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| Photo Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net |
Since I can't really focus on any one topic right now to save my life, I thought I would share with you a couple of the links to blog posts I've read that have been helpful.
First, I've been working on plot development for a second book using the characters from Finding Meara. I'd always planned to write more about Hazel and Arden, but thought I'd have some time before I needed to start. Self-publishing wisdom indicates I need to get a second book out as soon as possible after the first, so I'm casting around the dark recesses of my brain for an interesting, book worthy plot idea.
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| http://www.robinlafevers.com/books/ |
I've worried about marketing ideas for quite a while, even before deciding to self-publish. It's no secret that the weight of the majority of marketing falls on an author these days. With self-published books increasing by 287% since 2006, the competition for a self-published author to gain positive attention and readers is at an all time high. The post The New Path to Writing Success by Jon Bard on the Writer Unboxed site was both enlightening and uplifting, but the link to the post How to Build a Network of Fans on Mr. Bard's own site was marketing gold. In the post he gives several practical and not at all difficult ways to connect to the ever-elusive reader. It was after reading this post that I decided I needed to go ahead and get my own website going, and soon. Hopefully, before the end of November, I'll have a shiny new website to show off, and can start implementing some of his ideas.
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| Laura Howard |
It's quite fun to list Laura Howard today, because I actually met her through the My Name Is Not Bob Platform Building Challenge in April. Between then and now her blog has become a hot spot for Indie reviews, interviews and information. She's also super nice!
Have you read any posts in the last several weeks you've found helpful? If so, feel free to share in the comments!
Wow. You're doing your homework. That's why I don't want to attempt self pub right now. Too much of a learning curve! :) I'll just check back to your site when I'm ready!
ReplyDeleteSlowly...I'm slowly doing my homework. I just hope I know enough to do it right when I hit the end of the process.
DeleteHow exciting, Lara. I didn't realize you were going to self-publish. I can only imagine how much there is to learn! We're actually at the same stage in regard to coming up with the next story idea. The problem for me is that I have TOO many. But I also love the idea of starting with character first since my fiction is always character-driven, so I'm off to read a few of the links you've posted above. Many thanks! And best of luck. Can't wait to see your new blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope you found the links helpful! I'm planning to really delve into the process this weekend, if not sooner. I'm starting to get excited. Writing the first story was really a lot of fun, and after starting the depressing angel story this summer, I'm hoping book #2 of Finding Meara will clear my creative juices and be another fun story. Then I'm going to replot the angel story... I'm not at any loss for projects, now! I wish I had as many ideas as you do, though. :)
DeleteNot a bad post for it being last minute, Lara. :) I, too, have great blog post ideas, but forget to write them down.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the resources about self-publishing. I'm going to pass the info onto my sister.
Thanks, Emily! I'm glad it turned out all right. I was surprised it only took about half-an-hour to write, too. That's an amazing record for me. usually I'm at least an hour and a half...
DeleteI hope the links help your sister! If she ever wanted to, I'd be happy to chat some time! :)
I love the ideas that "get away" from us. I'm gearing up for National Picture Idea Month, so I'll be extra close to the note feature on the iPhone to jot down ideas. I missed the link on how to build a network of fans. Thanks for passing that along. Good luck with the next story. I'm looking forward to the first one!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a smart phone, or that would be an excellent idea. The sad thing is I'm usually home when the ideas strike, and I think "Oh, I'll remember it" so I don't bother to walk the ten feet to the desk and write it down! Will you share the ideas you come up with for the picture books? I'd love to hear about them!
DeleteI'm bookmarking this post! These are all great Lara. And it is all a little daunting, isn't it? I'm publishing through a small publisher so most of the marketing falls on me too. Where does one start???
ReplyDeleteHow about with your post! :)
Yay, Kelley! I have found these sites to be great resources. The Writer's Guide to E-publishing seems to have some nice posts about marketing, too, so it may be worth it to keep an eye on their site, even though you aren't self-publishing. :) You've got so much to do with two books to get ready,though!
DeleteSelf publishing is definitely NOT the easy way out! In fact it intimidates the hell out of me! I'm so impressed with you for pursuing it. I look forward to watching you on this journey and learning from it. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that you're interested in knowing about the self-publishing journey. I've been feeling a little shy about talking about it, but since you (and some others) have mentioned you would be interested in knowing a little more I can maybe be a little braver about sharing my thoughts and experiences. :)
DeleteGreat post. I saw myself in the great blog ideas over the weekend comment. Either way you go, the author will need all the information you shared since much of marketing does fall on our shoulders.
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I agree, everywhere I go to read posts or articles about developing a writing career states the lion's share of marketing is on the author, no matter how they go about getting published. I plan on going back to Mr. Bard's site and sift through the treasure trove of posts there when I have some more time. :)
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