Thread by @nkolakowski

Two weeks ago, I self-published a novella, BEACH BODIES, about a couple tasked with housesitting a billionaire's doomsday bunker; three strangers invade; chaos ensues. This thread isn't about the plot... it's some lessons in self-publishing. 1/x

amazon.com/Beach-Bodies-N…

First, let's look at how BEACH BODIES performed in its first 14 days; this is in addition to ~1,500 KENP, since I decided to make this an Amazon exclusive. These aren't blockbuster numbers, but I know for a fact that it's better than what many indie-house books rack up. 2/x

Previous to launch, I queried a bunch of Instagram reviewers I follow, along with horror review sites I read; many were kind enough to give BEACH BODIES a shot, and I'm grateful for the reviews. But I also didn't clear a lot of sites on my traditional review list. 3/x

BEACH BODIES is weird and bloody and self-published, which also shrinks the potential review circle... but here's the thing, and something of a dirty secret: some of the websites who're loudest about their reach don't actually move books. 4/x

As self-publishing gods like @thebrianasman have made clear, if you produce a professional product (meaning a copyeditor, professional cover designer, etc.) and you network it within a community... chances are *very* good you'll sell, provided the book itself is solid. 5/x

What this also means: Although there are a lot of great indie publishers who move mountains to sell your work, often at considerable expense, you don't need to sign onto one *unless* they're willing to move the aforementioned mountains. 6/x

If you're considering whether to sign onto an indie publisher that's basically one angry dude shrieking how they've been canceled or how #horror or #crimefiction are too pansy these days... don't do it. Find someone better, or self-publish after doing 5+ months of prep. 7/x

I know none of this comes as a surprise to folks in the #horrorfamily who've been self-publishing for years with considerable success, but this is my first time down the proverbial rabbit-hole, and the results are pretty stark. 8/x

Basically: your work is always worth it. Want to go for a Big 5 publisher? Great. A small-but-mighty shop that hand-sells books into eager hands? Wonderful. But don't get pulled into a vanity press run by someone's angry uncle. 9/x