I’m tired of hyping my own! In fact, I’m changing my tune. I know my books are good and worth reading. My feeling is if you don’t or if you don’t want to read them, that’s fine with me. In fact, that should be your decision. But, I’d love to still be your friend, colleague, partner or even social media bud. So, I promise I’ll stop hyping my books.
As authors we know we must put our books out there on the web to let people know they exist. We are responsible to telling people about our wonderful works. But, when does it become too much?
When do we cut the cord?
My first book has been out for two and a half years. It’s won lots of awards. Nonetheless, I can only garner 85 reviews. I’m stuck. Does that mean people have stopped reading it? I’m not sure. But I do know, it’s time for me to stop asking them to.
My second book has been our for 2 years. Again, it’s won major awards. Again, I’m stuck in a review hiatus. And, unfortunately, again, it’s time to let my book sink or swim. I hope it’s little fins enable it to gain some momentum and swim away.
As for my third book, it’s not been out a year yet. But, it’s gaining strength. People say if you have several books, you have a better chance of them taking off. Well… I’m not sure that’s true. This one is looking sort of stuck to me. But, maybe it’s me who is stuck. I’m not sure.
What I have learned is that it’s time for me to limit my “hyping.” In fact as far as tweeting goes, I’m going to be tweeting less about my books and more about content. Yours, mine and ours.
Do we think we’re the fairest of them all?
Oh, one more itsy bitsy hype… Check out this book trailer. Like it?
Hi Joan! I’ve nominated you for the Liebster blogging award. I searched high and low for writers blogging good content about writing and came across your site. Here are the details: https://raimeygallant.com/2017/07/12/imablogstar/ You’ll have to scroll down past the bit where I accept my nominations to find your name with a brief write-up about you.
Wow, Raimey! What an honor. I will take a look. Thank you!
I’m with you, Joan. I feel very awkward when called upon to hawk my books. I’d much rather do other things. So I do. I blog, I write, because now I’ve freed up more of my time, and I do panels and sometimes I win awards. May not get me much in the way of sales, but it’s very validating. I try to push other people’s books as much as my own because why not? We’re in this crazy writing game together. Also, a lot of the authors out there, like you, are great! Why not try and spread the word? Why not celebrate it?
Hi Heather, thanks for stopping by. Yes, the more I read about what other writers do, the more I see them moving away from the “hawking” game. At first we were told if we didn’t shout our work out, no one would. But, I’m finding that rather tedious. Thank you for sharing your comments. Indeed, I love reviewing and writing about other authors. My readers want to know what I like to read as well.