April 30th is fast approaching, and there are a lot of things happening in anticipation of a book release.
The first draft was ripped apart, self-edited, and sent off to alpha readers… who ripped it apart. It was self-edited again. Cleaned up. A second draft was born. *Insert ominous music here* That second draft was sent off to betas for feedback. This all happens before I even mention the book to anyone outside my circles. Before social media posts meant to gather attention and build anticipation. As long as the betas don’t find any glaring plot holes or issues (they did, this book really put me through it because I wrote it at a very difficult time in my life), it’s off to (line)edits. So, what’s the next step?
I should have prefaced all this by saying the way I do things isn’t gospel. So many authors have a different routine that works for them. This isn’t the only way I’ve done things, but after putting several books out, this is the way that works best for me. The next step after all this is typically ARCs.
What is an ARC? For those not deep in the trenches of the book world, it’s Advanced Reader Copies.
What are those? Advanced Reader Copies are prepublished versions of the book that go out to readers in hopes of getting reviews that go out on release day to help a book get its leg up in rating systems.
Why is this important? Having reviews, orders, or purchases happen within the first week of release is really important to authors. That very small window will determine the ranking of a book. It’s what will get books on Best Seller lists and typically can help with a book’s momentum moving forward. Being on the Amazon Best Seller list is also helpful because that list is often one readers who aren’t looking for something specific browse. It’s more likely a “new to you” reader will take a chance on your book if it’s on one of those lists.
If you are interested in applying for an ARC of A Deal With the Untethered, please fill out the form on my banner for consideration. ARC readers will be entered into a draw with the chance to win a paperback of A Deal With the Untethered (if they are comfortable sharing their address). ARCs will go out on March 1st for those who have been approved.
Hopefully, this release will do well, since I haven’t been in a place where I could mentally put as much energy into my books as I would have liked. *Fingers crossed*
This monster romance is in the same world as A Bite Full Of Death, and Poe makes a return… as the villainous monster she is.
Here’s to another release!
SJ Stewart Books 