Missing a day of writing makes me feel as if I am acting irresponsibly towards my characters. They need my daily input for their stories to be told. And, in the era of digital publishing, putting pen to paper is only the beginning of my responsibility. Once a story is written, it is up to me not only to find a publisher but to also find ways to market and enhance their audience.
As the publishing industry continues to change, authors find they have more and more responsibility to simultaneously write books and to create publicity outlets. Independent book stores, book clubs, schools, writer’s conferences are all good foder to start. However, social media has become the fastest, and seemingly most productive way to get a book noticed. For older authors who have not grown up plugged into an endless stream of electronic information, this seems bizarre. Author tours are one thing, daily tweets and Facebook exposure for months and years feels like a violation of creative thought. It is, none the less, required. It is the current reality. And acceptance of that reality will lead to a productive relationship with readers who are hungry for the flashes of information only an author can provide.
So get started. Learn how social media works. Spend an hour a day doing nothing else. Build a website, learn how to link, send out a tweet, answer an email, post something on Facebook. If all this is overwhelming or you are not getting results, invest in help. There are several great social media gurus who can break into the on-line world of literature for you and then let you take the reins. This is important. Publishers want to see your ‘platform’ (how many followers you have on different outlets) before they even consider taking your manuscript. That may seem harsh, but it is the current reality. There is no point in laying awake at night thinking about the lives of our characters if we won’t work with the reality of the world they will enter.
Here are some resources I have found helpful:
Website designers: Nodebud Authors
Social Media: Susie Stangland
Publisher: Wise Ink Creative Publishers