Launching and Marketing a Self-Published Novel: Nat's Plan for Husk

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Apr 9, 2025

Nat lays out his roadmap for launching a sci-fi novel, tackling the intricacies of self-publishing. He shares a three-pronged marketing strategy involving influencers, podcasts, and newsletters to build excitement. The challenges of shifting from nonfiction to fiction are explored, along with insights on genre expectations and reader engagement. Nat dives into the details of typography, ebook pricing, and the importance of pre-orders, all while fostering connections within the sci-fi community.

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ADVICE

Early Ebook Access

Send pre-order customers the ebook a week before the official release.
This adds value and builds excitement without impacting launch day sales.

insights

INSIGHT

Launch Sales Pattern

Book launches have a predictable sales pattern: initial spike, slow period, final push.
Pre-orders can cannibalize launch day sales but boost early revenue.

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ADVICE

Final Pre-Order Push

Instead of intermediate sales pushes, focus on a strong final pre-order push two weeks before launch.
Remind customers about the pre-order bundle's value and the impending deadline.

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Exploring Genre Characteristics and Reader Expectations in Fiction

02:28 • 2min

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Navigating Self-Publishing Challenges

04:24 • 5min

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Navigating Self-Publishing Launch Strategies

09:48 • 9min

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Reconnecting with Audiences: A Shift to Fiction

18:56 • 21min

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The Addictive Nature of Storytelling in Video Games

39:39 • 2min

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Navigating Narrative Structure and Marketing Strategies

41:24 • 2min

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Strategic Planning for a Self-Published Novel Launch

Trivia-on-Books Staff

In 'Ready Player One', Ernest Cline introduces Wade Watts, an 18-year-old living in a dystopian future where people escape their harsh reality through the OASIS, a vast virtual reality world. The story revolves around Wade's quest to find an Easter egg hidden by the OASIS's creator, James Halliday, which would grant the finder immense wealth and control over the OASIS. Wade, known as Parzival in the OASIS, must compete against other 'gunters' and the corporate-sponsored Sixers to achieve this goal. The novel is filled with 1980s pop culture references, adventure, and social commentary, making it a deeply engaging and nostalgic read.

The Kingkiller Chronicle

Patrick Rothfuss

The Kingkiller Chronicle is a fantasy trilogy set in the fictional world of Temerant. The series centers on Kvothe, a legendary figure known as the 'Kingkiller,' who recounts his life story to a scribe over three days. The narrative is framed by Kvothe's present-day life as an innkeeper under an assumed name and delves into his past as a wandering performer, musician, and arcanist. The series explores themes of magic, mythology, and personal growth, with a detailed magic system and a richly developed world. The first two books, 'The Name of the Wind' and 'The Wise Man's Fear,' have been released, while the third book, 'The Doors of Stone,' is still forthcoming.

A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora

Sheree Renée Thomas

This anthology, edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, features a collection of 29 fictional short stories and novel excerpts, along with five non-fiction essays. It showcases the work of various African-American writers in the science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction genres, highlighting their contributions and the diversity within these genres. The book includes works by notable authors such as W.E. B. DuBois, Octavia Butler, and Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, among others, and addresses themes of race, inequality, and societal issues through speculative fiction.

The Three-Body Problem

None

Cixin Liu

Cixin Liu's 'The Three-Body Problem' is a critically acclaimed science fiction novel that blends hard science with compelling storytelling. The story follows a group of scientists who make contact with an alien civilization, leading to unforeseen consequences for humanity. Liu's intricate world-building and exploration of complex scientific and philosophical themes have earned him widespread recognition. The novel is known for its ambitious scope and its exploration of the potential challenges and dangers of encountering extraterrestrial life. It's a thought-provoking work that has captivated readers worldwide.

Dune, written by Frank Herbert, is set in a feudal interstellar society where noble houses control planetary fiefs. The story follows Paul Atreides, whose family is tasked with ruling the inhospitable desert planet Arrakis, the sole source of melange, a substance crucial for extending life and enhancing mental abilities. The novel delves into the intricate politics, religion, ecology, and technology of this futuristic world, as various factions vie for control of Arrakis and its valuable spice. Paul, with his unique abilities and training by the Bene Gesserit, becomes a key figure in this struggle and eventually assumes the role of a messianic leader among the native Fremen people.

Preorder your copy of Husk: huskbook.com

In this episode of Between Drafts, Nat shares his comprehensive strategy for launching his debut sci-fi novel "Husk."

With just two months until release, Nat breaks down his three-pronged approach to building buzz and reaching readers through Bookstagram/BookTok influencers, podcast appearances, and newsletter partnerships.

He discusses the unique challenges of transitioning from non-fiction to fiction marketing, and how he's leveraging his existing platform while building new connections in the sci-fi community.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Book launch planning for a self-published novel
[01:28] Writing progress and word count goals
[02:15] Sci-fi vs fantasy novel length differences
[06:08] Typography and book formatting updates for Husk
[09:32] Early reader copies and launch timing
[17:49] Marketing across different social media platforms
[25:11] Podcast marketing strategy breakdown
[31:00] Newsletter marketing strategy
[32:28] Ebook pricing strategy
[37:28] Building momentum through recommendations and reviews
[42:31] Instagram advertising plans
[44:09] Final launch timeline and marketing schedule recap

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