Why writers need to self-promote
There’s a hot debate going on right now about whether–and how much–writers need to promote their own books. On one side are writers like Joe Konrath and Barry Eisler (and me) (and many, many others), who believe it is in our own best interest to spend time and yes, even some of our own money, to make sure our books get into as many readers’ hands as possible. On the other side of the debate are writers who feel their only job is to write, and it’s up to their publishers to make sure the books sell.
I think it comes down to this: Are you committed to your own success or not?
When my husband’s kids first started driving, he gave them both a lecture about defensive driving. The punch line was that even if an accident is someone else’s fault, it’s still your injury. Therefore it makes sense to do whatever you can to avoid it.
Same thing with publishing. Yes, maybe we’d all love to believe our publishers will do everything in their power and budget to make sure our books sell out printing after printing, but if the books don’t sell, it’s our injury. So doesn’t it make sense to get in the game and do what we can on our own behalf?
There was a great article last week by editor Anna Louise about how and why books lose money. Even if your editor really, really loves your book, and the publisher supports it, the economics of publishing make it so hard for a book to break even, let alone earn money. So whatever a writer can do to help that equation benefits everybody.
It gets back to item #2 on my list of favorite tips for writers: The writer is in charge of her career. Being passive does you no service. Being involved in every aspect of your writing career–from making smart business decisions to continually working to improve your craft–is what will help you rise above the crowded field of other writers out there. We wish them all well, but we’re only responsible for our own careers. So ask yourself: Do you want to be a one-book wonder, or would you rather be a career writer with book after book filling the shelves at Barnes & Noble?
Granted, it’s possible to go too far with all this. It’s possible to become so engrossed with the marketing side of your life that you forget to keep writing books. It’s up to you to find the balance. But assuming you’re ready to start thinking with the business side of your brain, here are a few sources to get you started:
For some creative guerrilla marketing ideas, read writer Joe Konrath’s blog, “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing” (look for it at the bottom of his webpage).
Also check out the excellent marketing articles by writer Barry Eisler. The ones on the writer as entrepreneur and recruiting your publisher are especially useful.
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Self-Promotion, Marketing for Writers, Joe Konrath, Barry Eisler
April 24th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Hi Robin,
Just to throw in my 2 cents: I think the act of writing and the act of promoting are so very different that you don’t always find both abilities in the same human. The need to write (rather than the desire to be a writer) has nothing to do with what happens to the book. So while I won’t say that it is solely the publisher’s job to promote it, I don’t think it has to be the writer’s job to do so.
April 24th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
Oh, my — here we go again.
I refuse to believe that this issue is an all-or-nothing proposition. There must be (and IS) a middle-ground between the two philosophies. And what really concerns me is that in proselytizing all-promotion, all-the-time, many people are (unintentionally, I’m sure) promoting a thinking modality that says that all writing is the same and should be/can be promoted the same. I don’t believe that. Never have. There’s a difference between selling a thriller and a slice-of-life novel. Or science fiction and memoir. Or epic fantasy and chick-lit.
What concerns me is new writers who go into the start of their careers with an opinion already locked into place. It’s an opinion based on someone else’s career, experiences, and stories. We should be entering with our eyes wide open and take the lay of the land before deciding what, how much, and how soon. Anything else is like dropping bombs in the middle of the night with no intel, hoping to hit the enemy anyway.
April 26th, 2006 at 8:57 am
Hello! I just found out about this cool site and couldn’t resist adding a comment
I agree with Barry (Hi Barry - I’m surprised you don’t have a spreadsheet of the exact ratio of writer promotion to publisher promotion ;> ) I love the dropping bombs analogy - my feeling, though is that unfortunately publishers are doing some of that (I don’t think they have figured out exactly what works and what doesn’t). My publisher sent me on a book tour during Columbus day weekend. Custumers were out enjoying the long weekend and not in book stores (yeah, I know the reason to send authors is to establish a relationship with the bookseller, but the booksellers like it when the author actaully sells some books).
And in a perfect world the publisher will promote all their books equally - but they don’t (my husband is always amazed by this fact), and a new author has to take on the bulk of the promotion. It’s a sad fact of life. If a writer is uncomfortable doing promotions, I would suggest they hire a publicist or find someone willing to make calls and set up signings.
Signing stock at bookstores is a great way to meet booksellers without the pressure of a signing and signed books always sell better.
There was an excellent article about this topic in RWA’s March issue called “The Power of Booksellers” it gives the inside scoop of what goes on in a book store.
Okay - I’m done - for now
April 27th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
I don’t think it’s any different than making a movie or putting out an ablum - actors and directors go on all the talk shows, bands go on tour, and writers have to do readings and signings and whatever else writers do.
It’s the nature of living in a world of 6 billion people; the mountain ain’t comin to you.