This was difficult question for me as So much promo is done just prior and during the first few months after release. I do almost no writing during that time! But I am very uneven about my writing schedule at the best of times. Still, given that not everything we write (especially true for PB writers) I am happy if I can get a book out every year or two . I have never loved promo, but I want my books to reach readers, so I am willing to do what I can to get them out there.
When I do get around to writing…….it’s my 85 yr old character who is doing this….really using a ‘ talk to text’ app ( a very good one as the setting is in the near future) and her grandniece discovers these “Observations and Advice to Future Nitwits”, then does the editing/ promoting much to the dismay of her ‘Graunty’……and this lady is no lace and lavender “dear me” type. She’ a silver strider, more shaker than mover, now, in her sequin studded baseball cap, neon purple sack dress, leopard print runners and flashing, solar activated walking sticks!
Ideally, as the author, I’d love to have my own in house coach, editor and promoter! I think that after the rigors of editing, promoting would be as difficult .
Do some of us secretly imagine being ‘discovered’ in the seniors’ writing group at the library by one of the participant’s relatives who happens to be a publisher!?
I can't seem to answer the poll but for what it's worth, I'd say for the first question, 40-60, for the second, 80-20 (my hope is to flip those by the end of the year, though!)
Yes! It's the non-writing you do to support the writing going out into the world--and "support" is defined in many ways.
Maybe we should start a list of what this includes. It'll be a long list.
Building and maintaining a website. Blogging. Having a newsletter.
Doing talks in libraries and/or schools... and in other places. (list? For me, the local hospice, and for various clubs.)
Sending information packets about the work to libraries and bookstores.
Responding to email. Writing emails, and/or sending cards.
... and so on... what would you add to this list? This is only a beginning. I suspect we have pieces of this work that we enjoy and find fulfilling. And other bits we put off (or do first to get them out of the way).
Writing valuable content can create other opportunities. For example, talking at book clubs is a great way to make sales and spread the organic reach about your book and you, the author. Fans adore local authors (if they are personable). William Kent Krueger has talked at the St Paul Library Volunteer Appreciation dinner -- 3 times before and audience of 300 to 500. All his books are in the catalog and his newest are in book club bags.
Slightly surprised that the polls showed most people want to write more and promote less. I was a bit of an anomaly there. Perhaps because my writing to promoting ratio was so skewed to start with…
This is good, Paul--the breadth of responses. The thinking this through. I'm working on the post, realizing all that falls under "promotion." Too much for one word.
Thank you for adding your note here to the numbers that show up in the polls. I'm always a little wary of relying on numbers to tell a story :)
I do basically zero promotion. But that explains my bank balance. I'm starting to very grudgingly think about doing more promotion though. I've let myself be bitter and disillusioned for years; maybe sunny optimism is the new way forward.
This was difficult question for me as So much promo is done just prior and during the first few months after release. I do almost no writing during that time! But I am very uneven about my writing schedule at the best of times. Still, given that not everything we write (especially true for PB writers) I am happy if I can get a book out every year or two . I have never loved promo, but I want my books to reach readers, so I am willing to do what I can to get them out there.
This made me think, Alison, thank you!
When I do get around to writing…….it’s my 85 yr old character who is doing this….really using a ‘ talk to text’ app ( a very good one as the setting is in the near future) and her grandniece discovers these “Observations and Advice to Future Nitwits”, then does the editing/ promoting much to the dismay of her ‘Graunty’……and this lady is no lace and lavender “dear me” type. She’ a silver strider, more shaker than mover, now, in her sequin studded baseball cap, neon purple sack dress, leopard print runners and flashing, solar activated walking sticks!
Ideally, as the author, I’d love to have my own in house coach, editor and promoter! I think that after the rigors of editing, promoting would be as difficult .
Do some of us secretly imagine being ‘discovered’ in the seniors’ writing group at the library by one of the participant’s relatives who happens to be a publisher!?
Oops, I meant “Observations and Advice to Future Knitwits” ( she likes to knit between bouts of outrage and laughter)
Silver strider--
Oh, very good here--yes!
I would say it’s actually around 90:10 for both, that’s for the ‘hobby’ fiction writing. For the ‘day job’ writing it’s 100% writing all the way. 😊
90 and 100! Joy!
I can't seem to answer the poll but for what it's worth, I'd say for the first question, 40-60, for the second, 80-20 (my hope is to flip those by the end of the year, though!)
Promotion doesn't always mean selling. It is keeping in your readers' minds.
Yes! It's the non-writing you do to support the writing going out into the world--and "support" is defined in many ways.
Maybe we should start a list of what this includes. It'll be a long list.
Building and maintaining a website. Blogging. Having a newsletter.
Doing talks in libraries and/or schools... and in other places. (list? For me, the local hospice, and for various clubs.)
Sending information packets about the work to libraries and bookstores.
Responding to email. Writing emails, and/or sending cards.
... and so on... what would you add to this list? This is only a beginning. I suspect we have pieces of this work that we enjoy and find fulfilling. And other bits we put off (or do first to get them out of the way).
Writing valuable content can create other opportunities. For example, talking at book clubs is a great way to make sales and spread the organic reach about your book and you, the author. Fans adore local authors (if they are personable). William Kent Krueger has talked at the St Paul Library Volunteer Appreciation dinner -- 3 times before and audience of 300 to 500. All his books are in the catalog and his newest are in book club bags.
Slightly surprised that the polls showed most people want to write more and promote less. I was a bit of an anomaly there. Perhaps because my writing to promoting ratio was so skewed to start with…
This is good, Paul--the breadth of responses. The thinking this through. I'm working on the post, realizing all that falls under "promotion." Too much for one word.
Thank you for adding your note here to the numbers that show up in the polls. I'm always a little wary of relying on numbers to tell a story :)
You’re not alone. Numbers rarely show the full picture.
I do basically zero promotion. But that explains my bank balance. I'm starting to very grudgingly think about doing more promotion though. I've let myself be bitter and disillusioned for years; maybe sunny optimism is the new way forward.