Alicia, there are waaaaaay more people who want to write a novel than there are traditional publishers to support them, so your indie publishing situation is the norm, not the exception.

I’ve got a lot of fiction marketing advice on this site that isn’t geared to series authors. Just type “fiction” into the search box on the right (scroll down to find the box — it’s just above the website awards) and you’ll find quite a few articles. Here’s one that might give you something to think about: https://buildbookbuzz.com/guest-blogging-audience-novelists/

And here’s one from a guest blogger who’s an indie novelist: https://buildbookbuzz.com/13-fiction-book-marketing-tips-from-an-experienced-novelist/

This guest post I wrote for another site last month might also give you something to think about: https://indiereader.com/2020/11/3-ways-to-sell-more-novels-in-2021/

I’ve added your request to my topic list for 2021, too, so while there’s a lot of helpful content for you here already, know that I’ll bring you more.

Sandy

I’d love to see tips for non-genre, mainstream novels written and self-published by indies. I suspect the readers of this category don’t do searches on Amazon or depend on also-boughts, but instead come prepared to buy books from recommendations elsewhere.

It has been a while since Darcy Chan’s The Mill River Recluse (and the traditionally-published sequels).

I write slowly, and search most marketing posts in vain for tips which would help me market.

Traditional publishers have fewer and fewer slots due to financial constraints.

I can’t be the only indie writing mainstream or literary novels those publishers will not be taking on because they can’t guarantee sales.