SIA Showcase for Readers and Writers discussion

Hi everyone! As was mentioned in the description, this is a spinoff group from Support for Indie Authors. We decided to add this second group because while we want to support our fellow authors in every way, we noticed that there was a little bit of confusion as to what exactly support means. Well, it means support. We are a group of more than 7500 members and we rely on each other for advice based on our shared experience and opinions.


What it does not mean is that we are a one stop shop for finding an audience, and yet, we always seem to have those folks who drive by and drop their “HEY LOOK AT ME! I WROTE A BOOK AND YOU SHOULD BUY IT!” posts all over our forum. I don’t expect that starting this new group will stop that, but it may help in other ways. You see, most of our members are great folks who contribute and help one another. We want to allow them to show off when they have a new release or are running a promo, or have ARC copies to offer. But while we tried to do this in a way that we thought was helpful, we were overrun by folks who only wanted to post these things and didn’t want to join in our discussions.


And so, we took the bookwhack away and started a new group. The idea behind the showcase is that authors will have a place to shout to the heavens about their books, and readers will have a place to discover new books and find great deals without authors shouting at them. I know, that sounds almost like two opposing ideas, but trust me, it will work. We aren’t going to let folks just post whatever they want wherever they want. We’ll have specific threads for various types of posts and we’re going to breakdown promos by genre, so if readers want to know when books go on sale in one genre, but have no interest in another, all they have to do is select which thread they want to follow.


If we have announcements, we’ll post them here in this folder, but for the most part, this is it. This is the introduction. Each folder will have its own rules and we expect everyone to read those before posting. Don’t worry, they won’t be as long as this post, but they should be thorough. As always, if you have a question, you are encouraged to ask a mod. The next post in this folder is specifically for that, or you may PM any one of us if your question is not something you want displayed publically.


And finally, a note about privacy: This is a public group. Everyone everywhere can see what you’ve posted, not just group members, and not just Goodreads members. Goodreads is an indexed website and is searchable through any search engine. If someone is searching your name, it is very possible they will come across your Goodreads profile. Keep that in mind when posting anywhere on Goodreads.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the group!
Sincerely,
The SIA Moderator Team

Julie wrote: "Glad to find a group where I won't get flagged for hoping for more readers for "A Lesson for the Teacher." I have been trying to tell folk who reviewed my previous books about this one but their na..."

Hey Julie. I'm not sure what you are asking. Sometimes you write a book and it takes awhile for others to read it. Patience is key.
That being said, this isn't really the appropriate spot to ask this, a better place would be to look through the threads of the support indie authors group and ask our other members for advice.

This seems really good!

Thanks for creating this group!

This is a touch of creativity. Nice to be here.

I'm happy you've made this group, and told members of the last group about it, because last year I discovered a community for self publishing help and got to read about the self-publishing life. Only to have everything I knew thrown into utter chaos and rage and paranoia. 2016 was enough to break me, is what I'm saying. It's hard to know what's real any more.

But I can at least start fresh with a new group for self publishing advice. Compiled lists of ebook listings, strategies, marketing, promotion, all that. Community, writing, focus. Especially with personal issues and events going utterly sideways. Especially alone. Especially with friends dropping off the map. And no job. You know, legitimate anger-invoking dramas.

Here's to 2017 being better than 2016. Not that that's a high benchmark. Here's to a new group, a revised community, a source for info that revises what's gone before and improves upon it.

Daniel wrote: "I'm happy you've made this group, and told members of the last group about it, because last year I discovered a community for self publishing help and got to read about the self-publishing life. On..."

Hi Daniel. Make sure to join the original Support for Indie Authors as that is where you will find all of the resources you mentioned above. :)

This is so cool! I can't wait to build more of an audience while supporting other indie talents!

A not so gentle reminder: this is the initial thread you should read before posting. Then, you should thoroughly read the rules of the folder you plan to post in next because we have already had to delete a lot of posts by new members.

Yes, this group is for self promotion, but we still have rules. We suggest you start by creating a showcase thread and introducing yourself before throwing around book links in the promo threads. You'll likely see a better return from active engagement.

Awesome. Thank you!

Excellent idea. Can't wait to see what kinds of books you all write.

Like this idea of creating an exclusive group for self-promotions in a very organized way.

Thanks for the heads up

This online "discussion" format is totally foreign to me, and confusion has taken over. In one sentence, I find self-promotion is abhorred, and then it seems to be encouraged. Also, what are "ARC" copies?
As a first-time self-published author, I'm seeking as many avenues for promotion as possible, and I am open to suggestions.

Kenzie wrote: "This online "discussion" format is totally foreign to me, and confusion has taken over. In one sentence, I find self-promotion is abhorred, and then it seems to be encouraged. Also, what are "ARC" ..."

I'm still learning how to use Goodreads myself as an author. I can tell you that ARC is Advance Reader Copy. To have Beta Readers read your book is a good idea before you publish. They may notice things that you might want to change, or close a plot line accidentally left open. ARC are different because they are the readers that have the responsibility to post a "review" by a certain date (typically the "go live" date) of your book. They post their reviews on Amazon and Goodreads (or wherever site you are asking them to post on). I hope this helps some. Questions such as this that you have as a first time author will be best served in the original Support for Indie Authors group. This group is for authors to Showcase their books. Like I said, I'm still learning myself and I hope I didn't step on Christina's toes (or any moderator of this group) by replying to you. Just wanted to help.

I appreciate the time you took to respond to me. Some of the simplest concepts can have me running around in circles until the "aha" moment arrives.
So, am I to understand that I may mention my book without fear of an avalanche of admonishment?

Kenzie wrote: "I appreciate the time you took to respond to me. Some of the simplest concepts can have me running around in circles until the "aha" moment arrives.
So, am I to understand that I may mention my bo..."

Hi Kenzie,
Sorry, I missed your initial post. Thank you Rebecca, for replying. Yes, you may make a showcase thread. Read the pinned post in the showcase folder and it will tell you how to start one. After a mod has moved it to it's permanent placement, you can post whatever you like there (as long as you are adhering to Goodreads general rules), including and especially about your own works. That's why I set up the showcase, to give folks a place to show off, while keeping Support for Indie Authors free of promotion.

I admitted to being dense, and my inability to understand your directions only solidifies this statement. "Read the pinned post in the showcase folder"? A "showcase thread"? This over-the-hill woman is so lost!

I did manage to give three books away on this site, but one was returned to me with "return to sender stickers" plastered all over it. Not sure what I do about that.

Since I've gone to the expense of having a video produced to promote my book, having a place to showcase it would be welcomed. As it stands, I'm still uncertain if I may take the opportunity here to reveal the title of my work and insert links.

Thank you again for making the attempt to assist this behind-the-times woman.

Pinned posts are the ones designated by an asterisk at the top of each folder. That is where we give instructions on how to post in each folder. To make your own thread, you would click on the folder title and select new topic. It's a little daunting at first,but I assure you, if I can learn, anyone can. :-)

Well, I believe I may have created a thread. But, I won't hold my breath. And, if I failed, performed some frowned upon act, please forgive me.

Hello Kenzie, you created a thread, and in the right place too, but you need to fix the title to conform with the rules. Soon as you do that, we will be able to move you in the right folder. :)
(Thread title has to start with your full name and then you can add whatever you want.)

Oh, lordy! Now I can't find my thread at all. When I edited it a few minutes ago, I thought I had typed, Kenzie O'Hara before the title.

I didn't mean for you to change anything in the thread. It was the title that needed fixed. I changed it for you.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

My pleasure.

Oh! You're probably tearing your hair out by now. Where will I find my thread? If you send it to me, post it, whatever, I promise that I will save it in my favorites.

lol nah no worries. I already sent you a private email with the link. You lost it because it changed when I moved it to its permanent folder. :P

Got it. Phew! Now, I need to take a break.
Have a wonderful day, and may it NOT bring you more computer illiterates.

Kenzie wrote: "Got it. Phew! Now, I need to take a break.
Have a wonderful day, and may it NOT bring you more computer illiterates."

haha Please, don't worry. It's all good. :)

I'm really glad to discover this opportunity give by Support for Indie Authors. For some time I've wanted a place where authors' books could be showcased by genre, and searched easily by readers. Thanks for setting it up!

Hi. I'm just getting started here. Looks like I need to start a thread and introduce myself, but don't see how. Please advise.

Hi everyone,

I'm quite new to all of this an apologise in advance, if my English is not always correct.
my name is Sylvia and I'm a German Indie-Author, who started publishing 3 an a half years ago. Back then I was totally new had no idea about whatsoever only thing on my side: my stubborn head and this story that wanted to be told.
Since then I've been learning sooooooooo yet I still feel like a total beginner.
On the German bookmaket I have found a niche for me and my books and it went quite well so I could afford to hire a translater for my high fantasy saga.

Bur now I'm where I was back in 2015: A writer with a finished book and only little of a plan how to proceed. As I learned every bookmarket is different and so I don't assume what goes well in Germany can be transferred to England, UK or the rest of the world.

What I'm seeking is a group where I can find advise, what could be done, how to approache readers or blogers or youtubers in the appropriate way. And of cause I'm willing to share any experience I've made so far and help out wherever I can.

Thanks for this group
See you soon,

Sylvia

My name is C J Clark new here and scared to death I will say the wrong thing in the wrong place. One of my better fortes I suppose.
Born in Iowa and forced to move to Florida at the age of 6, instead of where the tall corn grows I ended up where big bugs live.
Graduated from Liberty University in 2018, fulfilling my dream of obtaining a degree.

Hi everyone. I’m new to the group and just wanted to say hi.

Grasshopper wrote: "Hi!"

Stop it. Start a thread of your own for this kind of thing.

I am just starting my indie author publishing journey and I feel like I already got a flat tire but I know how to change a tire but this tech stuff can get pretty complicated. I'm proud of myself that I figured out how to write on this site:) Looking forward to learning all the things.

Natasha Souliere wrote: "I am just starting my indie author publishing journey and I feel like I already got a flat tire but I know how to change a tire but this tech stuff can get pretty complicated. I'm proud of myself t..."

"Flat tire" or not, the key is to keep going. Believe me you are not alone. I remind myself of that now and then. Great publishing.