My book, The Trust, has been out for about 5 months.  I’m not giving up my day job anytime soon, but I’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the support and reception the book has received.

Especially when you consider the fact that I am a first time, unknown writer such as myself.

However several interesting things have happened I never expected.  I was completely taken off guard at the new things I began to notice that before I never even knew existed.  (Of course this makes me wonder what else I am missing).

Amazon sales rank for instance.  As any writer is likely aware Amazon and other online retailers track sales numbers for books that are sold through their respective sites. 

Amazon goes so far as to regularly update their ranking numbers giving authors the ability numerous times through the day to see what their books are doing (of not doing) as to sales.

This has also created a plethora of individual lists for rankings.  This has also created an addiction of sorts for some new authors, or so I’ve been told.

In the past the one major list people looked towards for “best seller” information was the New York Times Best Seller List.  Period.

Today things are decidedly different with some of the online retailers offering a seemingly ever-increasing number of “best seller” lists. 

In the past we had a fiction best seller list and a non-fiction best seller list. 

Today while those two lists still exists, is seems like every week new lists are added as the existing lists are broken down in to growing list of categories. 

However, this creates an interesting reality.  Much like a search one would do on Google™, the more the search is refined the fewer results you get.  In the realm of best sellers, the more you focus the list, the fewer books you have that make up the sub-genre.

In the past if you had two novels, one about a young woman involved in a coming of age story with vampires and another about a retired watchmaker searching for the perfect left-handed coffee cup, you’d have two works of fiction massed together with all of the other books on a single best seller list. 

However, today with multiple sub-categories present, while the coming of age tale may be in the top 10 on virtually any all encompassing list from the New York Times Best Seller list on down, there may be one or two lists where the coffee cup seeker’s tale is #1.  However, when was the last time you looked at the best seller list “Fiction-ebook-mystery-thriller-coffee related books-left-handed protagonist?” 

Probably not too recently.

I’ve found myself in this trap and have worked to stay away from the fray.  I find I generally feel better when I avoid the temptation to check my Amazon too often.

In large part, I’ve tried to avoid the sales rank obsession.  Sure, I want my book to do well and I, like the majority of independent and small press authors, am working incredibly hard to ensure the success of my book, but Amazon sales rank is not the be all end all in the success equation.

Focus on small quantifiable steps.  Every sale counts and if you go out and make the sale happen yourself, you stand a much better chance of having the reader you connected with go out and tell someone else about your book.

If you have a couple of events in a week and sell 50 books your Amazon numbers may drop significantly, but it was an incredible week for you as an author. Bases loaded home runs are amazing to watch but small ball will win games too.

Look at Amazon sales numbers from time to time, but remember that those sales numbers don’t take into account the good will you are building by getting out and selling your book.  Take half a step back and realize the success you are enjoying.

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.  I promise I won’t check my Amazon sales numbers until tomorrow!

In a nod to Forrest, Forrest Gump, “Momma said you never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Words more true have never been spoken. 

Particularly if you’re a writer.

As a writer, it’s all about grabbing a reader’s attention and getting them serious about another look.

Think about it for a moment. 

Say you want to get an agent’s attention.  What do you need?  An amazingly effective query letter.  It doesn’t matter if your manuscript is out of this world, you have to quickly grab the agent’s attention and keep it.

Say you want to get the reader to move past the first page. Your first line has to be enough to get them to the second line, then to the next then to the end of the page and beyond. 

Keep in mind readers have any number of things they could be doing other than reading your book.  In fact, before a reader even gets to the first page, they have to get the book in their hands. 

Here the first impression is of paramount importance.

How does your book make a first impression?  Either have a well-funded ad campaign behind it or have a great cover (though both really helps).  Since most of us don’t have huge ad budgets, we get to go with the cover approach.

You need a cover that sets your book apart and makes it really stand out.

Take a look at the cover.  Something about this just makes you want to read the book.

Check this one out.  How could you not want to read that book?

Then there’s this one.  Personally, one of my favorites. 

Now, I will say that not every great book has a great cover.  One of my favorite books, A Confederacy of Dunces, has an interesting cover, but it, in my humble opinion, the cover doesn’t really make you rush right over and want to dive in.  It more so makes you stop, wander over and wonder what the book possibly could be about.  If your wondering, check out the review here.

So what do you need for a good cover?

1 – Go Professional

If you have a publisher, follow their lead.  Your publisher knows what sells and what works.  They will be motivated to have  your book grab attention and fly off the shelf.  They want that first impression to be a reaction that makes the reader reach for their wallet.  If your publisher suggests a cover, give it really careful attention.

So you don’t have a publisher?  Spend some money to have a professional with a tight portfolio design your cover.  There are loads of firms online that provide the service at all price points, so shop around.  One firm you might want to check out is Novel Publicity.  (I don’t own the company or even get a kickback, but they are great people who do good work.)  The point here is money spent to put a great cover on your book will always be an excellent investment.

It’s your book, but remember you’re a writer not a design professional.  (Unless you happen to be a design professional who is also a writer.)  Get a pro involved.

2 – Keep it Simple

The one thing I like about effective book covers is that they aren’t too busy.  They pick a theme and convey it in a straightforward fashion.  If a cover is too busy you run the risk of having the reader move on to the next and more appealing cover. 

If a reader is browsing the bookstore shelves they may spend perhaps 2 seconds on a particular cover. 

So you have 2 seconds to grab their attention.  The previous paragraph is less 20 words and it likely took you longer than 2 seconds to read it. You have to grab and keep a reader’s attention.

Short and simple.  Powerful and effective.  Those are the covers that scream, “READ THIS BOOK!”  Of course, without literally saying that.

3 – Color or Black and White

Ah, there’s the rub.  As with many things in the writer’s realm, there is no simple answer.  Think mood.  What are you trying to convey?  You may not want to have a black and white cover for a tale of hope and wonder, but for a edgy tale black and white may be just the thing.  Check this one out.

The same is true for graphics or a photograph.  It depends on the mood you are trying to convey and what you are wanting to get across to the reader.  My book, The Trust, has a photograph on the cover, but the photo yields to the theme and feel of the book.

4 – Options and more Options

Before you decide on a final cover for your book, work through several options.  Get input from other readers, from friends and even those off of the street.  A second opinion is always important and a third and fourth are even better.  Particularly when it deals with the face you’re putting forward on your book.

That all being said, there are no hard fast rules for covers.  Perhaps the one rule that covers all situations is, “Don’t have a bad cover.”  Another good catchall rule is, ”When in doubt, less is more.”  There is nothing wrong with a simple design.  No one can complain about a text only publisher. 

At the end of the day the cover of the book is the face the world will see.  Make sure it is one everyone wants to look at again and again.  As long as it is effective then the cover is right for you!

So while you’re here why not read a chapter from my book or even buy a copy of your own.   Feel free to leave a comment, even if it is about my cover. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of The Trust will be donated to canine related charities.

$#*$% ?  I say $%#@#$# and *&$^%$  &%$% yes.  If not some *&^$ person may not be *&^&% again. 

Translation?

I’ll hold off for now and allow you a moment to fill in the blanks, but suffice it to say simply because you see a mix of symbols doesn’t mean that the first sentence has to be X-Rated.  But it easily could be.

The point of this comes from a conversation I recently had concerning the use of profanity and what exactly was appropriate language for books on the market today.

As the saying goes, opinions are like $#*&%$ - everyone has one.  Keep in mind everyone has a hometown and probably a pair of pants.

I’m of the opinion, as with many things in literature, there is certainly that which is not only appropriate but, necessary.  On the other hand there is that which I believe is for shock value and shock value alone.

For instance, if there’s a scene where every third word out of a character’s mouth is an F-bomb, it’s likely we have shock value.  Or, say a character is given a profanity laced case of Tourette’s Syndrome with no other plot tie-in, then perhaps we have shock value.

However if you have a particularly seasoned police detective, some profanity, perhaps even at inappropriate times, is to be expected.  Perhaps a man of the cloth has fallen from grace and will utter every profanity in the book; however he refuses to take the Lord’s name in vain.  I believe these uses of profanity help create a full character.

Even with the average person sometimes a single well-placed expletive can be amazingly effective in conveying a subtle difference in mood or tone that, I believe, is difficult to otherwise create.  To avoid such or, even worse, to write around this, would simply not be true to the character.

But wait you say!  Won’t you alienate your audience?  Well, I believe you have to know your audience before you can alienate them.  However, if you are not true to your characters or your story, you may not have readers to alienate.

I write thrillers and mysteries.  I don’t believe my readers would enjoy too much graphic language or even too much blood and gore. I don’t believe they want me to discuss politics or religion.  I do believe they want believable characters.

However, if, on occasion the language in a book mirrors that which you may hear in real life, I believe that not only does my audience accept, but also expects it.  To do otherwise I believe I run the risk of losing readers. 

I believe if a character limps then the reader needs to know it.  If a character is a seasoned police officer but tends bonsai trees for relaxation, the reader needs to know it.  And if a specific word conveys the emotion or adds to the tone of a scene, I believe the reader should have it.

Really?  I say completely and affirmatively 100% yes.  If not some loyal reader may not be loyal again.

Oh yes, the translation of the first sentence?

You just read it.

As long as you’re here, why don’t you read an excerpt from The Trust or even buy a copy of your very own.  A portion of all proceeds from The Trust will go to K9 nonprofit organizations.  Feel free to comment!

I haven’t done a review in a couple of weeks but had a great experience this week I thought would be great fodder for a review.  Particularly given that on Fridays I try to do entries designed to give writers some tools, or at least thoughts, to help with some aspect of their writing.

I also like to give thanks where it is deserved.

Add to that the fact that many of my recent posts have been marketing related, this seemed particularly appropriate.

There's a great site called Novel Publicity.  The name says it all.  They provide a large and varied number of services to assist authors in book promotion – at all stages of the game.  Pretty much whatever you need for promotion they have it.  While this may sound like a paid promotional blog, I really was that impressed with the experience I had.

They have a team of professionals who clearly have an understanding of and love of the written word.  Plus they respond to questions very promptly (even when some of the answers could be found right on their website.  What can I say, sometimes I get lazy).

One of the services they offer is called a Twitterview.  Follow the link to get the skinny on how it works but the nutshell is a modern day, high tech version of 20 questions. 

In each Twitterview the first 5 questions are always the same, the next 5 are crafted for the specific person being Twitterviewed, the next 5 are generated at random (randomly picked by the Twitterviewee from a bank of questions) and the last 5 are from the audience.

The Twitterviewee logs onto Twitter at the appointed time and a moderator generates the questions and keeps the interview going.  The answers are provided 140 characters at a time, in real time, by the Twitterviewee.

The Twitter character limit forces you to be very succinct and thoughtful in your answers.  It also keeps you on your feet.  It can be fast and furious, but it is a blast.

The audience questions are a load of fun.  Primarily because the audience is really paying attention and is keenly focused on the author and the interview. 

Novel Publicity does a great job promoting the event to ensure maximum exposure. As well, when it is over a graphic transcript is posted on their site.  Read mine here.

While Novel Publicity charges for their services, many of their services, Twitterviews included, may be obtained gratis though you do have to do some work - generally winning a contest. 

One of the ways you can win a Twitterview is by having a winning entry in a flash fiction contest.  What better way to practice your writing than to do it with the possibility of winning free publicity. That is just a win-win proposition!

Point of all of this, in addition to saying thanks to the folks at Novel Publicity for a great experience, is that this is an example of what you find when you are active in social media and network with the masses out there.

The options are never ending and it is literally a situation where around the corner there is yet another opportunity to expand your brand and further your reach.  It only takes you as the author taking those few steps.
 

As always, thanks for stopping by and feel free to comment.  Oh, while you are here why not read an excerpt from The Trust or even buy your own copy.

News flash! Writing a book is just the first step of the process. How’s that for obvious?

Make no mistake, it’s a huge first step, but the first never the less.  The real task is how to spread the word to the masses.  

So what do you do? 

Simple question. 

Simple answer.

The easiest way to sell your book is to have lots of money.  Hire a marketing professional and undertake a national campaign.  See, easy answer, but, for me (and I would imagine most indie authors) the national campaign slush fund is dry.

Where does that leave the average indie author?

We have to be good writers and great marketers.  We also need to realize a few things.

First, no matter how good your book is, unless people read it, well, no one is reading it. 

Second, there are a lot of authors out there in the same boat as you. 

Next, good writers are working their tails off to sell their book. This I promise.

So, back to the initial question.  What is the best way to market your book on little to no budget. 

Realize there isn’t a single surefire method rather a number of different techniques that can work well together.  Oh, be wary of anyone promising quick sales for a fee. Think SCAM. 

Most things I talk about below are free (free from $$$ anyway, time is another thing). So try these ideas.

1.            Talk about your book.  Tell everyone you know, even strangers.  Not only should you tell them, but ask them to tell others about your book.  Ask them to buy it.

2.            Set up a website.  This may take a small investment, but if you want to do it for free that is certainly possible. Once the site is up, see step number 1.  (Yes its redundant, but it’s okay if it sells books.)

3.            Set up a Facebook “Like” page and a Twitter account.

4.            Use said Facebook and Twitter accounts regularly. Don’t overload, but give good content and updates.

5.            Interact with friends you meet on Twitter and Facebook.  Even other writers.  Not every writer will buy your book, nor will every blogger/reviewer.  However writers, bloggers and reviewers have readers and they do buy books. 

6.            Email a lot. Perhaps the most overlooked (and least expensive) marketing idea is to include a custom signature in your emails.  Link to your website and give a brief blurb about your book.  I send hundreds of emails a week and I’ve been surprised at how many sales have come from this alone.  I promise the return is better than from mass adverts.

If you have a good product and stay with it, I am sure you’ll be surprised at the results.

Finally, realize that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Blog about your book or experience as a writer.  Offer to speak at civic groups or schools.  Join writer’s sites such as Redroom or Goodreads.  Check out local book clubs and ask to speak to them.  Get out, spread the word.  If one thing doesn’t work, try something else. Think sustained grassroots.  Once you start to sell some books then you can hire you own marketing firm!

In 1994 a band from South Carolina, Hootie and the Blowfish, released an album called Cracked Rear View. It went on to sell more than 10 million copies and was the best selling album of 1995.  Prior to this, Hootie, on their own, sold tens of thousands of copies of their self released EP.  It got the attention of the major labels and propelled them to the top.  They did all of this without Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or really any social media at all. 

Think what you can do now.

As long as you’re here, why don’t you read a bit of The Trust or even buy a copy of your own. 

I went to sleep on January 20, 2011 to little fanfare.  I was at a conference staying in a nice hotel on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  Oddly enough there was talk of snow for the weekend.  I awoke on the morning of Friday, January 21, 2011 and it was pretty much the same as any other morning. That is with one minor exception.

On the 21st my book, The Trust, was published. 

I began writing it in 2004 and it had been a part of my life for a long time. There were times I’d all but convinced myself it would never see any ink that didn’t come from my home printer. 

However on the 21st that changed.

Now all things considered the 21st was an arbitrary date. I’d known the publication date weeks in advance, had told people about it, had a website, a twitter account, a blog and the list goes on.  Even with all of this, I was curious if the 21st would be any different.

Lots of people went well out of their way to congratulate me on the publication, but there wasn’t really a lot that changed on the 21s.

Or so I thought.

Since that day, not a day has passed I haven’t talked to at least several people about the book.  Not a day has passed that I haven’t been curious what the book was doing on Amazon.  Not a day has passed that I haven’t been on Twitter or my webpage. I’ve started planning events for the book, I’ve visited bookstores, I’ve become all to familiar with the post office workers from sending out books to reviewers or others.

I’ve pretty much done everything but write.  Note to self here, I have to work on this and soon.

The biggest change I’ve noticed is that now I tend to look at virtually every situation I may find myself apart of as an opportunity to network my book.

I’ve also learned that I am and likely will be the best marketing tool I ever could have. 

No one told me this when I was sitting in random hotel lobbies all across the southeastern United States writing the book.  However, I find I really enjoy all that I’ve been doing since the book came out. 

I believe that is perhaps the biggest thing I could pass along to someone just starting out on writing career.  Start thinking early about your presence.  Stake out your own little corner of cyberspace and make it a friendly place and a place that people will enjoy visiting. 

I’ve found that alcohol is a good thing to have on hand.  Writers and readers seem to like to take a drink.

If you make your patch of cyberspace a place that people like to visit and work to spread the work, I’m starting to see that they will come back and might just bring friends. 

So start spreading the word. After all, if you don’t who’s going to want to stop by.

So long as you’re here, feel free to leave with a copy of The Trust.

So today started out pretty icky.  It was cold.  It started raining.  It kept raining.  In fact it is still raining. 
Then at one of my random breaks during the day, I decided to check Amazon and lo and behold there was the fruit of my labor available for purchase.  Nearly 7 years after I first decided to actually write the novel I had been talking about for longer than that it is up on Amazon.  
When I first started writing I found myself sitting around thinking how amazingly great it would be if I could have a book available on Amazon.  That was a while ago and I do feel a sense of accomplishment that I can go to Amazon (and soon Barnes & Noble) and see my book there, I have elevated my goals.  
Now I want to see two (or three or more) books on Amazon and B&N.  Perhaps the most immediate goal is to be able to walk into a bookstore and see it on the shelf.  That, I will admit would be great.  
However, right now the main think I want to start doing is writing on the follow up book.  I've had a bit of creative block finishing the second book not knowing what the first was doing.  In hindsight, this was probably something I should have handled differently.  If I had just kept writing then I would likely have one book published, one in the proverbial can and then been able to focus on an idea I have been kicking about for another book.  Never-the-less I'm happy with where I am now, but have learned that regardless of circumstances the easy answer to what to do next as a writer is just write some more. The product may be less than stellar, but at least you'll have something to edit and not be faced with an empty monitor screen!