Publication

By: Frances Lynn
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:43:02
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

August 1 2006 was D Day: the day of publication, and the commencement of my new, glorified existence as a legitimate, published author. My novels are no longer stagnating in the closet. They are finally out in the public domain, to be devoured and criticised by dispassionate strangers. I'm so relieved that ‘my babies’ are no longer doomed to rot in my chest of drawers for the rest of eternity, I want to celebrate by starting afresh. A new literary cycle beckons, I think optimistically.

As my old 'masterpieces' are now published in hardcover, paperback and e-book form, I wonder if I should spring-clean and eradicate the original documents from my computer? After all, I now have a complimentary copy of each book safely stacked on my shelves, but caution warns me. What if a fire destroyed my office? Or, how would I be able to cope if a burglar unchained my computer from the radiator, and stole my life? If I was more of a neurotic perfectionist, and wanted to tweak the books for their second edition, I’d definitely need the original documents to revise for that repetitive task.

After sensibly deciding not to delete my ancient literature from my machine, I celebrate with a lobster dinner and a bottle of stale champagne, which I have been hoarding for this momentous occasion. Then, reality sets in. The easy part is over. The grind is just beginning.

Admittedly, it took me over three decades to finish my first novel, “Frantic”, and I was gutted when the top literary agent, who represented me on “Crushed”, my second novel was forced to retire before he could sell my teen fiction 'opus'. But, from now on, as my publisher reminds me, the hard work is only just beginning. I must now launch and market my newly published books, and in order to do so must shamelessly promote myself on the world wide web.

I presumed that after publication date, I would be able to effortlessly progress onto my next novel with a clear head. No such luck. I now need to publicise, promote and cajole, which means I shall be never be able to shake free of my old books. I must try to sell them to potential readers outside my coterie of supportive friends.

To date, one West End bookstore has agreed to stock my books on the strength of their content, proclaiming them to be ‘exciting’ and ‘quirky’. There’s only one drawback. If I want my books sold in their illustrious store, I must be prepared to change the books' current covers. My next step in the promotion game, is to ‘negotiate’ with all the other book stores, and also pester my rusty journalistic contacts, begging them to review my books. I shall leave no old contact unturned, I think determinedly.

Yes, the easy part is over. Now, the unrelentless, hard slog of marketing has only just began. I must first write some enticing press releases, making my books sound even more interesting and irresistible than they purport to be, and ambitiously churn out dynamic newsletters for the web and for print. When will the combined process of writing and promotion ever end, I wail?

I console myself that the next imperative step is to make audio books out of my novels, but remind myself, as long as I am able to write, I shall have to resign myself, to consistently dream up ingenious, promotional schemes. Unlike children, my books will never leave my nest.

Frances Lynn: copyright 2006

Frances Lynn is a professional writer and journalist. Her novels are published by http://yourbookstore.eiworth.se/ Her musings about writing can be read at http://www.writerholic.blogspot.com/ Her account of her lively London life is on her personal website is http://www.franceslynn.org/

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Book Marketing category

  • How to get rich by writing fiction - By: Sudhir Sharma
    Some of us write simply because we cannot not write. Ideas grab us, move us, and demand to be written. We strive to make it as real as we possibly can, to improve at our craft every day, hopefully to make it into the realm of literature as well as entertainment.
  • Book Marketing 101 - By: Jasmeet Kahlon
    For beginning authors, book promotion is the key to success. Whether an author self-publishes or is published by a major house, most often that author needs to market her book herself if she wants there to be any chance at all of it being successful.
  • The REAL TRUTH on How to Write an eBook - By: Diya Sood
    The hardest part of writing is the first sentence. When you look at the whole project, it seems like an impossible task. That's why you have to break it down into manageable tasks. Think of climbing a mountain.
  • Book Marketing - How Rich Authors Make Money - By: Bob Burnham
    Ever wonder how some authors seem to steal the limelight and the profits while others collect dust on bookstore shelves? Some of those really well off authors are not even that good. You read their books and think "I could write better than this."
  • How To Write A Book, 4 Simple Strategies - By: Bob Burnham
    Writing a book doesn't have to be complicated. The image of the frustrated writer sitting at their typewriter with piles of balled up paper at their feet is a myth. In fact, when you use a few simple strategies, writing a book can be accomplished quickly and professionally - no writer's block and no piles of balled up paper.
  • How To Get A Reporter's Attention For Your Book - By: Jitender Sharma
    Reporters are busy people. On any given day they are fielding dozens of phone calls, making calls of their own, reading stacks of newspapers and magazines and rushing to meet deadlines. So how do you break through all the noise to get a reporter or an editor on the phone to listen to your pitch?
  • Kick Off Your Brochure Marketing With These Simple Steps - By: Janice Jenkins
    Brochures are very effective tools to have when you want to grow your business. However, most brochure marketing campaigns need to be redesigned and restructured because they don’t get the results you expect from them. In order for your promotional efforts to be effective, designing brochures should be in order. Here’s how you can kick off your brochure marketing campaign with these steps.
  • Book Publicity: The New York Myth - By: Melissa Sandford
    While there are some exceptional book and literary publicists working straight out of The Big Apple, it should be noted that having a publicist located in New York does not automatically guarantee an author that their writing will reach readers.
  • Interviewing Tips for First Time Authors - By: Melissa Sandford
    As you prepare for your first or next interview, always remember the hardest part is over. You have already written 300+ pages, found an agent, a publicist and survived the excruciating editing process. Interviewing well is essential, however, it is also one of the easiest and most enjoyable aspects of publishing a book.
  • A Secret to Make your Book a Best Seller - By: Barry Sheppard
    There is a secret to writing your bestselling book. I would like to tell you about it, so that you can use it as I have.