Rockism 101 discussion

In this thread you can describe a problem you have and hopefully another user can come up with a silver lining...

My self-published debut novel, Codename Fairy Godmother: Reassigned, that released this past Halloween is not getting many sales. I know unknown authors really don't start seeing any exposure until two years or so. Self promotion is EXHAUSTING! Any words of encouragement...?

Tanjlisa wrote: "My self-published debut novel, Codename Fairy Godmother: Reassigned, that released this past Halloween is not getting many sales. I know unknown authors really don't start seeing any exposure until..."

Tanj,
First, congratulations on committing to finishing and publishing a book. My words of encouragement are this, some of the best artists (musicians and authors included) do not hit their peak until later in life and then everyone looks at their whole body of work and says "oh my goodness what a genius, how did we miss it?"

You are working hard and it will pay off eventually. Also when we are President and VP we can include it in required reading for schools lol!

Jenny wrote: "You are working hard and it will pay off eventually. Also when we are President and VP we can include it in required reading for schools lol!
"

Thanks, Jenny! LMAO!! Why didn't I think of that! Genius!! My worries are over..move over Romeo and Juliet, kids, take out your copy of . lol. Thanks for the words of encouragement! You made me laugh.

Just publishing your book in the first place is a huge achievement!

Congrats. Have you done much in the way of promoting it?

Ed Wagemann wrote: "Just publishing your book in the first place is a huge achievement!

Congrats. Have you done much in the way of promoting it?"

Thanks Ed. I've purchased ad space on Facebook and Goodreads. I've sent preview copies to professional reviewers. I am about to start entering the novel into writing contests for more exposure. And I spend all of my free time on here trying to get the word out about my book (when I'm not in here debating you *me winking at Ed*).

In order to get my degree in 1997 I had to write a novel. I sent the manuscript out to about 25 small press publishers and it was turned down by every single one of them. I shelved the novel for a long time until a couple of years ago I heard how easy it was to self-publish now days, so I started to persue that.
So I'm in the process of self-publishing also. But I have NO interest in promoting it - that seems like such a headache.
So I feel your pain, but at least you have something published!

I was born in the wrong decade...what's my silver lining?

Ed Wagemann wrote: "In order to get my degree in 1997 I had to write a novel. I sent the manuscript out to about 25 small press publishers and it was turned down by every single one of them. I shelved the novel for ..."

Oh wow. Cool. What is your novel about? And please don't tell me the title is How the Government can have its way with Me. lol.

Promoting is a headache! I need to find a thirsty book publicist fresh from graduation who wouldn't mind helping a money-challeged author.

Jack wrote: "I was born in the wrong decade...what's my silver lining?"

What decade do you think you should have been born in? Please say the future...

Tanjlisa wrote: "Jack wrote: "I was born in the wrong decade...what's my silver lining?"

What decade do you think you should have been born in? Please say the future..."

No, sorry. I probablly should have been born in the 1920s - in Paris. Then I would have moved to the USA during the Great Depression, working as a migrant farmer/child laborer until eventually finding my way to Hollywood to make film noir in the 40s. After making my reputation I would become a recluse by marryng a beautiful woman and moving to Colorado where I would invent the snowboard and have a bunch of kids to enjoy the goldne 50s, 60s and 70s for all they were worth.
By the time the 80s rolled around I would be approaching my 60s. My kids would have grown up and would be off on their own, so I'd travel the world and explore ancient cities and the ancient ruins of Asia, South America and Europe for the next 20 years. Maybe I'd even publish a book of photographs of my travels.
Then hopefully I would die in my sleep sometime before November of 2000 so that I would never have to witness what George W. Bush did to my once beloved USA.

lmao!! Wow, you seemed to have given this much thought. lol.

Tanj, my novel is about a guy who runs around the Bridgeport neighborhood stealing underwear. SOunds like a real classic, doesn't it?
Well in my defense I was in my mid 20s when I wrote it.

Tanj, how has things been going with promoting your book? Any good news to report?

Hi, Ed! Thanks for asking! Things are coming along. I've entered two writing contests this year with many more planned in the near future. I've come up with a couple of publicity gimmicks so hopefully those will pan out. Only time will tell!

One is called the Lucky Library Lotto. Go to www.facebook.com/codenamefairygodmoth..., Like the page, and list the name of your local library for the chance to win a free copy of .

Cool, I'll try that.

Did you have to pay to enter the writing contests?

Yes.

I'm going to publish the novel I wrote while in grad school some time soon. I'm not sure how much I'm going to try to promote it. I know that I cannot afford to pay money to enter it into contests though. I'm flat broke and will probablly be broke well into the summer.

So I'm looking for other ways to promote the book. The main idea I have now is to find people who have blogs or who write reviews that people follow and send them a free book. Have you tried this tactic?

Yes. But not as much as I could. I'm going to organize a blog tour so that should help some.

WHat is a "blog tour"? I've never heard this term before.

It's when an author is featured on several different blogs. For example, I will ask 12 different bloggers if they would feature a story about me on their blog and I will offer a contest/prize giveaway for each blog site. I would want each blogger to feature my story and giveaway for a month. This in turn gives me exposure for 12 months on 12 different blog sites reaching 12 different targeted audiences. All for free. Sweeeetttt!

That's a good idea.