I looked at my blog the other day and realised I hadn’t posted since February! Eeek! I thought I’d better rectify that.
It’s amazing how quickly the years fly by and as an author, I suddenly realise how little I’d done to market my books so far this year. It doesn’t help that two of my most supportive bookstores closed down at the beginning of the year. Bookstores are becoming harder and harder to find and fewer and fewer seem willing to take authors for signings.
However, I have been looking for other avenues. Not long ago I became involved with a group called the Writers’ Grapevine, run by Lorriane Noscov. She puts out regular newsletters containing writing from various authors and notes about different writers’ groups that meet around Brisbane, where I live. She also has given me my first author event in a while – next weekend there’s an arts festival at Redcliffe. It’s called Handmade Meets the Arts and the Writers’ Grapevine will have a table there, and I will at their table with my books. 🙂 If you’re going to be in the area next weekend, the details are on this website on the events page.
I’ve also had a couple of new ideas about marketing which I hope is a sign that I’m coming out of my dry spell. It’s hard to do the marketing thing but so worthwhile, especially if it works!
If you’re an author, how do you market your books? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Welcome back, Lynne. I can relate big time to this blog. It’s amazing to think that next week is the beginning of the fifth month. Too many personal issues have crept in to absorb my time but as I was reflecting I realise there are positives as well. Some are ongoing but I thank God for His strength to get me through. All the best with your marketing ideas. I’ve just realised that I haven’t got to reading Once Confronted yet. Another part of my life that has suffered since the Omega Conference last year. Will have to rectify that! I think sometimes a dry season is good for us because when it’s over we seem to come back all enthused and full of energy to do the things we need to. I pray that is the case for you.
I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Lesley. 🙂
Hi Lynne
The months can slip by. I’m still adjusting to the fact that it’s April, only it is almost May.
I’m exploring ways and means to promote and market my stories, and want to do more face-to-face events this year. Twitter gives good coverage but hasn’t any follow-over into sales that I can see. May try some social media paid promotion. But word of mouth & personal connections seems to be the most effective so far.
Yes, they seem to be, Jeanette. But events where we can market our books aren’t around much either. There are plenty where we can go to workshops and find out more about our craft but places where we can display our books? Not so much.
That’s true too. And some are quite expensive to have a table at. I know some author friends that go to local markets though I would think you’d need to choose which markets. Something I’m planning on exploring later this year.
Yes, there was talk with this group of having a presence at other markets. I’ll be interested in trying it out.
I’ve already got my Mothers’ Day present, but I may pop along to the markets on Saturday and come and find you, Lynne!
It was great to see you there, Kathryn. 🙂
Glad to see you’re back in the saddle, Lynne. That’s a short dry spell compared to me. I was away from my writing tips blog for more than a year – EEK! I’ve just looked at the events page and see that it was last weekend not next weekend. Sorry I didn’t see your post earlier, though I was at the retreat last weekend anyway. How did it go? Sounds like she’s doing a great job getting news out about local writers. Hope it pays off for you.
I sold three books, Nola, one of Once Confronted and two of The Heir. So while there weren’t a lot of sales it was also a good experience networking with the other writers and stall-owners. 🙂
It’s so encouraging to see you push through your dry spell. I’m so glad you’ve got a new book signing coming up!
As far as promoting… I’ve mostly used FB and word of mouth. I did ask a local cafe if they would also host the book for a few months.
Yes, that’s all I’ve been doing all year but I always find that my sales figures jump on every medium whenever I do a face-to-face event.
I am just beginning to write my first book and live close to Redcliffe. Glad you are coming out the other side. Bless you heaps!
Thanks so much. 🙂