The writing life is
frustrating and rewarding in equal measure. I can find numerous ways to
procrastinate and avoid actually writing. But once started, I wonder why I
procrastinated. The story seems to appear magically. It’s like slipping into a
stream or a river, an effortless flow, originating from a source somewhere
beyond me.
Afterward there comes the
hard work—editing, rewriting, submitting and even after publishing the most
difficult work of all—promoting. Today all but the most famous, the most
prolific, writers must promote their own work if they hope to be read.
To quote from an article
from Writers’ Relief:
Once upon a time, when a big,
traditional house published a book, the author just sat back and relaxed while
the publisher did all the marketing and sales promotion.
Those days are over.
Today’s authors, whether self-published or published through a traditional house, must do the
bulk of their own marketing and promotion if they want their book to sell.
While self-published authors know this all too well, many traditionally
published authors are surprised to find that their publishers aren’t going to
take care of everything when it comes to marketing their books.
Why Publishers Aren’t Promoting Books
Traditional publishing has
changed in recent years. With the rise of self-publishing, there are many more
new books competing for the same audience—more than a million new titles are
released each year! Most publishing houses are now short on time, money, and
staff. Their marketing personnel are often overworked, and they generally put
the bulk of their resources into A-list authors. For the rest of their
lesser-known authors, traditional publishers basically hope their books will
find an audience simply by being available in a store.
Why You Must Market Your Own Book
If you’re a self-published
author, marketing your own book is a given. You may be able to purchase some
promotional help, but the brunt of the promotional work is your responsibility.
If you’re traditionally published, you’ll find most publishing houses
will prepare basic promotional materials and include your book in their
catalogs, websites, and ads; they may send out review copies, show your book at
conventions, and provide rudimentary information about your book to online
bookstores and wholesalers. Many use social media and distribute press releases
as well. If you’re lucky, they might schedule a book tour. But if your book
isn’t an instant success, you may notice the marketing support dropping off
fast.
No matter how you publish, the
fact remains that no one knows your novel like you do. No one is as passionate
about your work as you are, and it’s your reputation and career that are
on the line. Ultimately, the success of your book is up to you.
Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published,
lay the groundwork with a solid author platform and a plan for your own
promotional goals and ideas. Cross-market using your social media to build your
email list. Try to get local media coverage: TV, newspaper, and radio. And, of
course, don’t overlook the importance of “word-of-mouth” and book reviews.
Writers (like me)
feel overburdened by such requirements. Writers want to write, not spend time
harassing friends, hunting the Amazon top reviewers and begging for reviews,
going to book stores, libraries, and cafes to find an audience for their book.
But it just won’t happen today unless you are incredibly lucky or well
connected.
Nonetheless, as a
writer, I keep writing and submitting. My latest novels have been accepted by a
new publisher, Amber Quill Press and I’m looking forward to their launching.
Double Deception will be available as an ebook October 4th, and as a paperback
by the end of the month (from Amber Quill Press and Amazon.)
Rima and Chloe will be available by January 2016.
Double Deception is a mystery set in Manhattan and the Poconos with some overlap
of characters from my previous mystery, Crimson
Ice, a Pocono Mountain Mystery, also available from Amazon. (Copies have
also been donated to the Med West library in the basement.)
Fallon checked the mailbox, grabbed the magazines and forwarded
bills before she took the elevator. Without even glancing at the envelopes in
hand, she inserted the key. It wouldn’t turn. She jiggled it, pushing at the
door, which slowly swung open. Somebody’s been here, broken the lock.
She glanced into the apartment. A kitchen stool was
overturned. Sofa pillows were strewn on the floor. Better get the hell out of here. But what about Goliath?
“Goliath! Come, boy,” she called, poised for flight. She
searched her handbag for her cell. No dog. A faint whine sounded from the
inside hallway that led to the bathroom. Backing toward the elevator, she
pressed 911.
Before Fallon could stab at the call button, she heard the
elevator rising. That was quick. Gretchen must be on her way up. Fallon
shut off the phone.
Another sound—the stairway door behind her creaked. She
turned, caught a glimpse of someone leaping toward her. Black ski mask. Gloved
hands reaching for her. She flailed, but powerful arms grasped, pressed a cloth
over her face.
She kicked, struggled, knew she was being dragged into the
stairwell. Oh my God. This can’t be happening. The hall door creaked
shut just as she heard the elevator door slide open. She tried to draw in air,
scream, but sweet fumes flooded her nostrils and she slipped into darkness
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