Between Drafts

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In this episode, Nathan and Nat dive into their respective book launch strategies, with Nat utilizing a bundled pre-order strategy through Shopify while Nathan plans to focus exclusively on Amazon to maximize algorithmic potential. They also explore the complexities of audiobook production, with Nat sharing his experience auditioning narrators and the significant investment required - ranging from $10,000 to $14,000. The conversation touches on the evolution of their writing processes, from the high-stakes pressure of first books to finding more confidence and clarity in subsequent works.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Amazon pre-orders for self-published authors
[06:33] Email marketing for a book launch
[10:55] Planning the timeline for book editing
[17:37] Audiobook production and narration costs
[23:04] Christopher Ruocchio's publishing journey
[28:07] Differences in writing process between first and subsequent books
[31:45] Using AI tools and beta readers for editing process
[35:31] Evolution of the editing process and managing expectations
[41:16] Current reading recommendations and habits

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Nat and Nathan dive deep into the nitty-gritty financial details of book publishing, from manuscript development to audiobook production. The duo shares their personal experiences with their respective projects - Nathan's progress with his novel and novella, and Nat's journey launching "Husk."

A fascinating discussion unfolds around audiobook economics and distribution, revealing surprising insights about the industry's payment structures and the stark differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing routes. The hosts explore various platforms' revenue shares, production costs, and the strategic decisions authors must make when bringing their books to audio format.

The episode concludes with the exciting announcement of the Between Drafts book club, where they'll be reading and discussing popular sci-fi and fantasy books monthly, starting with Christopher Ruocchio's "Empire of Silence." They also share an intriguing analysis of the success of "Dungeon Crawler Carl," offering a glimpse into the potential earnings of successful indie authors in today's publishing landscape.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Between Drafts book club
[00:41] Nathan's novel editing progress
[01:40] Nathan's novella writing progress
[03:30] Amazon's "under two hours" reading category
[08:44] Nat's progress on novella and Husk 2
[11:25] Writing productivity and daily word count goals
[12:21] From underwriting to longer manuscripts
[17:05] Finding and selecting a book cover designer
[19:14] The audiobook production process
[31:21] Amazon's audiobook pricing and revenue structure
[35:32] Calculating optimal word count for novellas
[41:56] Book club format and first selection announcement
[44:48] Deep dive into "Dungeon Crawler Carl" series success
[49:52] How much a popular book can make

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Preorder your copy of Husk: huskbook.com

In this episode of Between Drafts, Nat shares his comprehensive strategy for launching his debut sci-fi novel "Husk."

With just two months until release, Nat breaks down his three-pronged approach to building buzz and reaching readers through Bookstagram/BookTok influencers, podcast appearances, and newsletter partnerships.

He discusses the unique challenges of transitioning from non-fiction to fiction marketing, and how he's leveraging his existing platform while building new connections in the sci-fi community.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Book launch planning for a self-published novel
[01:28] Writing progress and word count goals
[02:15] Sci-fi vs fantasy novel length differences
[06:08] Typography and book formatting updates for Husk
[09:32] Early reader copies and launch timing
[17:49] Marketing across different social media platforms
[25:11] Podcast marketing strategy breakdown
[31:00] Newsletter marketing strategy
[32:28] Ebook pricing strategy
[37:28] Building momentum through recommendations and reviews
[42:31] Instagram advertising plans
[44:09] Final launch timeline and marketing schedule recap

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Nat and Nathan dive deep into the world of novella writing and author growth strategies. They discuss their experiences writing novellas as companion pieces to their full-length novels, exploring how these shorter works can serve as entry points for new readers while expanding their fictional universes. They also share insights on why traditional publishers often shy away from novellas, while explaining how self-published authors are successfully using them to build their readerships.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Update on Nathan's manuscript[01:14] Nathan's new short-form storytelling course[03:27] Why migrate to Substack[06:04] Substack Notes and getting more subscribers[11:37] Nathan's novella update[14:31] Novellas as entry points to your world[17:43] Cost of publishing novellas vs novels[29:13] Nat's novella progress editing process[32:33] Planning a trilogy or book series[38:06] Reading recommendations[44:22] Future podcast guests and interviews[47:56] Husk preorders[51:49] Partnering with Readwise for Husk launch

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Preorder Nat's Sci-fi thriller, Husk!

Nat takes us behind the scenes of launching preorders for his sci-fi novel "Husk." Nat shares his unconventional approach to book pre-orders, choosing to sell directly through Shopify rather than Amazon - a decision that's already yielding fascinating results.

Get an insider's look at the realities of book marketing in 2024, including the challenges of building anticipation for a debut novel, the complexities of managing different formats and platforms, and how previous experience in tech and marketing shapes Nat's approach. The episode offers rare insights into pre-order numbers, profit margins, and the various trade-offs between different distribution channels - details that are usually kept under wraps in the publishing world.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Nat's debut novel Husk
[01:16] Launch expectations
[03:06] Preorder challenges for debut fiction authors
[04:04] Selling through a personal site vs Amazon
[07:56] First 24 hours sales numbers and revenue breakdown
[09:18] Strategy behind Amazon Kindle listing and rankings
[11:17] Shopify vs Amazon fulfillment decisions
[14:02] Benefits of bundle offering and direct customer relationships
[27:17] Plans for custom packaging and early reader reviews
[34:42] Production costs and profit margins
[40:05] Building an audience for fiction writing
[43:42] Book marketing plan and promotion strategy
[44:56] Instagram book marketing strategy
[50:07] Advanced book marketing tactics with customer data and retargeting

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In this mailbag episode of Between Drafts, Nathan and Nat tackle listener questions about cover art strategy, exploring the delicate balance between artistic vision and market appeal, and share their experiences with various writing tools and technologies that help bring their stories to life.

The conversation offers insights into the evolving landscape of self-publishing, from pricing strategies and pre-order campaigns to the crucial decisions around cover design and format choices. The hosts discuss how they're navigating the transition between online writing and fiction, sharing their perspectives on maintaining audience engagement while pursuing longer-form creative projects.

The episode concludes with a thoughtful discussion on crafting compelling non-fiction content in an AI-dominated world, emphasizing the importance of personal narrative and internal conflict in storytelling. And finally, Nat's exciting announcement about pre-orders opening for his upcoming book "Husk."

TIMESTAMPS

[00:53] How long it takes to make a book cover
[03:22] How Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson took off with a new cover
[04:36] Nat's cover design process for Husk
[09:39] Business book cover trends and formulas
[10:26] Hardcover vs paperback release strategy
[17:21] Writing tools we're using
[26:02] Balancing online writing with fiction writing
[30:19] Newsletter platforms: Substack vs Beehive vs ConvertKit
[36:07] Writing process: linear vs non-linear scene development
[43:42] Introducing conflict in nonfiction writing
[47:02] How we think about blogging strategy
[50:16] Husk preorder bundle announcement and logistics

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Fresh off submitting the final manuscript of Husk, Nat breaks down the steps between completion and publication, from locking in the cover art to editing to planning marketing strategies and the audiobook production.

Nat compares his experience with "Crypto Confidential" at Penguin Random House to his current self-publishing journey, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities each path presents. Particularly interesting is the discussion about how authors can leverage different formats and platforms - from special edition bundles to Amazon's algorithm - to maximize their book's reach.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Overview of post-manuscript submission process and timeline
[02:14] How much does a cover cost
[04:24] The cost of fiction and nonfiction self-publishing
[06:12] Building an author email list
[07:51] Using novellas for marketing and audience building
[18:00] Cover design process
[19:28] Copy editing and proofreading process
[22:49] Designing your book layout across different editions
[25:06] Audiobook production considerations and voice acting
[31:06] Book endorsements and blurbs in publishing industry
[33:45] Marketing strategies and Amazon platform optimization
[41:29] Timeline for book launch preparations
[44:25] Post-submission author routine and future projects

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Nathan and Nat dive deep into the challenging process of incorporating feedback during the writing and editing process. They explore how to effectively evaluate and implement reader feedback while maintaining the core vision for your work, drawing from their experiences writing their respective novels.

How do you decide which feedback to take seriously? When should you trust your gut versus listening to readers? They share strategies for prioritizing feedback, from focusing on "top-down" story-level changes to being selective about beta readers. They also discuss the delicate balance between getting enough outside perspective while avoiding the trap of endless revisions.

Whether you're working on your first novel or your fifth, their discussion offers practical advice and reassurance about the messy reality of incorporating feedback while staying true to your creative vision.

TIMESTAMPS

[02:25] Nathan's novel update
[06:47] Career authors' advice on taking time with dialogue
[11:16] Strategies for incorporating feedback
[13:51] Identifying problems vs solutions in feedback
[16:00] Balancing genre expectations with writing goals
[19:21] Incorporating elements from other genres
[23:35] Using gut instinct to evaluate feedback
[25:23] The top-down editing approach
[31:02] Pressures of first novels
[37:00] Editing in self-publishing vs traditional publishing
[42:08] Optimal number of beta readers and feedback sources
[47:28] Techniques for self-editing
[51:20] Permission-giving in writing through reading others
[57:08] Getting feedback vs trusting your instincts

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Nathan shares his experience hiring a developmental editor for his novel, a process that's often opaque to aspiring authors. He details how he found and evaluated potential editors, from scouring book acknowledgments to leveraging AI tools, and breaks down the surprising costs and timelines involved in working with top-tier editors from major publishing houses.

The conversation explores how the publishing landscape has evolved, with many experienced editors from the "Big Five" publishers now working independently and commanding fees between $3,000-$8,000 for a full manuscript review. Nathan and Nat discuss the changing dynamics of traditional publishing, where debut novels need to be more polished than ever before submission, and how hiring a developmental editor might be becoming an essential step in the journey to publication.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:13] Hiring a developmental editor for novel
[00:49] Current writing projects updates
[05:34] Nathan's agent querying results
[09:19] Finding developmental editors
[15:47] Methods you can use to search for editors
[19:21] The Reedsy platform for book professionals
[21:23] Using book acknowledgments to find editors
[22:00] How to reach out to potential editors
[26:24] Narrowing down editor choices
[26:53] Pricing for developmental editing services
[28:22] Timeline expectations and booking challenges
[31:29] Surprising aspects of the hiring process
[35:28] How Nathan's perspective on querying has changed
[37:18] What to do while waiting for editor availability
[40:55] Final thoughts on cold emailing current publishers

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Nat & Nathan dive into their favorite reads from 2024, discussing everything from recent releases to timeless classics.

TIMESTAMPS

[00:34] Nathan's literary agent querying update
[02:02] Nat's manuscript progress and editing timeline
[03:18] The Will of the Many
[06:47] Lightbringer
[09:16] Ryan C. Cahill's indie fantasy novella
[12:38] Claire Keegan's Foster novella
[13:10] Colony One Mars
[18:26] East of Eden
[23:03] A Wizard of Earthsea
[25:34] Hyperion
[32:33] Armor
[36:22] Neil Gaiman's works
[38:25] Daemon by Daniel Suarez
[41:25] Logicomix and nonfiction recommendations
[43:32] A Swim in the Pond in the Rain
[45:19] Next week's editorial discussion

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