Authors & Reviewers discussion

Hey all

I've been writing for years, but generally in the medium of comics, but this year released my first novel, A Con Affair (linked below). After an initial strong start, however, sales have become very slow. Likewise, reviews, though all reviews I have had have been massively positive.

So I wondered, other authors, how have you gone about picking up sales and reviews? Especially when on a limited budget. Does anyone have any tips and tools they always use or have found success with?

A Con Affair: A Rom Con - A Gay Rom Com at Comic Con!

Hell man, I'm STILL trying to get anybody to even LET me advertise! I can't even get put in the kindle recommendations.

Got any advice?

I haven’t actually done much to get in Kindle recommendations, aside from enrolling in Kindle Unlimited. I have run some Amazon Ads, but I dunno - I haven’t found them massively effective

I managed to get into KU, but without being advertised or listed I am not getting ANY views. Hell, I can't even get amazon ads! I just keep getting kicked back to the submission page, every time I try to submit my book.

I called the help line, and evidently I am "illegible for advertising until you have reached a sufficient level of sales".

Same line I get from advertising companies for magazines and websites.

Huh, that is frustrating.

I’m not aware of having done anything special to be able to use ads etc. I thought that was accessible to almost anyone, the only caveat being content. Like, full on erotica maybe can’t? My book has spicy elements but it’s actually generally a romcom and I guess that passes

I think they are counting your comic sales. My novel has some romantic elements, but nothing explicit, even a bare titty. It is about a modern-day guy reincarnated in a 3,000 BCE Norway filled with magic and monsters, and trying to stay alive. So yeah, it gets BLOODY at times.

Do you know anyplace I could advertise that is effective but NOT amazon?

Wish I did. I post a lot across social media, but that is barely effective. Using my newsletter is a bit better, but I think I’ve maxed out on there now and I haven’t been building the newsletter audience for a while

Well, would you be up for a little advertising on it? I can send you an epub or pdf of my novel to review, so you can make sure it isn't filled with smut, lol.

Here is a link to the amazon page
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVRGHMGP

I’ll check it out and give it a mention in my next newsletter post and leave a review when I’ve read it :)

Thanks man, I really appreciate it. Care to friends-list one another, so we can talk privately? lol

Sure, send me a friend request and I’ll accept it :)

Besides the natural free ways of social media, giveaways, etc ... I'm still learning myself what works as an indie author but ...

(view spoiler)[I've had some success with email lists/newsletters such as Freebooksy or the Fussy Librarian. If you're in KDP select or have bargain-priced books, their newsletters garner a nice little push. Depending on the genre of your books to be listed there, some are more affordable than others. ex: one category may be $10 but a high traffic one like romance may be $100

You can get reviews through services like BookSirens and Voracious Readers, but you've to pay for each download or each month you're featured there. You decide how much you want to spend/budget much like ads.

Storygraph giveaways are very affordable as of now $50 and you get a lot of reviews that way due to the sheer amount of users on the platform. You set the number of how many books you want to give away, but you'll want it to be realistic. (hide spoiler)]

D.T. wrote: "Besides the natural free ways of social media, giveaways, etc ... I'm still learning myself what works as an indie author but ...

I've had some success with email lists/newsletters such as Freeboo..."

Do those reviews go on Amazon then, or within their own apps/platforms?

Joe wrote: "D.T. wrote: "Besides the natural free ways of social media, giveaways, etc ... I'm still learning myself what works as an indie author but ...

I've had some success with email lists/newsletters su..."

depends. on booksirens and voracious readers if I remember right you list where you want reviews (amazon, Goodreads, barnes & nobles, etc), and if they have to post on multiple platforms. the less requirements for the reader the better, so having them post on one platform is the best usually.

on storygraph, you will mostly get reviews there and GoodReads because people often have accounts on both.

For Fans of High-Stakes Thrillers, Real-World Tactics, and Relentless Action

Hi everyone,

I’m Sam Stone — longtime law enforcement commander and author of REAPER – A Task Force Raven Thriller. I wanted to introduce my new novel to fellow fans of gritty, high-impact storytelling.

REAPER follows a Texas Ranger special operations team as they uncover a cartel-backed terrorist plot unfolding on American soil. Think Jack Carr meets Sicario — layered with real-world law enforcement and military experience. It’s fast-paced, grounded in authentic tactics, and built for readers who like their thrillers razor-sharp and unflinching.

I’d love to connect with anyone interested in the genre. Happy to share ARCs or just chat thrillers and tactics. Feel free to reply or message me directly.

📘 REAPER – A Task Force Raven Thriller is available in paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audiobook.
📖 Amazon Link
🌐 samstoneauthor.com
📷 @sam_stone_author
📘 Facebook | 🧵 Threads | 🐦 X
▶️ YouTube
📧 RavenActual@samstoneauthor.com

Looking forward to connecting — and thank you for keeping the thriller world alive and kicking.

– Sam

Joe wrote: "Hey all

I've been writing for years, but generally in the medium of comics, but this year released my first novel, A Con Affair (linked below). After an initial strong start, however, sales have b..."

I can relate to what you shared. I’m a first-time author too—coming from a totally different background—and recently released a short book titled Make It Out Alive with AI. It’s a personal piece about rebuilding from a place of emotional burnout, with some help from AI tools.

The journey so far has been eye-opening. I’ve found that the initial wave of support often comes from people close to you, but sustaining momentum takes a lot more effort, especially on a limited budget. I’ve been trying to participate more in spaces like this to learn, connect, and understand what resonates with readers.

If anyone here is into reflective nonfiction, or the intersection of mental health and technology, I’d be happy to send over a free copy (PDF) and would deeply appreciate your thoughts. Feel free to message me here, on Instagram @glitchoutww, or email me at glitchoutworldwide@gmail.com.

Here’s the book if you’re curious: https://mybook.to/MakeItOutAlivewithAI

Thanks again for starting this thread—it’s reassuring to know I’m not alone in this experience.

Hello, Everyone,

Re: For Lovers of British Historical Fiction

I have a collection of historical love stories set in old England that I wrote over the course of eleven years. They explore love in all forms, not only romantic, as other relationships in our lives are just as important.

The eight (soon to be nine to complete a trilogy) standalone novels are all on KU now, but after two years of promotions, reviews are still low. (I am in the process of having new book covers designed).

If anyone could help me to gain some traction, I would be so grateful. I can provide PDFs or ePubs too, if you let me know.

Here is the universal link:

https://linktr.ee/women_of_old_yorksh...

Thank you so much for reading this.

Best wishes,
Jo Priestley

Thank you for getting in touch. I am having new book covers designed, so funds are limited, but I will keep your details for future reference.
Kind regards,
Jo

I freely advertise indie authors and am currently building a team to help

Jo wrote: "Hello, Everyone,

Re: For Lovers of British Historical Fiction

I have a collection of historical love stories set in old England that I wrote over the course of eleven years. They explore love in ..."

Hi for reviews you can join https://revvue.co/?ref=B0F83JMYBY. This is an excellent platform to get reviews and get noticed and sales come once reviews are in place.
Gary B

Garima wrote: "Jo wrote: "Hello, Everyone,

Re: For Lovers of British Historical Fiction

I have a collection of historical love stories set in old England that I wrote over the course of eleven years. They explo..."

Thanks for the tip on revvue.co! I'm looking for honest reviews of my book, Ark Debt. The Kindle version is currently free at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...

I've been doing this since 2013. It's an uphill road. The best advertising sites in my opinion from trial and error are: eReader IQ, My Book Cave, Robin Reads, Fussy Librarian, eReader News Today, Book Raid, and BargainBooksy or FreeBooksy. Some of these may require a minimum # of reviews. Hands down #1 is BookBub which is expensive but worth it. Advertising will not only get some sales but should get some reviews.

Check out David Gaughran's website. There's a free course and lots of info for indie authors.

I'm also trying a free standalone prequel to get readers into my rom-com Christmas series. It was published last year and seems to be doing the job.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJDPYRFQ

Thanks, D.! Very helpful information and much appreciated. Best of success to you.