For novels specifically but comic creators feel free to chime in!

[geofflowe]

How do you deal with the nerves before launching a new series? I've scheduled my first to post in a few days and it feels like I just get more nervous as the time passes. Maybe I should post directly in the future instead of scheduling to avoid the nerves. But, how do y'all deal with this?

[HippieGhost]

My suggestion? Distract yourself. You're not likely to get a huge following out the gate. The key is tempered expectations, and preparing a backlog so you can keep a consistent schedule. Readers value consistency and interaction over most other things, so even if your novel isn't of the best quality (and it might be!) people will recognize the general effort you're putting in.

Edit to add: if you have anything else you can focus on, do that. Also, be aware that the dashboard refreshes on the hour, so refreshing it when you post isn't going to do anything but add to the stress. I'd put that energy into setting up promotions and social media to get traffic flowing.

[EncryptedWriting]

Honestly, I know, in the end, that people won't like my novel. I kind of just shrug it off and smile, this is something I have wanted for such a long time, and I deserve to be excited. :))

[geofflowe]

Thank you so much! I've been trying to learn how to make photos spooky in photoshop so maybe I'll look up some tutorials on that! Yeah, I have never been the best at social media so perhaps now is a good time to learn

[geofflowe]

Wait, I can't find your novel on Tapas can you link it? I will happily check it out and you never know if people will like it or not! There's just so much range to what people like ya'know?

[HippieGhost]

anytime!

A few other odds and ends, readers respect authors that respect their time. If you reply to comments, engage with followers, and try to space out your notifications. you'll find that will help a lot. Many other creators have discord, twitter, and other social media that you can engage with as well to network.

Finally, and here's a big one, read other people's work. Creators notice their biggest fans, and they'll often go out of their way to promote your work if they feel you're genuinely engaging in their content. I would also suggest participating in read for reads to get started as well (sub for sub is iffy and controversial but read for read is great )

[Johnny]

I usually try and distract myself like another person said but if I can't I always try and get other people to talk about the novel with me or even just start writing again out of excitement! Whenever I do post, I always make an announcement like clockwork whenever the scheduled release is made! I hope this helps :))

[geofflowe]

I forgot to announce that I scheduled it so your post definitely helped

[EncryptedWriting]

awh thank you!

Here it is

[bulletcrucifixion]

Funny cause to me it's the contrary, scheduling kinda make me forget about it and chill me out.

[jkb4753]

For me? Badly. I handle the nerves really badly. I get super nervous and jittery and excited! Lol sounds like it's not just me.

[OffBased]

Pretty much what HippieGhost said. My comic isn’t new anymore, but after I post a new episode I unplug and do something completely different so I don’t think about it. You’ll probably always have some nerves about putting new things out in the world. It gets easier the more you do it. Good luck

[cherrystark]

To use the old expression, just "jump in" feet first and start swimming. There really is no point about worrying about things that haven't happened yet. I would still recommend scheduling in advance to get your work out there. I've know other writers on this site post all at once and then stress about why people aren't reading past the first few chapters.

Never forget that "success" take time. When I first started on this site in July, my first month I had 203 views. I was a little discouraged but kept going. The more I posted, the more people have read. Some of my favorite readers have literally read every chapter since I posted and I have a lot of chapters.

Best of Luck!

[FafasMcMelt]

savour the anxiety

[jcmraz]

People have nerves when launching a new series? Why? I honestly never considered this. I make things. I want people to see it. So I show it to them. I don't expect many people to read it but like part of why I make it is for others to read it. I also expect to improve and don't think super highly of my art or story. If someone wants to read it then they will. It means they enjoyed it enough despite it's flaws.

[geofflowe]

What it like to have mastered the art of chill? Must be nice to not be a ball of nerves haha

[geofflowe]

Nope! It definitely isn't just you.

[geofflowe]

I think the wildest part about tapas is how tight knit the community is. For example, I make a throwaway post about pre-launch jitters and here in the very thread I created is the author of The Museum! I read the first episode when I was thinking about joining Tapas about a week ago. Hiiii your novel is amazing and I just subbed!

[jkb4753]

Ok good, lol. No shade on people who are confident and well-adjusted. must be nice! Congratulations, lol.

[cherrystark]

Reading this made me so happy. I'm so glad you are enjoying the series!