an effective tool in maximizing your reach and promoting your book to a wider audience.
Benefits of Using Podcasts for Book Promotion
There are several benefits to using podcasts for book promotion. First, podcasts allow you to reach a targeted audience. You can connect with listeners who are already interested in your subject matter. This makes it more likely that they will be interested in your book as well.
Second, podcasts offer a more personal connection than other forms of marketing. When you appear on a podcast, you have the opportunity to talk directly to the listeners and engage with them in a way that is not possible with other forms of marketing. You can build trust with potential readers and increase the likelihood that they will purchase your book.
Third, podcasts can help to establish you as an expert in your field. When you appear on a podcast and share your knowledge and insights, you are demonstrating your expertise to the listeners. Through this, you can increase your credibility and build your reputation as an authority in your subject matter.
How To Get Started With Podcast Advertising
Podcast advertising can be a powerful tool for independent authors and self-publishers looking to promote their books and reach new audiences. Let’s cover the basics of how to get started with podcast advertising, including what you need to know, what to expect, and how to make the most of this promotional channel.
Step 1. Research Your Target Audience
The first step in finding the right podcasts for your book is to research your target audience. Consider who your book is written for and what their interests and hobbies are. What types of podcasts do they listen to? What topics are they interested in?
You can find podcasts that cater to their interests and may be more likely to feature your book.
Step 2. Research Popular Podcasts (or in your niche)
Next, look for podcasts in your niche or related to your book's topic. These podcasts are likely to have an audience that is interested in your book and may be more likely to share your book with their followers. You can use podcast directories such as iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher and search podcasts in your niche.
Another way to find podcasts for your book is to check out popular podcasts in your genre or niche. These podcasts may have a large following and a large reach, which can be beneficial for your book promotion.
Step 3: Determine Your Advertising Budget
Next, determine your advertising budget. Podcast advertising can range from a few dollars per episode to hundreds of dollars per episode, depending on the popularity of the podcast and the length of your ad. Keep in mind that podcast advertising can be more cost-effective than traditional advertising methods, so it's important to determine what you're willing to spend.
Step 4: Connect with Podcasters
Once you've identified a few podcasts that you're interested in advertising with, it's time to connect with the podcasters. This can be done through social media or email. Be professional and respectful in your approach and clearly explain how your book fits into their audience's interests. If the podcaster agrees to work with you, they will likely provide you with specific instructions on what you need to do next.
Step 5: Create Your Ad
Your ad should be concise, attention-grabbing, and memorable. Most podcast ads are around 60 seconds long, so be sure to make the most of that time. Consider using humor, storytelling, or a unique angle to make your ad stand out. If you're not confident in your ability to create an effective ad, consider hiring a professional to help.
Step 6: Launch Your Campaign
Once your ad is ready, it's time to launch your campaign. This is when you'll start hearing your ad on podcasts and reaching new audiences. It's important to track your results and make adjustments to your campaign as needed. This may include adjusting your ad, changing the podcasts you're advertising with, or adjusting your budget.
Popular Podcasts for Independent Authors and Self-Publishers
The Self-Publishing Show
Hosted by veteran indie author, Dave Chesson, this podcast is perfect for self-publishers looking to learn more about book marketing, book promotion, and book design. Dave covers a wide range of topics, from ebook formatting to advanced book promotion strategies, making it a valuable resource for any indie author.
The Creative Penn
Host Joanna Penn is a bestselling author and entrepreneur who shares valuable insights and advice on publishing, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She covers a wide range of topics, including book design, book marketing, and the business of self-publishing, making this podcast a must-listen for indie authors.
The Writer's Well
Hosted by multi-published author, Christine Stinson, this podcast provides tips and insights into the writing and publishing process. Christine covers a wide range of topics, including writing techniques, publishing options, and book marketing, making this podcast a valuable resource for any Australian author looking to publish their book.
The Author's Journey
Hosted by best-selling author, J.A. Mellon, this podcast provides practical advice and inspiration for self-publishers. J.A. covers a wide range of topics, from writing and editing to book marketing and promotion, making this podcast a must-listen for any Australian author looking to take their publishing journey to the next level.
Final Thoughts
Using podcasts for book promotion can be a highly effective way to reach new audiences and promote your book. With the right preparation and research, you can find the right podcasts and make the most of your appearances. The podcast industry has experienced substantial growth, providing numerous and dynamic opportunities for book promotion. Regardless of whether one is a self-published or traditionally published author, the integration of podcasts into a comprehensive book promotion strategy is highly recommended.
Queen of the Crop: ‘The King of Rhye’ An Exercise in Promotion
In April 2022, I released my debut novel, ‘The King of Rhye,’ after a productive six months working alongside Sid Harta Publishers. It entered the world to a fair reception (for an untested indie author); though as anticipated, it did not smash any records or win any Nobel Prizes. Nearly a year later, it will be receiving a shot in the arm, with the imminent release of an audiobook likely to find another modest reader base.
By my own estimation, the true success of ‘The King of Rhye’ has been its permeation into various corners of cultural awareness. It has moved sideways, into several other forms of media, both auditory and visual, to create not so much a story as a multisensory experience. There now exists an official soundtrack of original music, produced for songs lifted directly from the story. A rich (and expanding) gallery of bespoke ‘canonical’ art adorns social media pages, clothes, other merchandise, the cover of vinyl records and the walls of my house. It is also soon to receive its second language publication, having been diligently translated to French. It is anticipated that the French version will hit the market later in 2023.
Not too bad, for a book less than one year old.
I attribute this ‘lateral progression’ to a combination of two main factors. The first: a consistent and front-loaded assault on selected social media. The second: an awareness of target audience, and a reasonable understanding of how best to capture that audience’s attention.
For completeness, it is worth highlighting that Lady Luck certainly played a role (I should have included her in Acknowledgements). One or two steps of the journey came courtesy of the right people stumbling over my work at the right time. I guess that is something that may or may not happen to any author, in their fledgling career.
A few words, then, about my approach to social media. I am now a man in my early forties. I am well aware that a plethora of social media platforms exist these days; every time I turn around, the youth of today have launched a new one (most of which, I’ll be honest, I don’t understand). I am most active on Facebook (being somewhere on the cusp of Gen X and Gen Y). As it turns out, my target demographic also use this as their go-to place for doomscrolling. Of course, I did know this before I started, so it was no accident that I chose Facebook as the main place to launch my campaign.
I also started early, which I think a lot of wannabe authors don’t think to do. They write their book, then they start trying to sell it to an audience. I started over a year before the eventual release date. I told people what I was aiming to do, what I hoped to achieve with it, and what they might expect from it. From humble beginnings, I built a following. Slowly. It still isn’t huge, but it has grown consistently. That takes time – there are almost no ‘overnight sensations’, despite the illusion.
I don’t pay for Facebook ads. That worked, exactly one time, right at the beginning. Eventually, the algorithm only shows your sponsored ads to people who already follow you. So, it was necessary to use other platforms to increase exposure that way. I have a Reddit presence (useful), an Instagram page (quite useful), a LinkedIn profile (useless) and am dabbling in YouTube – which has the potential to be the most useful of all, if I actually had the time to produce a series of videos.
I’m aware that TikTok can work, but I’m horrible at dances, so I’ll leave it alone.
Next, to discuss target audience. One might say that I had the advantage of being able to ride on the coattails of one of the world’s largest rock music fandoms, in finding people who might pay attention to my book (‘The King of Rhye’ is an ode to the wonderful music of Queen). But it is more complicated than that: linking your work to an existing cultural phenomenon only works if you also know how to harness the connection.
It needed to be clear in my language, in my visual style, and in the way I presented my project, that I understand what fans love about the band. I also needed to reach for the stars themselves, and see just what support I might be able to garner from the inner sanctum. I contacted Queen, via the International Fan Club. Whilst guitarist Brian May has been too busy with the endless stream of commitments, I did learn that he is generous and willing to embrace the efforts of fans to further Queen’s legacy. He did offer to help promote ‘The King of Rhye’; an offer that was seen by many, and not only gave me a boost of confidence, but also gave the project credibility in the eyes of others.
To broaden the potential reader base, I had to also emphasise that this is not just a book for Queen fans. It is at its heart, a fantasy epic in the ‘Hero’s Journey’ tradition. To that end, I became involved in a number of online fantasy author groups, getting involved in discussion as often as I could; helping other budding authors with editing, and taking opportunities to introduce myself and what I was doing in return. It all helped.
Once ‘The King of Rhye’ was finally released, I focused my attention in again, to invest some energy in my local community. I live in a town of strong social connections, so I found that pursuing radio interviews and a showing at the regional library was also beneficial. Word of mouth travels quickly.
To speak of ‘people stumbling over my work at the right time’: the Queen connection brought British illustrator Luc Hudson, and French musicians Louis Henry Chambat and Thibaut Sergeant (‘Fat Bottomed Boys’) into my sphere of awareness. They introduced themselves to me; gentlemen in completely separate walks of life, on the far side of the world, due to a shared interest and a united sense of purpose. They found me because I made my mission statement clear, and because I highlighted the strengths of my work – the worldwide love for a classic rock band.
Where has all of this gotten me? I travelled to Europe in late 2022, to present my book at a convention. I built more of an audience. Demand for a follow-up has swelled. Certainly, another story was in the offing; but now that promotion has produced momentum, I draft my second novel knowing that a hum of anticipation already builds.
I have loved this journey. It has been worth every moment of effort.
Craig Mulhall
‘The King of Rhye’ © 2022 Sid Harta Publishers