Beth Lane Writes

Before my trip to Illinois where I will do book talks, I have been contacting independent book stores on the fringes of my home territory. Most of them are quite interested and know that their readers will want the book.  It is  a sign of the times that some people are still quite prejudiced against self-published books.  They seem to consider them a sort of second-class book.

 

I, in my turn, consider their attitude to belong in the past – perhaps the Paleo-lithic era.

 

Times are changing in the publishing business, and the book stores that are on the front lines, serving their customers are changing along with it.  The industry no longer has cash to throw around marketing books, and far more books are being published outside of the traditional publishing houses.

 

Regardless of how your project sees print (or e-reader) remember you are writing for a reading audience .  The book store or other delivery mechanism is the intermediary, not the bullseye.  It is your duty to produce a quality product, and then to help it find its audience.

 

In this era, it is more and more the author’s own resposibility to market the product and reach the audience.  Having a concrete idea of  who that target audience is, and where to find them is mandatory.  Learning marketing strategies and implementing them is critical.  Even “If You Write It….”  they may not come, unless you do your marketing part.

 

  Attitudes Matter – Be sure and Keep Yours Positive – no matter how many Cavemen you encounter.

Words to remember from James Stephens:

Originality does not consist of saying what no one has ever said before, but in saying exactly what you think yourself.

Remember this as you write!