Am I encouraged or discouraged? :-) I'm like the lady in the article: just finished my first book I'm trying to seriously promote, with a guide in one hand and mailing lists in the other. Writing is easy.
Roger Himes www.TheGospelCoach.com
Comment by Alain Miles on March 27, 2010 at 4:33am
Bill, thanks for posting this. I've been reaching my own conclusions about the route from manuscript to reader, based on the premise that my aim was not just to see my work in print, but to earn a living from writing - to give me the time to do more. It's always helpful to read how other people have done it.
It occurs to me that most writers are trying to cope with the complex and time-demanding work of self-promotion alone - work that will leave many feeling out of their depth. My aim is to encourage writers to work in teams, creating a network of resources, a web of shared contacts, friends and fans. Perhaps, eventually this will be the new model for publishing - where the publisher serves the book instead of the author serving the publisher.
Thanks for the good information on novice authors promoting themselves. This is my third book and I learned some pretty interesting marketing things to do. Personal touch is very well received. One of my books, about hobby gambling, I launched in a pub with lottery machines. Sold it to all the casino gift shops too. We live and learn. Joan
Writing a good book is hard enough. Now, we are expected to be experts in telling the public what a good job we did!! The "known" author has it easy. They can write &^%$# and it will sell. Being an author is a Crazy Business.
Very interesting article. A book is now a commodity and like every new commodity on the market, someone must get out there and tell the world that it exists.
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