Author talks about writing groups, book events and more

While writing organizations can be a wonderful thing for some, personally they’ve never done anything for me but dip into my wallet, time and again, and waste precious time that could have been better spent writing. And there always seems to be a bigger and better one on the horizon, claiming to be different from the rest and guaranteeing to put you in the spotlight and promote you and your work, for a nominal fee mind you.

But that’s not what I see happening.

Undoubtedly, the life of a writer is a solitary one, at least while in the development stage of a book; locking yourself away from the world for days on end sometimes, and immersing yourself in the lives of your characters; at least that’s the way it is for me. Perhaps some people feel the need to mix with fellow writers in a group setting, but I just don’t feel the need. Perhaps I’m missing something, but I don’t think so.

The events that I’ve attended have been mostly comprised of other authors, their friends and family and a small majority of the public…very small. And while an author may get lucky and sell a few copies of their book, pass out a few sell sheets and business cards, what is all this doing to build their readership and boost their career…nothing.

Sitting under a pop-up tent at a local art show in the park with a display of your books, hosting a tea or luncheon at a local café and being featured as this month’s pick from all the local authors within the group may be very gratifying for some, but what is it gaining them as a writer?

I suppose for some it’s enough to just be in the company of other authors, all trying to out-do one another with their posters and creative displays, proud of the fact that they wrote a book and self-published it, but if you think small, you stay small.

After my fiasco with the publicist in Georgia, I began working with someone local who I knew had good connections and would follow through with what I was paying her for, but once it came down to scheduling events and sending press releases, I decided I wasn’t going to play the local game anymore.

I think she may have been a bit peeved at first, even though I tried to explain my reasoning, she still believed that I needed to at least hold a few book signings at the local Barnes & Noble, Borders and a few independents that take kindly to local authors. But the simple fact is, if you’re not a household name, no one gives a flip if your holding a book signing at a brick and mortar store or not.

How many of you have done a signing and spent the majority of the day sitting at your table watching shoppers pass you by? Or perhaps you’re more outspoken and have a spot by the door and greet people as they come in the store; they smile, wonder when Barnes & Noble took up the Walmart trend and hired greeters and keep on walking. Or maybe you’re like me and end up hitting the café for a latte and then browsing the shelves close to your table. And at the end of the day you may or may not have sold a few books, but probably not enough to cover the cost of your promotion materials and so the day was a wash.

My point is, while all of these things can be fun, they don’t do anything to build your readership. You need to get your work out there, peddle it on the Internet and make a name for yourself. Yes, its tedious and often times feels as if your efforts are all for naught, but when you start getting 1500+ hits to your website each month and people are clamoring to sign up for your latest free giveaway, thus building your contact list, then you know you’ve hit on something and then it’s only a matter of time.

Just think about how beneficial joining a group or attending an event is, before you spend a lot of time, money and effort for nothing. And if the people putting these organizations together and charging you to become a member have the magic answer, then why aren’t they a household name?! Ask to see their credentials…that always leaves them stammering!

Just something to think about.