My head is spinning as I try to think of ways to promote my novel No Sensible People, my poetry collection The Long and Short of It ,my writing in general, and to help other self-published writers in the process. Both the novel and a poetry collection available on Lulu.com one of many print on demand sites that assist independent authors in independently publishing their books. In a month or so my novel will be on Amazon.com as well as other online retailers.
I am also in the process of updating my website so that it will function as a personal author site to me, a resource for other writers looking to network or submit their work, and form an online book review magazine called The Mixed Bag Review. My catch line is, "Because Life is a Mixed Bag."
In the magazine I plan to feature traditionally published books as well as independently published books, a mixed bag. Right now I have two reviews written and posted, although the links are not set up correctly at the moment. They are both tradional memoirs. I have two poetry collections and a novells I am in the process of reviewing, and a lead on another self published novel that has already received positive reviews.
Many other review magazines do not consider self published books. They believe them less than worthy. Some of them are, but who hasn't picked up a god awful traditionally published book from time to time?
All writers, if they want to be published, must contribute to their own marketing plan. That marketing begins for many when they go off looking for an agent or publisher. It can take years of copying charges, postage, query and summary writing that doesn't get used when and if the author ever finds the right fit for their book. Traditional publishing is a tightly wound system, that much like the public educational system does not fit every situation. The decision to self-publish is much like the decision to homeschool your child. My creation of The Mixed Bag Review is my answer to the "socialization" question.
A traditional publisher may need to see the potential to sell thousands of books, and while selling more is definitely better, self publishers -- at least those who use print on demand services, such as Lulu, only have to worry about selling one book at a time. Marketing Packs can be purchased for those who don't want to do the legwork, but I prefer to put my own unique spin on my promotion.
Homeschooling has been ostracized in the past, but has come around to gain respect and even admiration. If writers stand up in belief of their books and the stories they tell I believe that the same will happen to self publishing. A journey of a thousand miles does indeed begin with a single step.
Watch for more information as the magazine develops. And to link to everything else I'm doing with the book go to
www.gretchenleebourquin.com
My Lulu Store
I am also in the process of updating my website so that it will function as a personal author site to me, a resource for other writers looking to network or submit their work, and form an online book review magazine called The Mixed Bag Review. My catch line is, "Because Life is a Mixed Bag."
In the magazine I plan to feature traditionally published books as well as independently published books, a mixed bag. Right now I have two reviews written and posted, although the links are not set up correctly at the moment. They are both tradional memoirs. I have two poetry collections and a novells I am in the process of reviewing, and a lead on another self published novel that has already received positive reviews.
Many other review magazines do not consider self published books. They believe them less than worthy. Some of them are, but who hasn't picked up a god awful traditionally published book from time to time?
All writers, if they want to be published, must contribute to their own marketing plan. That marketing begins for many when they go off looking for an agent or publisher. It can take years of copying charges, postage, query and summary writing that doesn't get used when and if the author ever finds the right fit for their book. Traditional publishing is a tightly wound system, that much like the public educational system does not fit every situation. The decision to self-publish is much like the decision to homeschool your child. My creation of The Mixed Bag Review is my answer to the "socialization" question.
A traditional publisher may need to see the potential to sell thousands of books, and while selling more is definitely better, self publishers -- at least those who use print on demand services, such as Lulu, only have to worry about selling one book at a time. Marketing Packs can be purchased for those who don't want to do the legwork, but I prefer to put my own unique spin on my promotion.
Homeschooling has been ostracized in the past, but has come around to gain respect and even admiration. If writers stand up in belief of their books and the stories they tell I believe that the same will happen to self publishing. A journey of a thousand miles does indeed begin with a single step.
Watch for more information as the magazine develops. And to link to everything else I'm doing with the book go to
www.gretchenleebourquin.com
My Lulu Store
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Comments: 37
Ask local radio stations if you can talk about your book on the air.
Contact newspapers with news releases. Alss contact individual writers. They are looking for stories.
Ask local stores if you can come to their location and sell your book for one day. Create flyers and put them about town. Write news releases to to all area o;utlets. RThe store gets free publicity as do you.
I've got some of my tips posted on my page, How to become an Independently Published Author (http://www.squidoo.com/afstewart).
A few months ago, I attended some conferences and wrote some articles sharing book promotion and marketing resources I was given and advice I received from publishers and established authors. I've gathered all the articles into one place in this article:
My Articles about Book Promotion and Marketing
I have placed excerpts here on gather so, I can see what I need to edit and rewrite first.
I have not even got to the re-writes yet. I am so busy.
But, thanks for this information. I may just check it out later.
Good luck, keep writing and keep us posted!
I'm planning to take part in the 2008 Muse Online Writer's Conference this year - presenting a workshop called "Creating an Impressive Writing Website". I'm thinking about including this article as a link, somewhere, somehow... because it shows how much THOUGHT you're putting into making the web work for you in your writing career.
No reason we can't help promote each other's work!
Simple scenario.
Post a chapter on Gather and other similar sites you publish on. Provide a link to another chapter on your web site. The page that the person lands on has nothing but a sign in area or an exit. Name and email is what they provide to get to the next free chapter. Now you are generating a list of people who will receive scheduled emails at intervals you select. You do not need to do much maintenance and as each person signs up it will automatically send them an email that you've created. Having someone write a review on sites like escribe is a great way to generate more traffic as well. You can even write your blogs as "generic" articles about writing, and not so much what you are writing about, and generate even more links through sites like ezinearticlesthat woll provide resources and connect you with other like minded writers. Being that the charge for these books are minimal I could see you doing very well with a properly set up responder and some simple networking.
Hope some of this makes sense to you.
Marketing makes it seem that writing is the easy part. Keep at it one reader at a time. (This is a comment link for A Stone's Throw Away. It was written for you're entertainment. Don't click this link until you're in the mood to be entertained.)
I think you have a wonderful idea going, Gretchen. As long as the publishing houses insist on wanting huge bestsellers from celebrity names, the common writer will go on finding other ways. I used print on demand for my poetry book in 2006 and will do so again. LuLu is in my sights for my novel due out in the fall. I haven't submitted anything since my last short story sale in 1989 and I'm managing just fine.