My recent posts have focused on the idea of "networking" as a way to distribute, and to draw attention to, one's work. There so many facets to this approach, and those that I've listed so far only just graze the surface, but they are a good start in this process of self-publishing.
Recently, I approached a local bookstore, Recycled Books, and asked the owner if he would take my books on consignment. He was happy to do so. Echoes is now nicely situated on a shelf just above Tolkien! I had previously been invited by the owner of the Discover San Jose shop to provide copies of Echoes, where it is available for sale as well.
With brick and mortar bookstores disappearing, at lease in my location, I am reaching out to any and all such shops who's doors remain open. Some will offer a great commission, some less so, and some will agree to carry your work only after collecting a small fee from you. It's all about exposure, and getting people to read your work.
Another tactic that can garner increased exposure of your book is to list digital copies of it for free, for a limited time, as I have done on Smashwords.com. The idea here is that once your work is out there, it will begin to circulate, unguided, in the eddies and currents of readership.
Once your book is available, and being read, reviews should begin to pop up here and there online. Positive reviews are essential to Indie authors and poets, and I have been privileged to earn some very helpful critiques of Echoes. I will soon be reviewing the self-published books of others, as well, as a fellow published writer.
So, the upshot at this point is: self-marketing requires that one be patient, resourceful, and ever mindful of new opportunities. It takes time, effort, and ingenuity to be noticed among so many other wonderful books. And, I am finding that this creative, and sometimes tempering, process is most enjoyable when one is willing to take it on one baby step at a time.
Recently, I approached a local bookstore, Recycled Books, and asked the owner if he would take my books on consignment. He was happy to do so. Echoes is now nicely situated on a shelf just above Tolkien! I had previously been invited by the owner of the Discover San Jose shop to provide copies of Echoes, where it is available for sale as well.
With brick and mortar bookstores disappearing, at lease in my location, I am reaching out to any and all such shops who's doors remain open. Some will offer a great commission, some less so, and some will agree to carry your work only after collecting a small fee from you. It's all about exposure, and getting people to read your work.
Another tactic that can garner increased exposure of your book is to list digital copies of it for free, for a limited time, as I have done on Smashwords.com. The idea here is that once your work is out there, it will begin to circulate, unguided, in the eddies and currents of readership.
Once your book is available, and being read, reviews should begin to pop up here and there online. Positive reviews are essential to Indie authors and poets, and I have been privileged to earn some very helpful critiques of Echoes. I will soon be reviewing the self-published books of others, as well, as a fellow published writer.
So, the upshot at this point is: self-marketing requires that one be patient, resourceful, and ever mindful of new opportunities. It takes time, effort, and ingenuity to be noticed among so many other wonderful books. And, I am finding that this creative, and sometimes tempering, process is most enjoyable when one is willing to take it on one baby step at a time.
RSS Feed