2/2: If you're an LGBTQ author, you should follow @DahliaAdler - she does tremendous work with her site lgbtqreads.com.

This post is part of a series about publishing my #debut #novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

#NGAGLessons

#Social proof is helpful in the early days of #indie #publishing, and I found two good values: a paid #author #interview on #YABooksCentral and a cover reveal on #LGBTQReads. These were both low-cost and high-yield. The niche interview did better than an entire book tour (discussed later).

The key is *niche.*

Lesson 5: Specific microgenre #blogs ache for content. Let that #content be your #brand.

Verdict: 👍

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writingtips

In 2017 Elle Lainey wrote a long-form essay on using #NetGalley as a #selfpubbed author. It's thorough, honest and very good (link below).

While I budgeted the money to list, I didn't spend the money to promote, which may make a huge difference. But is it worth spending tons of money to give away advance copies? What's the return?

https://fiveplustwoblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/03/netgalley-for-a-self-published-debut-author/

This post is part of a series about publishing my #debut #novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

#NGAGLessons

#Netgalley and #Edelweiss are used to build advance buzz, but in a conundrum they seem to work best if #writers already have a hungry readership fighting for limited free copies. In the #YA space, this is often where #problematic books become famous.

I got a couple reviews & found a few fans this way, but overall didn't get enough traction to justify the price.

I may not have spent ENOUGH money to gain traction (below)

Verdict: 😐

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writingtips

There is one caveat: the #IndieBrag seal of approval isn't a #contest, but a rolling list of books deemed of merit. It was the perfect place for NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE to land & they gave good feedback about how they decided.

Most contests seem to award books with themes & styles trending in the greater #literary zeitgeist and ecosystem. If yours is one, you may want to submit.

This post is part of a series about publishing my #debut #novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

#NGAGLessons

I sunk about $800 into reputable #literature #contests (good link below from #ALLi).

They weren't right for me. I have a cross-genre book that's both #YA and #pulp #adventure written to a microscopic audience. One YA judge admitted she was the "wrong reader" for the #novel. I understand. She echoed what many #agents said, which is why I went #indie.

Lesson 3: Contests are wrong for me.

Verdict:👎

Award Link: https://bit.ly/litwards

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writingtips

I don't mean to be glib. I know #editors are expensive. But, they will polish your #manuscript and make it professional and competitive for #agents. And, if you go #indy from there like I did, you have a sterling product to present to #readers.

Some genres are more tolerant of loose #editing, so know your genre. #YA requires editing.

This post is part of a series about publishing my debut novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

👉https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR

#NGAGLessons

Before I #queried in earnest, I hired a professional #editor. Two, if you count a friend who beta read and just so happened to BE an editor. The editor I hired formerly taught #CreativeWriting at an Ivy, and between #developmental and #copyediting cost nearly a grand.

Some say a publisher will provide an editor. Perhaps true, but I wanted an edge. She was worth every penny, esp. when I decided to go indie.

LESSON 2: Hire an editor.

#amwriting #writingtips #writingcommunity

Subsequently, we'll talk about some of those expenses, what worked and what didn't for NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE.

This post is part of a series about publishing my debut novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

Every book is different and your mileage may vary based on genre, style, length, etc.

👉https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR

#NGAGLessons

I didn't go #indie through a #micropress because I had no other choice. I did it because it was the best choice for my particular book. NGAG was a #novel ill-suited to the mainstream #ya #lit landscape where #agents #editors and importantly #readers seek books less male, pale & stale.

Lesson 1: If your book doesn't suit the marketplace go indie, but know it will be expensive & you, not a publisher, will risk loss if there's no audience.

Verdict: 👍
#WritingComminity #writingtips

#NGAGLessons: Preface. In 2018 I wrote the #novel that spoke to my teenage self - an #LGBT #YA coming out tale that mashed up elements of the Hardy Boys, 40s Pulp, Mario Puzo, Ian Fleming, & John LeCarre. Stuff I read at 14 & loved.

I was tired of women writing about sensitive #gay boys in love for a primarily female #ya audience, and thought the industry might want something creative and different - a little dangerous, a little age-inappropriate, a little problematic.

This was a mistake.
/1

It's been a year since I published my debut novel, NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE. Today, the ebook is going wide. For the holidays the price will drop to $2.99.

I wanted to share some lessons I learned and missteps I made in indie publishing this book. I won't do it in a thread, but as a series, #NGAGLessons on Mastadon over the next ten days.

Follow me if this sounds valuable, or search the hash. #writingcommunity #amwriting #indiepublishing #selfpublish

The book 👉 https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR