Thursday, October 13, 2005

Popping in for a brief moment. I'm still working on my edits for First Friday and I might possibly be able to finish up today. Spent all day working on it yesterday. Can't tell you how many hours because the day is a blur. All I can tell you is that I was in my pajamas all day and I listened to the television as the Cardinals won the first game of the Championship series (you know I had to get that in, right?) LOL

Anyway, my Twin posted a comment yesterday that I thought would make a great post for today. Here's his comment and question:

I've been noticing that you've been doing ALOT of legwork on your own lately . . . aren't you with a major publishing house? I know that you can't afford to let up at all, but why are you working yourself into 25-hour stupors constantly doing things that they should be handling with ease? Am I missing something?



Well, Twin, and all, :-) Yes, I'm with a major publisher, but I'm also a new writer. Most publishers may not do a lot of promotion for new authors. And these days, any author should expect to have to promote themselves. As a matter of fact, my agent said my marketing and promotion skills were an added bonus in picking me up. My publishers came right out and told me this over dinner too. That in addition to loving my story, they were attracted to the fact that I was a self-promoter. I'm hearing that a lot of publishers are looking for new authors who are also self-promoters.

So, that's one piece of the answer. The other is that I'm neurotic, anal, somewhat controlling, and have perfectionist tendencies. I like to give it my all. I have a tendency of going overboard. For advertising, and promotion, my mind is going 24/7. I'm trying to think of ways to reach the readers who might enjoy my story and my writing. I'm trying to think of ways to reach the people who don't normally read, but would read or buy my book because they are related to me, they know me, they know someone who knows me. etc. I'm thinking of ways to expose myself to people who wouldn't hear of me otherwise and I'm trying to get to where they are. Even if they don't buy my book the first time around, I'm working on name recognition so that they'll be familiar and want to give it a try when First Fridays come out.

Even if 5 or so years down the line, I ever reached the point where readers bought my book instantly at release, I don't think I'll ever be able to sit back and relax. I think that's just me. I think the focus would change, but I think I'd still be out there. Because I do enjoy emailing and talking to people who read my book. I enjoying going out and introducing myself and my book to readers. I enjoy thinking and carrying out new ways of promoting. I enjoy the hand-to-hand promotion.

I do get tired, but I think I enjoy being a busybody. It'd be great if my publisher put tons into promoting me (and hopefully we will get to that point). But I still think I'd be on the go and working myself to the bone. I'm unstable like that. :-)

6 comments:

TJ Brown Thu Oct 13, 10:25:00 AM EDT  

That only makes sense. Self promotion is very important.
Teri

Cherlyn Michaels Thu Oct 13, 11:35:00 AM EDT  

Hey Piscesgurrl,
Thanks for linking my blog and stopping by. I'm so happy to hear that you picked up the book and that you love it thus far. :-) Hey, if there's anything I can help you with, feel free to drop me a line. I'll try my best to answer any questions, or at least point you in the right direction! I wish you the best in your writing endeavors as well!

Hey TJ,
Yeah, you know what I'm saying. :-)

Frederick Smith Thu Oct 13, 03:11:00 PM EDT  

So glad you wrote this, Cherlyn. I get asked all the time about why I do so much to promote -- isn't that the publisher's job? they ask.

I just answer, it's a collective effort. And really, it is. It's a lot of hard work, but in the end, it feels good to think you have it your all to promote yourself and your book.
fs

AALBC.com Sun Oct 16, 05:44:00 PM EDT  

Hey Cherlyn,

I trust all is well. This is the 2nd author's Blog I visited today. I just came from Angela's Web Journal http://anghe.bravejournal.com/

I'll write the same thing that I wrote her:
"AALBC.com offers website advertising campaign that can help you reach a tremendous number of people interested in books by and about Black people. You can even log into our web site and see exactly how many people view you advertisement visit http://aalbc.com/effectiveads.htm for more information.

You may also be interested in attending the North Carolina Black Book Festival - Website: http://www.ncbookfest.com - coming up next March.

Good luck with your work and visit my Blog http://aalbc.com/blog and web site when you have the opportunity"

I'm sure I'll see you soon!

I did not know you had a twin --cool!

princessdominique Sun Oct 16, 08:28:00 PM EDT  

Cherlyn, I'm just glad you've got some promotion know how under your belt. It will all gel. I have no doubt about that.

Cherlyn Michaels Mon Oct 17, 10:27:00 AM EDT  

Hey Frederick,
I agree. You do have a good feeling in the end. It makes it all worthwhile.

Hey Troy,
Thanks for dropping in and and leaving the tips! I'll be sure to check it out. Oh, and my twin...it's not an actual identical twin. :-)

Hey Twin! (LOL)
No, thanks for the question. It made for a great post!

Hey Dom,
Yes, I learned a lot by being self-published. It's coming in handy!