How can Novels become more discoverable?

[daniolivers]

I'm thinking specifically of the app, here.

Where the premium novels get large banners and features (and crop up in the Daily Snack), there's no section on the 'front page' of the app for novels that aren't part of the featured division. Whereas comics have the 'new and noteworthy' section, so new readers can discover them. The only way non-featured novels can be found currently is if they're searched for by name, or if they hapen to be at the top of the 'Fresh' section of the listings - I doubt a lot of readers looking for bitesize fiction are going to scroll down very far to find work that updated a week or more ago.

On the desktop site there's the Staff Picks section, which is really great, and I've been so lucky to have my work featured there, but Staff Picks isn't on the app, which I'd guess most readers are using over the desktop platform?

So, my question is: How can we (the royal We) make novels easier for new readers to find?

[ISNEKO]

I wish I had a good answer to this. I don't see any of us getting a lot of exposure unless the way the app and the website are designed is reworked in our favor somewhat.

[daniolivers]

Yes, it does seem that the app would need a re-design, as currently the non-premium novels are virtually undiscoverable. I guess if you have an existing fanbase this it's the end of the world, but it would be nice to be able to be found by new readers.

[UbePie]

I wonder if the novel section is better on a full site rather than mobile, in that sense. It would be easier to advertise and get discovered that way, because like you pointed out the mobile app isn't the best for that.

Right now all i can think of is the forum and community to get more eyes on your novel. The forums are full of feedback requests and self promotions for comics, but that hasn't come up yet with novels. Probably because it's new. But we as a community should start to do the same things for the novel section as we do for the comics. Self promotion, spreading to word for others and giving feedback and the such. Just support each other and hopefully that will get us more notices.

[daniolivers]

This is a great idea! Read-and-review exchanges would be a lovely way to start.

[UbePie]

Is that something you would post here on the forums? I wouldn't mind taking part in that. I'm new to this website and all that, so i'm not sure where to start.

[daniolivers]

I may do, if I can allocate enough time to be able to read and review others' work properly - I don't want to do half a job of it!