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How to recognize who you're writing for. How your readers affect your brand.
When I first got the idea to send something to a publisher after years of writing for myself I had this grand idea in my head. You get published, your book comes out, you get a cheque and move on to the next project.
While that is what happens, there is a lot of behind the scenes work. There's editing and rewrites, working one on one with a editor to polish the polished manuscript until it shines like a diamond. There's promoting the book on line and in stores. The Publisher will do its share, but they can only do so much since they're marketing their entire library of titles. For the single author, they have to come to the cold, sometimes lonely conclusion - for anyone to be successful you have to be pro-active in promotions.
I've created a solid presence on line with my blogs, my newsletter/group, chats, and forums. That's the first step now comes the hard stuff. Keeping that presence alive, keeping folks aware of me, aware of my work and not giving up.
There seems to be this grand illusion from those who aren't published or don't even write that once you've written and published one book you can sit back collect your royalties and not have to worry about real life. That's not how it works in this industry. It takes a solid effort on both the part of the publishing house and the author to keep awareness alive.
I've made myself a network of places and people that I can turn to to help me build awareness. Bookstores, clubs, forums, all are solid marketing tools that can and should be used. I want to be successful, and that means that I have to keep things moving.
Right now its focusing on building awareness, on creating a network of groups and people that will be lined up waiting to purchase the work. Its utilizing social media, and promoting other authors because that's what we do. That's how we get the word out. My reader base may be very particular in what they read but if I say hey this author is great - they may wonder why and pick up a copy of their book...and so it goes.
However, no matter how determined I am to promote my book(s) there is a truth that will affect the bottom dollar...to become known, to reach the status where my royalty checks are enough to pay my bills for a month or two or three...I have to work on the next project and the next and the next. An author doesn't make a million on a single book, in spite of what we see in the media, no it takes time, dedication, and a determination not to give up. Authors such as J.K Rowlins are the exception not the rule - and most of us in the industry have come to learn this.
Its now that the real work begins, because the writing of it was easy compared to this.
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