Above is a screenshot of the Libby app. I got a library card last weekend and downloaded the app. Of course, I immediately searched for Humans Don’t Have Horns, and it came up in the search results, but it was not available to borrow. (It is already available to borrow through Hoopla).

If you want to support Humans Don’t Have Horns, you can ask the Libby app to notify you once it’s available. The more people requesting Humans Don’t Have Horns, the more chances it will become available for borrowing, and new readers will be able to discover it.

Now, to my developing marketing strategy for book 2

Humans Don’t Have Horns was released in August 2025. Book 2 in the A Crown of Blood and Magic trilogy will be published this summer (most likely August).

Where this puts me:

1. Book 1 still has room to grow.

2. Book 2 needs momentum before launch.

Because of this, my main goal is to get more readers entering the series now and to get more reviews. I currently have 87 reviews with a 4.3 rating on Goodreads and 41 reviews with a 4.9 rating on Amazon.

I want to start with how grateful I am for the number of reviews and how positive they are. Most readers do not leave reviews, and it is a real struggle for new authors to get reviews. That said, reviews earn social credibility, and a higher number of positive reviews is essential for Humans Don’t Have Horns to be discovered by more readers. I realize now that I didn’t put enough effort into reviews on the Humans Don’t Have Horns launch.

Not waiting until book 2 launches

This was one of the biggest questions I had. Why spend money now if Book 2 isn’t out yet? Wouldn’t the ROI be better once readers can binge two books? But I think at this point we can’t put all our weight on launch. Also, the stronger the first book of the series is, the greater the chance for the book to succeed.

So I’ve been evaluating the real options available to indie authors to get more readers and reviews.

This post is a transparent look at what I’m considering in this ongoing learning process and a practical guide for other authors trying to solve the same problem.

In this post, I will not touch social media. I had previously shared my influencer campaign and how it was the biggest driver of sales. I definitely plan to do another campaign for book 2.

StoryOrigin and BookFunnel

Two leading digital service platforms designed to help independent authors build their email lists, manage Advance Review Copies (ARCs), and deliver ebooks to readers. Secure delivery with unique links, reminders, watermarks, and restricted reading options that reduce piracy risk.

While StoryOrigin and BookFunnel share many features, authors often choose between them based on their budget, specific marketing needs, and technical preferences.

Pros

Strong vetting, Goodreads prioritization, reminders, and KU-friendly Amazon prepaid links.

Cons

The discoverability is on you. It will not help reach new audiences.

My decision

Less relevant for me since discoverability is my main interest.

NetGalley

An online platform primarily used to distribute digital ARCs. It is designed for professional readers, including bloggers, librarians, booksellers, educators, and journalists. In return for a free digital copy, members are expected to provide an honest review and feedback to the publisher.

Publishers and authors use the site as a marketing tool to generate early interest and reviews. Publishers have full control over who they approve and can track the activity and feedback for each title. While free for readers, publishers and authors pay to list their titles.

Pros

A good way to receive reviews pre-launch.

Cons

Cost can be high, as I understand it.

Irrelevant for Humans Don’t Have Horns since it’s already out.

My decision

I will look into this further. Might use it as part of the book 2 launch, but not right now.

Goodreads Giveaways

Using Goodreads as a review ecosystem through giveaways.

Pros

Goodreads reviews are social proof. Many readers still check Goodreads before buying fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction.

Cons

Giveaways can create more interest than reviews. Goodreads is not always a fast acquisition engine. Many users browse, shelve, and move on, not necessarily reading.

My decision:

Skip for now. ROI doesn’t seem promising enough.

Amazon

Discounting your eBook to free or near-free temporarily through KDP countdown deals. The eBook must be exclusively on Amazon for at least 30 days before the countdown. I’ve done two KDP countdown deals for Humans Don’t Have Horns, one for the US market and one for the UK market. The US market deal worked better, but that is my main market, so that’s not surprising.

Pros

Huge Reach Potential. Especially for free books. Can generate reviews at scale if enough people actually read.

Cons

I see no cons for a price discount. However, while the reach for free books is greater, freebie readers don’t always read. Also, freebie readers tend to have lower book ratings, since they are not necessarily the right readers for the book.

My decision

I need to wait a period of time between campaigns in each market. I will most certainly do more campaigning once I can, but I’m still undecided on the discount I’ll offer.

BookBub

A mailing list that lets authors run promotional campaigns to readers who actively buy books, often segmented by genre.

Pros

Strong genre targeting and high buyer intent. These are readers already looking for books on sale.

Cons

Can be expensive. Also, bids are very competitive, so with the number of reviews I have, I will have to offer my book for free to actually make it onto their list.

Better ROI when more books exist, since promotion often works better once readers can move directly into Book 2.

My decision

Even before Book 2 launches, BookBub could help me: put Book 1 in front of fresh readers to increase downloads or sales; generate reviews downstream; build awareness before August, and create a warmer audience for Book 2.

Despite my concerns about freebies, I plan to apply now, because even moderate success before August could compound later.

What I’m Actually Planning to Do

After researching all of this, my strategy is:

Right Now

Apply for BookBub campaigns to start growing readership now.

1–2 Months Before Launch

ARC Campaign

This might include NetGalley. I need to look deeper into it before I decide. But my subscribers will get priority, no matter the track I’ll choose.

Influencer Campaign

Implementing all my lessons for the first campaign.

Back on Social Media

I’ve been posting less lately, and I need to figure out how to get back to it.

If you’re an Indie Author with a series, I’d love your perspective:

Would you spend more before Book 2… or after it’s live?

Have BookBub campaigns worked for you?

What would you do differently?

I’m still refining the plan, and I suspect many of us are solving the same puzzle in different ways. Let’s compare notes

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