Published my own novel

I really appreciate all the love this thread is giving. I'm honestly hopeful that someday, I'll see my stuff here on tvtropes as an entry.

I'd be real careful with this, honestly. I'm close to publishing myself and I've done some homework on what the big guys are willing to offer...and really, it isn't all that great. Self-publishing isn't the ghetto it used to be, and likewise the big publishers aren't what they used to be either. These days, the big houses won't even help you promote your work...but they will demand to retain the rights to it if you the author aren't mindful.

All they really promise is to get your work out there to people...and in this day and age, there's this wonderful free mechanism through which you can already do that, without their help.

Agreed. That's one reason I'm glad I self-published.

That's why I went with self-publishing too. If I may paraphrase Seinfeld, there are many hundreds of people offering their ideas to those companies every day. They go with maybe five.

Hey guys. It's been a while, and I hope you're all doing well. I was wondering, are we allowed to make pages about our works?

There Is No Such Thing As Notability.

If you can muster a list of tropes, have at it.

edited 16th May '13 1:56:33 AM by Eagal

Cool.

Made a page entry, but I'm really really computer illiterate. Anyone know how to help?

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/Lunen

Tacked on a few tropes. Others will probably add more in their own time, but I suggest you do a bit of Wiki Walking, try to find some tropes that you can identify with your book.

Is the villain a White-Haired Pretty Boy? Is he Wicked Cultured? What is Lunen's Weapon Of Choice? Etcetera etcetera.

Congratulations! I wish you all the luck and fortune in your writing future!

Publishing stories is my dream, and people like you give me hope. I'm also considering publishing myself through the internet. Actually, this is my only option for now, since the story I'm working on is being written in english, and in my country people speak portuguese.

It seems like you're trying too hard to promote your own work on that trope page, what with describing every fight scene as "highly detailed and thrilling".

Noted. Taken care of. I rarely add to the site beyond listing awesome moments. Hope it looks better now.

First of all, congratulations, secondly thanks for all of the information about publishing and self-publishing. My stories aren't really ready for publishing at this time, but when they are it'll be nice to know my options.

Congrats.

Quick update for everyone. I'll be releasing my book on all major epub ereaders by the end of July. Hope those of you with nooks, iBooks, and kobos enjoy it.

I hope it does really well.

I need help. I want to improve my book's trope page, but I'm way too close to it to see all the tropes at play.

Help!

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/Lunen

Got a tumblr and put the first chapter of my book up there. I hope you all check it out and enjoy.

http://ahmedalsheikh.tumblr.com/

Should have included that.

How difficult was/is the self-promoting? Or finding an editor for your book?

I'm in the same boat as Ksa, so I can field this one until he gets back.

Self-promotion is a pain, but it's a pain every indie author has to learn to embrace. The toughest thing; learning to say good stuff about your book. Every author is programmed to be self-effacing about their work...and when it is in progress that's probably the way to go. But once it is done and out there it is product, and you have to sell it...which means you have to talk it up. This is harder than most people think it will be.

As to practical matters, the trick is to get it into the hands of as many people as possible. I do internet advertising, but I've also done things the old-fashioned way; for example, I carry a stack of business cards with my name and website on the front and my book title on the back. I strike up conversations with anyone and everyone about books and mention that I've written one. People are always interested to meet authors. Do I tell them I'm self-published? Only if they ask...self-publishing still has a stigma, and the point is to get them to buy the book.

As to finding an editor...I got really, really lucky in that regard so I can't speak to how most people do it.

edited 3rd Oct '13 12:03:45 PM by drunkscriblerian

From what I understood in your post, self-promotion is a pain because you have to praise your book in a way that isn't "trying too hard", therefore applying whatever analytical and critical skills you have without temptations such as self-deprecation/arrogance?

Why not then ask your editor to provide you with what to say? They have analytical and critical skills that got them to be your editor in the first place, surely it isn't that much of a bother to list the book's positives in a nice and comfy way?

Well... online method sounds like "Where in the seven hells do I start" and the offline method won't work for me specifically who has to advertise the novel to people outside my country. Unless I move out before I'm done with short stories, that is.

P.S. I'm probably being massively ignorant somewhere... sorry in advance.

edited 3rd Oct '13 12:16:14 PM by Luminosity

Many editors are good at spotting what isn't working quite right in a book. They aren't necessarily good at spotting what does work, or figuring out how to say what they liked. If you aren't sure about what to say good about your own work, then certainly, paraphrase (or quote!) what someone else who liked it said about it.

Hey all, I've returned. I concur with what's been said: self promotion is a pain, but once you find a rhythm, it gets easier. The sad truth, as I've discovered, is that there is no RIGHT way to do it. You just do what you can until you get some word of mouth going. I've done a book trailer through createspace, an interview on the internet radio show the authors show, a panel at Fanime Con 2013, and just got into blogging on tumblr. I even entered my book in he writers digest self published awards (which includes publicity as part of the prize), a giveaway on goodreads.com, getting it in indie book stores on consignment, and as mentioned before, I got a review in kirkus. They've all done bits and pieces, and it's a matter of sticking with it until it all comes together. And of course, still work on the next book. Still, I know that in the end, I'll have no regrets. And isn't that half the fun?

I forgot to mention, print price is currently at $9.99, digital (where available) $3.99. While purchases are good, remember to write reviews, and of course list tropes you spot here on the site.