It is clear that an author’s life and work are related, but the relation is never simple: the life does not entirely explain the work, nor does the work explain the life. Octavio Paz Today, I am wondering about the gap between me and my work. As I prepare to launch a new book, I am back in my most uncomfortable spot – promotion and marketing. Now, I have never made money from writing. My goal is always to break even, cover whatever costs are involved in actually producing the book. (Obviously, this means the hundreds of hours spent actually creating the book are volunteer hours!) When I published with a traditional publisher, I didn’t spend much, but I also didn’t make much. And in the case of my first book, the only royalties I received came after I had poked, cajoled, reminded, begged, and finally, threatened. The first time I self published it cost too much and my generous patron never did break even. This time, I am trying to do it the cheapest way possible, on my own, and I am already down a couple thousand before the book is even ready. Point being, this is too expensive to be a hobby so I need to sell some books. That means marketing, and the mere mention of the word makes my stomach clench. I have watched a lot of writing webcasts and on-line lectures and workshops. What is available in this day and age is less about craft and more about how to sell your books. If I was interested in sales, I would be in sales. If I was interested in marketing, I would be in marketing. I am interested in writing. And it erodes my soul to spend the majority of my time trying to figure out how to navigate the various social media platforms that are “absolutely necessary” for selling books. (For those of you who are wondering, even if you publish with a traditional publisher, you are expected to do your own publicity and marketing. Many publishers require you to submit your “marketing plan” right alongside your manuscript!) Worse yet, the marketing experts tell us that we need to sell ourselves in order to sell our work. And I think this is where I hit the wall. I think the quote I began with is talking about a healthy gap between personal and professional worlds. As I write that, I think about my years as a teacher. When I began teaching, I was in the closet. There was no choice if I wanted to keep working in my field. Over time, I was able to shorten the gap between my personal and professional selves. In the final years of my teaching career, there was almost no gap at all and I cherished that integration. But in the classroom, the “consumers” are kids that I know, love, and trust. In my writing life, the consumers are strangers and as much as I would like to believe that I’m brave enough to share my heart with the world, I’m not. So here I am, trying to “mind the gap” and still follow all the bazillion shoulds and shouldn’ts of marketing books. Of marketing myself. Shudder. Today, I’m wondering about this wall I’m staring at. It is a go a different way kinda wall? Or is it a challenges make us better kinda wall? Won’t know for sure until I take a run at it.
4 Comments
Lawson John Hutchinson
1/22/2023 02:13:11 pm
It's tough when you feel like you betray yourself to achieve a goal. I have been in sales most of my life though my business had nothing to do with sales . First rule of sales is know your product and know your (Market) readers. The best sales are those that create future sales in. Word of mouth then you are no longer selling but making other people's trust in you true. You are not selling your book you are selling that dream you have of reaching people's hearts. You do that in spades. Try not to think of it as selling but creating a large friendship in which each new reader wants more. You are awesome . I just lost a dear friend that was a columnist that just repeatedly showed her heart. She had so many tributes and accolades. Funny thing is reading those comments from friends two things stood out. We all felt we had a special connection with her,and few of us ever talked with her except through texts. I will always miss her even though we never met in person . Sharing your heart on paper is only a small part of being a writer caring about your readers is the other part. I wish you well on all your endeavors. I for one will gladly purchase your book .
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Monica Nawrocki
1/22/2023 02:27:59 pm
Thank you, Lawson. You have no idea how perfect this comment is for me today. You are absolutely right: all the marketing stuff I do that makes me feel so inadequate and frustrated - it needs to be reframed into "putting work into my friendships". Thank you for reminding me why I write. And you are a perfect example of what you are talking about; we've met once or twice but I feel very connected to you because when you respond to my blogs, you share your heart. I'm so glad to know you, Lawson. And thanks again.
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All you can do is be true to the passion that inspired you to write in the first place. Knowing you, I’m certain your drive isn’t to be seen, or known, not to cash in, although that would be nice, sure. It’s to move your readers and add your wonderful voice and unique perspective to the universal human experience. Being authentic, whether writing or hawking, is all you can control. The rest is lightning and pure, dumb luck. So, here’s to you finding that perfect storm. Best of luck.
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Monica Nawrocki
1/25/2023 03:01:51 pm
Thanks so much for this! Excellent message, beautifully put, Worm.
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