Things I Have Learned...

Yet another installment in the Things I Have Learned (sometimes the hard way) series.

Spread the word--just do it right!

1. Getting a book published is not the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The work is just beginning, actually. Particularly if you are an unagented, self-pubbed, or indie author. It takes lots of man (or woman) hours to put your book out there were people can see it. It takes even more work to make them WANT to see it. And more work still to convince them to BUY it.

2. Marketing your book must be done prolifically but carefully. Please do not promote your book on websites/threads that do not allow author promotion. People DO NOT like this. Trust me. Join all the author/reader groups on sites like Goodreads/Amazon/Yahoo groups, etc. that you can, but strictly follow the rules! Some sites/threads allow for only certain types of promotions. Some for only certain genres on certain days. I know you're excited to tell the world about your book, but you must be diplomatic about it, or you'll be called a shameless self-promoter.

Criticism sucks. Hold back your inner  

bulldog!

3. I think I've said this before, but please do not respond negatively to negative reviews. I've seen some REALLY ugly exchanges, and I've been tempted to comment on negative feedback myself. But, I remember those wicked incidents from authors gone berserk and kept my mouth (and fingers) from doing something stupid. Be thankful for someone that read and gave feedback, and ignore anything negative.

4. The publishing world is SLOW, but unpredictably so. You'll submit something for publication or review and you may hear back the next day or four months later. Waiting simply sucks. Resist the urge to nag. Wait a respectable time (I'm still not sure what that is--60 days maybe?) before you even think about touching base to see if your story was received or if someone's going to review it. In the meantime, content yourself with writing or editing. That's what all the fuss is about anyway, isn't it? Might as well improve your skills while you wait instead of staring at your inbox.

That's all for this installment of Things I Have Learned (sometimes the hard way). Until next time...

***REMEMBER to enter for a chance to win Visions by Anna James. I'll be drawing this coming Monday. 
-->CLICK HERE<-- More author interviews are also on their way...