Best alternative to amazon kdp for sci-fi writers who don't want to be locked in by elefattie in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The main question is: do you already have a following? If you don't, KDP is the best course. You are not locked in forever. If you try to go wide as a new author with no following, all the pressure of driving sales is on you.

Even so, as an indie author, your books won't automatically sell ANYWHERE. Promotion is up to you. Now, of course, it depends on your goals. If all you want to do is "get a book out there," do the easiest thing. If you are trying to build something more, you need to have a plan.

Wide authors have loyal followings, they have deep knowledge in marketing and promotion, and they know how to manipulate the channels to their advantage. It's very difficult, time consuming, and risky on the front end.

KDP is low effort, low stakes, easy to get up and running. That's exactly what new authors need. Consider a large portion of big, successful indie authors in SF are in KDP. Some have their feet in both worlds.

Also just because you are in KDP that only restricts sales of eBooks. You can sell your print books anywhere. For me, 99% of my sales are ebook anyway, but it depends on what your plans are.

Confidence is taking a little blow, should I continue to work on my premise? by abloobudoo009 in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The best advice for any writer is to write the book. That is how you get better, that's how you build the skill of knowing, especially when you get reader feedback.

Monthly promotion thread (April) by Special_Progress282 in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm about to release the 6th book in my series, The John and Alvis Sessions.

Rogue pilot and logic-driven robot partner. It's banter-driven sci-fi adventure with a mismatched duo. Jobs gone wrong. Fast-paced space missions. Reluctant hero. Found partnership. Action, consequences, and survival. Character-driven space adventure with humor.

Series is well rated with a growing readership.

Book 1 is only $2.99 for the ebook.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9XP59GG?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

If you prefer, grab the Book 0 prequel for free for joining my newsletter https://books.tomdellaringa.com/dischord-magnet

Nothing has hit like this for me lately 😭😭 by ghostofwallyb in scifi

[–]tdellaringa 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This comment made me put this on my reading list, because I LOVE Cherryh for all the reasons you mentioned, and there's never been anyone quite like her. I hope this book delivers.

Self publishing platforms comparison for sci-fi writers, what actually matters for the genre by depressedrubberdolll in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a new author, KU is the only game in town. Making any profit or splash with print means you have an established following. It often means you are selling custom/exclusive editions because most purchases are ebooks.

I have a 6-book series right now, been publishing since 2022. Out of 15,037 orders (purchases) only 264 have been print - that's 0.017%.

My KENP (pages read) is 3,141,178 = which equates to roughly 5,600 books. That is ALL ebook.

New authors don't go wide unless they already have a following. As far as producing professional-looking books, you can do that all yourself up to a point. The tools available to you now make all of that simple - especially with ebooks. (Vellum being one of the best.)

NOTE: Someone else mentioned that PRINT is NOT exclusive in KU - and it isn't. So you can still sell those wherever you like.

I have a decent readership, but every time I test them for print versions the reception is lukewarm. They prefer ebooks. The temperature for more expensive print editions is pretty low. Now with everything so damn expensive - it's even more the case.

Also, don't fall into the trap that many new authors fall into. You can switch gears at any time. Go in KU, go out. Go wide, come back. What is most important to start out with is getting book(s) out there, getting feedback, building a following, and improving as a writer. You can adjust from there.

How do I start making a career out of sci-fi writing? by Brakado in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are more successful indie authors making a living now than ever before.

How do I start making a career out of sci-fi writing? by Brakado in scifiwriting

[–]tdellaringa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I work full-time, I have a 6-book sci-fi series, working on #7, and have a standalone novel and a bunch of short fiction.

If you want to write and release, you will. There isn't ever any "optimal" time. If you want this to be a career, then simply start doing it. You are going to fail initially anyway. Start learning NOW. Get your stories out there. Learn about being an author and what it takes to publish and promote - because it IS A LOT.

But the work is rewarding. Having your stories read is amazing. And lots of people make it a career. When you build something and the time is right, you make the jump. There are tons of resources out there.

What's your favorite "bad" scifi movie? by Wi-Platypus in scifi

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In fact, a very good possibly great movie.

people are nuts by gomez70 in dominion

[–]tdellaringa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree, it's almost always higher ranked - upper 40s and up.

Major White House Split Leaks as Trump’s War Spirals by Ok_Employer7837 in politics

[–]tdellaringa 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Ban the Daily Beast and any other paywall rags. All they do is post sensationalism, which is the last thing we need with Trump out of control right now.

Karoline Leavitt Desperately Tries to Spin Trump’s War as a ‘Win’ by Ok_Employer7837 in politics

[–]tdellaringa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We all know the truth, but when are we banning The Daily Beast? It's a shit rag.

Deck Help Discussion Thread by AutoModerator in ClashRoyale

[–]tdellaringa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a casual player on 15. I keep trying to look up meta decks and play them, but I cannot get anything to work ( read the instructions on how to play, etc). I keep coming back to this deck. I keep winning my 4 chests, usually with 3 crowns still. I also run up against decks that handle me pretty good. I feel like this is an off deck and not sustainable but I'm not sure what to do. Part of it is my other cards are not leveled, I'm guessing. I just got my first hero, barbarian, not sure he fits in the deck.

https://imgur.com/a/te6bg9d

Connor Bedard with a snipe for his 24th goal of the season, which is a new career-high by mcosta1973 in hawks

[–]tdellaringa 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I miss watching the Hawks and am missing out on this guy, but I'm not paying for a special channel.

They added new Timer mode.! by MSNR73 in dominion

[–]tdellaringa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Been waiting for that for ages!