Student Spotlight: How Jennifer Lauer Sold 5,000+ Copies of Her Debut Novel (Without Social Media)
Selling 5,000+ copies of a debut novel in 18 months (without a massive social media following) might seem out of reach to most aspiring authors. But, in fact, it’s not. And our incredible podcast guest is here to show you how it's done.
We welcome Jennifer Lauer back to the show in this Student Spotlight episode. Her indie-publishing journey is nothing short of extraordinary. When we last spoke in February 2023, Jennifer was on the brink of launching her debut sci-fi novel, The Girl in the Zoo. Fast-forward to today and she's sold over 5,000 copies, launched a successful fiction podcast, and released a new paranormal mystery novella series.
Join us to learn how this ambitious debut author utilized innovative book marketing strategies to make her sci-fi novel an Amazon bestseller. This includes her strategic use of NetGalley for early reviews, getting featured in BookBub, and participating in the LA Festival of Books.
This episode is filled with tasty tidbits that can significantly impact your writing career if you're ready to take action, even if it's messy.
In the episode, you’ll hear us talk about things like:
[05:01] Jennifer's honest breakdown of book launch setbacks, including how she handled unexpected Amazon delays and a COVID diagnosis that threatened to derail everything.
[07:49] How Jennifer leveraged NetGalley to rack up over 200 Amazon reviews and 250 Goodreads reviews—and why she says it was worth braving the potential for harsh feedback.
[10:57] Jennifer's persistence in securing BookBub features for international and US markets that drove her novel to #1 on multiple Amazon lists. She shares the thrill of achieving a #1 bestseller badge alongside big-name sci-fi authors.
[21:48] How Jennifer sold just over 5,000 copies in 18 months with minimal social media presence. She emphasizes the importance of releasing your work, even if it's imperfect, and how this mindset contributed to her success.
[28:03] We dive into Jennifer's fiction podcast, The Strange Chronicles, and how it's shaping her new paranormal mystery series. Learn how this creative detour helped her overcome writer's block, develop her antagonist, and draft her latest novella in one summer versus the year it took for her first novel.
[38:24] The marketing plans for Jennifer's new series launch, including which strategies she's keeping, which she's ditching, and why influencer boxes might not be worth the hype.
Whether you're gearing up to launch your first novel or looking to breathe new life into your backlist, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can use today. Jennifer's "I've been there" moments and real-world insights make this a must-listen for any author navigating the exciting (and sometimes messy) world of indie publishing.
So grab your favorite writing beverage, hit play, and dive in.
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