Lesbian Fiction ForumFor all you writers out there who think that selling your book is the last of your efforts, smack yourself now right back into reality.
Chances are you will have to do some marketing. If, say, your book is about a bunch of archers, then you may want to let the local archery clubs know when it is due out. If your books is for kids, then you'll want to let them and their parents know it exists. Even in big cities, people want to know when their neighbor publishes a book. Most bookstores have a 'regional' section where it is not only books about that area but by authors from that area.
Since this is my blog, we'll use my book as an example. As the publishing date gets closer, I'll let as many people know as possible, such as:
- local small bookstores
- chain bookstores
- writing groups I am a member of
- local and state gay/lesbian groups/centers
- anywhere I can showcase as a Southern writer
- anywhere I can showcase as a lesbian writer
- small bookstores and gay/lesbian places near my parents
I'm not quite sure yet just how I will do this. Some people put together packets, others send out fliers or postcards. Just About Write has an article about book promotion. While I am researching stuff for BG3, I am also researching online lists of these places I will need to contact.
Why would I go through all this trouble? After all, shouldn't the publisher do something?
They will be. But if I want to make money on this adventure, I'll want to promote the book as well.
I have a full year until the book will be out. I still have a lot to learn and even more to do.
Then there are all my other books I want to write and hopefully get published. After all, that is why I am doing all this. If I'd wanted to just write for general mental therapy, then I'd not be anywhere near this far.
What do you want? How much are you willing to work to get there?
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Keywords: Book Sub/Pub
last modified: 02/14/06 16:23
Heh. Don't see me writing any tree books, do ya'?
You might want to join the Yahoo! Group "Booksigners". Lots of good real world experience shared there.
Did you ever do the "Four Meme" I laid on you?
— submitted 2/14/2006 @ 9:16 pm
Four meme? What four meme? (blinks innocently)
I'll look that group up. I haven't got enough Yahoo! Group mail as it is now.
The idea of doing a book signing scares the shit out of me. I'm not pretty. I sit in a wheelchair. I'll have a rottweiler with me. And I can't sign my name more than three times before I get a cramp.
I'll have to shorten it to what I used on my pottery.
— submitted 2/14/2006 @ 9:25 pm
See http://www.writers-edge.info/2006/02/four-meme.htm
— submitted 2/14/2006 @ 9:55 pm