Round Two:
Here we go…
By Thio Isobel Moss
Over here in Mossland, it’s ARC season again—the first big test for my books. It’s always nerve-wracking. Are the files ready? Do I remember which file is the most recent version? Did I overlook anything? Will the advance review copies load properly? Sending them in to the co-op is an act of faith in my own competence—in other words, a considerable risk.
I can’t help but compare and contrast this round with my first. It has been so much easier, so I am learning. I pulled an all-nighter to get the formatting done because I was afraid that I’d messed up the timeline. I hadn’t. It was fine either way, but I certainly didn’t get Blind Spot’s ePub done in one night.
I’ve already started in on the paperback edition. I wanted to get an accurate page count for NetGalley and the easiest way to do that was by using Kindle Direct Publishing’s print preview. Well, that didn’t go as planned! I had forgotten about the wonderful world of margins. So, for now, the page count is a rough estimate—240, give or take a few.
Everything seems to be working so far. Once again, I’m going through the Victory Editing Co-op, who I cannot recommend enough. They make the process so smooth and have been quick to fix any issue that has come up.
This process is like looking in a mirror, only it’s my work that’s on display. For the second time, I have a disproportionate number of librarians among my reviewers. This is wonderful! Librarians are tastemakers and visibility boosters. A bookseller who read Blind Spot requested an ARC of Bump and received it. Having a returning reviewer is thrilling!
On the flip side, once again, my cover is hit-or-miss. This isn’t surprising. It signals the genre, and not everyone loves contemporary fantasy. It’s atmospheric and artistic, rather than photo-realistic, and it bucks the trend of focusing on the typography. Polarization is not the easiest thing to accept, until I remember that I require that division. My writing is not for all tastes. Sending early signals to readers about who will and won’t enjoy it is essential.
Another thing I’ve noticed in myself is my energy level. I am thrilled to have a second book coming out, and I’m also enjoying the process a lot more. However, I am not a 20 or 30-something booktok phenom rocking the glamorous writer lifestyle. There has been no book cover reveal. My second book launch party will be less of a party and more of a nice meal with family and friends—likely just those who have been involved in the process. The afterparty will consist of a nap and possibly reading someone else’s book in the comfort of my bedroom.
Last year, when I was prepping for Blind Spot’s release, I read the articles on how to promote my beautiful book and tried as many methods as possible. This time, I’m tired and intend to be mindful of my limits. I like Instagram and X; I love my blog and experimenting with memes and shorts; Amazon Ads and Bookbub require analytical skills, but they work well for me; a Goodreads Giveaway is a must; and The Fussy Librarian is more than a cool name—it’s a virtual outreach venue. I’ve found a few things that work for me, and I’m sticking with them.
What I’m learning is that being an author is an individual process. There isn’t one method that is right or best. Some will be faster and more dramatic than others; they also might disappear in a fiery ball of scandal. Who knew there was so much drama in the author realm? My method is for slow, steady growth. It gives me time to adjust, learn how I function in this space, create habits, plan for growth, and create my backlist.
Never underestimate how long it takes for the shock of being able to hold your own book in your hands to wear off. It’s amazing, but you don’t want to write when your head's reeling like that. The number of sentence fragments and unexplained tangents skyrocket.
So, if you’re an aspiring writer, learn what works for you. The important thing is to facilitate writing. The world needs more good books!
