My featured week with the Pulpwood Queens ends with some advice about promoting your novels.
NOTE: This series started on Dec. 31. I’m honored to have my seriocomic novel of midlife reinvention PAUSE, published by Book View Cafe, selected by The International Pulpwood Queens Book Club as a December 2022 title. http://www.thepulpwoodqueens.com During my featured week in late December, I was asked to post every day about my novels and writing life, so am reproducing them in this series. All of my novels I discuss are available at http://www.bookviewcafe.com
It’s Day 7 of my featured week with THE OFFICIAL International Pulpwood Queen and Timber Guy Book Club and my club selection PAUSE. I am honored that my novel was selected, and I’ve enjoyed hearing from you all. Our Zoom conversation with Kathy L. Murphy was warm and funny, and I appreciate those who attended and took part, taking time from this busy holiday weekend. Wishing a wonderful new year to everyone!
I’ll just add a few words about the topic of book promotion, even while confessing that it’s my weak point in the writing/publishing game. The big traditional publishers used to buy ads and send around advance copies, as well as promotional mailings and bookstore reps, but most of that has disappeared or is sharply reduced. It’s really in the author’s lap (or laptop) now. The internet does offer a lot of ways to get the word out, and emailing review copies is certainly cheaper than the postal service. The trouble is deciding what is worth putting time and dollars into.
Book awards can be costly, but worth trying for a few. I’ve received some terrific support and awards from @Chanticleer Book Reviews (see top photo of Pulpwood Queens founder Kathy L. Murphy and me at a Chanticleer Conference that happened to be on May Day), as well as Hollywood Book Festival and Foreword Reviews. I haven’t pursued this area as much as many of my fellow Pulpwood authors, who are stacking up amazing awards, hurrah! Poke around online for awards offered in your genre and give it a try.
As Kathy mentioned in our Zoom conversation Tuesday evening, many of the print reviewers are disappearing, along with print newspapers and some magazines. Online reviewers are attempting to pick up the slack, but be selective when sending out, as some charge fees and offer dubious benefits.
Groups such as the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) offer a wealth of support for independent authors. They have many programs with discounts for such promotions as ads or direct mailings to groups like the American Library Association.
And a round of applause for Kathy’s mission with PQTG to promote authors with her untiring energy and dedication. Send your books to her!
Don’t forget the importance of establishing a relationship with independent bookstores with opportunities for author events. Unfortunately, author tours are another area where publishers aren’t doing much for anyone except their top authors. My friends have organized virtual guest blogging tours and online interviews and podcasts, as well as in-person bookstore appearances now that the pandemic is easing. I admit that that is an area I haven’t pursued much, partly because of “Life” lately. But the opportunities are abundant and limited only by your energy. Go for it!
Attending writers conferences and fan “cons” is a fun way to connect directly with readers. Especially at science fiction/fantasy cons, it’s fun to get into the spirit and wear costumes. Here, Thor and I at a WesterCon:
In our Tuesday Zoom conversation, Tracy Carnes was enthusiastic about the opportunities for authors to connect with producers for film/streaming, as there are so many channels now looking for content, like NetFlicks, Amazon, Hulu, etc. My film/TV agents at CineLit Representation (they rep the Dune series) have been pursuing such opportunities for me, and have had enthusiastic responses from producers. It’s true that they are eager for content – i.e. good stories! – but the hurdle seems to be getting enough capital together, and organizing the several different producers who usually are involved in getting a project off the ground. You may get an option offer and advance, and then the film is never made. But at least you keep the advance and can shop it somewhere else.
At my age (just turned 70), I don’t get too fussed up about the “almost got it” big hits, as I’ve had a few near misses with film offers. It would be terrific, as would be a best seller, but the most important thing for me is to enjoy my writing in creating stories and characters that come alive for me, and balancing that with enjoyment of my wonderful husband Thor, Bear dog and Turtle cat, extended family, dear friends, outdoors activities, and travel. I feel truly blessed in the richness of my life.
Keep writing, and remember as Kathy L. Murphy says, “It’s all about the story!”
*****
You will find The Rambling Writer’s blog posts here every Saturday. Sara’s latest novel from Book View Café is Pause, a First Place winner of the Chanticleer Somerset Award and an International Pulpwood Queens Book Club selection. “A must-read novel about friendship, love, and killer hot flashes.” (Mindy Klasky). Sign up for her quarterly email newsletter at www.sarastamey.com
