#180. Student Spotlight: How Her Debut Novel Became An Amazon Bestseller With Margaret Mantor

Listen to this episode from Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips on Spotify. Discover how a debut author turned her first novel into an Amazon #1 bestseller using strategic marketing tactics instead of relying on social media.Meet Margaret Mantor, a science-fantasy romance author from Denver whose novel Air And Ashes hit Amazon's bestseller list one month after launch. Tune in to hear us talk about why giving away books for free can lead to more sales, how to use BookBub promotions and newsletter features to skyrocket your Amazon rankings, and why using social media to promote your book doesn’t always work.Episode Highlights [03:45] Meet Margaret, a science-fantasy romance author from Denver[05:03] Celebrating becoming an Amazon bestseller one month after launch[05:51] How Margaret's high school story idea became an Amazon bestseller[07:24] Working with a developmental editor and handling feedback[13:35] The revision process: Beta readers, line editors, and proofreaders[18:26] Why Margaret chose self-publishing vs. traditional publishing[20:33] Book marketing strategies that actually worked without social media[26:55] Key lessons learned and best advice for aspiring authors[34:35] Looking ahead to book 2 and how it’s already betterIf you’re an aspiring fiction author who wants to successfully self-publish your book (without using social media to market it), this episode is for you!🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:Visit Margaret Mantor’s websiteMargaret Mantor on Instagram & TikTokBuy Air And Ashes by Margaret Mantor⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!FREE GUIDE: 5 Writing Roadblocks Keeping You Stuck (& How To Break Through)Support the show👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.