Marc Cullison's Blog: Life in Oklahoma

It is sometimes difficult to acquire recognition as a writer in the depths of rural Oklahoma. The small town near my home has changed little in the thirty years I have lived here, and things don't show much promise of getting better. Oh, there is the token library and main street programs, and enough small town celebrations and festivals to placate the locals, but I have yet to discover any embedded appreciation of literature.

The latest census put the population at about 8,800. The nearest city is Fort Smith, AR. I have had some success with signings and readings there. But in my own town, not so much. I try to reach out to surrounding communities and have even tried Tulsa and Oklahoma City, but it seems that if an author doesn't have the backing of an agent or large publisher, or unless the author is a resident of the city with a bevy of friends and relatives, nothing evolves in the way of marketing.

So, I am looking for other venues. I suppose Goodreads might be a place to start, but I'm concerned that this venue goes only so far as those who sign up for it; a closed community, perhaps. I would like to get beyond that.

I'm sure there are dozens of marketing firms out there that would love to take my money and put my books on display. My royalties are marginal at best, and I just can't see that sales would increase enough to make it worthwhile. Of course, these folks talk a good game, but their goal is marketing their own product for a profit, not mine. Perhaps some day I'll garner enough courage to try one.