I stayed up way too late last night and am having a hard time concentrating on my work today. It’s all Fredrik Backman‘s fault.
Mr. Backman is the author of the critically acclaimed novel A Man Called Ove which was made into an Academy Award nominated foreign film and also will be a Hollywood movie starring Tom Hanks.
But while I enjoyed A Man Called Ove, it’s his book Beartown that I can’t put down. And the best part is there’s a sequel, Us Against You. As I finish the last few pages of Beartown, I’m anticipating the storyline of Us Against You and envision how I’d write it. I can’t wait to see how close my ideas fit the actual book.
It’s amazing I’ve gotten this newsletter out in time.
Once I finish reading both of these books, I’ll make a point of reviewing them on Amazon and Goodreads. I’ll also try to connect with Mr. Backman on Twitter and/or Facebook. I might even be able to converse with him. Years ago, it was extremely rare to communicate with famous authors, now it’s common place. How cool is that?
And by reviewing his books, I’m helping Mr. Backman with his marketing, though at this point, he doesn’t need much help.
But the majority of novelists do. What many readers and beginning writers don’t realize is that most novelists have to do their own marketing even if they receive a contract with a publishing house like Simon & Schuster. It’s a problem for us creative types who don’t have any business or marketing background and want to spend our time writing, not figuring out Amazon SEO (what the heck is an SEO anyway?), how to effectively use hashtags, or whether Goodreads Giveaways are profitable.
I’ve learned some of the marketing tools of the trade and I know I should wrap my head around most of it, but I’m not interested. I just want to write — particularly in beautiful settings like this porch on my writing retreat last May. I’m more interested in whether Paul will make it through the Vessel Trials in my book The Devil Particle or if Jaelyn will betray Gaige in the second book of the trilogy.
Successful indie-published author Susan Kaye Quinn writes in her book For Love or Money: Crafting an Indie Author Career that only authors can write their books, but other people can do the editing, book formatting, marketing, etc. She urges authors to get help.
So I’ve decided to do that. I’ve hired web guru and virtual marketer Celeste Anton of Dandelion Web Marketing to revamp my website and help me navigate Amazon. It’s amazing what I’m learning from her and I’m excited about the possibilities. But even writers who don’t have money to spare can get help. For instance, I’ve enlisted author Margaret Goss, who’s an expert in social media, to help me with my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Instead of paying her, I’m assisting Meg with her latest manuscript. It’s a win-win for both of us.
Readers, you can help your favorite writers with their marketing, too. Give honest reviews of their books on Amazon (Carpe Diem, Illinois only needs 7 more reviews to get a boost from Amazon!) and Goodreads. Tell them how much you liked their characters or were transformed by their stories by contacting with them on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And don’t forget to attend their book discussions and signings. My daughter and I had the privilege of seeing Fredrik Backman in person at Printers Row Lit Fest in June and we will never forget it.
Now back to Beartown and then Us Against You — yahoo! If I don’t get any writing done this weekend, I blame it on Fredrik Backman.
Where you can find me this summer:
Guest Blog: Pen and Prosper – I’m pleased to be interviewed on the June 15th edition of this award-winning publication!
NEXT WEDNESDAY! Meet the Author, Author Discussion and Book Signing, Galleria 214, Cambridge, WI (214 West Main Street), July 11th, 6:00 p.m. I’ll be the second author honored to participate in this wonderful event.
Playtime with Bill Turck and Kerri Kendall — a radio show dedicated to the arts, on1590 WCGO, Sunday, August 12th – tune in at 2:00 as Randy Richardson, president of the Chicago Writers Association, interviews me about The Write City Review and my novels.
Paradyme Productions, September 4-7. I’ll be on hand as local actor Rob Doyle reads Carpe Diem, Illinois for the brand new audio book! Rob has performed at the American Players Theatre, the Children’s Theatre of Madison, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. And this September, he becomes Leo!
