Summary
An author who takes on the dual tasks of writing and marketing will end up with a very, very full plate.
When an independent author takes on the task of writing a novel then adds to this challenge the goal of marketing the thing, that combined work represents a very full plate. (I would have written “a very, very full plate” except the late Mrs. Dawson, my old high school English teacher, would spin in her grave at the use of excessive superlatives. She also used to cringe (with justification) at such phrases as “He was very dead” and “She is very married.” and “He is very much the gentleman.”)
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, the full plate. The entrées on the writing-plus-marketing menu include (but are certainly not limited to) the following items:
Sell Sheets omelet—a robust one-page summary of a book’s basics: Title: Author: Publisher and Year: ISBN: List Price: Discount (if any): Series/Set (if any): Summary (usually back cover blurb): Rave Reviews (if any): Contact Information and/or Location(s) where book may be purchased. To be handed out at book shows, left with bookstores (as opposed to giving the bookstores a free copy of your book), distributed to libraries (again, in lieu of giving a book away), or placed on the floor of a bird cage.
News Releases du jour—a scrumptious compilation of self-serving platitudes written in third person by the author. To be sent (fingers crossed) into a cosmic black hole consisting of local, regional and national newspapers, magazines and other periodicals (including online publications.)
Book Launch stew—a potpourri of tasty activities including finding a space (ideally a free site), setting a date and time, gathering allies (other authors), publicizing the event (see also News Releases du jour), prayer for sunny weather (if outdoors) or inclement weather (for indoor venues), and a thousand-and-one details too numerous to mention.
Video Vichyssoise—a lively soup of copyright-free images and soundtrack designed to satisfy the pallet of peers who grew up listening to the radio and youngsters who crave action-packed videogames.
Publishing pizza—Whether an author self-publishes or lands a traditional publishing contract, all of the above menu items are, in both cases, piled upon the author’s plate. The myth that traditional publishers will handle all the marketing only applies to big-name, best-selling authors. Meanwhile, an author must create or pay someone else to format a finished manuscript to produce paperback, hard cover, e-book, and audio book versions. Not to mention cover design, and so on.
Ala carte—There are many (many, many) other tasks which fall to the writer/marketer, including:
Book Signings
Book Give-Aways
Book Contests
Book Talks
Blog
Newsletter
Marketing Campaigns (such as Good Reads, Amazon, Facebook)
Webpage and Facebook (Meta) Page
Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera
Thank you! This is helpful information!
Thanks for your comment!