Many authors are challenged by the thought of “creating” an author promotional platform, wondering “How do I best communicate with my readers and therefore potential customers about my new book?” Some of the first thoughts that authors have is to contact their colleagues and friends. They may also think of using social media. But one of the best ways that I normally suggest to potential authors to promote their books is to be a guest on various channels that others have created.
Is distraction free writing possible in the digital age?
I was intrigued years ago, when I first saw the cell phone feature that replied to a text that I was driving. I wondered where my life feature was “no emails, no phone notifications, no meetings: I am writing.”
While we are masters of where we focus our attention, small housekeeping habits may help our writing, and in fact help us.
Amazon: friend or foe?
When I ask writers, authors, or publishers about Amazon, I get a variety of responses:
- I love Amazon. I just ordered laundry detergent from them, and it was really cheap.
- I try not to order from them but shop locally.
- Amazon always knows what I will be interested in when I am browsing for something to read.
- They make ordering so easy, and delivery is so quick!
- They get me mad because they have the wrong cover for my book, and they won’t change it.
- When I search for my book, they list the old edition first and I can’t get them to flip it to the new edition. Ugh!
- They’ve made self-publishing so easy. It is a dream.
Quite the spectrum. When people think of Amazon, they think of books first, which puts them in a Kleenex or Xerox situation from a branding point-of-view. But as you might know, Amazon is way past books and publishing.
Don’t just rewrite an existing book
Coming to want to author a book is a slow process. There is likely ruminating, rethinking, internal debating, conflicting feelings, competing agendas, to say the least. Rarely, is it a moment of inspiration and then sudden action. Part of the decision process is thinking about what is already available on the market.
Many prospective authors will say, “there is nothing like this on the market. No competition.” This is very rarely true. There is usually some book, or more likely books, that your idea is standing on the shoulders of, wanting to reach higher. Also, the competition for some customer might be to buy nothing at all.
How do publishers find new books or authors?
Book proposals and query letters are the primary vehicle to ask publishers if they are interested in a project. But is that the only way publishers find new works? Or are publishers out seeking new books or authors, and if so, how do they find them?
How to sabotage your writing and publishing efforts
It is a new year and I hope 2022 will be a healthy, contented, and successful one for you. The successful part requires hard work and diligence. It also requires productive habits and some learned skills.
But perhaps you do not want to be successful. So, with tongue firmly planted in-cheek, here are the top ways to sabotage your writing and publishing efforts this year.