It’s all about networking and sharing knowledge. Instead of asking in a reading group, these types of questions should be asked in groups that writers congregate in. @Cozy, @Cozy, and hundreds of others that are easily accessible.
It’s not easy. It takes fitting to market, understanding copyright, and gaining exposure without wasting what little money you have on ineffective promotions. I’ve seen new authors who paid attention when those who do this for a living spoke and they make 6 figures a year and I’ve seen writers who try a million things and haven’t gotten traction in 10 years. It’s all about networking to learn.
It’s really difficult. I’ve written three novels and I’m just now beginning to promote them. You have to think about writing (and only writing) in the beginning. After you get a little more confidence… Then you can think about ALL the other stuff. Book covers/editing/proofreading/websites/marketing…. The list is endless.
Joshua Hooker a local writer came into one of my open houses last year (I’m a Realtor) and we started chatting—I was so excited to meet this guy and he was so interesting—but he was quite modest. I found his book online and it’s pretty clever. I wanted to pick it for book club but it was too hard to get copies. Such a shame.
@Beckie… Yes… It’s getting easier to create hard copies (because Amazon has a new program now) but you’re right… Ebooks are the best (and cheapest) way to self publish. It’s not easy to get published… And I believe, if you’re willing to put in the work, that it’s the best route for newbie authors. There are so many programs out there to help with all aspects of the process. Proofreading and editing are still the two parts that require a significant cash fix
She’s not my cup of tea. To me nothing is developed. I think of Hemingway as taut and concise. She’s in my tv category, but I’m happy we can all find something.
As someone who has been writing for a long time, I went the traditional route, maneuvering through the scams and not getting the break I’d been hoping for. I then tried self-publishing and did it all wrong the first time. Now I’m back with something new and trying to market myself. Like many have said, it is difficult, but anything worth doing requires effort.
I have learned a lot about design and marketing. I run ad campaigns on free stories to try to gather an audience, while writing as often as I can and maintaining a full time job as well as a home life.
It doesn’t matter how difficult it is, what matters is how much effort you are willing to put into it to make it work. Success is more about persistence and hard work than talent or luck. Don’t worry about how hard it is, if this is what you want to do, then buckle down, put the work in, and ignore the trolls. I wish you all of the success imaginable; every time a new author finds success it gives us all hope.
Since I’m broke, I do a ton of legwork to get my book out there. Like, I take my book to whatever events I can find and I’m always looking for ways to get a copy into the “right hands,” like teachers, librarians, or people who might have a little influence in certain interest communities.
Not easy
Very. Limited marketing and lack if visibility the issue.
Near impossible
Hard. The marketplace is crowded. I started local and built from there. Still building.
You should reach out to book reviewer and/or booktubers. They’ll definitely help promote your novel.
Agree, the online marketing possibilities (the book blogging and booktubing community, social media etc.) has made marketing infinitely easier.
I read and review on my wordpress, Facebook, Twitter, Bookclubs , BookBub and Amazon
@Bailey Hey Bailey. Thanks so much for commenting on my post, with honesty. I’ve actually created a group to solve this problem. Please help me share it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/310249706474656/
Very hard
It’s all about networking and sharing knowledge. Instead of asking in a reading group, these types of questions should be asked in groups that writers congregate in. @Cozy, @Cozy, and hundreds of others that are easily accessible.
It’s not easy. It takes fitting to market, understanding copyright, and gaining exposure without wasting what little money you have on ineffective promotions. I’ve seen new authors who paid attention when those who do this for a living spoke and they make 6 figures a year and I’ve seen writers who try a million things and haven’t gotten traction in 10 years. It’s all about networking to learn.
It’s really difficult. I’ve written three novels and I’m just now beginning to promote them. You have to think about writing (and only writing) in the beginning. After you get a little more confidence… Then you can think about ALL the other stuff. Book covers/editing/proofreading/websites/marketing…. The list is endless.
As a reader, I’ve definitely noticed it’s getting harder all the time to find new authors. How does one find new authors these days?
Joshua Hooker a local writer came into one of my open houses last year (I’m a Realtor) and we started chatting—I was so excited to meet this guy and he was so interesting—but he was quite modest. I found his book online and it’s pretty clever. I wanted to pick it for book club but it was too hard to get copies. Such a shame.
@Beckie… Yes… It’s getting easier to create hard copies (because Amazon has a new program now) but you’re right… Ebooks are the best (and cheapest) way to self publish. It’s not easy to get published… And I believe, if you’re willing to put in the work, that it’s the best route for newbie authors. There are so many programs out there to help with all aspects of the process. Proofreading and editing are still the two parts that require a significant cash fix
Easier if you take the traditional route, write and find an agent.
It’s tough. I’ve written a fantasy novel with some newer ideas and getting it into people’s E-readers is hard. Good book. Free book. Tough job.
It depends on how many unnecessary commas their work contains.
@Joel good point
Question for people who said that is not easy, nearly impossible…
Can you please motivate your answer?
Why was Fifty Shades of Grey so popular to the GENERAL reader?
Why is James Patterson so popular?
Why is Mary Higgins Clark so popular?
These authors write novels that appeal to the average “Joe”.
They are popular because you are reading TV.
I don’t know that I would put Mary Higgins Clark in that category. I appreciate how concise she is , she writes taut stories.
She’s not my cup of tea. To me nothing is developed. I think of Hemingway as taut and concise. She’s in my tv category, but I’m happy we can all find something.
Awesome question. I am wondering the same thing.
Hard
As someone who has been writing for a long time, I went the traditional route, maneuvering through the scams and not getting the break I’d been hoping for. I then tried self-publishing and did it all wrong the first time. Now I’m back with something new and trying to market myself. Like many have said, it is difficult, but anything worth doing requires effort.
I have learned a lot about design and marketing. I run ad campaigns on free stories to try to gather an audience, while writing as often as I can and maintaining a full time job as well as a home life.
It doesn’t matter how difficult it is, what matters is how much effort you are willing to put into it to make it work. Success is more about persistence and hard work than talent or luck. Don’t worry about how hard it is, if this is what you want to do, then buckle down, put the work in, and ignore the trolls. I wish you all of the success imaginable; every time a new author finds success it gives us all hope.
I have a checklist i give my clients before they publish to be sure an audience is in place. This can be a problem w/o a plan
Yes! I’m constantly trying to find new ways to market. It takes up more time than actually writing the book ?
Since I’m broke, I do a ton of legwork to get my book out there. Like, I take my book to whatever events I can find and I’m always looking for ways to get a copy into the “right hands,” like teachers, librarians, or people who might have a little influence in certain interest communities.
You can find reviewers via the services of @Cozy and/or the @Cozy. Reviews generated for 95% of copies of new releases sent out to the team.
I will read and review your books. thanks
If its me then i would say very im very fussy what books i read mainly the classics ?
@Brian Cool! I’ll check it out ?