Formidable – definition: 1. causing fear, apprehension, or dread; 2. of great strength; forceful; powerful
As writers and authors, we are formidable not just because we have the ability to create narratives but also how we ‘market’ those stories. We all have our comfort levels for marketing and promotion, and no matter which route you chose, that is the best option for you.
Social media can be seem like a ‘soft’ option, in that, you are not up close and personal with your readers. However, there are countless sites to chose from and then maintain. We need to research which avenues of promotion will work best not just for our genres but also for sustaining them. If you create accounts on too many, you will find you have no time for creating new narratives. It is a fine balance between promoting and writing.
Your choice is mainly genre based but that does not restrict your scope. If you are writing period historical romance, then sites dealing with this genre are good but also any sites that deal with that particular period, whether in reference to costume, historical setting or events. Linking back to your blog or website gives you a good networking base. Just remember not to hard sell in every comment you leave on other websites. Generate relationships with the hosts, give your view and pose questions.
For the novice author on the verge of publishing their first novel, the options can seem mind-boggling diverse and numerous. I have linked to some great sites with advice on this very subject:
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/27/marketing-your-first-book-graham-storrs/
http://thewritepractice.com/publish-book/
http://www.writersstore.com/15-do-it-yourself-tools-to-promote-your-book/
http://bolstablog.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/promote-your-book/
What avenues do you use?
How did you decide on which sites and options were best for your novel?
Once we feel more comfortable there are author readings, book signings and book selling events to contemplate and attend. These are more nerve racking for many of us but are much more satisfying because we get instant feedback. Yes, it may not be favorable some of the time but writers need a thick skin and we must view all feedback as an opportunity to improve.
I wrote about needing a thick skin here: https://mandyevebarnett.com/2013/02/13/writers-need-a-thick-skin/
How many public events have you attended?
What was your experience ?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 