To Go, or Not to Go?

For a writer trying to market their book(s), they often have to choose wisely which venues to attend and which to decline.  While, we’d like to disillusion ourselves into thinking of all the great fanfare we’ll receive on the release of our first book, for sure by our second book, and no-denying by our third, we often don’t get to choose when or where we will make our appearances; most often accepting the few and far between appearances that make themselves available.  We often sit alone in our solitude and scour the local events and wonder, where can I go, and how can I get there? And then determine how to move heaven and earth to make it happen.

For those few lucky superstars of the literary world, who catch the uber-agent and get snatched up by the big house publisher, they are often ‘told’ by their publishers when and where they will attend – determined by marketing experts who know how to get the most bang for the buck – after all, they did provide the initial investment into the new superstar writer.  Big business is in the business to make money.  It’s not personal, and it certainly isn’t by their charitable hearts they desire to see their writers succeed.  They support the writers who can put out a good product that will make them money.  When, or if, the writer or the book fizzles, so will their love. 

Most often these superstars believe in the fantasy they created concerning their role in the publishing universe, and the role of the publisher – pretty much relegating them to fairy godmothers who wave their magic wands and make the success happen  out of thin air– without any work on their own part (other than writing the novel).  However, truly sustaining and successful authors know the importance of self-marketing and management, and often live a life of self-promotion at all times (except when they’re writing).  They get involved with local groups, mentor new novelists, and make appearance on social media and social events – not giving away ALL power and responsibility to the publishers.  Most often, or at least I’ve seen this happen a few times, surpass their publishers and find themselves entertaining sweeter deals. 

So, thou high and mighty writing superstar – perhaps you should think twice about turning down that ‘small’ public appearance that won’t often lead to big sales or big rewards. Tell the truth – it’s really because those small appearances don’t stroke the big ego enough.  I’ve often found the best networking connections in intimate settings.   But, the bottom line is that you, the writer, are the only one who can truly answer the question of whether to go, or not to go, where to go and where not to go. 

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

Get Excited

I understand the concept of being humble, but I don’t know if I’ll ever understand how writers, or any artist for that matter, can’t seem to bring themselves to get excited about their own work.  If they don’t love, believe in, and expect a great reception and good sales for their art, why on earth would they expect anyone else to do what they won’t?

Artists MUST get to the point in their lives where other people’s opinions don’t dictate their actions or attitude, which is, of course, a panacea of contradiction, because artists’ success depends wholly on other people’s opinion.   Artists must produce a product that the public will love, purchase and embrace. Success or failure depends on acceptance. 

An artists’ love for their own work is the first step toward success. Creating a marketable and saleable product is the next. Keeping a balance between modesty and drive is crucial.  So, get excited and enjoy the ride.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray 

  

Becoming Our Own Biggest Fan

Artists spend a great portion of their time creating their masterpieces, and then an even greater amount of time promoting and marketing them.  Like any relationship, the beginning of this process is filled with excitement and much zeal, but after a prolonged period of exposure, that enthusiasm begins to fade.

As artists, we need to make sure that the ‘love’ of our art doesn’t wane with the decrease of excitement, but solidifies to an even deeper degree.  The millionth time we meet a new fan, we must have the same degree of excitement for our work as we had with the first hundred. The only way this can happen successfully, is that we must become our own biggest fan.

One of the first things I learned in my college marketing class was: If we don’t believe in what we’re selling or promoting, neither will anyone else. If we’re not excited about our work, who else will be?  Not only does this excitement affect the way we market our products, but it greatly affects our stamina, determination and devotion. We must continually inspire ourselves in order to be an inspiration.

One of the basic laws of the human condition is: We want what everyone else wants.  A good marketing strategy is to create desire and demand.  The greatest tool to do just that is by becoming your own biggest fan.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

I'm Published ...Now What?

For years, many writers go through the process of writing, editing, sending out query letters, getting an agent, and then finally signing a contract with a publisher.  There’s nothing like the feeling of wrapping your fingers around the first physical copy of your published book, seeing your name (or pen name) inked across the cover, or seeing the typeset font or illustrations of your imagination spread on every page. 

There are a few lucky ones out there where this process may have been quick, but only a rare few.  Most writers have dedicated a large portion of their life in the pursuit of publication, with MANY never achieving that goal.  But, publication isn’t the end of the race, it’s only the beginning.  It’s the loud boom of the starting pistol.  Published writers have donned the uniforms, made the team, and stepped into the role of “author”.  NOW is the time to run!

Running a race is hard.  It requires endurance, strength, stamina, persistence, determination and all the synonyms that relate to these attributes.  It’s not a lazy person’s sport as some seem to think and many, many others have discovered is not true. It takes training, practice, and dedication in the same manner as an athlete preparing to compete, but in the ‘literary’ sense.   

For writers considering publication, here’s something to consider.  Don’t set yourself up for a shock or a major disappointment by thinking that getting published is the pinnacle, the top, “the” goal to achieve.  It is “a” goal, but only one of many.  Set your sights on being a successful author, a productive writer and a master marketer.  Those are the skills that will get you to the finish line.  Those are identifiers, characteristics and the making of the truly successful. 

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

Not a One Man (Woman) Job

While most writers spend the majority of their time alone, being a successful writer is not a one man (or in this case ... woman) job.  It really takes a whole network of people to make this thing work.  It saddens my heart to see many great writers fall by the wayside because they think they can make a go at it all alone.

If a writer only wanted to write for themselves, why write at all?  You've already lived, dreamed and imagined the story in your mind, why take the time, toil and effort to put it down on paper (or type into your computer)?  Isn't part of our passion in the fact that we desire to share these awesome adventures with the rest of the world, allowing them to see what we see, and given a chance to experience the great saga as we experienced it?  How can that happen if we keep them to ourselves?  If we try to make a go at being a successful author and keep to ourselves, more than likely we are the only ones who will have any part in the story.

I know talented writers who are lazy.  They put the blood, sweat and tears into writing and editing their work of art, but want no part of marketing and selling the finished product.  They feel their time is done, they've done their part and now they expect the world to swoon over their effort and lay the world at their feet.  This borders on pure arrogance.  They deserve the dismal performance their book will receive, because why should anyone else go out of their way to sell, promote or recommend what the author themselves won't?  Only if the author, or their publisher,  is willing to throw a lot of money at it.  How many great works were allowed to fizzle from laziness?

I know religious writers who think it arrogant and sinful to market their spiritual-based books. On one breath they claim their words are given by God to the people, and then before they even take a breath, don't want anything to do with marketing, selling and promoting their work.  Piety smells no matter which way it's woven.  If you're not going to market and try to get those books into every hand you can, why write them?  Wouldn't God choose someone who was willing to spread the inspirational words He'd given at every opportunity possible?  If the religious writer only stands quietly in the corner, who will hear, buy or even acknowledge the book?  How will the ' rest of the world' find it, see it, come across it so that it could be of some spiritual benefit?  Should only people the religious writer knows on a personal basis benefit?  Doesn't that circle already benefit in that personal relationship? Ever heard of preaching to the choir?  Yet, unless they get connected to an audience of readers, their words won't go far.  What a waste of a gift and an opportunity.

On the other hand, I know writers who don't have much, but they're proud of what little they've done and never miss an opportunity to talk about it, boast about it and spread the word.  They may not court million-dollar deals at the moment, but they're making an impression and building a fan base, one person at a time.  In my opinion, they're already successful because they believe in themselves to put themselves out there, to reach out and shake a stranger's hand and love their works enough to want to share it with them. To surround themselves with other writers who can appreciate, encourage and strengthen their knowledge in all aspects of their craft. Worst case scenario - the audience doesn't love a particular work, but respects the author enough to be open to review their next, or even help support their efforts by passing the word along.

We writers need one another, that is if we want to be successful.  But, you don't have to take my word for it.  Search out the truth for yourselves.  Study the footprints of those who have gone before you and see where they have landed. 

Till next time,
~T.L. Gray