From Indie Launch to Global Fantastical Success: Amber Nicole’s Author Journey
Amber Nicole’s writing journey began with a story she could not let go of. The concept behind Gods & Monsters had been simmering in her imagination for years. In 2022, she brought that vision to life with the self-published release of The Book of Azrael.
What started as a personal creative project quickly captured readers’ attention. The novel introduced a morally grey heroine bound to a dark master, a tortured god known as the “World Ender,” and a rich world full of conflict, slow-burn romance, and mythology. Readers were hooked. And they wanted more.
Within a year, Amber’s series had a dedicated fanbase, tens of thousands of glowing reviews, and growing attention from publishers around the world.
A Story Built by Hand
Amber’s early success was no accident. She had been building her community online for years. On TikTok, she shared snippets of her writing process, answered fan questions, and connected with other authors. Her audience grew steadily, and when her book launched, they were ready.
The BookTok community embraced her work. Videos went viral. Reviews flooded in. On Goodreads alone, The Book of Azrael now has more than 120,000 ratings and maintains a strong four-star average. Fans call Dianna “the FMC of my soul.” They create fan art, dress up as her characters, and count down the days to each new release.
Amber’s approach was personal. She spoke directly to readers and gave them a sense of ownership in her story world. It worked.
By the time The Throne of Broken Gods came out in 2023, she had a growing series, a growing audience, and growing attention from people outside the indie space.
From Self-Publishing to Selling Rights
When Amber decided to expand globally, she turned to DropCap Marketplace. Built for indie authors, DropCap’s platform connects self-published books with rights buyers around the world. The team immediately saw the potential in Gods & Monsters. The covers were eye-catching, the sales data was strong, and the fanbase was already international.
DropCap Marketplace allowed foreign publishers to discover and evaluate Amber’s titles in a professional environment built for licensing. Even before active outreach began, interest was already forming. Then DropCap agent Monica Meehan began pitching the series more widely. The response was quick and enthusiastic.
Rights began selling in rapid succession. Turkish and Russian came first. Then Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and French. In Italy, The Book of Azrael was picked up and retitled La profezia degli immortali.
Perhaps most notably, Amber signed a five-book English-language deal with Headline Eternal, an imprint of Hachette UK. The publisher reintroduced the series with new covers and print distribution across the UK and Commonwealth. In North America, Kensington Publishing picked up U.S. rights and began promoting the series as an internationally beloved fantasy romance.
Each of these deals was fueled by the momentum Amber had already built. DropCap’s role was to match that energy with professional infrastructure and international visibility.
A Growing Brand with Global Reach
The rise of Gods & Monsters is not just about translation. Amber’s series now lives in bookstores, fan communities, and merchandise shops. Official shirts, bookmarks, and collectibles are available through retailers like Caffeine & Curses. Barnes & Noble released a deluxe edition of The Book of Azrael with stenciled edges, foil detailing, and exclusive content.
None of this would have happened without her initial leap into self-publishing. But the transition from indie success to international franchise also required partnership and trust. Amber brought the story and the audience. DropCap brought the structure and the connections to take that story around the world.
A Model for Modern Indie Success
Amber Nicole’s story reflects what is possible for indie authors in today’s publishing world. She did not follow a traditional route. She wrote what she wanted to write. She connected directly with readers. And when the time came to scale, she had already proven the value of her work.
At DropCap, we often talk about the power of market traction. When a book shows strong sales, enthusiastic reviews, and growing social attention, it makes rights buyers take notice. That was certainly the case here.
“Amber’s books were already exploding online when we began working together,” says Monica Meehan. “She built the kind of momentum that publishers dream of. We were thrilled to help take it global.”
Amber’s experience also shows the value of making your work accessible. Through DropCap Marketplace, she was able to present her series professionally and securely to decision-makers worldwide. It gave foreign publishers confidence and clarity, and it made her books easier to pitch, license, and promote.
What This Means for Indie Authors
Amber Nicole’s story is unique, but not unrepeatable. What she accomplished was the result of passion, persistence, and a lot of smart choices.
She built an audience before she had a publisher. She focused on quality and consistency. She stayed active in the communities that mattered to her readers. And she trusted the right partners when it was time to grow.
For indie authors wondering how far their work can go, Amber offers a clear example. Great stories can travel far, and DropCap Marketplace exists to help make that happen. All it takes is a listing, a bit of traction, and the courage to imagine your books on a global shelf.