Self-publishing for the non-fiction writer is a lot more cut and dried, more black and white. You have a specific product to sell to a specific niche. Writing a romantic suspense novel puts the self-published author in a totally different ball park. If you are like me whose book, Dreams Thrown Away, has been read and enjoyed cross gender lines, cross racial and cultural lines, and cross the age lines, you have a wider target audience that you would like to reach. I want everybody who is interested in an atypical love story filled with tragedy and intrigue to have access to my novel. I have been on the marketing track since the first book arrived, but I am finding there are different rules for me. However, not so different. Let’s cover some:
1) Major book stores like Barnes and Noble and Borders aren’t open to hosting book signings for the self-published author. So strike that off your wish list.
2)A lot of libraries here in Georgia, should I dare say, discriminate against the self-published author. A couple did assure me they MAY do a self-published author event one day and will keep me in mind. They all asked for free books.
3)Independent bookstores are more open, but not as open-armed as you might think. They, too, have been burnt (oops!) or been turned off by Print-on-Demand publishing. They are most put-off by the No Return policy. I was told by one Indie that he has even had problems with a self-publisher’s willingness to live up to its Return Guarantee. (What’s that? Will talk about the Returns another time.)
4)Discounting the book to get it out of just cyperspace? It is possible, but book Stores want more of your retail price, a whopping 55% at the major chains. Indies will settle for 40%, but they prefer to sell on consignment. So guess who pays for shipping and handling. You do.
5)With all the ups and downs of items 1-4, what I have learned about self-publishing is that I still own the rights to my work. I can market when and where I want. There are still venues out there to do booksignings. You can use various places of businesses with foot traffic, such as art galleries, coffee shops, museums, and more. Even more rewarding, you can meet some of the most intriguing, informative, creative, and talented people out there while selling your book. And everybody is willling to help everybody else.
Don’t look at any of the above as a negative. Learning is learning and you can use what you learn in a positive manner. Keep meeting those wonderful people out there, and keep asking those book stores and libraries for a leg up. There is somebody out there who likes fiction, and will like your work. I have.
Whether you are self-published, or published through a traditional publisher, only one thing is going to generate sales. Marketing. You have to get the word out, whether it’s pushed through free medium or it is paid. There is no rest for the ambitious writer, yet you still have to find time to write. Thus, my blogging has taken a back seat. I am blogging today to let you know that I am not quitting the blog, just managing my time so I can get back to writing. Selling my book is now an ongoing journey. Each small step is bringing me closer to writing success and a full-time writing career. What steps are you taking toward your dreams?
It doesn’t matter whether you are self-published or published by a traditional publishing house, you have to market your book to get the sales. I have been in a state of frenzied marketing activity. I never knew how much work is actually in networking and marketing. Book marketing is more than just book reviews, book signings, and store displays. You have to get people to talk about your book to other people. That’s “word of mouth,” but it wouldn’t hurt to get viral, with viral marketing a means of exponentially growing the message that your product, your book, is out there to be picked up and enjoyed. I haven’t mastered viral as yet, but I do have a host of family and friends forwarding my email announcements. I do have a website, and I am actively networking. I am on social networks, but I am finding the face to face network multiplies sales just as quickly. Before you stress out, like I have and still do day to day, don’t worry about getting that book signing event set up so quickly. It will come in time, when the time is right for you. Get out, socialize, and talk about your book. Start with the basics, face to face. “Hi, do you read novels, romance novels?” –”You do?”– “Well, you might like my novel. It’s a romantic suspense called, Dreams Thrown Away!”
Having recently published my novel, Dreams Thrown Away, I realized one thing was missing. I am actively promoting my book and running out of steam faster than I had imagined. So it finally dawned on me, in order to be successful, first I have to be healthy. So today, I am beginning to journal my road to great health, from a 5′2″ small frame, but 184 pounds sound and former smoker to a healthy 130 something pounds with the stamina of a sixteen year old. I am not going to do this alone, I have company and we would love more company. Any tips, ups and downs to a lifestyle change, or kudos you may have will be greatly appreciated.
Here’s how I started my day:
Walked 1.27 miles on the Gazelle
Ate a cup of cheerios with almond breeze milk.
Drank 10 oz of grape juice.
One multi-vitamin.
What did you do?
