Writing and Readers
I write a blog post once a month. Not daily. Not once a week.
Once. A. Month. I should be able to wow you with witty observations or snarky
asides. The truth? I got nothing.
Once. A. Month. I should be able to wow you with witty observations or snarky
asides. The truth? I got nothing.
My excuse? I’m adapting, coming to the unwelcome
understanding that being a writer means more than writing books. It means
marketing. It means making myself far more available than my introvert self
would like. All my brain power is being used to learn new skills while
simultaneously writing a book.
understanding that being a writer means more than writing books. It means
marketing. It means making myself far more available than my introvert self
would like. All my brain power is being used to learn new skills while
simultaneously writing a book.
Last week, a friend of a friend called me. Seems he’s written
a book and wanted to find a publisher. “How,” he asked, “did you get your
agent?”
a book and wanted to find a publisher. “How,” he asked, “did you get your
agent?”
I explained the query process and suggested he look at
Publishers’ Marketplace.
Publishers’ Marketplace.
“How long will it take?” he asked.
“There’s no telling,” I said. “But it can take years. Do you
have a second book in mind? Something to work on while you’re waiting for
responses?” Writing was the only thing that saved me from losing my mind during
the query process. If I was writing, I was doing something positive. Otherwise,
I was obsessively checking emails.
have a second book in mind? Something to work on while you’re waiting for
responses?” Writing was the only thing that saved me from losing my mind during
the query process. If I was writing, I was doing something positive. Otherwise,
I was obsessively checking emails.
“I’m just going to write the one book,” he said. Then he told
me all about his book.
me all about his book.
“Agents make their livings off of commission,” I explained.
“Most of them want to build a long-term business relationship.”
“Most of them want to build a long-term business relationship.”
This he brushed aside.
“Have you considered self-publishing?” I asked.
“I have, but I don’t want to do any marketing or plan my own
book tours.”
book tours.”
I answered with a moment of silence. How to break it to him?
New authors do their own marketing. And book tours? Think blog tours. “You’ll be doing most of the marketing,” I
said. “And I don’t think you can count on a book tour.”
New authors do their own marketing. And book tours? Think blog tours. “You’ll be doing most of the marketing,” I
said. “And I don’t think you can count on a book tour.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
My publisher, Henery Press, has been remarkable with its
marketing assistance and I am grateful. But, the truth is that if a reader
wants to engage with an author then the author, not the publisher, needs to
engage.
marketing assistance and I am grateful. But, the truth is that if a reader
wants to engage with an author then the author, not the publisher, needs to
engage.
My book has been out in the world just under three weeks and
already I have met fabulous readers. They have questions about the characters,
want to share a 19070s remembrance, or want to know when the next book is
coming.
already I have met fabulous readers. They have questions about the characters,
want to share a 19070s remembrance, or want to know when the next book is
coming.
Readers make late nights and early mornings worthwhile.
Still no witty observations or snarky asides but maybe I got
a little something after all. I have gratitude for every single person who has
bought and read The Deep End.
a little something after all. I have gratitude for every single person who has
bought and read The Deep End.
Thank you!
Now, go tell your friends about it!
Couldn't have said it better myself, except to add that the things that keep driving me to do all of this at once is the wonderful fans who keep asking, "When is the next book coming out?" and the hope that someday I'll have the time to read other people's books again instead of just marketing material and the drafts and re-drafts of the manuscript I have due next to my publisher. LOL! Congrats, Julie, and enjoy the ride–you have a winner!
Thanks so much, Ritter! I could also add that I'm grateful for getting to know amazing authors like you!
You're also right about needing more time to READ. Marked Masters has been waiting on my kindle, calling my name…but with an MS due plus edits for Guaranteed to Bleed, my reading time has been cut to the bone.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Instead of taking classes in craft or technique, aspiring writers should learn juggling…
😉
So. Much. Truth. Yay for you!! Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks and good luck. Ritter is amazing and she recommend checking this blog. Now of course I have to check your book! 🙂