It really can be scary – being a little book in such a large world of books. As an indie author – we feel that we might have just wrote one of the most fear-inducing books – but there is that chance – our story could float into the abyss of total darkness…
In my earlier writing days, I submitted my work to many publishing houses. Some of my poems were published into anthologies and a variety of online magazines… But – I couldn’t grab that- forsaken brass ring for a publishing deal. I really wanted a collection of poems with my name on it… It was wonderful to be among so many talented writers – but as an author – there is nothing like seeing a book in print – with your name across it. I am not quite positive exactly how to express that feeling – but it is a sense of accomplishment.
Once self-publishing became the new thing to do though – I ran with it. My first self-publishing gig was with Lulu.com. I published a couple books with them before I heard about Create Space through Amazon. Now Amazon is my go-to publisher. So far, I have published about six books… Not near as many as Stephen King and not even close to the number of books that Danielle Steel whips out each year…
While it has been great to finally publish my own stories, I realize how hard it is to break into the publishing world. There are so many stories being told every day! The moment I publish a book – it could easily just float into the total book abyss – utter blackness…never to be picked up off the shelf…
Which leads to why – many indie authors bug their friends and family to read their work….We hope that perhaps they just might like what they read and pass the word onto their friends…. (We can only hope)… Then as indie authors – we kind of have to “toot our own horn.” That is one thing that I have trouble with- I feel like I am bragging…but I have to remind myself – it is just marketing…
So – how do I get my books out there before they are devoured by the “no-return book monster thief..” ?
Well- so far, I am working on the answer to that question. I have written my own press releases and submitted them to area newspapers… Locally – many know me as an author… That is great… but – my book sales are still kinda down…
I have created a Facebook Page for a few of my books – That got me a few hits and some interest – but…book sales were…hmm…kinda low.
I began to attend conventions where my horror books will be of interest to its guests. Horror conventions are a lot of fun -you get to meet wonderfully imaginative people and a chance to get your book noticed by the public….and you make connections..Great for marketing.
I have an account with many social networks where I post links to my books on Amazon and blog. This gets me a lot of hits to my blog and increases my followers- which builds my audience… I love having an audience to share my work with…Even if I never hit it big-that is okay. If I am able to inspire and entertain readers – I have succeeded.
While it isn’t fortune or fame that I want – it just a few moments of a reader’s time. My goal is to entertain, inspire and (sometimes) frighten them just for fun. If I make a little money on the side from it – great – ….
I just don’t want my story to float away into darkness… to be forgotten about. I’d like to know that I made a difference in somebody’s life – perhaps inspired them to write – or maybe even inspired an idea for another story – or even a movie…..Or I hope that I might have helped someone fight their own personal demons…and found their way back to the light, after venturing into the darkness…One of my mottoes is…”Sometimes one has to conquer the darkness, before they can find their way back to the light.”
If there are other authors out there – who have ways that they bring the attention of their books to readers – I would be interested in hearing about it… I really don’t want my stories to fall into the abyss….I want them front and center – in the moonlight, being read around a campfire, or even in the dark ….late at night….Once that happens – I know that I have done my job…
Ariana R. Cherry: Poet & Artist 