So You've Always Wanted to Write a Novel: Thoughts on the Business of Being an Author by Francesca Quarto

I've had the pleasure of  seeing some poetry I've written published back in the day when I wore bell-bottoms and thought Cher was a fashionista. I've also been fortunate to have had some articles picked up on the topic of literacy when Barbara Bush made that issue the theme of her tenure as First Lady. But none of this prepared me for the publication of my flrst novel.

My target audience was Young Adult Readers and my genre was
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal. It seems a perfect vehicle for my fanciful
imaginings and if you think "Harry Potter" you'll know what my influences
were. Before I had a chance to slip into any kind of false humility at my accomplishment,or worse yet, become self effacing at praise for my hard work, I was hit with the "business-end" of the reality stick!

You Write It, You Sell It

I was strongly "encouraged" by my Publisher, Tell-Tale Publishing, to go to work and promote my mewling infant of a novel because that's how the publishing industry works. You write it-you sell it! Or at least that's the routine for neophyte writers like me, without the beneflt of a successful career to stack up against the push to self-promotel  

While I have used computers most of my adult life, I still don't have the competency of my 11 year old granddaughter to negotiate the subtleties of on-line social networking. Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, google+ and of course, Facebook, are all part of the tools of my trade as an author in today's marketplace.

Like any business person, I now had to pose my product (my book) in flatterlng language, reach out to the known and unknown reader alike and sell the idea of buying my novel.

While I would never dream of standing on a street corner selling paintings of Elvis on velvet, I am now reaching out to perfect strangers, who
just happen to be friends, of friends, of friends. Like some bizarre DNA sequence of an alien being, my Facebook connections are giving life to
a monster Mary Shelly would have loved!

And speaking of Frankenstein, I needed to give life to a medla packet of my own devising. Packaging of any product needs to be attention grabbing to stand out among the many items surrounding. The same goes for trying to put a spotlight on yourself as a writer and your book as good entertainment.

Sitting down at my computer under some duress, as it is spring after all...l had to develop a business plan of sorts: First, create the product. My target audience was Young Adult Readers and my genre was Urban Fantasy/Paranormal. It seems a perfect vehicle for my fanciful imaginings and if you think "Harry Potter" you'd know what my influences were.

Very excitedly, I lined up a flrst Book Signing Tour! I call it a "tour" because I'11 probably walk around the store a lot  since I can't resist the call of so many books! Hopefully, I will not only sell all of my copies, but I'11 also make 1oyal customers who'll flnd me charming, witty and reasonably priced...not necessarily in that order.

My favorite word

Business acumen comes with experlence and hard lessons well-learned.
Being an author comes with similar guidelines for a successful career.
Use the experience of a great editor to guide your work and don't be
blinded by the self-importance of being the creator of something new
under the sun. It lsn't. It's all in how it was put together that makes it
work. That includes imaginative packaglng, unique presentation and
strong public awareness.

In today's marketplace, we all must incorporate the power of the internet
as it surely encircles our business life as much as it encircles the globe. Make it extiting, make it unique, make it part of the lexicon of the day. 

A while ago, I watched a fasclnating movie about the late Steve Jobs.
Though hls name evokes memories of a dynamic innovator, lt was hls
approach to the idea of what makes a product sell that really took hold
in my lmagination. Make it exciting, make it unique, make it part of
the lexicon of the day. And not just today...but tomorrow!

I don't see myself as possessing the charismatic vigor of a Steve Jobs, but
I do believe in my work and in my mission. I love to write and I love to
turn hard work into hard won success. I guess being an author put me
into the business of selling words and freeing of imagination with a
story well told. A good place to be since my passion is for words and
my favorite word is YES!

[First published in Hamilton County Business Magazine.]

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