J.L. Manning is the author of The Night Watchman.  He offers several tips for promoting independent books and suggests authors be patient until their books are what they really want them to be.

1. Pretend for a moment I’m a reader looking for my next book.  Pitch me one of your books in five to ten sentences.

The Night Watchman will be a good read, because you’ll feel for the main character’s predicament like you’ve never felt for a hero.  This book gives you a different view towards a superhero that starts out as less than a man.  As this book moves along there is racing that gets dangerous, and a relationship that is unwise.

2. Tell me about the marketing techniques you’ve used to sell your books.  Which ones have been the most successful?

I have used a number of techniques that didn’t promote sale.  I feel the best way to promote sale for indie books is through reviews, because word of mouth is too slow.  Post these reviews everywhere.

3. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about self-publishing that you didn’t know when you started out?

Be more patient, don’t publish because you can, make the book ready to sell.

4. Independent authors face the obvious challenge of marketing their books without the resources of traditional publishers. What advice do you have for an indie author just starting out?

Don’t spend too much; use a local printing press; make an e-book.  After selling one hundred books to strangers, and getting reviews, and rewriting the book, send out queries.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

I’m finishing a book about aliens coming to earth to work and join the earth’s community.

6. If you could market your brand – not just one particular book, but your overall brand of writing – in one sentence, what would it be?

My books help you dream of new places and new situations.

7. How can readers learn more about your books?

http://www.jlmanning.net/index.html