It's been nearly three months since the release of my novel Shadows of the Past and one important lesson I've learned so far is it's a lot of hard work to market oneself. Especially if you're as modest as I am. When it first came out I was positing daily about my book anywhere I could get away with it. But as time has progressed I've found myself stepping back to regroup and refocus my marketing efforts. I figure I'm in this for the long run, as one writer said on facebook, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Shadows of the Past has gotten a couple of very nice reviews. One from Charlene Gamble at Literary RandR . Thank you Charlene. The other from Colleen Wanglund at Horror Fiction Review. Thank you Colleen.
Both reviews mentioned a sequel and I've decided to do just that. After I've completed my current works in progress I'll start work on the sequel to Shadows of the Past.
When I initially published my novel my intent was to give it away as an introduction to my writing, to get my name out there in preparation for the release of my future work. I made the mistake of signing up for the Amazon KDP select program which has kept me from doing what I wanted. And truth be told I thought, why not make a few bucks off of my hard work it as well. My enrollment will soon expire and I will release Shadows of the Past through Smashwords as a totally free download.
Work is progressing on Reprisal, I'm averaging five hundred to a thousand words per day on the sub-plots that will flesh out the story. The central story is done and the ending has been completed. I've also recently finished the first draft of my novella Enter Night, and I'm letting it rest for a bit before I go back and start the rewrite process.
What project are you working on now?
While it might not be the best or correct way to go about it, I hope to get at least have eight novels up on Smashwords before I set about marketing myself in earnest. Marketing is very hard work, and I find it hard to concentrate on that aspect while I still have several stories and partially finished storylines floating about in my head. You will achieve the success that you are seeking as a writer, Richard, as your writing definitely keeps me wanting to turn the page!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. In my mind there is no best or correct way to go about marketing, just do what you think is right. I know about the distracting nature of marketing as it has hampered my own work. Sorry for taking so long to reply, I've been pretty busy between working a full time job, paying attention to my family, and writing and marketing my own work.
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