Insecure Writers Want to Know
Oh, the “imagined” life as a writer for me. You know…NO marketing required on my part. I could just sit and dream up stories that everyone couldn’t wait to buy and read. Like Mary Higgins Clark, my favorite author, or J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I’d have an editor—in fact, a whole publishing team—excited for my next story. People who eagerly want to discuss my next book with me. Iron out the few troubling details so that the manuscript would shine, and they would be excited to publish it. No revision necessary.
And then the big publishing house would send me out on tour. Paying for everything. City after city. Meeting all my enthusiastic readers and signing my books. Attending big events. Engaging in truly meaningful conversation. I’d be a household name, like Danielle Steel.
Wait…you want reality now? Oh well. Here it goes…
I came to realize that there is much more to creating a good story than there is to simply reading one. It took me years to understand how to write an engaging story. And even more years to convince the gate-keepers of the publishing world to consider paying me for my intellectual property and publishing my stories and personal essays in their magazines and anthologies.
I became braver from these publishing successes and created a full-length memoir, Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. I thought I could inspire others to believe in themselves. To find the courage to attempt their own personal dreams—and succeed, no matter the odds.
Then came the marketing side of being an author in today’s world. And this is where Victoria Marie Lees, published author, climbs back into the cupboard where she had hidden Inferiority all those years while attempting to become published, attempting to obtain that golden college degree.
I’m not very social on social media. Writer friends suggested I create short posts, attach a relevant photo, and try to engage an audience. I do it steadily for a week or two. Receiving a “like” or “love,” but not much engagement.
I prefer meeting and talking to people in person.
I enjoy doing live readings, although it’s difficult to get people to come out to them.
I enjoy teaching local writing classes, although I only sell a book or two.
I try to submit my book to local contests or smaller contests, although there aren’t many around.
I look for podcasts to guest on, but many require a fee. So does PodMatch. https://podmatch.com/
I need to get more determined reaching out to podcasters just to get my name out there. Create more essays and posts and reach out to bloggers.
How do you, my dear successful IWSG friends, handle marketing your published books? I’m open for any suggestions.
Additionally, did you find any surprises in your writing life? I can’t wait to read about them.
Thank you for stopping by my little spot on the web. Please come again! And please sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter to find tips on writing and camping. It’s greatly appreciated.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/ I’d like to thank our co-hosts for November: Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
It’s not easy. And it’s changed so much since I last had a book release. You have to find what’s comfortable for you.
You are so right, Alex. Marketing is truly difficult. The problem is, I can’t think of what is comfortable for me. That works, that is.
As always, I really appreciate your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Happy IWSG day!
Yes, I agree with Alex. Marketing isn’t easy, and you need to reach out to people who don’t know about your book. Maybe look at how others who write memoirs market their books.
You are right, Natalie. I do need to reach out to people who do NOT know about my book. It’s finding them and where they hang out and then getting them to “see” my posts or “find” my book online that seems impossible to me.
Thanks for your insight. Always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a good evening.
I didn’t exactly dream of marketing when I started out. No social media, of course. But I didn’t see myself on book tours either – too introverted. No good answers, but I have enjoyed podcasts from time to time.
Yes, I think podcasts are a good idea, Nick. I’m still working on finding them and then trying to pitch to them and pray I get a spot and then sound intelligent when I do.
Happy Insecure Writers Support Group day!
I had that traditional dream too. Too bad I started writing seriously just as the industry flipped. The marketing piece is what has scared me out of self publishing. So here I am, unpublished,, with no one to blame but myself!
Gosh, Liza, I don’t think it is blame that keeps us back from our dreams. It’s fear. For me, it is fear of the unknown. I don’t know how to market. Fear that I’m still not good enough.
Thanks so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Happy Insecure Writers Support Group day!
You and I are on the same brainwave. Haha! Love all the things — just not the marketing. And it’s all about marketing.
Yes it is, Crystal. In order to sell our books or services, it is definitely all about marketing. Nuts!
Always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a good week.
Right? Like, how much has the world changed that publishing a decent book isn’t even half the battle anymore? It’s crazy!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Jamie. Yes, it does seem to be a battle to find readers for our work or to market our work in today’s world. Nuts!
Welcome to Insecure Writers Support Group, Jamie!
I wish we could just write too. 🙂 If you’re looking at podcasts, one I used to listen to a lot was Best of Both Worlds with Laura Vanderkam. It was specifically for women juggling career and family, which would be perfect for your book. Maybe there’s other podcasts like it–or perhaps Facebook groups for working moms or moms juggling college and family?
You are the best, Jenni! Thank you so much. I will certainly check out Laura V and Facebook for working moms or moms in college. Truly appreciate your insight here. Have a great day!
I’m not good at social media either. I let Amazon Ads do the heavy lifting. LOL
Good for you, Melissa. I truly need to learn how to do Amazon Ads for my college memoir. Please feel free to share any tips you may have. Thank you!
I would like some of your dream too. It sounds wonderful. LOL At least for me, it didn’t work out that way.
I’m not on social media. I focus on my blog and my newsletter. I also do giveaways and book swaps to get my name out there.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Allie. I’m so glad you are here. You offer some solid advice. Thank you! How did you develop your giveaways and book swaps?
Have a beautiful weekend!
It’s tough to invest so many hours and be faced with steep marketing challenges. Seems that’s common among all the arts.
I’ve heard this website is great for authors, “authorwebsites [dot] bookbub [dot] com” (I’m not affiliated in any way with the site).
It is truly difficult for artists, like authors, to both learn and understand marketing and to make a successful attempt at it. I will surely look into “authorwebsites.bookbub.” Thank you so much for sharing your insight at Adventures in Writing, Have a beautiful weekend!
Oh the thrill of our imaginings set against the reality of the modern publishing world! 😂. Sorry I’m just visiting now ~ I got slammed unexpectedly. I LOVE the photo in your post, Victoria! Are there any conferences in your area where you could do a workshop or presentation? My sister and I promoted her books at CCIRA (Colorado Council of the International Reading Association) by giving workshops for a couple of years. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you for your kind words, Louise. They are appreciated more than you realize. What are the topics of your sister’s books?
Yes, I truly need to look into local conferences where I could do a workshop or presentation AND sell books. Gosh! I’ve got to try harder.
It’s always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a great week!
Marketing sounds like a mystery to all of us! I’m trying a Facebook/Instagram ad for my pre-sale, but I don’t want to bombard my social media friends with “BUY MY BOOK” messages. I did get a book bub ad once but have continued to be turned down since then.
Wow! Turned down by BookBub…and YOU know what you are doing. Yikes! Not much hope for me.
A facebook/Instagram Ad? I’ll need to check this out.
Truly appreciate your insight here at Adventures in Writing, Jennifer. Have a great week!
Sounds like marketing is a mystery to all of us! I’m trying a Facebook ad for my pre-sale, but I don’t want to bombard social media friends with “BUY MY BOOK” messages. I might put my book on NetGalley as well.
Now we’ve tried Net Galley for Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. We didn’t get many takers.
All the luck with your pre-sale and your new release, Jennifer! Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing.
I agree — the social part of social media can be difficult.