Engaging With My Readers
I, Lynn, invite you to participate in conversations about my fiction, dystopian fiction generally, and if you are an author yourself, your writing life and experiences in self-publishing.
Blog with Comments
Community building will take place in the blog, “Writing in Dystopian Times,” utilizing the blog comments for discussion.
I want this website to be worth visiting regularly for the conversations going on, the stories about writing and the fun of reading, especially books with a dystopian vibe, and the opportunities for interaction among readers.
I hope this website will not feel like just a sales tool, although I do want to facilitate ordering the book for my visitors.
Discuss Classic Dystopian Titles on Zoom
For website visitors who want to read or re-read classic dystopian fiction, there is a virtual book club. It will promote community through Zoom calls to discuss selected titles, a new one every four months. From September through December 2026, we will read and discuss 1984 by George Orwell. From January to April 2027 it will be Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Go to Dystopian Book Club to sign up for this activity. The discussions will be on Zoom. Several opportunities will be scheduled.
In-Person Events in the Greater Seattle Area
For folks in the Seattle and Puget Sound area, I hope a community will grow out of in-person launch events and readings. The moment my first box of copies of The Golden Ruled arrives, I will put bookmarks doubling as business cards in them and head out to visit bookstores, giving a pre-release copy to buyers or managers and asking them to consider scheduling an author reading at their store. My “Launch & Events” page will soon announce these opportunities.
To be sure you know about my events, sign up for my newsletter and officially join the Reader Community. The website will also contain event specifics.
The Publisher Organizes the Marketing—Guess Who That Is
To self-publish my book, I am working through IngramSpark, one of the oldest and highest quality print-on-demand sources of book printing and marketing services, according to reviews I found. However, IngramSpark is not my publisher—I am the publisher.
The responsibility for promoting the book rests entirely with me. I can offer it to my friends and family, and give readings at bookstores, libraries, and cafes. I can market the book on my website. I can post on social media from my personal and author accounts. I can pay for various kinds of promotional services to reach beyond my immediate circle and networks. And I will do all of those things.
When a book is published, there is an official release date registered with its International Standard Book Number (ISBN). The Golden Ruled‘s release date is September 15, 2026, when it becomes available in a search, using the ISBNs:
Paperback ISBN 979-8-9958702-0-3
E-Book ISBN 979-8-9958702-1-0
Word of Mouth
I am avoiding selling my book through Amazon for political reasons, which you might say is a suicidal policy for an author. Some reports say 75% of all books are sold there.
Okay, if not Amazon, what? Here’s my viral marketing plan:
If you want to help interest bookstores in stocking The Golden Ruled, would you make a trip to your favorite indie bookstore or large chain bookstore, and say you’re interested in The Golden Ruled, by Lynn Adams. Have the ISBN handy.
- Order a copy, OR
- Just ask if they can look up how much it costs: get their eyeballs on the description
- Say you think it might be a good seller around the Northwest because it’s set in Washington state and Montana mostly and it’s really timely.
- If you’ve already read it, tell them about it.
Conclusion
Well, I’ve strayed off topic—I want to build a reader community. And I truly believe that The Golden Ruled is a book about community: one theme is how much help can anyone ask of their community in hard times? What is my responsibility as a member of a community and as a human being?
I hope you’ll engage with me in a Reader Community for its own sake, and I very much hope you will say, someday when you finish The Golden Ruled, “Now, that was sure a good read.”