Reply With QuoteDon't say you're a failed novelist if you've actually written one. You're just not yet published! Keep writing. I'm in the same situation, but writing my second novel now and looking to put some maps in it.
Hi niekell,
Thank you. Politics is something I’m hopeless at as well society set-up lol. I live in a rotating roster household so, other than when I might be sleeping or out (I don’t work), I’m available for discussions anytime. I used to play D&D as a player and played just enough to know I wasn’t good at it lol. It didn’t stop me from playing though, until our player went their separate ways.
As for maps, I’m not going to aim at the realistic versions. Just ones that will give an idea of the lay of the land at a glance.
Not "failed"!
Don't say you're a failed novelist if you've actually written one. You're just not yet published! Keep writing. I'm in the same situation, but writing my second novel now and looking to put some maps in it.
LOL Thanks Trav. I am published, I have four novels on Amazon but they aren't selling. I just need to work out why they aren't. I think it's the covers but not sure what about them.
Good luck with your writing also. Most of the time, I make a great sounding board. Just on the odd occasion I don't lol.
Unappealing covers are one possible problem. It's more likely, though, that people just aren't even seeing them in the first place. There's a lot of stuff on Amazon and while success is the best ticket to more success, you need to learn to boost your books. In any case, if you'll state what name you write under, we could take a look. At least, you could expect some feedback on the covers.
Hi rdanhenry,
True, and I do suck at marketing. Being horribly shy (not that you can tell by my posts here) doesn't help in any marketing attempts. From my first job ever, I've never been good at marketing lol. But, yes, with self-publishing being so popular, each new book is instantly buried below all the other new books. It's a never-ending battle.
Here is the link to my books: Amazon: KC Riley-Gyer.
KC,
I looked at your book covers and I don't think they are helping you out. The old adage, "You can't judge a book by its cover" may be true, but the book cover is a major factor in readers deciding to read a book.
Last edited by Texas Jake; 09-29-2018 at 11:00 PM.
Jake, yeah, that's what I figured. I don't want to use the style that others are using because that style suggests sex (as in sex scenes) but I don't know what to do to make them better and still fit my style. Until I can work that out, things are going to have to stay as they are lol.
I will say that the covers could be a lot better. First off, they're very generic and pretty much romance covers except not quite sexy enough for that. The text tells me these books involve the supernatural, but there's no indications of the supernatural on the covers. Also, it looks like Poser or similar software images hitting the uncanny valley over backgrounds that are again, quite generic. I think you'd be better off with a shot of something distinctively Brisbane and some indication of the supernatural elements. Even if it didn't come out artistically better, it would suggest more of the content.
You need some reviews. Try to get some readers to post reviews to Amazon. I haven't gone the self-publishing route myself, but my brother-in-law has, so I have picked up some of what Amazon uses in deciding what's more visible, and having reviews helps. I saw one. More would be better.
Self-promotion is annoying, but you need to do it. Be on the social media, maybe start a blog. Get some attention.
rdanhenry: The books are paranormal romance but not in the same way as other novels of the same genre. Mine are quite tame compared to the others and I didn't want the covers to mislead readers. As for the supernatural, I don't even know how to portray that on the covers without it seeming fake; especially if it doesn't appear in the novels. Yes, the people are Daz Studio (similar to Poser). The backgrounds are all of Brisbane, except the fourth with is a sunset shot from the Sunshine Coast looking west. The first one is of the Brisbane city from under the Story Bridge. The second one is of the city on the opposite side of the river from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, and the third is the Manly Harbour Marina which is a tad south of Wynnum.
As for reviews, people have to read them. I've given copies away and, if they've read them, they haven't left reviews. I admit I have given up on self-promotion because I did the facebook events for 4 years and, while the odd few turned up, there was no interest in my books. I made sure I was part of group events (as well as my own) so there would always be more than my small circle.
I know it sounds like I'm giving excuses but I'm just relating what I had experienced from 2012 to 2015. Your comment confirmed my original thoughts so now I just have to work out how to better the covers before I can move forward. Any changes I do will scrap the paperbacks and will only be applied to the ebooks. Paperbacks are an expense I can't afford since they aren't selling.
Sorry for the deviation from map making, lol.
Hello KC Riley-Gyer,
Which of your four novels would you say had the most supernatural aspects in it, and which could likely benefit from a map being included (either as an insert or as a part of the cover art)? A supernatural places of Brisbane map, or something along those lines? Are there ley lines criss-crossing Brisbane? Would a map of those be a link between real life and the fiction of the novel(s)?
Best wishes, niekell.
Do not stare too long into the Abyss, lest the Abyss stare back into you.
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