Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Publishing By: Jenna Podjasek, MD
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Publishing
By: Jenna Podjasek, MD
I’m a busy Allergist/Immunologist, wife, mom, and voracious reader, but the release of my debut medical thriller, Particles in the Air, thrust me (unprepared) into the publishing world. Read on for some high-value, practical advice I learned the hard way.
You CANNOT take a casual approach to promotion.
I would advise a multi-faceted approach that begins well before publication day. I was forced to learn quickly, but nonetheless felt like I didn’t hit my stride until ten weeks after Particles in the Air was released. Obviously, this is less than ideal. Now, twelve weeks out, I finally feel comfortable with the marketing process.
My novel was traditionally published, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work with a publicist. He did an excellent job of organizing book signings, podcasts, and radio interviews. I didn’t realize that by relying just on this audience, I completely neglected an entire market of readers – those who relied solely on social media and other internet sources to choose their next read. In hindsight, I wish I would have consulted a reasonably priced social media marketer with knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) processes.
Plan ahead.
Exactly two days before my official launch day, I developed severe, symptomatic COVID that lasted for ten days. A week after my recovery, norovirus (the stomach bug), ravaged every member of my household for an additional two days. Of course, the other 353 days of the year I was completely healthy.
I managed to power through 15 radio and podcast interviews (luckily, audio only – phew!) in those first few weeks, but it was tough. My typical routine included: roll out of bed, complete an interview over the phone, collapse back on the bed the moment we disconnected. I neglected all other forms of promotion during this time due to my illness. I wished I had set up scheduled tweets and had a few pre-made posts ready-to-go. Creating content prior to publication day would have helped me stay organized and kept me from feeling overwhelmed.
Utilize free resources.
A social media marketer opened my eyes to the possibilities of the various free book platforms (you can find them with some in-depth google searching). At no cost, you can create author profiles and add Amazon links for purchase. Creating a free author page on Goodreads and entering my novel into their giveaway contest increased my “want to read” numbers from 10 to 1,500 overnight.
I’m 41 years old and used to, well, strongly dislike social media. Whenever the word “social media” popped into my head or passed through someone’s lips, I would experience a sense of vague discomfort. I’ve come to realize it’s because I don’t like talking about myself. I did learn, however, that I do like talking about my book. I began engaging with other like-minded writers and readers and saw my Twitter followers go from 45 to over 1,500 in one month. One tip I learned: Once you hit the top 20 on ANY category on Amazon, utilize that for marketing. Also, prior to posting, google “trending book hashtags” and simply cut and paste those onto the bottom of your tweet, reel, or post. This will increase the chance of readers of coming across your book when searching.
Reviews are harder to get than I expected.
Most people who read and enjoy your book won’t leave a review. It’s a fact. I’ve had readers seek me out on social media to give me the highest praise or give positive feedback like, “I finished your book in one weekend – I couldn’t put it down,” and so on. Some people just don’t do reviews, even if they love your book. Another helpful tidbit I learned: Audible.com allows you to provide promo codes for free audiobook downloads in exchange for an ethical, honest review.
Don’t underestimate the power of keywords and categories on Amazon.
I found an Amazon keyword/category analyst who charged me fifty dollars and completely changed my outlook on how to sell a book on Amazon. I won’t get into details (that is a whole other article) but know that you neglect this aspect of marketing at your own peril.
On Amazon, the “thriller book” category is the epitome of a saturated market. Because of this, I didn’t find paid advertising to be very helpful and, my publisher with over 30 years of experience, echoed this sentiment. In the sea of a million thrillers, it’s hard to “bid” for a top spot with so much competition. It’s my understanding that paid amazon advertising works better for non-fiction and smaller niches.
The good news.
Even if you’ve had a late start on marketing, it is possible to catch up. After a rocky few months, I surprised myself by finding that I enjoyed (gasp!) the promotional aspect of book publishing. My favorite aspect post-publishing is connecting with readers and writers. If you have any questions about this process, I would be happy to help. Contact me on Twitter @jennapodjasek or Instagram @jennapodjasekauthor.
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Dr. Jenna Podjasek is an Allergist/Immunologist whose medical thrillers fuse her exceptional expertise with heart-pounding suspense. A proud Mayo Clinic alumnus, she weaves her knowledge of the medical field into her narratives, transporting readers into an exhilarating, high-stakes world of medicine and intrigue.
Residing in the vibrant suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Podjasek shares her home with her supportive husband, their two curious children, and a delightful menagerie of pets that never cease to inspire.
With her debut novel, PARTICLES IN THE AIR, Dr. Podjasek establishes herself as a fresh, compelling voice in the realm of next-level medical thrillers. As she captivates readers with her storytelling, she promises even more pulse-pounding adventures to come.
Stay connected with Dr. Podjasek by following her on Twitter @JennaPodjasek and Instagram at @JennaPodjasekauthor, where she shares her inspirations, sneak peeks, and glimpses into her life beyond the pages.
PARTICLES IN THE AIR
In the wake of a natural disaster, a new pandemic is unleashed…
Dr. Mallory Hayes, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) medical investigator, is a committed physician and researcher quietly battling height and air-flight anxiety. When a tsunami devastates the coast of Southern California, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes a camp to house the tens of thousands of people displaced by the disaster, and the Army is brought in to provide medical services.
Mallory is dispatched to the camp by the CDC to prevent the potential spread of disease from contaminated water. What she discovers is far worse than anything she could have imagined—an accelerated HIV-like virus, and a common, everyday microbe, are proving to be extremely deadly.
Particles in the Air is a shockingly realistic tale only an immunologist could write—a tense, high-concept thriller meant to appeal to fans of A.G Riddle, Michael Crichton, Terry Hayes, Richard Preston, and others.
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Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
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