So...two days after the release of Nerd Inferno...the book is confirmed by Dark Horse Comics as being sold out. It actually might have been sold out the day it came out. Anyway, whenever it happened, the book is gone from the distributor and Dark Horse has ordered a second printing.
That does not mean there aren't copies out there of the first printing for those who want them. Copies are available at shops and online booksellers that ordered them, and there are copies still in the reorder pipeline. A second printing has been ordered because it is expected that the first will eventually be sold out from vendors. The second printing will be available at some point in late June to mid-July.
I made a video discussing the response to the book, acvailability and the signings set for may. Winky thr Pirate Cat attempted to sabotage the video three or four times. It's a free public post on my Patreon, link below:
Thanks And An Announcement by Evan Dorkin on Patreon. Join Evan Dorkin's community for exclusive content and updates.
My thanks to those folks who have picked up the book. I've never had anything like this ever happen before in my nearly-forty years of making comics. TY.
Hello everyone! You may know me from my K-pop Demon Hunters and Zoro x reader fanfiction!
I did not expect to get so many likes and engagement on this platform by everyone, so thank you to everyone who liked my content it means a lot as a small content creator!
I originally made this blog knowing that it probably would not get popular but I did it anyway and now my latest post got 142+ likes (which is really hard to get on a platform like Tumblr). So thank you!!
Another reason I made this blog is to develop a readership and engage a loyal following to promote my book by appealing to fandoms I enjoy in with my fandom-based fanfictions. I am also trying to get back on Youtube and Webtoon to try and gain a readership there as well.
Now that I have engaged so many of you, I feel like it is time to promote and tease my original book that I am currently working on alongside my fanfiction writing. I hope you will enjoy this too as I know most of you are here for my Zoro x reader or KPDH.
I will tease my book by promoting my characters and writing about it more. As an already published author this opens up another opportunity to publish a novel this time, especially with a strong readership.
Tips for fanfiction writers: boosting reader responsiveness
(Writers and readers, please add on!)
We've all seen plenty of posts about how writers often don't see the response from readers/followers that we hope for. We've all been there. And for newer writers especially, a lack of response can be very discouraging. What are some ways we can encourage people to come read and respond?
Ask for reviews. It's totally okay to have an author's note asking for people to review (or reblog, etc.). It's even okay to say how important/motivating reviews are to you, as long as you're not pressuring readers via guilt trips or threats. Just as you're writing for free, readers aren't obligated to give any response, so express your gratitude for reviews often.
Ask for specific feedback. Some readers simply don't know what to say. Give them some ideas:
-What do you think will happen next?
-What do you think of [new plot development]?
-What do you love most about [character]?
-Ask for constructive criticism if you truly want it, and be specific: Does this character's voice sound right? How is my pacing?
If you're open to a little audience participation, have fun with polls. Examples:
-Whose POV would you like the next chapter to be in?
-What's a scene or scenario you'd like to see in this fic/collection?
Make sure people see your work. Often. Post your fic updates on social media and reblog each announcement a couple of times, and then again a few days later. Readers live in different time zones, might only be online on certain days, etc. Think about how to make these posts eye-catching: experiment with text/titles, images, teaser quotes, brief summaries, etc. Make separate posts later on with just a teaser quote or one heart-wrenching paragraph (include a link to the fic itself). Link to certain fics/chapters in your regular headcanon posts. Make bonus content for your fics: art, playlists, moodboards, etc. In short, market your fic.
Watch your word count. Write the kinds of chapters you want, but be aware that many people won't stick with a chapter that's more than 3k words. On the other hand, if your chapter/one-shot is pretty short, consider posting the entire thing. (Please use a "Keep reading" line.)
Polish your intro. First impressions are important. Spend a little extra time checking your first chapter for grammar, paragraph breaks, consistent POV/verb tense, and general readability. Reading your work out loud is a great way to catch errors and smooth out rough spots. If you need an extra pair of eyes, try to find a writing partner or beta.
Give and take. Make sure you're reviewing other people's work. Promote fics you enjoy and think your readers/followers might enjoy too. Always respond to reviews (when possible) and make sure guest reviewers feel welcomed and appreciated, too.
Find ways to widen your appeal. Your readership might be limited if your fics are very AU, crossovers, focused on OCs or rarepairs, etc. Don't write what you don't want to, but see if you can reach new readers by stretching your wings a bit and reconnecting with the larger fandom. Examples:
-How would [scene in canon everyone knows] go down if these two characters had a romantic past? Or with this one difference in the lore?
-Challenge yourself to write a gapfiller scene that follows your AU but still fits in canon (mostly)
-Take advantage of holidays and fandom events/challenges, when readers are more likely to try something new.
-Try out "Meet [the OC's name]" posts. Be sure to connect them back to existing characters and themes/plot points the fandom will recognize.
Consider a collection. Like multi-chapter fics, one-shot collections have the benefit of allowing readers to get notified when you update. A one-shot collection is also a great way to keep your fics organized and accessible, and it can bring in new readers while also notifying returning readers.
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Please add on! Writers, what have you found to be effective in terms of growing your readership and encouraging readers to respond?
Readers, what makes you more/less likely to pick up a fic? What makes you more/less likely to review, reblog, etc.?
A boarding pass, a bit of string, an old receipt. We all leave things in books.
Yesterday's readers left these lovely bits and pieces inside books either as place markers or sentimental tokens, but unfortunately we have no record of where these pieces of ephemera were found. Thus they became the curious "Things Found in Books" collection.
Our policy now is to leave these unique traces of readership in place. They add to the story.
I'm not sure if it's ok to rant to you so I'm sorry, but how do you usually garner readers? I don't really know how to interact with others in the fandom so I don't really get that many friends or readers. And also it's still scary to talk to others because I'm afraid of being judged.
Hey, anon! *big ol hugs*
So, you asked several very good questions, and I'm going to break them down completely out of order because that makes sense in my crazy brain! 🤣 Also, keep in mind that this is my advice, purely what I have learned through experience. In other words, take it with a grain of salt. 😘
First of all, you're exactly right! It can be very scary reaching out to essentially strangers because you don't know how people will react, or if you will be rejected, or worse, you don't know if they are trustworthy. Please do not think you're alone in feeling this way.
It feels like the first day of school or the first day at a new job when you first start out in Tumblr world. If you sit back and watch, you see the other friendships and "cliques" swirling around you. Naturally, you want to be part of that. We all do! We all want comradery and to feel wanted and that we belong.
Having said that, here are my views and my suggestions for getting yourself out there and interacting with others (and then maybe from that, readership will increase; notice the word maybe):
What we were advised to do as children still rings true: in order to get friends, you have to be a friend. Period. I know it's hard and scary and all those "what ifs" are in your head, but in order to interact and be part of the Fandom, you've gotta muster up that courage and jump in! We have ALL been there; and let me tell you: it's worth it.
And here's the beautiful thing with the internet: you're anonymous. People can't see you, so already, that pressure is gone. You're also "talking" by typing that you can edit, which means you have time to react. You literally have the perfect opportunity to put your best foot forward. Take advantage of it (but obviously, be truthful)!
Now, when I say be a friend in order to get friends, I mean actually being a friend. I mean talking to them. And joking with them. And sending them asks about themselves and their characters and their fics. I mean reading their fics. I mean sending them a message wishing them a good day because they are a human being that deserves kindness. Making friendships, even online, is a selfLESS act.
The reason why I stress being selfless is because people can ALWAYS sense when you have an ulterior motive, especially if it's readership. It reminds me of when someone you NEVER talked to in high school contacts you. You already assume they must be trying to sell you something from their MLM/pyramid scheme.
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So, let's talk readership:
It will come. I promise you. It will come.
And I get it. You spent countless hours on a piece of fanfiction, poured your heart into it. You love it. You think it's fantastic. And you want to share it with others.
But, here's the hard truth about writing fanfiction: readership is fickle. If you chase after it, if you chase after numbers, notes, views, likes, whatever it may be, you will find yourself spinning and losing focus of why you even want to be part of this fandom. And worse, you will lose your joy.
We write because it's fun. It should always be fun. If it's not, why put yourself through it? That's the whole purpose of "fanfiction"--that's actually why it's called "fanfiction"! You are such a fan that you can't get enough of these characters, this plot, this story... that you get an extra THRILL writing about them. I joke with my closest tumblr friends that writing fanfiction is like playing Barbies: you are literally taking your favorite characters and re-enacting scenes or putting them in different situations. Most of us (if not all) don't have people in real life to geek out about this stuff. Thank goodness for this corner of the world!
Now, don't get me wrong. It feels good when someone reads your fiction. It feels good seeing that notification that someone liked it or someone reblogged it or someone dissected your character's personality. It's absolutely humbling when someone actually wants to follow you or wants to be tagged.
But, allowing that to drive you, always seeking the approval and praise of others, will induce sadness, anger, anxiety... shoot, it will make you question why you ever started writing. I know this from personal experience.
I encourage even now to make this your mantra: "I write for me." I know it sounds cheesy, but let me tell you: when you are pleased with yourself... damn, that's a beautiful moment. And honestly, that's all that matters. Being satisfied with something you created will give you the confidence and inspiration to keep writing.
Numbers will always fluctuate. It depends on the season: are people working? Are people in school? Are people on vacation? Is it the holidays? Are you writing for a book that's currently being released? Are you writing for a popular/unpopular book? I have some of the most incredible readers (gah, I love them so dearly), but life happens. Sometimes they can't read my latest work until 2 weeks later. Sometimes they can't read it at all. And you know what? That's okay, and you have to be okay with that.
Now that I have made you feel guilty for ever wanting readers (but for real, I hope I haven't because remember, it still IS a reason as to why we write; it just should NEVER be the main reason), if you want to render more readers, you have to get your name out there. Here are some ideas on how to do that:
Write. No duh, right? But seriously, if you want to be recognized, you have to put stuff out. You don't have to set up a schedule or set some type of weekly/monthly goal, but you definitely want to produce new content periodically (ie I try to put one piece every week... definitely doesn't always happen)
Post your newly written fics when and where appropriate (you don't want to seem desperate). Are you on IG? AO3? FB? Are you part of a group that allows for you to post fanfiction? Take advantage, and post in accordance with their rules (ie I am part of the absolute BEST TNA group on FB, and they allow us to post once each week). Also, right here on Tumblr, we have blogs DEDICATED to boosting your signal. All you have to do is follow their rules and tag them when you post your work. Check out some of my favorites: @choicesficwriterscreations, @thenannyaffair-fanfics, @openheartfanfics.
Join prompt challenges! This not only gets your name out there, but it gives other people to sample your writing style. Check out @wackydrabbles and @choicesmonthlychallenge (they have a list of all sorts of prompt challenges throughout the fandom!).
Okay... this one remember to take with a grain of salt because remember: we make friends for friendship sake. But... reaching out to the others and investing in others is another way to POSSIBLY gain readers. Read and follow others. Encourage them. Comment, like and reblog. And do not buy into the philosophy, "Well, I followed them. They should follow me." No. We become friends with people for selfLESS reasons; not for numbers. Period.
Whew... that was a lot, wasn't it? I hope you jump in and get involved with this fandom. It truly is a treasure trove of BEAUTIFUL people, and it's a ton of fun! And remember: readership will come. The most important thing in all of this is HAVE FUN! 🥰🥰🥰
*big ol hugs* I hope this answers your question. If you want to talk further about this, feel free to message me or send another ask!
