Why Should You Read My Novel?

Like thousands of other writers, I finished my novel.  I self-published it too.  After the initial rush of friends and family snatching up copies, my sales have dwindled to exactly zero point zero.

This is my first novel, and I think it shows.  I was my own editor and even took the cover photo myself.  I don’t think it’s awful, but it’s not The Martian.  I could say it was a labor of love and that I don’t need to find more readers, but that would be untrue.  Not the labor of love part.  The more readers part.

I suppose it doesn’t help my cause that I despise social media.  New author advice nearly always encourages a social media presence.  Granted, it can be a useful marketing tool, but using it makes me feel like I’m selling my soul.  Even writing on Substack makes me a bit sad.

So where does that leave me?  It’s hard to find my book on Amazon when you enter my author name and book title.  It’s the same at Barnes & Noble.  I’m slowly expanding to other self-publishing platforms, so we’ll see.  I won’t stop trying.  That leaves this blog.  I find keeping what I write here makes me feel good.  That’s something.

And why should someone read my novel anyway?  What kind of person wants to read this story?  Some novels span more than one genre, and I guess mine does too.  It is definitely a survival story, taking place in the aftermath of a natural disaster.  The main characters’ purpose is to work through adversities and danger together to survive.  A bit of romance flows throughout, but nothing heavy-handed.  There’s even some science thrown in.  One thing I avoided was the use of violence.

I loved the first few seasons of The Walking Dead, but then violence overload set in.  I didn’t think I could stand another storyline where Rick and the group encountered yet another sociopathic community of survivors out for blood or flesh.  I’ve also listened to several survival audiobooks that fall back on violence.  It’s not that I don’t think people would behave that way, I do.  I just didn’t want it in my story.

That’s it, I guess.  If you like survival stories with a bit of science and romance, you might enjoy Return of the Sun.  I had originally planned it as a stand alone novel (even though the ending is open), then some family members finished the story and asked, “What happens next? ” I’ve been thinking about that.  But, first I need to tell a side story about a particular plot point.

I’ve nearly finished the first draft of Uncle Steve’s Cabin.  That won’t mean much if you haven’t read the book, but it’s kind of important.  My goal is to have it well-polished and the cover watercolor painted by the end of 2025.  That means I’ll finish sometime this spring.

In the meantime, I think I’ve answered my question.  Truth be told, I mind less people not reading my novel than I mind people not reading at all, which brings us to the conclusion of this stream of consciousness.