Jennifer Maimone’s tips and advice to those who are thinking of self-publishing, or who are just wondering about becoming a writer. Jennifer writes based on her experience as an independent author and publisher (DBA Light and Dark Imagination).
If you’re a new writer, and are thinking of finally writing a book, then that’s awesome! If you’ve even planning to go so far as to formally publish it (whether with a publishing house or on your own), even more power to you. However, while you’re writing your book, I would like to suggest that you ask yourself something. Ask: what makes my story stand out from the others? What makes my story different and unique?
Seriously, there are hundreds upon hundreds of stories out there that are just waiting to be read; some published, some not. Still, there are so many out there that if you’re planning to write and then to sell a book, you may discover that you can’t just write “something” and hope it will catch wind. After all, you aren’t the only person who is writing a fiction/horror/sci-fi/YA/nonfiction/etc. There are many others out there who are just like you. They’re also trying to write their story read and sell it to the public (whether it be for the glory and money, or for their love of their craft is a different matter we won’t go into right now).
You’ll be surprised how knowing the answer to the question “what makes my story different?” will benefit you — both with your writing efforts, and when it comes to promoting and selling your story. If you go to an event (let’s say a book fair), and are trying to get people interested enough to want to buy your book, then you should tell them why YOUR book is different from all others. Tell them why it is unique, and how it offers them something new.
So, while you’re writing, or trying to sell your book, make sure you know the answer to the question “what makes my story different?”
But what if you don’t know?…Well, don’t you think you should?
But what if you can’t find anything in your story that truly makes it different?…Well, then perhaps you may want to find a way to write it so that it does.
It is now the second month of 2015. Demon’s Prize is taking people by storm, and I couldn’t be happier (well, maybe a little happier. I can only hope that more and more people continue to enjoy the book, and that soon A Cursed Soul will be finished, and added to the series). However, as time moves on, I keep getting asked, “when is the next book coming out? Is it done yet? WHY AREN’T YOU WRITING IT RIGHT NOW?!”
<– My reaction sometimes
Soooo, I am willing to bet some readers, fans, or even aspiring writers think that being an author of a book (or a series) means you are only supposed to worry about writing the next book (and then the one after that, and the one after that). Yeah, not so much. Don’t get me wrong! Writing is very crucial. Heck, you cannot really be a writer unless you actually DO some writing. However, once you author a story, your responsibilities extend beyond just your writing skills. If you want to get out there, you have to roll up your sleeves and be willing to get to work on things you didn’t think you’d have to.
You’ve Got to Market Your Book!
Did you know that there’s a lot of marketing that goes into a book? You aren’t going to get into a bookstore by just walking in, books in hand and say, “Can you sell these?” Sure, there are some independent bookstores that do consignments and will take any book that looks properly published, but there are also those who won’t want to take a chance unless: (1) they’ve read the book and feel it is properly edited/proofread, (2) it matches their clients’ tastes, (3) has a fan base already around it, and (4) has a strong marketing team that will make sure to get the word out that the book is for sell at theirstore. There’s more, but I figured I’d just bring the top 4 that I’ve come across.
So, you already have #1 down, since (I assume) the book has been published after an editor already combed through it. You most likely only have to worry about #2 if you are catering to a specific store [Ex: a New Age or even a magick store would want to sell paranormal fiction moreso than a cook book). If the store accepts all types of books, then all you have to worry about is making sure to get it in the appropriate section. As for #3 and #4…Well, how are you going to get the word out to the world, get a fan base, and showcase your popularity unless you market your book? Trust me, your book isn’t going to become famous overnight by just letting it sit on Kindle, collecting electronic dust. You got to get the word out there!
With that being said, when people ask me, “Is the book done yet?”, I tell them that I expect to finish and print A Cursed Soul in 2016. Then, they ask me why it is taking so long. It’s because I am marketing my first book!
How I am Marketing My Book
I am no marketing expert, but I know there’s a lot I can do to market myself. Between writing, my regular 8-5 job, sleeping, and spending time with my loved ones (don’t become a work-aholic!), I scheduled my marketing time in between everything else.
1) I go to events. I go to conventions, attractions, etc. It costs a pretty penny to reserve a table to each event, but I make back what I spend in sales. I don’t sit back, waiting for people to come up to my booth. I talk to those walking by. I offer to personally sign the book to them. I hold a special $1 raffle for something I made relating to the book. I have friends pass the news to people in the crowd that there’s an AWESOME book over at section ____. I even do a few interviews to the press that are wandering around. Anything to get the name out there, and to get people interested in purchasing my book. If they aren’t sure they want to buy now, I give them an awesome, free bookmark that has information on the back of where they can buy online. To see what events I will be doing for 2015, go to my Upcoming Eventspage!
Here’s an interview I did at Comikaze, 2014!
2) I do podcast interviews. This one I found to be a little harder to do, since I am not a podcast listener. I am not sure who is hot, and who is not. I am not sure who would be up for doing an interview about a horror series, or how to get in touch with the shows to ask for an interview…At least not YET. I know podcasts are a great place to get people aware of my book, so I am now listening to podcasts. I am searching for ones that gear towards my targeted audience, while also seeing what they like to have in an interview. Then, I research on how to get in touch with them and propose an interview. I have now done two podcasts, and with a third one coming up in the next few months!
3) I do online book events and giveaways. These are mainly on Facebook, but are a lot of fun. I do teasers, mini contests, and market my book for a full hour at each event.
4) I write a blog. You’re reading it right now! 😀 Thanks for reading!
This gets out to the bloggers of the world, and also gives your fans something to read while they are waiting for your next book. They want to know what you’re doing, what you’re thinking, and what you have to say! Talk to them through your blog!
5) I use Facebook. I have a fan page for my series that I update on a daily basis. It is where I tell people to go to get the 1st scoop on any giveaways, teasers, events or whatever! I don’t ignore my fans, and you shouldn’t either.
6) I bring my book with me EVERYWHERE I go. Seriously, you’d be surprised how many times a conversation went from, “What do you do for a living?” to “Oh, what’s your book about?”
“What’s my book about? Well, here, let me show you!”
7) I research other ways I can market my book. Like I said before, I am no expert. There are times when I wonder what ELSE I could do to get people to buy my book. When that happens, I research what others do, or what they recommend. You’ll be surprised how much researching you’ll be doing before you realize, “Oh…Wait…Maybe I should do some writing.”
So yeah, that’s what I’ve been doing between my personal life and writing. I hope this helps you out! Until then, keep your chin up, remember to get some time in to write, market, and to spend time with your loved ones.
I am an independent author who owns her own publishing business (mine is Light and Dark Imagination), and who dedicates herself to getting her book out there to the public. I am sure there are hundreds out there who are the same way, with plenty more wanting to join in on the fun, but have no idea if it is worth doing it on their own. Well, it has only been five months, and already I have learned things that I wish I had known beforehand, but am now all the wiser for it. I can only wonder what I would’ve learned after one year!
Anyway, there are some things I have learned these last few months in regards to events where I try sell my book. First, you do need to do public events; whether it is doing a signing at an independent bookstore, being a vendor at an event, doing a public reading or whatever. The internet only goes so far into getting the public aware of your book. The only person who can really push your book is you, and sometimes the best way to do that is by physically showing it to your audience.
Second, don’t expect to become a millionaire at every event. Go into it with humble thoughts because there is a good chance you might leave with no sales at all. Or, you may be lucky enough to break even on you expenses (the booth, gas, food, parking etc).
Third, be smart of where you choose to vendor. The first few places where I tried selling my book weren’t profitable. I was lucky if I at least sold three copies. That was because I was trying to sell a paranormal, horror-ish, dark book at a very popular, busy art walk. Sure, I went there because I figured (1) there are lots of people that go to this event, (2) those who go to this event come in with the intent of buying independently made things, and (3) OF COURSE THEY WILL BUY MY BOOK! MY BOOK ROCKS!…..No. No, they will not. The people who attended the ever so popular art walk were interested in clothes, tiny sculptures and jewelry. A good chunk of people were also there because they were bored and wanted something to do on a Thursday night, but had no intention of buying anything.
As I continued attending events, I started to get a better feel of where I could find my target audience, and how to market myself to them. I also learned that people liked seeing more than just books, so I started hand-crafting merchandise to accompany the books (wood burnings of werewolves, posters, Wicca boxes). Surprisingly, the merchandise would draw the people to my table, but they would almost 60% of the time leave with a book rather than my merchandise. Hey, that’s fine with me!
There is a lot more to learn to this business, as I am sure, but hopefully all of these lessons will help me achieve my goals. I hope this helps someone else out there, too!
Be sure to check out my Upcoming Events page, and my Etsy shop, to see what I have been making!
The Alpha Wolf Series 