When the author self‑published Wormwood Abbey in late 2023, they had no platform, no social following and a modest budget, having paid a surprise cover illustration for their husband.
Six months later, a BookBub Featured Deal launched on 24 June 2024, offering the novel for free worldwide. The author, based in Australia, recorded more than 20,000 downloads that night and, within a month, generated over $14,000 AUD in Amazon sales, enough to fund a celebratory night away with their spouse.
By the time the dust settled, the author had given away 40,000 ebook copies across all retailers. The free exposure drove readers through the series, prompting pre‑orders for the fourth installment, City of Serpents, and sustaining momentum for the five‑book arc.
Key tactics highlighted include a human‑illustrated cover that resonated with the target cozy‑fantasy audience, short 50,000‑word novels released on a rapid schedule (October, January, April, July, November), and the inclusion of sequel excerpts and preorder links in each book’s back matter to reduce friction for readers.
The author credits a hungry market for cozy fantasy in 2023, community goodwill among indie writers, and strategic use of BookBub’s promotional tools as the primary drivers of the swift transition from zero expectations to a sustainable, part‑time author income.