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4 Comments

Self Publishing A Sci Fi Novel

Love this new section!

I've written another novel. The first one I published myself was about 10 years ago and didn't go anywhere.

I'd love some advice or ideas on self-publishing fiction.

Here's what I'm thinking of doing:

The sci-fi novel is written "for" software developers. It's definitely tech-ey. I was thinking of releasing it one chapter at a time on github, and try to drive people there where they can read it for free, and I'll have a link to an email list to let them know when it's available.

I've also considered doing a "podcast" of reading the book but am unsure if it will be worth it.

I don't have an audience full of fiction lovers other than the anecdotal evidence that some software developers like sci fi (myself included).

Another possibility is to hold off, go try and figure out how to build an audience of sci-fi lovers and then release the book to them, though this process may take years. I will likely do this anyways so future books aren't as painful to launch.

Main Questions

  • hold off launching until I have an audience?
  • or do the github open source thing and see if it works?

Would love your thoughts!

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    I attended a webinar some months ago that said the best place to launch any kind of novel is for the Kindle platform. He showed the economics of it and I was quite impressed. Perhaps something to look into.

    I would avoid the podcast thing. Focus on the writing and get an audience.

    1. 1

      Thanks for your thoughts. That was a given for me but it’s sort of like putting a website up and hoping people will show up. Unless I’m missing something?

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        I don't recall all the details, but the difference is that the web is full of millions of crap websites. Kindle people are very dedicated readers and do seek out new titles all the time. Wish I remember more!

        1. 1

          I could see that. It's definitely worth testing.

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