I don't really know how to market my book. I mean, I know. It's all laid out there on the world wide web. But other than throwing myself at people in the grocery store and yelling READ MY NOVEL, I'm not sure how to reach the vast jillions of people out there.
I am, however, reading a book called Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle and it's helping me make sense of the ordeal that marketing an indie novel seems to be. It's not a how-to book, but it does lay out the experiences of authors from around the world. Some of them are published the traditional way; some are published through small presses; and some are entrepreneurs, completely self-published (like me).
I'm really enjoying the read. It gives me energy and, more importantly, hope. If you're a writer, any kind of writer, I recommend you give it a look. It cost me one whole buck on Amazon – and it could be the best buck you ever spend.
Still, I honestly believe the best way to market anything is through word of mouth. A couple years ago I was at my friend Tammy's for a visit and she started talking about some book called 50 Shades of Grey that had her absolutely hooked. "You HAVE to read this," she said. "I just can't put it down!"
Believe it or not I had never heard of 50 Shades until Tammy mentioned it. And because I love Tammy, I bought the book. I wonder how many copies of that infamous book were recommended exactly the same way?
I guess that's why I mentioned Indiestructible to you. Maybe I'm not over at your house, comfortably settled into a lawn chair with a Diet Coke, chatting about a great new book and waiting for the men to grill a few steaks. Maybe this is the best we can do, at least for now.
By the way, I just finished reading Stephen King's new novel, Doctor Sleep. For the first three-quarters, I was like, meh, it's merely OK. But as I reached the finish line King showed that he has still got it, in every conceivable way. When I finished the book I bawled like a baby, such was the emotional wallop that story packed. Like Tammy once said, "You HAVE to read it!" But since Stephen King has a few dollars and readers more than me, I suggest you read Green Eggs & Weezie first. :) And then tell two friends, just like this Heather Locklear Fabergé ad from the '80s:
