Promoting My Book

Once  took the step of self publishing, I had to become more than a writer.  I had to leave my quiet desk, and talk about my writing.  Up to that point, I never talked about what I was writing, only about the fact that I did write.  The stories and poems that flowed through my head were private and even though I loved them, I had been afraid to share them.  Now I had a book in my hands, but I wanted to get it into other peoples hands.  At first, I did it in privacy.  I sent e-mails and letters to friends and family.  I posted about it in forums and on facebook.  But I didn't have to see anyone's face as they studied the cover, and read the back blurb.

Then I got a Twitter, "Tweet" that said, something like this, "the sooner you learn to love book promotion, the sooner you will succeed at it."

So I set out to force myself to love this act which felt like peeling my skin off in public and inviting the public to look for imperfections. And guess what?  I found that I do love it, in the small, hometown way I am doing it.  I am not offering competition to C.S. lewis, or J.K. Rowling - but in my own way - I am having a fun time, and selling my Novel in the process.

The Most success that I have had, has been not on Amazon or Createspace, although both have sold some copies for me.  The most success has come face-to-face, letting people ask me questions and hold, "Duffy Barkley is Not a Dog", in their hands as they talk to me.

Arts and Craft fairs, I took my books, a card table and a standing display board with the book cover, a list of places people could find the book, something about NaNoWriMo, a little about me and the Map of Uhrlin from in my novel.  I took up very little space at the fairs so some of them let me in for a reduced rate so they could advertise a book signing as part of their attractions, imagine that!  I sold 7 at the first fair and 6 at the second I went to, and then people knew me and started inviting me to other shows. (Plus other vendors gave me a discount on some great Christmas gifts)

So far, stores in three states have agreed to buy my books for about 70% of what they sell for an Amazon, so that they can sell them for the same price.  i really want to thank the Crescent City, CA Walgreen's for being the first to stock my book, as well as other local author's and the artwork and Photography of locals.

Walgreens - 787 L St,Crescent City, CA 95531

The Thistle books, in Cody, Wyoming has been wonderful in carrying my novel as well, thanks to my Mom for approaching them for me.

The Thistle

1243 Rumsey Ave
Cody, WY 82414
307-587-6635

Gold Beach Books and Biscuit coffeehouse in Gold Beach, Oregon was  a lovely bookstore and art gallery.  I took a chance and gave a copy to the clerk, and was rewarded with a call just days later asking to buy six copies.

http://www.oregoncoastbooks.com/



So I am learning to always carry a copy of my book, it slips in my purse and I have learned that it is its own best salesperson.  I can give away a copy, knowing that it will be out there, quietly letting the world know that it exists, and one book given, seems to result in more sales.  I am not getting rich, any profit, I use to order more books, and I love giving copies to libraries and classrooms.

Speaking of giving away copies to classrooms - teachers love books.  No secret there, and if you can convince a school to let you put a display in the staffroom, I have found that leaving it there, with an envelope for checks, means that after 3 days, there have been sales, especially if I time it over payday for the staff.

So, have fun talking up your book, and if you have any promotion ideas, I'd love to hear from you.

Dixie Goode