One year ago this month I sent out my first query letter to a publishing agent for REMEMBER ME. And what an interesting year it's been. As a newbie, I had read every how-to article and tip I could find on the subject, plus a couple of highly recommended books about how to get myself noticed by an agent. I went into it with eyes wide open, fully aware of how dramatically the entire publishing industry has changed over the past decade and is still changing, and how nearly impossible it is right now to get "picked up" as a first-time author, especially an author of fiction. Indeed, the response I received from my final query, number 25, couldn't have summed it up better when he wrote: 

Thank you so much for thinking of (my company). Unfortunately, I've learned the hard way through the years that I cannot sell fiction well unless it comes from an author who already
has a non-fiction or fiction readership following.

I deeply respect this man for his frank and honest answer to me, the only one of its kind I received. But it truly was the whole experience of submitting my manuscript I was after, and not just the contract. I NEEDED to do it. And it turned out to be the best thing I could have done for my book. 
 
No, I didn't get an agent to represent me. But here is what I did get as a result of all my research and from writing 25 unique and highly targeted query letters: 1) a crystallized understanding of just who my audience is, and how to reach them with a description that will peak their interest and drive my book sales; and 2) a developed marketing platform from which to start, including my website, my author Facebook presence, and Twitter account. But my platform is only the beginning, not the end. My launching point. 

I know I have another year of hard work ahead of me to market my book, and more hard work to keep it going even after that. Yes, I've chosen to birth my baby using the self-publishing method. And, like a proud parent, I am aware of and accept the awesome responsibility of giving it every opportunity to thrive and shine in the big, wide world of books it's about to enter. 

So Happy Birthday REMEMBER ME, my beautiful new baby. It's on its way now to an online store near you—as soon as I finish proofing the galleys from Booklocker.com, my chosen birthing partner. I highly recommend them, by the way, for their honesty and no-nonsense approach as well as the quality of their work.

COMING SOON:   How to ORDER my book! 

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