My Storygraph Giveaway Currently Has 247 Entries

 

My The Storygraph giveaway went live yesterday, and color me shocked. I chose to award 100 digital copies, but was sure I'd never get even close to that many entries. I figured ten, maybe 15.

 

Maybe the place really is a boon to authors. Based on 310 page views, the fact that 247 people were interested enough to enter is unreal. That's 80%!

 

 

 

Hardly anyone has ever shown any interest in my novel before. Even nine people have added it to their "to-read" list.

 

I think, having never done this before, that the to-read is the important number. The giveaway runs for a full month, which could result in many more entries (although the numbers will begin to taper), but people will enter pretty much any giveaway for the chance to get something for free. I do--even if it's something I have no use for. 

 

However, if someone is interested enough to add it to their reading list, my description must have hooked at least a few people. (I did, by the way, rack up 210 KU page reads right after my giveaway went live.)

 

There are a couple of things weighing in the site's favor. First is the mood tags. Google is arguing with me that I didn't assign the moods, but I did. It says an author can't do that. C'mon, AI! I was presented with a list of about 8-10 moods and I could choose three. Google claims that once a reader finishes the book, she's presented with a short list of questions, one of them involving mood. Except the novel only has one review and that one migrated from Goodreads.

 

Take my word for it: Once you claim your book, you as the author can assign moods. Anyway, mine are emotional, hopeful, reflective.

 

Second is pace. That was more difficult for me, because I didn't do a scientific analysis of the story. I just wrote it the way I wanted it to unfold. So I chose medium (as in, "happy medium", because when in doubt...)

 

That's probably correct, according to AI:

 

Plot vs. Character Focus

• Fast-paced: Events happen in rapid succession. The story focuses heavily on external action, plot twists, and immediate consequences.
• Medium-paced: There is a balanced mix of physical action, character development, and world-building.
• Slow-paced: The focus is heavily internal. The story prioritizes deep character studies, emotional journeys, or philosophy over physical action. 

2. Scene Length and Description

• Fast-paced: Scenes are short and punchy. Descriptions are minimal, focusing only on what is necessary to move the scene forward. 
• Medium-paced: Scenes have room to breathe. The setting is described nicely, but the story doesn't linger too long before moving to the next event.
• Slow-paced: Scenes are long and highly detailed. The writing features lush, descriptive prose, deep world-building, or extended internal monologues.

3. In-Universe Timeline

• Fast-paced: The entire story takes place over a few days, 24 hours, or even a few hours, creating a ticking-clock effect.
• Medium-paced: Events unfold naturally over a few weeks or months.
• Slow-paced: The timeline spans many years, generations, or follows the quiet, day-to-day routine of a character's life over a long period. 

 

To be sure, when I was writing it, it definitely did not feel fast-paced. I deliberately s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d out the story, having been burned by past reviews of my novellas.

 

And it does unfold over a few months (only).

 

The Storygraph's AI model supplies a "Who's it for?" and I can't quibble with it:

 

Running From Herself might appeal to readers who enjoy emotionally resonant journeys through self-discovery and the quiet hopeful process of reclaiming one's authentic voice after the pressures of fame. 

 

Pretty much sums it up. I will note, however, that it initially described my novel as a romance. I don't know what Google would claim, but I know I was able to change it. Oh, here you go:

 

"No, authors cannot directly revise or overwrite the AI-generated "Who's it for" tags on The StoryGraph."  (wrong again)

 

Also, I don't know if it was truly necessary, but I did ask the company's support team to apply a content warning for language:

 

 

 

I frankly would have never even given language a second thought, except someone pointed it out to me. I'm not a profanity-spewer in real life, but I do utter a certain word when circumstances demand it. I guess my concern here was potential Christian readers. They seem to be triggered by some dumb things (no offense). So, I think the warning is appropriate. I'm very firm about not misleading potential readers.

 

What sent me down The Storygraph path was a Substack article that said, in essence, "Ditch Goodreads. Try this instead."

 

You know how I and millions of other authors feel about Goodreads. And aside from all its other deficiencies, it sure doesn't label an author's book for mood and pacing. 

 

I may be kicking myself once reviews start trickling in (if they ever do), but shoot, I've survived less-than-stellar reviews before. I think I can take it.

 

I'm long past getting excited over anything related to my novel, but I'll take whatever win I can get, no matter how small. 2026 is my drop-dead year for plugging this book, so if there's anything I can do, I'd better do it now.