A Marketing Pivot + Novel News

In last week’s episode of my LinkedIn Newsletter about my self-publishing journey, I spoke about a horribly awful AI ad I made.

I realized that being clever and “wink, wink, nod, nod” about the book was the wrong way to go. I needed to post more content and diversify from just posting the audiobook chapters as podcasts.

That splits into two veins… #BookTokStagramTube. That’s me making short videos of 1-3 minutes where I talking about other books or about writing, telling weird stories, and basically building a fan base for myself. The other is finding really impactful 30-90 second snippets from the audiobook and posting them as content to drive more engagement with the podcast.

This is new to me, so while I’m trying to become a known novelist, I’m having to become a “personality.” And those of you who know me in person know I’m… I can be… well, the best word for it is awkward. I simply cannot hit the right balance of friendly and detached.

So being “on camera talent” with my old face, the cholesterol deposits on my eyelids, my awkwardness… making this decision was actually difficult and I’m still apprehensive. But I’m doing it.

Working on my first #booktok review. Reading “The Spider Strikes,” a 1933 pulp fiction novel. I’m a little over halfway through and have my review written. I’m going to finish before I record just in case the second half has a massive twist that changes the way I see the book.

At 60,000 words + taking notes, it’s not a quick process, maybe 12k words an hour, but I’ve found most speed-reading systems aren’t meant for truly letting yourself enjoy a work of fiction. I read, I see the locations—and sometimes the people—in my mind’s eye. I chew over some of the character or writer’s choices. It takes a lot longer than when I’m taking a speed reading test and hitting 400 words + 100% comprehension on something factual. So while I should be able to read it in 2.5 hours, I’ll finishing it in more like 6, but with a page of notes and a draft of my review.

It’s been a LOOONG time since I wrote a book or movie review. Wish me luck.

Meanwhile, I’m hoping to finish the first draft of Sodom All Over Agaim by the end of the month with a 6-month (or less) trip from there to release. At least, 73,000 words in, I’ve introduced my last new character… I hope. I’m only introducing him long enough for you to like him before I kill him.