How to gain readers as a new author?

[MsChange]

I NEED PRO TIPS! It‘s an opportunity for other authors to benefit from this too :)
Stained

 

[ItsDevil]

Writing fanfic or something people will like

 

[Corty]

Writing - Corty's Tip Jar

Naming Things The idea struck me after reading a topic about naming problems. Or being stuck by giving names to things in your story. So, I decided to make a quick post about how I tackle the naming question, and maybe some of you will find it useful. Those who can't be bothered, don't...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[Frowfy]

Writing fanfic or something people will like

I think so too. If you want to start, a fanfic is a good way to attract new people. You can plan a short story and do it well while writing an original story and make a profit from it.

Some people make money with fanfics too, but as this is a grey area I really don't recommend it.

 

[MsChange]

Writing fanfic or something people will like

You do have a point! I noticed that fanfics get the most reads

I think so too. If you want to start, a fanfic is a good way to attract new people. You can plan a short story and do it well while writing an original story and make a profit from it.

Some people make money with fanfics too, but as this is a grey area I really don't recommend it.

Thank you for your advice!

Writing - Corty's Tip Jar

Naming Things The idea struck me after reading a topic about naming problems. Or being stuck by giving names to things in your story. So, I decided to make a quick post about how I tackle the naming question, and maybe some of you will find it useful. Those who can't be bothered, don't...

forum.scribblehub.com

Your tutorial looks promising! Does it include how to include my books in my posts as links? Just like the ones you have on yours

 

[Corty]

Does it include how to include my books in my posts as links?

That's a forum thing. More info here:

[Tutorial] For new users of Scribble Hub!

This tutorial is constantly maintained by yours truly and encompasses the basics for readers and writers. Check Section-C for finding more writing tutorials and a helping hand in developing your story by other ScribbleHub users! To navigate more easily ctrl+f the titles in the table of contents...

forum.scribblehub.com

ctrl+f for About Forum Signatures

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Writing - Exhaustive writing guide.

This thread is not for fainthearted since it will have naked truth in it. Yeah, the real thing, not the copium others give to you in their echo chambers. Proceed carefully. I've been thinking about making a writing guide for a long time. I am really tired of the same misconceptions parroted...

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[MsChange]

That's a forum thing. More info here:

[Tutorial] For new users of Scribble Hub!

This tutorial is constantly maintained by yours truly and encompasses the basics for readers and writers. Check Section-C for finding more writing tutorials and a helping hand in developing your story by other ScribbleHub users! To navigate more easily ctrl+f the titles in the table of contents...

forum.scribblehub.com

ctrl+f for About Forum Signatures

Thank you so much, I appreciate you!

Writing - Exhaustive writing guide.

This thread is not for fainthearted since it will have naked truth in it. Yeah, the real thing, not the copium others give to you in their echo chambers. Proceed carefully. I've been thinking about making a writing guide for a long time. I am really tired of the same misconceptions parroted...

forum.scribblehub.com

Thank you for the guide, I’ll make sure to take a look at it ?

 

[Assurbanipal_II]

I NEED PRO TIPS! It‘s an opportunity for other authors to benefit from this too :)
Stained

Just keep writing. Popular genres help, though.

 

[ItsDevil]

You do have a point! I noticed that fanfics get the most reads

In your case, I'd recommend writing a Fanfic to gain visibility. Later, you'll have a reader base that's somewhat familiar with your writing style, and maybe they'll be encouraged to read your novel. Personally, I've always had good viewership because I researched the most active times for readers and published during those hours. However, I recently published a fanfic on Webnovel, and in just 4 days, it already had a million views. Even my other stories got tens of thousands of views thanks to that fanfic. Among my readers, there are people who dislike fanfics, as well as some who love those stories.

 

[Eldoria]

Want the fast way or the hard way?

If you choose the fast way, you can design a story that suits the market taste: (1) create a premise that follows the market taste, for example, in Scribble hub, they tend to like fantasy power with OP MC and anti-hero; (2) create sensation/fan service [I don't need to explain you know what I mean], (3) label your novel with a red genre [you must know what a red genre is, right?], (4) make your protagonist the center of the reader's 'espacism' fantasy - the world must follow the protagonist's logic, not the protagonist must adapt to the world, (5) add waifutable female characters and satisfy the reader's desires; (6) use tropes to design the narrative. That's the 'easy' way and the easy way often obscures the purpose of writing. If you write just to satisfy the market, in the end your writing will only follow the market, have no spirit, originality, even lose meaning and identity.

On the other hand, if you look for the hard way, then you write to realize "ideas" or discourse in the form of a novel narrative. The idea is often authentic, original, even challenging the social structure in the real world. These works possess literal, philosophical, and ideological depth. They don't exist to satisfy a market, but rather to create one. The readership? At first, it will be very... small. You might be frustrated when no one picks up your novel. But once readers find it resonates with their souls—finding meaning in their lives—readers will come and create a new market. These works are known as "masterpieces"—masterpieces that exist to be remembered and endure. LOTR, LOTM, V for Vendetta, and Sophie's World are some of the masterpieces that create markets, not just satisfying readers but often challenging readers' morals about the absurdity of the world and often resonating with real-world social issues.

 

[MsChange]

Want the fast way or the hard way?

If you choose the fast way, you can design a story that suits the market taste: (1) create a premise that follows the market taste, for example, in Scribble hub, they tend to like fantasy power with OP MC and anti-hero; (2) create sensation/fan service [I don't need to explain you know what I mean], (3) label your novel with a red genre [you must know what a red genre is, right?], (4) make your protagonist the center of the reader's 'espacism' fantasy - the world must follow the protagonist's logic, not the protagonist must adapt to the world, (5) add waifutable female characters and satisfy the reader's desires; (6) use tropes to design the narrative. That's the 'easy' way and the easy way often obscures the purpose of writing. If you write just to satisfy the market, in the end your writing will only follow the market, have no spirit, originality, even lose meaning and identity.

On the other hand, if you look for the hard way, then you write to realize "ideas" or discourse in the form of a novel narrative. The idea is often authentic, original, even challenging the social structure in the real world. These works possess literal, philosophical, and ideological depth. They don't exist to satisfy a market, but rather to create one. The readership? At first, it will be very... small. You might be frustrated when no one picks up your novel. But once readers find it resonates with their souls—finding meaning in their lives—readers will come and create a new market. These works are known as "masterpieces"—masterpieces that exist to be remembered and endure. LOTR, LOTM, V for Vendetta, and Sophie's World are some of the masterpieces that create markets, not just satisfying readers but often challenging readers' morals about the absurdity of the world and often resonating with real-world social issues.

I’m definitely in for the hard way! Patience is key. Thank you so much, you provided me with clarity :)

In your case, I'd recommend writing a Fanfic to gain visibility. Later, you'll have a reader base that's somewhat familiar with your writing style, and maybe they'll be encouraged to read your novel. Personally, I've always had good viewership because I researched the most active times for readers and published during those hours. However, I recently published a fanfic on Webnovel, and in just 4 days, it already had a million views. Even my other stories got tens of thousands of views thanks to that fanfic. Among my readers, there are people who dislike fanfics, as well as some who love those stories.

Great advice! it hits different when it’s backed with experience. Thanks for sharing, I’ll consider it.

 

[Alski]

Pro tip from a cat who read your synopsis and spent 5 seconds on chapter 1.

Your.

enter.

button.

hates.

you.

 

[velvetvertigo]

I think consistency is the key :)

LOL, LOL, LOL: just opened "Corty's Tip Jar" and it says the same thing xD
Well, I guess I'm learning!

 

[MsChange]

Pro tip from a cat who read your synopsis and spent 5 seconds on chapter 1.

Your.

enter.

button.

hates.

you.

Aw mannn, I’ll make sure it despises me then ?. Thanks cat :)

I think consistency is the key :)

LOL, LOL, LOL: just opened "Corty's Tip Jar" and it says the same thing xD
Well, I guess I'm learning!

Agreed! Consistency and patience, the great duo.

 

[zephyrtrillian]

My current theory is that if they don't know I exist, then they can't like my story.

So I'm thinking I have to make sure they know I exist, see.

Best I've got so far.

 

[Xiaobai_xoxo]

I NEED PRO TIPS! It‘s an opportunity for other authors to benefit from this too :)
Stained

It's simple. I created a ritual and summoned a demon. I then asked the demon to send readers to my page in exchange for my soul :)

 

[Deleted member 166465]

I have no idea (no joking, I tried a few things, none work... aside from being a good writer)
Now I have a solution I call the reverse sthephen king, you will need a few items:
1) a black Van (can be any color but black is more stylish)
2) handkerchief or piece of cloth.
3) cloroform.
4)duct tape.
5)a heavy mace. (they cant scape bad writing if you break their legs)
6)chains.
7)A basement...
Do I really need to explain? with this, you can get a loyal bunch of readers.

 

[kosamsel]

Compared to other web novel sites, SH actually has pretty good visibility for new authors!

*Everyone else has already mentioned that consistency is key

*Take advantage of the tagging system! You can use up to 25, so throw on as many as you can (provided they’re accurate!)

*Make sure your cover is easily visible and your synopsis is polished and snappy

*Other than that… there aren’t really many other avenues for self-promotion here, so the best thing to focus on is posting as often as you’re comfortable (but not so often that you overwhelm your readers) and building up a buffer of chapters so you can take a break on the weeks when you’re feeling burnt out

 

[MsChange]

My current theory is that if they don't know I exist, then they can't like my story.

So I'm thinking I have to make sure they know I exist, see.

Best I've got so far.

Now I know you exist too. Your book definitely looks interesting!

It's simple. I created a ritual and summoned a demon. I then asked the demon to send readers to my page in exchange for my soul :)

So uh…does the demon accept soul installments? ?

I have no idea (no joking, I tried a few things, none work... aside from being a good writer)
Now I have a solution I call the reverse sthephen king, you will need a few items:
1) a black Van (can be any color but black is more stylish)
2) handkerchief or piece of cloth.
3) cloroform.
4)duct tape.
5)a heavy mace. (they cant scape bad writing if you break their legs)
6)chains.
7)A basement...
Do I really need to explain? with this, you can get a loyal bunch of readers.

Y’know what? Hell yeah. Do you think a pink van would work too?

Compared to other web novel sites, SH actually has pretty good visibility for new authors!

*Everyone else has already mentioned that consistency is key

*Take advantage of the tagging system! You can use up to 25, so throw on as many as you can (provided they’re accurate!)

*Make sure your cover is easily visible and your synopsis is polished and snappy

*Other than that… there aren’t really many other avenues for self-promotion here, so the best thing to focus on is posting as often as you’re comfortable (but not so often that you overwhelm your readers) and building up a buffer of chapters so you can take a break on the weeks when you’re feeling burnt out

I really appreciate your advice honestly! Seems genuine. Buffer chapters is a great idea, I’ll start implementing that.