Book-a-licious
So, here I am. Brand new blog. Empty zen head and itchy fingers.
Welcome to the unknown world of my blog. I’ll do my best to bring you valuable information or at least inspire a giggle here and there. I am, however, thankful I can’t see your eyes. I’m afraid they’ll occasionally roll. That, I’m afraid, can’t be helped. Just wait until I launch into the “beyond” part of this blog. Remember, you’ve been warned.. And away we go…!
A large part of my purpose here is to help you navigate the deep and wide waters of book publishing. As you may already know, I work for a book publisher by day and moonlight as a book coach. (At night, at lunch hour, weekends, whenever YOU may need me).
I am truly excited to slip on this new hat. Drumroll, please! I AM A BLOGGER. That’s right. It’s official. Which leads me to the very topic of blog entry number one:
When it comes to advice, what do I repeatedly and fervently bestow upon friends and clients? The ones who ask for direction about their publishing projects and book aspirations? What do I suggest to the authors that publish with the company I work for, HCI Books? Again and again, I tell them to start a blog. Blog away.
Make some noise in the crowded virtual universe. Let your voice be heard. One of my favorite authors and star blogger, Laurie “Crazy Aunt Purl” Perry tells me, in so many words, “blog and they will come.” More accurately, she advocates blogging about what you love, THEN people will find you. Blog about what you care about. Blog to your heart’s content.
This is a very similar message I tell budding authors.
Don’t write your book for the love of money, write it for love itself. For the love of what you’re writing about. For your love of writing. Blog in your authentic voice. Be who you are, but across a computer screen. You’ll be surprised at what comes out (as I am this very moment).
But really, why blog? Why not just keep pitching Oprah to make you a star? Wait for a review in the NY Times book section? Pester Terry Gross’ producer to put you on NPR’s “Fresh Air?” You might think your chances are about equal in reaching your audience, your prospective book buyers (and the dear ones who still borrow books from the library).
Think again!
Listen carefully: When you blog, you are either starting your author platform or adding to it; essentially, setting the stage for exposure. And, exposure encourages readership. Readership good. Make your joyful noise.
Let the world know you have claimed your piece of the virtual map and you plan on growing it. Some of you might actually care about making a contribution. You are creating a fluid destination where someone just might actually find you. And, that is something. It is your job, when building your platform, to accelerate your ‘being bumped into’ quotient.
At the very least, you just might find some people of like mind, who like what you like. Or maybe even some who don’t, but at least you increase the chance of be noticed. To be heard, read, whatever you want to call it. And, a publisher will notice every little thing that you do to increase your marketability.
It’s a cold, cold world out there in the book business and it’s more now about what you can do for your publisher than what they might do for you.
These days you need some fancy footwork for a publisher to first notice you, then consider you for their catalog of titles. Blogging is one of the viable tools that you can use in the privacy of your home or office (or home office) in your suit or your jammies that doesn’t cost a fortune and isn’t so hard to do. (Hey, I’m even liking this!)
And, remember, you’ll be writing. Isn’t that what it’s all about after all? Isn’t that one of the big reasons you’re thinking about writing a book? Wanting to be published? Think about it, then go out and get a blog and let your fingers do your talking. I’ll have plenty more to say about this in the coming posts. Just keep one word in mind that I will repeat ad nauseum. Platform. Platform. Platform
Over and out for now. Talk to you soon.
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