There is one caveat: the #IndieBrag medallion (https://www.bragmedallion.com) isn't a #contest, but a rolling list of books deemed of merit. It was the perfect place for NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE to land. They gave good feedback about their decision.

Most contests seem to award books with themes & styles trending in the greater #literary zeitgeist and ecosystem. If yours is one, you may want to submit.

This post is part of a series about publishing my #debut #novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

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#NGAGLessons

I sunk about $800 into reputable #literature #contests (good link below from #ALLi).

They weren't right for me. I have a cross-genre book that's both #YA and #pulp #adventure written to a microscopic audience. One YA judge admitted she was the "wrong reader" for the #novel. I understand. She echoed what many #agents said, which is why I went #indie.

Lesson 3: Contests are wrong for me.

Verdict:👎

Award Link: https://bit.ly/litwards

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writingtips

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I don't mean to be glib. I know #editors are expensive. But, they will polish your #manuscript and make it professional and competitive for #agents. And, if you go #indy from there like I did, you have a sterling product to present to #readers.

Some genres are more tolerant of loose #editing, so know your genre. #YA requires editing.

This post is part of a series about publishing my debut novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

👉https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR

Available now at your favorite digital store!

No Good About Goodbye by CT Liotta

#NGAGLessons

Before I #queried in earnest, I hired a professional #editor. Two, if you count a friend who beta read & just so happened to BE an editor. The editor I hired formerly taught #CreativeWriting at an Ivy, and between #developmental and #copyediting cost nearly $1k.

Some say a publisher will provide an editor. Perhaps true, but I wanted an edge. She was worth every penny, esp. when I decided to go indie.

LESSON 2: Hire an editor.

Verdict:👍
#amwriting #writingtips #writingcommunity

Subsequently, we'll talk about some of those expenses, what worked and what didn't for NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE.

This post is part of a series about publishing my debut novel. I'm posting with hashtag #NGAGLessons

Every book is different and your mileage may vary based on genre, style, length, etc.

👉https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR

Available now at your favorite digital store!

No Good About Goodbye by CT Liotta

#NGAGLessons

I didn't go #indie through a #micropress because I had no other choice. I did it because it was the best choice for my particular book. NGAG was a #novel ill-suited to the mainstream #ya #lit landscape where #agents #editors and importantly #readers seek books less male, pale & stale.

Lesson 1: If your book doesn't suit the marketplace go indie, but know it will be expensive & you, not a publisher, will risk loss if there's no audience.

Verdict: 👍
#WritingComminity #writingtips

#NGAGLessons: Preface. In 2018 I wrote the #novel that spoke to my teenage self - an #LGBT #YA coming out tale that mashed up elements of the Hardy Boys, 40s Pulp, Mario Puzo, Ian Fleming, & John LeCarre. Stuff I read at 14 & loved.

I was tired of women writing about sensitive #gay boys in love for a primarily female #ya audience, and thought the industry might want something creative and different - a little dangerous, a little age-inappropriate, a little problematic.

This was a mistake.
/1

It's been a year since I published my debut novel, NO GOOD ABOUT GOODBYE. Today, the ebook is going wide. For the holidays the price will drop to $2.99.

I wanted to share some lessons I learned and missteps I made in indie publishing this book. I won't do it in a thread, but as a series, #NGAGLessons on Mastodon over the next ten days.

Follow me if this sounds valuable, or search the hash. #writingcommunity #amwriting #indiepublishing #selfpublish

The book 👉 https://books2read.com/u/m2d0dR

Available now at your favorite digital store!

No Good About Goodbye by CT Liotta