Janos Meteo uses what he calls “grassroots guerrilla marketing” to get his books into as many hands as possible. Read about his efforts to overcome the challenges of self-publishing.

1. Tell me briefly about your book, Fractured Glow – what is it about and what motivated you to write it?

It’s about an actor on, what he feels, is the cusp of success. He is shooting a movie and documents each day. The book starts off as a journal with short entries, but eventually morphs into a novel with each consecutive date as a full chapter instead of the day summarized. The main character is well-to-so, but sociopathic and carrying baggage. No matter how hard he tries, things always tend to go sour.

I had a dream about it and wrote it down the following morning, like I do occasionally (I have a bunch of novel ideas based exclusively on my dreams), and decided there was enough meat for a story. So I wrote it.

2. How have your sales been?

I have no idea. I just published it in November 2018 (it’s early December as of writing this) and have been promoting it person by person and online for now. I believe at least a few people have bought it.

3. You’ve gone the self-publishing route. Have you sought an agent or any work with traditional publishers? If not, why not? If so, what has been your experience?

I self-published just to start. I don’t really know anyone or have any means to promote on a grander scale. Also, it’s my first book and I’m unknown, so I thought it would be best to promote from the ground level. Grassroots guerrilla marketing, if you will, just for now until I get my bearings.

The experience has been good so far. I’ve met a lot of interesting people. I have not worked with an agent or sought a traditional publisher, but I’m not ruling it out.

4. How would you describe your publishing experience so far? Talk about some of the positives and negatives you’ve encountered.

It was easy. Just a quick upload and boom. Amazon is great, but I’m likely buried under millions of self-published works by unknown authors. It’s easy to link to blogs and online groups, but harder to stand out.

5. Talk a little more about the sort of marketing and networking techniques you’ve used to sell your books. Which ones have been most successful?

So far it has been very interesting. It’s been mostly social media, but I meet people in the real world, too. It has been enjoyable for me, and I am making fans, but I’m realizing it’s not the way to get to a large audience. I’ve either been talking directly to people or linking from blogs and online groups. It’s getting my book attention, but not on a grand scale obviously.

6. Are there any marketing or networking techniques you’ve intentionally avoided or discontinued, and if so, why?

I have not. I literally started from the ground floor with what I know: online promotion through linking to interests and person-to-person, real world interactions. It’s been an adventure and, the more I do it, the more people I meet that are helping me move up to the next level.

7. What is the most important thing you’ve learned about publishing that you didn’t know when you started out?

It’s the easy part. Although I already suspected so, it was confirmed. It’s the same as a local band putting out an album. No one is going to come banging on your door offering a million dollar contract. I’ve gotta put in the footwork and get a buzz going.

8. If you could do one thing differently in publishing your books, what would it be?

I don’t think I would do anything differently. It’s there and available for purchase. I just gotta get it in the hands of people.

9. New authors face the obvious challenge of publicizing their work, whether they go the indie or traditional publishing route. What advice do you have for an author just starting out?

Get ready to put in work. Writing and publishing are the easy parts. Getting people to pay attention is tough. You gotta get out there and talk to people. Promote and market to the world.

10. What other projects are you currently working on?

I’m also a musician with many endeavors. But, when it comes to writing, this novel is my main focus. I’m working hard to get it into as many hands as possible, and so far it has been a fun experience. Until I make some good headway, I’m not going to start or continue another writing project. My main focus right now is getting the world’s attention. Somehow, some way.

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

Rollercoaster storytelling with enough plot twists and turns to keep even the most fickle readers engaged.

12. How can readers learn more about your books?

They can go to my Amazon page.