A friend asked me for advice on publishing and promoting a
Science Fiction novel. I’ve never published one, so I researched it. I hope it will be of use to others.
Generally, advice for how to get your manuscript accepted
and published is the same as for non-genre novels: Find an agent or find a
publisher which accepts non-agented submissions.
Finding an agent
You can research agents and track submissions through sites
like QueryTracker, MSWL (Manuscript Wish List), Reedsy and Publishers Marketplace. Some
agents want you send to them exclusively (i.e. they do not accept a
simultaneous submission) but given that they have up to six months response
times, you may prefer to ignore that and send out queries in batches of 5-10
and wait for feedback. Based on the feedback, if necessary revise the query
letter and/or manuscript and then send out the next batch.
In a hurry?
Lists of literary agents for Science Fiction:
https://blog.reedsy.com/literary-agents/science-fiction/
https://literaryagencies.com/science-fiction-literary-agents/
https://www.tckpublishing.com/literary-agents-accepting-science-fiction-and-fantasy-submissions/
No Agent?
Some book publishers accept non-agented submissions. They tend
to keep it on the down-low because when they open up to submissions they get a
flood of manuscripts from writers who have not bothered to read their
guidelines and send unsuitable material. If you want to succeed, read the publishers’
guidelines. If possible, read some of their books. (This goes for finding an
agent as well. Know what they want before you write them.)
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How to find a publisher who accepts unagented Science
Fiction manuscripts:
Authors Publish
send out regular lists of publishers accepting manuscripts.
Aethon Books, Flame Tree Publishing, Arcadia, and Dark
Age Press all have open submission periods occasionally, so you can check
their websites.
A place of intent blog has a list of publishers https://www.aplaceofintent.co.uk/blog/science-fiction-and-fantasy-publishers-accepting-submissions
Science Fiction Book Promotion
Your book is published. Now you have to publicize it. This
goes for both self-published and trad published books. Somehow, your book has
to stand out from the 80,000
other books published this week.
Here are some places you can promote the book.
1. Social Media and Online Communities
- Goodreads: Join
science fiction groups and participate in discussions or book clubs to
build relationships with potential readers.
- Facebook: Create
an author page and join large sci-fi/fantasy groups such as "International
Sci fi and Fantasy Book Club " or "Fantasy-Faction -
Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Discussion." These groups sometimes
allow self-promotion for active members.
- Twitter/X,
Bluesky: Use hashtags like #scifi, #amwriting, and #indieauthor
to reach a broader audience.
- TikTok:
I know nothing about it but people are always talking about BookTok.
- Instagram:
Cover reveals and photos of your cat sitting on your book
2. Book Promotion and Advertising Platforms
- BookBub: Discounted
book promotions. BookBub features can significantly boost sales and
visibility. Be prepared to pay.
- BookBaby:
Paid promotions, but also has a lot of helpful articles, written as
“You would have to do this and this and this unless you hire us to do it
for you” where this and this and this are perfectly doable if you’re
motivated.
- Other
Promotion Sites: Consider sites like Freebooksy, Book Barbarian,
and Books Butterfly. These platforms specialize in promoting books to
genre-specific audiences.
- Amazon
Ads: Run targeted ads to reach readers interested in similar
books. Amazon’s advertising platform allows you to set your own budget and
track performance.
- Facebook
Ads: Boost posts or run targeted ad campaigns to reach sci-fi
fans on Facebook.
3. Newsletters and Email Marketing
- Substack: Free
platform to start an author newsletter and build a subscriber base.
- MailChimp: For
managing larger email lists and automating campaigns.
- StoryOrigin and BookFunnel: Use for newsletter
swaps and group promotions, helping you reach new readers and grow your
email list.
4. Book Reviewers and Influencers
5. In person promotion
- Sell
at Science Fiction Conventions, Comics and Games conventions. If
appropriate for your work, conventions often have a dealers’
room/hucksters’ room. Rates for tables and booths vary.
- Network
at Conventions (WorldCon, New
Zealand National Science Fiction Convention, Eastercon)
6. Free and Discounted Promotions
- Free
Ebooks: Offer free short stories or novellas to attract new
readers and encourage sign-ups to your newsletter.
- BookBub
Featured Deals: Discount your book for a limited time to drive
sales and climb bestseller charts.
7. Networking and Community Engagement
- Writing
Forums: Engage in forums like Writing Forums to network, share
experiences, and promote your work. (To the extent allowed—note that
spamming forums with self-promotion may get you shunned or banned.)
- Writing
Workshops: If the workshop allows it, discuss or promote your work at
workshops. If not (or in addition) network with the other authors and share
promotion success stories.
- Beta
Readers and Critique Partners: Use platforms like Voracious Readers Only and BookSirens to get feedback and early
reviews.
- Book
signings at local stores: Ask your local bricks-and-mortar bookshop if
they will host a book signing for a local author.
- Book
signings at local libraries: Ask your librarian if they have local
author days.
- Book
signings at Friends of the Library bookshop: Ask your local Friends of
the Library if you can place your books in their bookshop and if they
would be open to hosting a talk or book signing for a local author.
Good luck on your publishing journey!
