tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post1103168638193428623..comments2023-11-03T05:49:10.841-04:00Comments on Storytelling Rules: Blunt Conversations about Royalties part 3Maureen McGowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-46504864784251802172009-11-17T07:10:55.528-05:002009-11-17T07:10:55.528-05:00See I've always thought that promotion is a th...See I've always thought that promotion is a thing we do to impress our publishers with how hard we're working. Then maybe they'll say... Wow look at that author. She's really out there we should help her and...bang! Real promotion that works. Like co-op space.<br /><br />The authors who made it big that I used to read in category... Linda Howard, Nora Roberts... they didn't promote. They wrote quality books over and over again and built readerships.<br /><br />I really think it's all you can do. Although the Web and review sites are probably gaining a little attention.Stephanie Doylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17448686465587131952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-57932245800499485942009-11-16T16:24:55.511-05:002009-11-16T16:24:55.511-05:00Promotion takes time, as does writing, but what wo...Promotion takes time, as does writing, but what would be left afterwards for life and Tv and movis, the stuff that gives us inspiration for more writing. <br /><br />I also need 8 hours of sleep, and I can't seem to whittle it down to less without getting grumpy..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-85274448948536129702009-11-16T14:50:43.662-05:002009-11-16T14:50:43.662-05:00I also think it grows a little on itself. A few ye...I also think it grows a little on itself. A few years ago, I finally caught the attention of the guy who covers books for The Sacramento Bee. I have no idea how many press releases I had sent him. 10? 15? Something like that. Suddenly, he does a huge article on me. From that article, I got a bunch of interview requests and some speaking invitation that led to some more articles. <br /><br />Then I sort of dropped the ball. I just didn't have the energy to pursue more. Maybe I could have turned it into even more publicity, or maybe I'd tapped out what was available. I just know I couldn't do anymore, write and manage my life.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803986849921870941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-57364337382931482582009-11-16T14:29:48.055-05:002009-11-16T14:29:48.055-05:00Oh, I mock because I am jealous. :-)
And from eve...Oh, I mock because I am jealous. :-)<br /><br />And from everything I've seen and learned in this business (although can't share first hand experience...) promotion helps, but is no guarantee.<br /><br />I heard a quote from an advertising guru once. He said something like: I'm sure 50% of all the money I ever spent on advertising was wasted. I just have no idea which half.Maureen McGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-28923872335569191132009-11-16T14:06:44.923-05:002009-11-16T14:06:44.923-05:00Eileen - I think you hit it right on the head. Of ...Eileen - I think you hit it right on the head. Of course we can effect our sales - relentless book signings, blog tours, giveaways, mailings - those things can help if you have the time and inclination to do them. For the writers that do - they deserve every single reader they win over - without a doubt. But, if you don't do those things - or you do only half, or do them sometimes, I think the numbers fall off so signifigantly that it makes little difference. I do think taking care of the readers you have is something that successful writers do - I just am not sure how.<br /><br />Maureen - don't you mock my single father cowboy. Someday he's gonna buy you a beer.Molly O'Keefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15171236688541657736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-17966071316602329302009-11-16T12:19:20.498-05:002009-11-16T12:19:20.498-05:00So far, my best selling book is one that I referre...So far, my best selling book is one that I referred to as my secret baby/cowboy/reincarnation book. I don't think it was marketed that way, but that's what it was. <br /><br />I vacillate on the question of whether or not we can affect our sales. I think to really make an impact, you have to be a tireless self-promoter and you have to do it for years. I know one author that I think really affected her sales, but the energy she puts into promotion exhausts me when I just look at it. Plus, she's good at it. I don't think it's a skill set that we all have. I certainly suck at it. <br /><br />So I'm with you, Molly Dearest. Write the best book you can, then cross your fingers that somebody buys it.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09803986849921870941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29864506.post-35561618531271208182009-11-16T12:04:32.300-05:002009-11-16T12:04:32.300-05:00don't you mean your single father cowboy and a...don't you mean your single father cowboy and a princess with a secret baby book? :-)Maureen McGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00494408580378817045noreply@blogger.com