Your first book has launched. Life feels sort of like a fishbowl now. You can't hide out in the coziness of your office in your pajamas dabbling over your next book. You are expected to do more than that now that your novel was finally published.
Have these 3 truths hit you yet?
1. NOT EVERYONE LOVES YOUR BOOK Of course you knew that. You don't even love your book more than you do some of your favorite authors' books. Didn't you find that mistake on page 234? Why on earth did you write such a blah description of setting in the first chapter? You wrote this book five years ago. It took two years to come to publication. How can anyone love what you wrote?
Sound familiar? I knew my best friend would read my book. I also knew it isn't her genre. I also knew many of my friends would buy the book to support me and when I didn't hear back from them that they loved it, I knew they were being polite. I appreciate that. I do that to writers whose books don't thrill me as well. But many writers secretly wish for an avalanche of love for their work. Get over it. It rarely happens.
2. MARKETING STINKS A long time ago, you were warned that writers had to do most of the legwork to get their book out there. When the time finally comes, you realize they were right. You tweet your book, post reviews--beg for reviews--overdo your comments on Facebook, and send to newspapers and plan book signings all to convince one other person to give your book a chance.
Are you like me? I'm an introvert. I don't enjoy tooting my own horn. The thought of standing in front of people to talk about my book makes me keel over in fear. But it's the new hat writers must wear. That's why I did most of my marketing early on-- before I wrote my book. I tried to create real relationships so that when the time came, a reader will buy my book based on what they know about me. They still might not like it but hey, they gave me a chance.
3. YOUR NEXT BOOK WAITS TO BE WRITTEN You can't stop now. Another book is dying to come out of you. Finding the time to write that book is the challenge but you can do it. Mark off time for marketing and social media and begin again.
I should add one more truth: That love will return.
11 comments:
I giggle inside every time I see you write the word 'marketing'. I know you loathe this step. We thought writing was hard...
Thank goodness for social media! Imagine trying to get the word out without blogs, Facebook, Twitter...
Yeah, that. Sigh. I'm right there with you.
All so very true. Even when you're not self-published, you still have to promote, promote, promote. Fortunately for me, my memoir was published at a time when so many people were blogging, and that's what I did, constantly. It paid off. Things have changed, though. My success might not have happened today. And yes, not everyone loved my book. Some of them HATED it. But LOL I survived.
BTW Terry, I am a slow reader and life gets in my way, but I'm reading your book. Though I'm not too far into it, I'll keep reading it because I think it's good, and I like it. You've done a fine job. (Yes, we find those little "mistakes" e.g. misspellings, etc. Some of which could be an editorial problem.)
KEEP WRITING !!!
Hey Terri -
I'm one of those friends who bought your book but hasn't contacted you. My TBR pile is humongous. As you've discovered, being published and marketing takes a lot of time.
Please be patient with me. I will read your book. (Friends books go to the top of the pile, but I have a lot of friends!)
Hugs,
Susan :)
P.S. Would you like to do an interview/book spotlight on my blog. I'd love to help you. Contact me via email or Facebook Message.
it's all true-good luck!
Ah yes, I learned all these things very well by the time Uncut Diamonds, my second book, came out. Since I had such a positive reaction to my first book, Farm Girl, it was a real wake up call to get negative response and one star reviews on my second. None of that bothers me now. I just keep writing and moving on. There's always some people who will love our work, others who will hate it. It doesn't stop me from writing!
I haven't published (yet!) but I'm taking notes. To me the challenges of marketing for the introvert has to be one of the hardest aspects of the process. But it's good to be stretched, right? It makes us grow a little bit more. Thanks for giving us insight into what it's all like :-)
Terri: I feel your pain. Even though I'm an extrovert, I weary of marketing my own books. I'd much rather sit and chat with you about YOUR book, or your grand kids, or you new book. What are you working on next, btw?
Hugs,
Jen
Yep, marketing does take a huge chunk of time away from being creative. I think that's another reason to start a new writing project, rather than just stopping.
I just read the excerpt from your book. It sounds good! Got me interested. Right now....I am way behind on reading and knitting. Not enuf time in the day for many things I need to do. I may just add it to my Kindle list soon. But keep going and keep writing. We are our own worst critics, so don't be too hard on yourself. Have a good weekend!
Oh Yeah ! Susan just informed Me I won a copy of Your book! So excited. Thank You for offering the Giveaway.Denise knuckled54@yahoo.com
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