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 “After you’ve written your book, found an agent, gotten a publisher, and your book is finally in the bookstores, five percent of your work has been done.”—Jack Canfield

Writing is such a personal and subjective endeavor, it’s difficult to muster the self confidence required to send out a dozen queries, receive a dozen rejections and try, try again.  Even after the daunting task of selling your manuscript to a publisher, your work isn’t done. Writers - Marketing your work is work too.

The only successful writers are those who persevere.

There’s a ridiculous amount of competition in the book world, which I’m sure you’ve surmised if you’ve ever visited a bookstore. The shelves are brimming with books and only a select few will receive preferred placement to catch a shopper’s eye.  Most books don’t gain a readership worthy of ordering a second batch from the publisher and unsold inventories are either returned or heaped in the bargain bin.  What a disastrous ending to your dream.

The only way to avoid such a dismal fate is to promote your book as though it’s the most beautiful baby in the world and everyone MUST see it.  You might think “Isn’t that what my publisher is supposed to do?” and you’d be only half right.  Most publishers will promote established authors with advertisements and special events, but new authors receive much less fanfare.  Unless you create the buzz yourself, chances are no one else will. 

Write a press release and send it to your local newspapers, radio stations and television stations. 

Offer interviews to blogs, ezines or the local media.

Offer to speak to your church, women’s group or community college. 

Offer book signings wherever your book is sold.

Network with other writers – you might consider joint ventures to promote both of your books.

Advertise in their member directories.

Participate in their Christmas catalogs, which are often mailed to retail customers, as well as, book buyers.  

Man a booth at their tradeshows.

To keep my self confidence in tip top shape, I avoid comparing my writing to others. I will never write like another person because my life experiences and perceptions are unique.  That is all I can give the world -  words are finite, whereas imagination is infinite.

I know my writing isn’t perfect, but I strive to make it the absolute best it can be in this moment and time.  I hope I continue to improve so I never look back on a book, short story or article and think “That’s the best I’ve ever done.” I’d rather look back on a work in progress.  To ensure growth I read, I write and I learn.

Failure is the precursor to success.  Stay focused on positive thoughts in order to have positive outcomes. The first positive is you.

Booksellers Associations