📣 Shouting into the Void: The Reality of Indie Marketing
One of the hardest things about being an indie author—aside from dodging the scammers—is marketing. It’s the one thing nobody tells you when you publish a book, especially when becoming an author was never actually part of the plan.
⚽ From the Pitch to the Page
Writing and publishing were never my "Grand Plan." I never knew I could write, and I certainly didn't know I’d enjoy it. As a lad, I just wanted to play sports, especially football. I was a half-decent player; I played for the league representative team and my school side, and I even had trial offers. Like any child with a ball at his feet, I wanted to be a footballer and nothing else.
Back then, books were a chore. Looking back, it’s probably because the only stories I read were forced on me as part of the school curriculum. I remember reading Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. Did I enjoy it? Probably not. I think that’s why so many children, especially boys, grow up saying they don't like reading—it felt like work, not an adventure.
📢 The Echo Chamber of Social Media
I thought marketing my book (and soon-to-be books) would be the easy part. Instead, I’ve found that more often than not, you are shouting into a void, and the only person shouting back is your mum!
If I could start again with a proper plan, I’d do things differently. I probably wouldn't have published a single word until I had worked out at least a month’s worth of social media posts. Building an audience is a real struggle, and I know I’m not the only writer fighting to find the right people for their work.
Social media has been my biggest bugbear. I’ll put a post out and get a maximum of 20 views. Not 20 likes—just 20 people even seeing it. I see other posts that are arguably less engaging getting 3,000 views or more. I’ve tried the tricks, like hiding links in the comments so the AI algorithms don't suppress the post for taking people off-platform. Did it work? Not for me.
💰 Pay to Play?
It feels like social media has become a "pay-to-play" environment. They want you to buy a premium subscription to open up the algorithms to a wider audience. But why would I pay for a subscription if I don’t know which platform actually works for my genre?
I recently replied to a post on X (formerly Twitter) asking which platform was best for finding readers. I said: "I haven't found any social platform helpful. X is the worst for me. Yesterday's 3D cover post had 5 views total." A user named Shane, who has nearly 10,000 followers and a "blue tick," saw my reply, looked at my post, and reposted it with a comment about how the algorithms should push those types of posts more. Within 24 hours, that same post had 262 views, 9 reposts, and 23 likes. It proves the point: if you have the "status" (or the subscription), you get seen. If you don't, you're fighting for breadcrumbs.
🦉 The Benefit of Hindsight
I should have done more research before releasing An Irish Mystery. I shouldn't have gone with the first publishing company I approached just because they were cheap. I should have looked closer at covers and blurbs rather than just trusting a publisher's judgment.
I’d never even heard of an "ARC reader" before I published! My aunt acted as mine, but I didn't have the terminology for it then. Most of all, I wish I'd saved more money for a proper release promotion.
Have I learned my lesson? Yes, to a degree.
- I haven't wasted money on publishers for Book 2; I've learned to do it myself.
- I’ve invested in a professional cover (over £600), because you really do get what you pay for. I couldn't be happier with how my covers look now.
- I have an ARC team—not loads, but enough to help.
I don't have a massive budget for advertising, but An American Treasure will be released regardless. I’m learning as I go, moving away from the breadcrumbs and trying to build something real.
🔍 The Thrill of the Chase: Writing An American Treasure
Despite the hurdles of marketing, Book 2 was an absolute joy to write. I started it immediately after my third round of editing An Irish Mystery. I’d enjoyed the process so much that I knew a sequel was inevitable.
I spent a lot of time researching various missing treasures, and Mosby’s Rangers felt like the perfect choice—especially as it allowed the story to return to a familiar setting from Book 1: Virginia. This time, I felt more confident, so I wrote the prologue first. However, that single chapter took me ages! I wanted to get every detail right—from the exact time the historical figures arrived at their destination to the specific weather conditions of the day. I love the research; it’s the part of the process I enjoy most.
Once the bones of the story were there, I went back through to layer in the scenery and descriptions. I knew that within the first five chapters, I needed a "hook"—a shootout, a car chase, or a high-stakes confrontation. I can safely put a tick next to that now!
👤 Enter the Villain: Lando Spock
Every great adventure needs a formidable enemy, and that is how Lando Spock was born. I wanted more "Cussler-type" action, a deep mystery, and a cryptic clue for the reader to chew on.
While Book 1 was a steep learning curve—focused on building the characters so people would actually care about them—Book 2 is straight to the point. The players are on the board, they each have their own motivations, and they are all hunting for the same long-lost treasure. An American Treasure is a high-octane adventure, and I truly hope you enjoy the ride.
🚀 Help Me Beat the Algorithm
I cannot wait to give you a firm release date. If this has piqued your interest, please consider helping me fight those social media algorithms I mentioned earlier. A simple follow, like, or share on X, Bluesky, Instagram, or Facebook makes a world of difference to an indie author.
📚 What I’m Reading...
(Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you fancy a high-octane thriller, clicking the links below helps support the blog at no extra cost to you!)
The main character, Morgan, is very much in line with a James Bond type of lead, though perhaps not quite as suave as 007 himself—which actually worked really well for this specific story. The book had everything you’d want in an action-adventure: fast cars, guns, glamorous settings, and antagonists that really helped the plot flow at a cracking pace.
One thing to note is that the author certainly knows his stuff when it comes to the technical side of things. There was a fair amount of military jargon that someone currently in or fresh out of the forces would likely recognise immediately. For me, it was a bit over my head at times, but that isn't to say it wasn't needed; it gave the book a lot of authenticity.
If you like high-stakes action and a hero who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty, I’d definitely suggest giving this one a go. I've posted my full review over on Goodreads and Fable if you’d like to see more!
👉 View Nautical Strike on Amazon
Enjoyed the ride? 📖
I balance my writing life with a full-time day job, which means covers, research, and advertising all come out of my own pocket. If you’d like to see these books reach more readers—and help me stay caffeinated while I write them—you can support my work here. Your help keeps the "Stream" flowing and the books coming.
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👉 Join here: The Newman Chronicle
📖 Enjoyed this post?
An Irish Mystery is a fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession.
Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & hardcover
👉 Available on Amazon: An Irish Mystery
You can also find me on Instagram / Bluesky / X / Facbook, where I share writing updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
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