cj Sez:
It’s getting to be the season when books are being released
in time for gift buying, and I thought you might find something useful in this
article I wrote a few years ago.
Other than the
deep, time-constrained editing that happens, one of the hardest parts of the writing
process comes when you’ve typed THE
END on the last page of your manuscript and sent it off for publication. That’s
when you face the daunting task of marketing your beautiful baby.
Whether
traditionally, indie-, or self-published, the task of marketing falls to all
authors. In today’s literary world, even big-name publishing houses are
requiring their equally big-name author-clients to help market their own brand
and creations. (Anyone remember seeing James Patterson on TV or Facebook in the
past few months?) The ultimate goal of marketing is, of course, to garner attention
for your story and increase sales.
A fairly easy
way to start marketing is to
Like James
Patterson, authors need to connect with their readers. Actually, they must connect with their readers. That
means authors do readings at book clubs and libraries. They do book signings
and media (TV/press/radio) interviews. All of those tasks require (gasp) public
speaking.
For me, and a
lot of other authors I know, the prospect of public speaking can be a bit scary.
Our normal milieu as we create our stories is solitude in front of a computer
or with pen pressed to paper. We’re watchers . . . we observe the behaviors of
other people and take copious notes for future story/character ideas. Being the
watch-ee (in front of an audience) takes us completely out of our comfort
zones.
That’s
where a formulaic “stump speech”* can offer a degree of confidence.
The first thing
I did when my first novel, DEADLY STAR, was handed off to the publisher was to outline
a flexible stump speech. Start with an anecdote, give a brief bio, including
why I use a pen name and how I chose it. I thought I would follow up with
something about where the idea for the story came from, the research involved,
the characters, and I plan to read a couple of short excerpts. Then I print it
out in large, bold, double-spaced type and practice it. That helps me with
timing the length of my presentation and makes me familiar with the flow so I
can wing some of it, ad lib a bit, and actually make occasional eye contact with
someone. The more often I speak, the easier it becomes.
Other than
participating in panels at conferences, I’ve never had to speak at an out-of-town
gathering. If that happens, I’ve read that it’s a good idea stop by the
venue and get familiar with the layout. Another trick for newbie speakers is to
attend someone else’s presentation if possible…that takes a lot of the mystery
out of the event.
Caveat for
public speaking: It’s important to really know your work, because the Q&A
will bring some surprising questions—always.
A fellow
Sisters-in-Crime/Guppy author and TV investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan
came up with seven quick steps for dealing with the scary thought of having to
speak in public (and she’s so good at it, public speaking seems second nature to
her):
1. Research your audience
2. Plan
3. Practice
4. Know your stuff!
5. DON’T worry.
6. Get big.
7. Love it and embrace it.
Now if I could
only get steps 5-7 down pat. What step is most difficult for you?
(* “Stump” is
another word for “campaign” —like politicians do when they’re trolling for
votes. Authors are trolling for sales.)
***
Be sure to watch Amazon for the soon-to-be-released
Christmas charity anthology Hometown
Heroes. I am thrilled to have a short story, “Hobbes House Noel,” in it.
"When protagonist Merrill Cowper rents her beloved Hobbes House lake-front cabin to a stranger, she becomes an unlikely hometown heroine when she saves his child from the possibility of a watery death. This would be the year she learns that the best Christmas gifts don’t always arrive wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a bow. Sometimes they don’t even fit under the Christmas tree."
The anthology, compiled by Bienvenue Press, will benefit the
Cajun Navy, that awesome volunteer group, comprised mainly of private boat
owners, who assist in search and rescue efforts after hurricane disasters. The
organization was formed after Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in 2005.
I’ll post the final cover reveal soon and info on when/where
to purchase. I hope you’ll help support them as well.
***
That’s the post for today. Hope you found something
interesting. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
cj
For gifts that keep on giving, pick up copies of DEADLY
STAR and CHOOSING
CARTER . (A hint in case, like me, you have only two more paydays until
Christmas.)
GIVEAWAY CHALLENGE . . .
Let me know you’ve left a new review on any of my work at Goodreads, Amazon, wherever—good, bad, or simply “I read it.”—and I’ll put
your name in the raffle hat. The random name I draw on December 6 will receive
a nice gift bag of goodies. I’ll post it on my Facebook page, so be sure to
stop by.
Qrtly newsletter sign-up:
cjpetterson@gmail.com
Simon&Schuster
Author Page = https://bit.ly/2uo1M0Z
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