I think one of the hardest parts of being a published author is the marketing. When you are on your journey to publication, learning your craft, taking workshops, entering contests for feedback, reading books, rewriting, what you are trying to do is make your book the best it can be. You are trying to make your book into a published book.But what I've noticed after writing two published works is that I can't just worry about writing the best book I can. As a published author, I have to worry about what's selling to publishers, or my sales numbers, or marketing the books that have gone to publication in order to gain new readership.
And when that happens, the creativity suffers. The writing becomes harder.
I love being a writer. I love to tell stories. That is what I've wanted to do for the past ten years. It's a dream to be published, one I cherish. But being a published author doesn't stop at the creativity or the spinning of stories. Today it goes beyond that with marketing and trying to please all the people who work with you on the book.
I want to entertain myself as I write. I want to entertain readers who are willing to read my work.
But I can't just do that because I am a published author and have to factor in sales and marketing. I have to factor in that unless I spend money I don't even have to hire a publicist, I have to be my worst enemy to my writing.
I have to be a publicist when I want to be a storyteller.
And when I've done all I can as a publicist and it still doesn't work, I wonder one thing...
Where does that leave the storyteller?
2 cool comments:
It’s definitely a challenge. I think writers across the board will agree that today’s market is especially tough, since the workload has doubled.
Where there were publicists and marketing staff, there are minimal – if any. A writer’s job is getting tougher. First, to write the story worth reading. Then, to market, promote, network, and all the other business angles. In the end, of course, it’s worth it. Without an audience there is as much need for a book as there is for a personal diary. It’s still a value to the writer, but if we want the audience we have to work for it. And we have to work hard.
Great post. I wish you the best with your success!
Thanks, Lori! Great comment, yourself! It's very difficult, more so than I thought it would be. :) :)
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