How long did it take before your first book gained traction?

[rainchip]

I’ll be hitting my first month on October 2nd. There’s not much I can add that hasn’t already been covered by others here, but here’s what I’ve noticed so far.

Having a fitting, anime/Light Novel-style cover really helps. I saw a solid increase in views after switching from a more thematic story cover to a LN-friendly one. A regular update schedule, especially taking advantage of that first week in Newest/Latest can give you momentum. That boost helps carry you through the quieter weeks, when traction comes from mostly updates and passing curiosity. Unless you’re posting daily with 20–50 chapters ready, expect views, favorites, and readers to grow gradually. Just showing up consistently and earning your readers trust is half the battle. The other half is encouraging interaction. Oh and writing in strong, recognizable trope/genre lanes can help a lot too. Lighter stories often do better than very dark or heavy ones. My own story has a reverse-isekai/stranded in another world setup, which works in my favor, though most of it leans darker and edgier (hopefully in a tasteful way).

 

[Hedgasm]

New author here.

Can someone give a range for what counts as traction?
I was told that the pace starts to pick up after ~60chapters.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

New author here.

Can someone give a range for what counts as traction?
I was told that the pace starts to pick up after ~60chapters.

It varies - can start as early as 5 in very rare cases. In most cases it hits at either 20, 50 or 100, depending on far too many variables to count.

 

[sandianchong]

I am very happy to be here, and I have received replies and encouragement since I published my story a few hours ago. Wow, this place is amazing, and with the motivation, I have been updating my story and receiving more encouragement from my partners. I feel like I'm dreaming ٩(º︹º)۶
Yes, I have also encountered a few situations like this. After praising, they ask for payment to develop the comic. God, I haven't gained much attention yet, and my novel is just starting out. How could I possibly develop a comic?

My friend, if you get excessively complimentary comments and then end up asking for collaboration or something, be careful! They target new writers who are still innocent. Harsh comments that smell like criticism are more honest than empty and deceptive praise.

 

[Ren_Muyiwa]

My friend, if you get excessively complimentary comments and then end up asking for collaboration or something, be careful! They target new writers who are still innocent. Harsh comments that smell like criticism are more honest than empty and deceptive praise.

Thank you i was aware of that.

 

[Intermundium]

Really depends on the genre, quality and the cover of the works. My first ever novels on scribble hub got traction on the first chapter (not in this account.) A year or so later, I started posting on this... My first novel even past the 40 mark hasn't gotten much, at its peak at the moment is 22 readers. Whilst my second hit 86 readers on it's twelfth chapter, and growing consistently. Just keep persevering and working at it.

 

[Deleted member 222160]

i blame myself for my low traction honestly. when i started posting the chapters of my book last month (for 3 days), it gained some traction. if i'd continued with that momentum, i'd have way more readers by now but i took a huge ass break. not my fault tbh. school and life were chewing me out. i started posting again a few days ago and the traction isn't as close as what i got those first three days but i'm trying to be more consistent now

After praising, they ask for payment to develop the comic. God, I haven't gained much attention yet, and my novel is just starting out. How could I possibly develop a comic?

sorry to break it to you but those guys are bots. they try to exploit new writers. ignore them.

 

[Eldoria]

New author here.

Can someone give a range for what counts as traction?
I was told that the pace starts to pick up after ~60chapters.

I've conducted a mini-survey. Of over 40 respondents, the majority said novels are worth reading, with at least ten (20-99) chapters. You can access the survey thread here:

Ignoring content, what do you think is the minimum number of chapters in a novel to be considered worth reading?

Ignoring content, as the reader, what do you think is the minimum number of chapters in a novel to be considered worth reading?

forum.scribblehub.com

 

[Hedgasm]

I've conducted a mini-survey. Of over 40 respondents, the majority said novels are worth reading, with at least ten (20-99) chapters. You can access the survey thread here:

Ignoring content, what do you think is the minimum number of chapters in a novel to be considered worth reading?

Ignoring content, as the reader, what do you think is the minimum number of chapters in a novel to be considered worth reading?

forum.scribblehub.com

What would you say is a good amount of readers for a new novel?

 

[Eldoria]

What would you say is a good amount of readers for a new novel?

I once got over 50 bookmarks (readers) just from the latest series displayed for one day. The most influential factor in the number of readers for a new novel is a visually appealing cover.

If you're releasing a new novel, you should make the cover as eye-catching as possible (an anime/light novel-style cover is recommended with one waifutable character, even if she is not the main protagonist) because it's the main promotional tool.

Unless you already have many followers, even a bad cover will still attract readers (from followers).

 

[CharlesEBrown]

I had the scribbhub default image for the first three weeks on my first two stories. Didn't update until later the same day that my second one hit trending (for its one and only, six or twelve hour run there)

 

[DireBadger]

Boobs.

Seriously. Boobs.