I love engaging with readers in these settings, and elsewhere, and sharing my passion for poetry with them. I no longer view the idea of self-promotion as awkwardly self serving, as I once did.
Indeed, how else would anyone encounter this self-published writer’s work if I didn’t personally present it to them, with my books right there, ready to sign and sell? But can be an exhausting exercise.
American novelist Thomas Eugene "Tom" Robbins, author of Even Cowboys Get The Blues, wrote that “A writer needs a life of introspection.” … which is why agents are hired to do the leg work.
Having no agent, it’s been up to me to establish myself and my work in my current location and, to date, my books are all available in public libraries, local bookstores and a popular coffee shop.
I am presently working to fend off an erroneous assumption that I lack the time and the freedom to gaze inwardly with my muse. I am not, in fact, overtaxed with myriad events, but I feel as if I am.
Hence, I have written no poetry, not even a blog post, for quite a while. Jotting down ideas and phrases continues unabated, but they are disjointed things and refuse to coalesce into anything tangible.
Even so, a second volume of my poetry is ever so slowly taking shape and needs, for the most part, a bit of editing, a new cover design, and such. Hopefully, that it will be done and published soon.
Image: mindauthor.com