Knowledgeable about the writing or publishing industry?

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Hi,
I have been writing a novella length story (at an estimated length of 35,000+ words) in order to process a bunch of trauma from my preteen and teenage years. The story is fiction. I'm writing it for my own therapeutic benefit but am considering whether I want to publish it or turn it into a play.

I understand that most authors need to blog and gain a captive audience before publishing stories in order to do their own marketing. I've been wondering if going to one or some of those website where you get paid to blog is a good way to gain a captive audience. Though, I was thinking of going to a site like Mylot and writing about my own lifetime experiences. However, I don't know if that would be a good way to gain a captive audience for my story, because my story is fiction. Although, it also is a social commentary I wonder if there are any more specific blogging sites to go to. Also, I'm wondering if I should use the same pen name I have in mind for my story at any of the blogging websites I might decide to go to.

I appreciate any bit of knowledge or advice anyone could give.

Hello,
There are a couple of options you could use. I am not sure what you are comfortable writing about, but my daughter who is a writer has had some success on fanfiction.net. You can write stories in the universe of your favorite television show, movie or book. People read the stories and become fans. Once you have fans you can tell them you have written a book and hopefully they will purchase it.

Another option is to find a Facebook group or other social media site around the subject of your book. For example if you wrote about the trauma of experiencing rape you could find support groups for that and get involved. Then talk about your book and you may make some sales there.

Selling online is about relationships. People are more likely to buy from someone they know and trust - so finding your audience and getting involved is a good way to start.

Another tip is for Amazon specifically. Once you publish on amazon it is vital to get reviews - even bad ones help. The more reviews you have the higher your book will rank when someone does a search. That will help you sell more books to people who have never hear of you.

If you are not familiar with smashwords.com I suggest checking them out as a publisher. They are free and they also have some good information on marketing.

Good Luck

Thank you for your advice! I'll check out those sites.