There was a time when an author or a poet would strive to be picked up by an agent or a publishing house, who would do all of the marketing legwork for them. So how, in the teeming maelstrom of published works, does a self-published poet get noticed? Answer: Networking.
In a recent post, I mentioned Sharon E. Carthcart, and her book, His Beloved Infidel ... and now I've done it again. Ms. Cathcart, in turn, let me know that she will be using my remarks elsewhere. She reviewed Echoes, and I will be reviewing her novel soon. Mutually citing and endorsing each other's work is, essentially, networking.
Over the past few months, I have joined writer's/poet's groups on Linkedin, on Goodreads, and Allpoetry.com, to name a few. I enter into the discussions there, and this helps me to become familiar with a lot of wonderful wordsmiths and their ideas on writing. I also mention Echoes, and this blog, when it feels appropriate to do so. Again, networking.
I am temporarily offering a digital book giveaway of Echoes on Smashwords.com in order to get it out into more hands, and to generate an interest in my work. Occasionally, I've given out a copy of Echoes in exchange for an online review. I've even traded my book towards goods in the Dealers Room at a convention, mainly because those individuals would not otherwise have made it to the author's tables to purchase it.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I normally don't give physical copies away for free, as that would devalue my work. However, when it comes to networking, a "free" copy is actually a device intended to elicit a review, and reviews are so important to a published writer.
Being a shameless self-promoter feels a bit weird, but it is also a huge advantage. I use every opportunity to hand out my business cards, to talk about my book, and to promote without pressuring anyone. Owing to conventions, conferences, and online writer's groups, I am now much more connected to many mutually supportive writers, which is golden. All in all, I am finding it a deliciously fun experience all round, and that, too, is golden.
In a recent post, I mentioned Sharon E. Carthcart, and her book, His Beloved Infidel ... and now I've done it again. Ms. Cathcart, in turn, let me know that she will be using my remarks elsewhere. She reviewed Echoes, and I will be reviewing her novel soon. Mutually citing and endorsing each other's work is, essentially, networking.
Over the past few months, I have joined writer's/poet's groups on Linkedin, on Goodreads, and Allpoetry.com, to name a few. I enter into the discussions there, and this helps me to become familiar with a lot of wonderful wordsmiths and their ideas on writing. I also mention Echoes, and this blog, when it feels appropriate to do so. Again, networking.
I am temporarily offering a digital book giveaway of Echoes on Smashwords.com in order to get it out into more hands, and to generate an interest in my work. Occasionally, I've given out a copy of Echoes in exchange for an online review. I've even traded my book towards goods in the Dealers Room at a convention, mainly because those individuals would not otherwise have made it to the author's tables to purchase it.
As I've mentioned elsewhere, I normally don't give physical copies away for free, as that would devalue my work. However, when it comes to networking, a "free" copy is actually a device intended to elicit a review, and reviews are so important to a published writer.
Being a shameless self-promoter feels a bit weird, but it is also a huge advantage. I use every opportunity to hand out my business cards, to talk about my book, and to promote without pressuring anyone. Owing to conventions, conferences, and online writer's groups, I am now much more connected to many mutually supportive writers, which is golden. All in all, I am finding it a deliciously fun experience all round, and that, too, is golden.
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