Where's My Pot of Gold?

It's been a long and eventful journey from the conception to the writing and then the publication of my  first novel. Well, to be honest it's actually the 3rd novel I have written.  My first were written 20 years ago, and left to gather dust while I went to college. 

As most writers soon discover, the market is fickle but rules what publishers want to spend their time and/or money working with. Historical vampire romance novels written when that trend first began so that they didn't have zombies, werewolves, or angels and demons, were just not interesting any more--at least not to the majority of the market, and thus publishers.

NO one likes to be pigeon-holed. Just ask Dean Koontz, who has written in just about every genre, including romance (under a psydonym), and whose editor still manipulates him into his popular, name-making genre. I believe that if even the big money authors have to cater to the marketplace, new authors had better pay attention. If a publisher can't categorize a market for your work, they're just not going to take a chance on it. No sales equals no money for anyone.

I started to pay attention and I noticed that not only did digital reading devices change the way people purchase and read their books, the changing trends in movies and television are reflected in the book industry. Or is it the other way around? 

Lately, I have noticed that the domination of the air waves by reality TV shows has begun to shift. Viewers are getting tired of sitting around watching strange people air their dysfunctions in public. Many of the new shows reflect a shift from reality to fantasy. There are hit vampire and werewolf shows, zombie shows with a truly eclectic fan base, and supernatural just about anything, including fairies, shows. 

Fairy Tales have not been forgotten either. The Grimm family has been reinvented as a family of hybrid police that stop and/or kill humanoid creatures who are out of control and killing humans. Once Upon a Time brings a plethora of fairy tales to life, using a small isolated town as its platform into reality.

I watch the marketplace with a purpose, and use it to guide my personal book promotions.  Every time I hear of a new social media site, I at least check it out to see what it's all about and how or if it can aid me in  my writing, networking, or promoting of my novel. Then if possible I find a program (free always gets first try) that will help me organize or generate a personalized social media message.

For example, Tweetdeck saves my life with organizing the various feeds I've categorized, such as a column for friends, for writers, for readers, etc. I use TweetAdder to generate time-released announcements or statements--being very careful that I only put out a couple per day so people don't stop following me because I'm a spammer.  It does, however, allow me to load a slew of tweets so I dan't have to become a slave to yet another social media site. 

In juggling so many sites, I have evaluated what other writers have done and linked my Website pages to my FB, Twitter, Blog and Google accounts. All my social media sites, including Goodreads and Pinterest, can be accessed through any single site. I network my blog with those of others in the reading or writing community.  Why do all this? In order to make connections with people who only use one form of social media. To get my name out there. To find a market I have not yet tapped into. 

Paying a relatively small fee to a book blog promotional company such as Goddess Fish Promotions, Tasty Book Tours, or Enchantress of Book Blog Tours (to name just a few of the many, many companies), who have a premade book reading audience is a good idea. 

The newest form of promotion in social media, at least to me, is blog hops. A blog hop is when multiple participants blog on the same day or on specific dates and all are linked together from one to another, so the reader "hops" from one site to the next.  It's a great way to get to know other writers and readers, and find out useful tips to aid you in writing and marketing. This one is still a little new to me. Linky Tools is the program I have seen used most often for blog hops (as in this one), though they don't need to have prizes or programs used at all. Each participant can just "tag" other participants.

Another way to get your books out there was just suggested to me.  I had to tell myself Doh! Call your local library and ask them if they can order the book. Many public libraries will order books if they have patrons who wish to read them. Ask all your friends and relatives, or even fans, to do the same. That way your book is out there and whoever likes it may look for other books by you--and you have just brought your name to that book acquisition person's attention.

Local media is much more likely to pick up a story or ask for an interview with a local author than just another book sent out by mass PR.  So combine the above with the usual PR releases to local radio, TV stations, and newspapers. Even if you get the press release from your publicist, make it personal in some way. Attach a note and direct it to a specific person by name. 

Call bookstores and libraries to see if they will set up a book signing for you. If you know other local authors, agree to do them as a group and they are even more likely to accomodate you. 

Yes, we are writers and we want to write, not promote, but in this very competitive marketplace, it's a necessity. Not even the big shot authors get out of promotional activities and appearances. I have seen some well-known authors at seemingly local events. So spend at least some of your writing time on continuous promotion (as in not just when your book comes out) and you will be on your way to heightened sales, if not a pot of gold. 

What is the Insecure Writer's Support Group?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! See #5 above!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.