Today we journey to the big city to talk to a bookstore owner who is listening to the sales pitch and may carry my books. Next week another.
As of today, there are three opportunities on the calendar and two in the works.
What have you tried? Library's like books and new authors. Local events. Fairs. Races. School collections.
Your writing is special. Point that out. Ypu are local. Your friends will flock to a place to buy your writing.
Now, go write, edit, sell, and write some more.
Got something I'm going to try. I have contacted a few other local writers about doing a book sale/signing at the local library. So far 3 are on board counting myself. Library is hot for it.
Anyone else? I'm talking northeast Arizona, but if you wanna travel, come join us.
To do Camp Nanowrimo or not to do, that is the question. Pro - I set my own goal. Com - I am already busier than I want to be.
DO!
Life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.
In trying to get my books in retail outlets I have had zip for positive results. None of the bookstores I have taken my smiling face and stack of books to has responded with, "Why sure. We'll set up a display right here in the middle of the path to the coffee corner." Or, even a, "Yeah, we'll stick a couple in here with the rest of the stuff nobody looks at."
But, I am working on an author's book display and signing at the local library. So far, 4 authors joining the party.
Keep writing. Mucho.
It is official. I am now an author. Amazon says so. Http://www.amazon.com/author/dougball is on the air.
All three if my current books are listed in kindle format and one in print. The other two will be listed in print as soon as tomorrow.
It is a great thrill to see your name in lights. Now the idea is to sell a few and get some reviews. Obviously I would love for you to buy my books and give me great five star reviews, but I would rather you read them and gave me honest reviews so I can grow in my writing.
Stay tuned as I share the tips I learn for marketing. I live in a very rural area and do not have the normal avenues available to me with out hundreds of miles of travel. So, from scratch we go.
The first tip is www.createspace.com. That was my starting point.
Take a dream or goal in life you would die for. Write the story. That's what I did. My dream came true for me, but way later in life than I had hoped. My book "GENTLE REBELLION" is that book. It is a fluffed up, never happened memoir. It is the original dream. There is little reality in this story, but all the excitement that feeds a young man's ego.
The buzz phrase of writing is WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. What do you know better than your dreams.
Try it. This works for articles and shorts, as well as novels.
How long does it take to write a book? Great question. It takes as long as it takes. From first word in 1981 until the middle of February 2014 my first book was in the mill. With the crash of the western market it was rejected and otherwise abused 45 times, with over 75% of those being the old familiar, "Does not meet our needs at this time. Try us again." 20 of them said, "Liked it. No market, sorry." or something similar.
It is now in the proofing stage with createspace.com.
Never give up.
