How to self-promote and get the most out of your writing session

Paul__Michaels

Just a below average author.
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2

Also I prefer quality over quantity I want to write a story people would love and be invested in not one with way too many chapters
That's all fine and well that you want quality, but you've only posted two chapters on the same day of the launch of your story. Because if you wish to be seen, especially on SH, you should post a chapter at least every other day. Because readers look for the "Latest Chapter Releases" for their favorite tags and your book will be on the main page for about an hour or so before it gets buried by other new chapter releases from other books.

So the point I'm trying to say is, you can lament about not getting traction, but it's a little bit on you right now because you've only got two chapters out in a time span of a few weeks. You are guaranteeing your book not being seen by taking forever to release chapters. As a reader, they won't invest their time in a book were the author might quit on their story. That's why you should attempt to post, at the bare minimal, one chapter a week to show your story is still alive.

Personally the best option when starting out is posting a chapter a day until you accumulate 25 to 30 chapters of your story. Then relaxing your release schedule shouldn't hurt your continued building of an audience because you should have a few die-hard fans.

The last thing I'll say is this. If you do post a chapter a day and you still haven't gained an audience by 20 or 25 chapters then your book might not be appealing to the SH crowd. If that's the case then you might find an audience on a different hosting website or you start up a new book and learn from your first.

There's no shame in failing. Learn from it to improve.
Because right now from what I've seen of your work. It's on you at this moment for why you haven't gained an audience.

Anyway, best of luck.
 

CharlesEBrown

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That's all fine and well that you want quality, but you've only posted two chapters on the same day of the launch of your story. Because if you wish to be seen, especially on SH, you should post a chapter at least every other day.
I did fairly well with one story when I was posting twice a week (with three chapters up at launch).
Of course, I was posting about six TOTAL chapters a week, but between three different stories then (and usually three chapters one day, one another and two more at the end of the week).
 
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I did fairly well with one story when I was posting twice a week (with three chapters up at launch).
Of course, I was posting about six TOTAL chapters a week, but between three different stories then (and usually three chapters one day, one another and two more at the end of the week).
Brother, how are you so consistent with this? :blob_dizzy:I can barely write five chapters in four weeks—how do you do it?

And when you do write, do you edit your work, or are they raw drafts? Writing is new to me, and I’ve been reading a lot of light novels (like Re: Zero and LOTM).
I’m curious—how do you manage it? Please teach me your ways, sensei!:blob_ninja:

And please don't bull crap about consistency and disipline, or something like that.

 

Paul__Michaels

Just a below average author.
Joined
Feb 9, 2023
Messages
542
Points
133
I did fairly well with one story when I was posting twice a week (with three chapters up at launch).
Of course, I was posting about six TOTAL chapters a week, but between three different stories then (and usually three chapters one day, one another and two more at the end of the week).
I wish I wasn't taken care of a kid so I can start up my other stories. Until they can start getting into school I'm mostly focused on my main novel until then... Sigh... ?
 

CharlesEBrown

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Jul 23, 2024
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Brother, how are you so consistent with this? :blob_dizzy:I can barely write five chapters in four weeks—how do you do it?

And when you do write, do you edit your work, or are they raw drafts? Writing is new to me, and I’ve been reading a lot of light novels (like Re: Zero and LOTM).
I’m curious—how do you manage it? Please teach me your ways, sensei!:blob_ninja:

And please don't bull crap about consistency and disipline, or something like that.

I haven't been able to keep up with it since I started working in November.
Before that I had about 10 chapters or more ahead in everything.
Generally, I write the first draft on my phone, give it a quick edit on my laptop, and then, unless it's for PocketFM, edit it again when I post here or wherever else I choose to submit.

One thing that really helped me get ahead I do NOT recommend - spent a week hospitalized after a fainting spell. Had nothing to do but write or listen to audionovels most of that time.
 

Lysander_Works

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Jul 22, 2023
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I checked out your book. The first few chs. And I think I know the problem. [My personal opinion] 1) Too big paragraphs. Most readers read on their phone, and it hurts the eye and lowers the immersion while reading those big paragraphs.
2) Why do you use double space before starting every paragraph? Once again, it doesn't look good. + Those chapter theme shift. It ain't good. Don't do that. Just write the chapter in a simple format without those customizations.
3) Prequel, sequel> It confuses many people. Speaking from experience. Generally, not many will invest in books that end with barely 70 or 80 chs. Doesn't matter the quality. You should write it all in a single book instead of splitting every volume as a book.
4) You need to post it on multiple sites. RR, Wattpad, WN, too. That way, you'll get more exposure.
5) Not trying to say what you should do, just sharing my personal opinion. No offense.

I have many disagreements with some of this, with reservations.
Most of the spacing kind of makes sense from a mobile-use perspective; I only read on pc/desktop, so I can see where that might look weird on a phone. I also only asked about this book title because I kind of know already what the feedback will be for previous ones in the series.

Since it is a series, I don't feel like combining it all into one is necessary, especially when the end of every book directly linked to the next one.

Some of it is personal preference too I suppose. I know it's probably just me, but if I was reading super short, 1-2 line paragraphs the entire time, it would put me to sleep, but many are the opposite. Oh well. I'm not gonna worry about it much.
 

JoshA

New member
Joined
May 30, 2025
Messages
10
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3
That's all fine and well that you want quality, but you've only posted two chapters on the same day of the launch of your story. Because if you wish to be seen, especially on SH, you should post a chapter at least every other day. Because readers look for the "Latest Chapter Releases" for their favorite tags and your book will be on the main page for about an hour or so before it gets buried by other new chapter releases from other books.

So the point I'm trying to say is, you can lament about not getting traction, but it's a little bit on you right now because you've only got two chapters out in a time span of a few weeks. You are guaranteeing your book not being seen by taking forever to release chapters. As a reader, they won't invest their time in a book were the author might quit on their story. That's why you should attempt to post, at the bare minimal, one chapter a week to show your story is still alive.

Personally the best option when starting out is posting a chapter a day until you accumulate 25 to 30 chapters of your story. Then relaxing your release schedule shouldn't hurt your continued building of an audience because you should have a few die-hard fans.

The last thing I'll say is this. If you do post a chapter a day and you still haven't gained an audience by 20 or 25 chapters then your book might not be appealing to the SH crowd. If that's the case then you might find an audience on a different hosting website or you start up a new book and learn from your first.

There's no shame in failing. Learn from it to improve.
Because right now from what I've seen of your work. It's on you at this moment for why you haven't gained an audience.

Anyway, best of luck.
Thanks
 
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