Catching the attention of readers in a crowded genre

Terina Adams, author of The Unbroken Queen, thought NetGalley was just for traditional publishers. She was pleasantly surprised to find a Romantasy audience eager for her books, and a new social media following who are now excited for the next book in her  series. 

In this case study, Adams shares her writing routine, the impact and importance of social media, and how NetGalley has helped The Unbroken Queen succeed in ways Adams could not have predicted.

Romantasy is a very popular genre right now! Did you always think that would be the direction you would take your writing?

I’m a very eclectic reader and have already written in four different genres under various pen names, so I’ll likely find my muse leading me to new genres in the future. I write for my enjoyment as well as for my readers, and I find it difficult to confine myself to just one genre. Currently, I’m thoroughly enjoying the romantasy genre and plan to stay here for a while—I already have another series planned and ready to begin.

Talk us through what a typical day of writing looks like for you. 

I’m envious of all those morning people because that’s just not me. I love the idea of starting my day super early and finishing earlier, but my brain doesn’t function optimally first thing in the morning. My workday typically starts around 9:00 AM, after I’ve made my daily pilgrimage to the local coffee van and walked the dog. I usually warm up by re-reading the previous chapter. I used to write in one-hour blocks, taking at least a 10-minute break in between to move and stretch. However, I’ve recently purchased an under-the-desk treadmill, which has been fantastic. I can now work continuously until lunch. In the afternoon, I write for a few more hours and handle emails and the business side of writing. Depending on how my day goes, I usually wrap up around 4:00 PM and either go for a jog or walk the dog again.

How has social media impacted / influenced you as both a writer and a marketer? 

Social media is definitely a weak point for me—it’s never been something I particularly enjoy, and so I have had to work at it. However, it can be an author’s best friend and a fantastic way to connect with readers. Gone are the days when authors were hidden behind a wall and readers had to send letters to publishers in the hope they may receive a reply from their favorite author. Social media allows authors to be real, personable, and foster direct relationships with their audience. It also has revolutionized book sales. Platforms like Bookstagram and BookTok have become essential hubs for avid readers to share recommendations and discover new books. These sites are invaluable for authors to stay in touch with trending tropes and understand what readers are looking for. Marketing on social media has taught me how to distill the core essence of my book into concise phrases, catchy memes, and enticing hooks. It’s a great way for authors to peel back the layers and get to the heart of describing their books.

I appreciate the extended availability period for my book and the diverse readership it reaches. NetGalley has helped me connect with readers I might not have been able to reach otherwise.

This is your first experience using NetGalley. What drew you to using our services for The Unbroken Queen?

I’m always looking for new ways to market my books, and one strategy I use is to get my book into as many readers’ hands as possible before release. I’ve experimented with different platforms and initially thought NetGalley was mainly for traditional publishers. However, once I explored it further, I was excited by the opportunities it offered. I appreciate the extended availability period for my book and the diverse readership it reaches. NetGalley has helped me connect with readers I might not have been able to reach otherwise.

Toni Morrison on rewriting says, “The revision for me is the exciting part; it’s the part that I can’t wait for—getting the whole dumb thing done so that I can do the real work, which is making it better and better and better.” Did you use any of the feedback or conversations you had from listing your book on NetGalley as an impetus to edit? 

No, I didn’t. Most of the feedback I received from reviewers was based more on personal preferences rather than structural, plot, or character issues. As an author, it’s important to remember not to edit by committee. I rely on my developmental editor and a few trusted beta readers to prepare my book for publication. I would consider revising details if I saw recurring reviews mentioning significant issues, such as confusion about the plot, major plot holes, or errors. If there’s a recurring theme in their preferences, I might take that into account when starting another series.

What is your general rewriting process like from the time you start sharing your book with reviewers to when it’s in publication? 

My rewriting process isn’t particularly lengthy because I do a lot of editing as I write. I also work with a developmental editor who helps address major structural, plot, and character issues. After that, I share the manuscript with trusted beta readers in my genre, who help fine-tune it. By the time the book reaches reviewers, I’ve already gone over it multiple times. If I notice recurring critiques from reviewers, I’ll make minor tweaks, but I usually leave the book as it is. However, I may take those critiques into consideration for my next series, especially if I believe they can help me craft a more compelling story. It’s important to remember you can’t write a book that pleases everyone.

Writing can be a lonely process, how has using NetGalley helped you build a community for your most recent book and how can you leverage that community for your forthcoming book?

NetGalley has been fantastic for building a community around my books. I’ve connected with Bookstagrammers I wouldn’t have reached otherwise, thanks to the platform’s extensive user base. With the second book in the series being released this month, NetGalley has provided me with a list of enthusiastic Bookstagrammers eager to review and feature it. It’s been an invaluable resource for expanding my reach and engaging with passionate readers.

The most crucial aspect of any book’s success is how well you market it to your target audience.

With over 4,000 Impressions, 500+ Members with Access, and more than 130 Members (and counting!) who have left Feedback, your book has gained a lot of traction since listing it in our catalog in March. What do you think makes your book stand out to readers?  

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure, but it certainly helps that romantasy is a popular genre right now, with many readers actively seeking books in this category. However, the most crucial aspect of any book’s success is how well you market it to your target audience. First impressions matter, so your cover should be clear and genre-specific. It should stand out while still aligning with the visual expectations of the genre. Once you’ve caught the attention of your ideal reader with the cover, the blurb must then convince them the story inside is exactly what they’re looking for. It’s also beneficial to understand your genre conventions, and you’ll earn extra points if you’re familiar with beloved tropes within the genre. Knowing these elements can help you better meet readers’ expectations and enhance your book’s appeal.

Which specific features of NetGalley have felt the most exciting to you as you ushered your book into the world? 

The NetGalley feature I loved the most was the promotions, which significantly boosted the visibility of my book after the initial excitement from its listing started to fade. The reports feature was also great, providing valuable insights into how readers were perceiving and receiving my book. It was fantastic to see positive responses to my cover and blurb, as they are crucial in shaping readers’ interest and expectations, and it was reassuring to know I got those right. I also enjoyed seeing how many people indicated they would recommend my book to others.

Where is the most value you have found in using NetGalley as a tool for The Unbroken Queen?

The most valuable aspect of using NetGalley for me has been connecting with Bookstagrammers and BookTokers. Book marketing often involves extensive outreach, and while you can DM book influencers and anyone on social media interested in books, it requires a lot of research to find the right people for your genre, and there’s no guarantee on how long their TBR list might be. NetGalley, however, provides access to a large list of avid readers already searching for their next read. I was thrilled to see how many people shared my book on their social media pages, sparking a lot of conversation around it.

With the archive date for your book in the fall, what do you hope to achieve on NetGalley in the next few months?

I’ve been very pleased with the results from NetGalley so far. I continue to receive requests, and I’m happy to let the process run its course until the archive date.

NetGalley has been the perfect complement to my other marketing efforts, helping to expand my book’s reach and visibility.

What are the takeaways you have gained from your experience using NetGalley and how will they impact marketing your forthcoming book, The Reluctant Queen?

I will definitely use NetGalley again. It’s an excellent way to reach a diverse range of readers effortlessly. The key is to build buzz around your book before its release, gathering a group of enthusiastic fans who are excited to discuss your book and share it with others. NetGalley has been the perfect complement to my other marketing efforts, helping to expand my book’s reach and visibility. Thanks to NetGalley, I have a list of Bookstagrammers and BookTokers who are keen to help me spread the buzz about the second in my series The Reluctant Queen.