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What I Didn’t Say About Life as an Author
Last night, I was honored to have been asked to do a book talk at my local library in Severna Park. I gave a little background on my writing, shared my books, and talked about what it’s like to be an indie author. I said a lot. I answered questions. I was positive. But there was much that I didn’t say…and I feel obligated to share it here. Full disclosure. Complete honesty. So, here it goes. What I didn’t say was… I didn’t say how hard it is to wake up every day and be consumed by what you can do to sell one book. Just one. I didn’t say…
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What Matters Most: Reflecting
When you’re about to launch another book into the universe, you have to keep yourself grounded. You can’t set your expectations too high, and you can’t set them too low. You have to keep your feet firmly planted where they are and do the best that you can to spread the word about your books and your writing because it is all about choices: you have chosen this path of self-publishing. When I begin to become frenzied and nervous, I remind myself over and over again why I do this type of challenging work on the side and why I invest so much time in it. I have to remember…
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Book Promotion with a Little Help From My Friends—and a Contest
As a university professor who primarily teaches writing courses, one of the best things about connecting my life as a teacher and my life as a writer is just how many times the two intertwine. Whether that intersection means writing a textbook or a book of fiction, I get the opportunity to show students that I indeed do practice what I preach. Today is another such opportunity. Having placed as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards book contest for 2017 with Inn Significant, I get the opportunity to use the skills students learn in public relations writing and produce and promote a press release about the award. Promoting…
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It’s All About Love
* * * One of the things I’ve had to come to grips with lately is that if you have created something that is independently yours, whether it’s in the role of author of a book, director of an indie film, or maker of lovely art, you will always be working, always promoting. Additionally, you have to believe that you are your own brand and must act as the innovator, marketer, branding expert, and salesperson of the work you have created. That’s a lot of responsibility to put on one mere person who probably can’t afford to do this craft without another full-time job or source of other income. So…
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There’s A Sucker Born Every Minute so Let’s Get The Show On The Road. A little about P.T. Barnum.
In my public relations class we talk about P.T. Barnum (full name: Phineas Taylor Barnum). We all know him as the Barnum from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Yet, he was so much more. Folks in public relations like to claim him as “one of their own.” Advertisers, promoters, and marketers all do the same. He was also a politician and served in the Connecticut legislature. Ultimately, this amazing businessman was known as a “harmless deceiver” with regard to his relentless promotion and career as a showman. Maybe it’s because I’m reading—and loving–Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, or maybe it’s because I talk about P.T. Barnum in…
