T.I.E. (Entry 7): In the Details
The struggle is real.
By Thio Isobel Moss
My Ongoing Battle With Spam
I am back to being starless on Goodreads, and I’m delighted about it. If you haven’t read my previous posts, here’s the short version: I’ve been gifted four five-star ratings on Goodreads—blessings upon the folks running the platform—despite my book not having been released yet. The spammers love to claim they’re reading it for the second time when it’s impossible for them to have read it at all. You wouldn’t believe how those stars can irritate!
And now the game has leveled up.
I received a friend request from an author I’m familiar with. I won’t lie: for one shocked, shimmering moment, I was thrilled—before doubt set in. She hadn’t dropped an impossible five-star rating (which made the profile more believable), but she had added my book to her “want to read” list.
Yes, honest! I’m Groucho Marx!
I went to her website, sent an email explaining that someone was impersonating her, and then reported the account.
I hadn’t expected to hear back—spam happens—but she replied. She was grateful for the heads-up and asked for a link to the fake page.
It was a small exchange, just a few lines, but it gave me a real boost. I’m not in this fight alone!
IngramSpark
As an indie author, I’m learning that my knowledge will come up short repeatedly. I thought I was all set for wide distribution through Draft2Digital.
Not quite, as it turns out.
D2D sells to retailers, but not to wholesalers. To be available to libraries and bookstores—really available—I need IngramSpark. So now I’m scrambling to get that set up as close to November 28th as possible. From my NetGalley feedback, I know that Blind Spot has a place in libraries and shops if it’s available to them and returnable.
This has opened my eyes to so many things I didn’t know: deliver or destroy? How to handle the financial landmines of returns? It’s a scary new world. For now, I have to choose “destroy.” If the book takes off, I’ll change that as soon as it’s feasible. (There may be a flood of giveaways or signed copies when that day comes!)
And down the rabbit hole we go…
Oh! And I learned—just in time—that not only does each format need its own ISBN, but each platform does too. Ack!!! My sweet, tidy bundle of ten ISBNs has been ravaged. I thought that would cover at least three books—but no!
The Final Countdown
Nine days until my book is out in the world. It’s amazing. It’s terrifying. I have so much to do. I need to write another extra scene! I need to format my newsletter! I need to finalize each book format!
I have, however, organized my launch party.
Ha ha, nope.
It’s going to be wild. Soup, puzzles, and face masks! What can I say? I’m a rebel. And with spiked cranberry tea, anything could happen.
The key is to steep the cinnamon sticks in cranberry juice for half an hour before adding in the tea. Oh, and I’ve ordered pâte de fruits!
It’s funny—this launch, although the most important to me personally, will probably be the smallest I’ve ever planned. If I were more established, I’d host a live Q&A or a game—something more interactive. But there’s charm in keeping it cozy. I’ll be surrounded by the people who made Blind Spot possible. What a way to welcome the holiday season!
It’s a little early yet, I guess, but stay safe, Happy Thanksgiving, and happy reading!
