Friday, February 10, 2012

Promotion Sucks!

No one told me being an author would involve so much work. Sheesh, all I wanted to do was tell a tale and have others read it. Boy was I wrong.  Writing is the easy part. Promoting it…well that’s pure hell. I kid you not. Its hell! Okay so maybe I’m exaggerating, but not by much. What the hell do I do to promote my book?  Well, there are interviews, blog spots, commenting on other blog pots (to get your name out there) put your book cover on other websites. Buy ad space on high traffic sites and so on and so on. Makes your head spin.

The inner child in me is screaming, “I don’t wanna do it and you can’t make me. I don’t wanna don’t wanna, no no no!!”


Okay, tantrum done…mostly. It has a tendency to pop up now and then.
So where was I? Ah yes, promoting. “Wahhhhhhhhhhhh!”  Breathe, just breathe.  
I’m not a people person. I like to keep to myself, hide in my little authors cave and write about love, lust, murder and mayhem. That’s my world. I live with Vampires, demons, ghosts and crazy people who are willing to do anything for love. The world outside is scary.
 In the six years since I was first published a novel, I’ve done more interviews than I care to remember. So many guest blog spots that it makes my head spin. But the ultimate worst was being interviewed on TV and radio. The book signing wasn’t too bad. Probably helped that my hubby sat with me….or tied me to the chair so I couldn’t run, but I got through the three hours I was under the spotlight. My book was the highest purchased trade paper back novel for three weeks straight. I was so thrilled. Then my second book was released and there I was, having to promote it all over again. Yep, same deal. Did the book signing, smiled though inside I was jelly.  The instant it was over I retreated to my cave where m y characters welcomed me with open arms. What a relief.
But, despite my hating to promote myself and my books, it is a necessary evil. And I do mean evil.  If I’m scaring any would be authors out there…that’s good. You should be scared. Run now while you still can. Okay, okay, I’m joking. It’s not that bad. **cough**
The trick is staying on the ball. Keep up with the trends and never stop trying. Go with the flow. Don’t let it drag you down…into the muddy waters of hell. **cough cough**
Happy Promoting!! :D
Comment and leave your email on todays post and you could win a free copy of A Taste Of Humanity.

Popular places to promote.
All Romance eBooks. www.allromanceebooks.com  If you can get into one of their author co-op spots they provide in the Romantic Time Magazine it is ell worth the money you spend.
Coffee Time Romance.  http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/ Chats and guest spots as well as ads on their website.
Romance Junkies. http://www.romancejunkies.com/  Chats, interviews and ads on their website.

Whipped Cream and Long and Short of it. http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm  Guest spots on their blog, interviews and chats.

10 comments:

  1. I think that I'll basically fail at promotion. It's a good thing that I have a decent day job. Because of that, I feel no pressure.

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  2. It really is hard, but I keep plugging at it. :)

    Thanks for popping in Michael!

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  3. oh man but you get PAPER books to sign. (jealous!)
    hang in there----keep at it....it's what I do!
    love ya
    Liz

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  4. Cute post. Breath, breath. You're lucky your husband went with you to your book signing and kept you company.

    Mine probably would to, but then he'd get bored and wonder off.

    Good luck with your book. I wish you many sales. :)

    Janice~

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  5. I admit Liz, there is nothing like holding your own book in your hands.

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  6. LOL! SOOOO true! And I'm a new author so I'm just learning all about promo. Thanks fo calming a bit of my panic by letting me know it's normal to be freaked out!

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  7. Janice, my hubby was the one that MADE me do the booksigning. He also MADE me buy 200 copies of my first book, which I still have fifty of. He's my biggest supporter and promotor. LOL

    I am so happy I could still your hysteria Alexa. :) Its not entirely bad. I still have some hair. LOL

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  8. Hi Shiela,

    I am a fellow author and new coffee/book store owner. I'm looking for 100 independent authors that would like to have their books carried in my store in Manitou Springs, Co.

    If you or any of your author contacts are interested, please feel free to contact me at foxxgrp@gmail.com.

    Also feel free to check out my own site at www.jonrenaud.com.

    Thanks
    Jon

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  9. HI Jon,

    That sounds fabulous. Can you provide us with more information please.

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  10. Hmmm, it seems my winner post has vanished into the black hole. LOL

    I've chosen a winner to recieve an ecopy of A Taste of Humanity and that person is....Alexa!!

    Congrats and thanks to everyone for stopping in.

    ReplyDelete

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