I want to give a BIG welcome to Mysti Parker, author of A Ranger’s Tale and other books! I hope you enjoy her post and check out her books when you have a moment (links at the bottom!)
If It Ain’t Workin’…
Recently, I read an article written by author Ted Heller, entitled ‘The future is no fun: Self-publishing is the worst’. In it, he laments the fact that his third book, which he self-published, has not drawn the attention of his first two, which did quite well in the traditional print market. Beyond the pity-party attitude of this article lies something I caught as I read it, as did several commenters.
Mr. Heller did all the right things in trying to promote his third book, but he did all the things he did as a traditionally published author. He wrote to print newspapers and sought out interviews on radio stations like NPR.
The problem, I believe, is his book is electronically published, yet he’s promoting as though it’s in print at all the major booksellers. Though he did seek some online venues, he became discouraged after not getting replies in the first couple of weeks. Despite his popularity as a traditionally published author, he’s basically shifted gears and has become a beginner at indie publishing. He’s expecting too much too soon with a brand new venture.
Therefore, I say if it ain’t workin’, do somethin’ different! Whether you’re trying to publish a book or trying to find a new job, if what you’re doing isn’t getting you ahead, change how you go about it.
If you’ve written a good book or story, for instance, and I mean REALLY written, as in it’s been critiqued, edited and polished up to the best of your ability, then keep fighting for it, but know your market. Don’t limit yourself by sending ads for an electronic book to places frequented by the print market. I mean, really, how many subscribers to print newspapers have their eyes glued to e-readers? Target the e-reader markets: book blogs, social media, online mags and news outlets. Get interviews through online radio stations, like those on Blog Talk Radio.
Seek out active book reviewers, but do your research! Don’t send your contemporary romance to someone who has a preference for the young adult genre. Target those sectors in the e-market that are most likely to work with you.
With persistence and hard work, you won’t have to join Ted Heller’s blues band.
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About Mysti:
Mysti Parker (pseudonym) is a full time wife, mother of three, and a writer. Her first novel, A Ranger’s Tale was published in January, 2011 by Melange Books, and the second in the fantasy romance series, Serenya’s Song, was published in April 2012. The highly anticipated third book, Hearts in Exile, has already received some great reviews. The Tallenmere series has been likened to Terry Goodkind’s ‘Sword of Truth’ series, but is probably closer to a spicy cross between Tolkien and Mercedes Lackey.
Mysti’s other writings have appeared in the anthologies Hearts of Tomorrow, Christmas Lites, and Christmas Lites II. Her flash fiction has appeared on the online magazine EveryDayFiction. She has also served as a class mentor in Writers Village University’s six week free course, F2K.
Mysti reviews books for SQ Magazine, an online specfic publication, and is the proud owner of Unwritten, a blog voted #3 for eCollegeFinder’s Top Writing Blogs award. She resides in Buckner, KY with her husband and three children.
Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads
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| A Ranger’s Tale, Tallenmere #1 | Serenya’s Song, Tallenmere #2 | Hearts in Exile, Tallenmere #3
(Coming May 26!) |
Exactly right, Von! And thanks for commenting. I understand how daunting it is, especially those writers who are new to all the social media/internet marketing. We still have to keep up with it if we hope to widen our audience.
All good points. The publishing industry is undergoing rapid change and writers need to study those changes. It’s like being a doctor and NOT knowing about all the advances in their field of medicine. That would be crazy, right? As writers we have the same responsibility to keep up with the advances in our field.