I’m published! Now what?

I’m published! Now what?

Time to just sit back and relax, right? Pardon me while I chuckle…

An author’s work doesn’t end when the book goes live—not if she wants her book to be noticed.

Without marketing the new release, it’s just lost in a sea of books; an enormous sea.

So, off goes the writing hat, and on comes the marketing cap. The writing hat is never far away because the next book is already in the works. And you know what? I’m cool with the workload, excited really.

The marketing aspect is difficult and fun. It’s another creative outlet.

Learning the ropes of Amazon Ads and Facebook Ads and such, while writing copy, is pretty darn challenging. But it can be fun. And writing the new book? Well, that’s a bit like starting a new book as a reader. Everything is fresh; a clean slate; a dawning of new ideas, characters, and plot. As a fiction writer, whether Plotter or Pantser, starting a new novel is thrilling.

And yet, each task, marketing or novel writing, is a full-time job. So, planning and balance are key. And when I say balance, I mean taking time off, getting outside, visiting friends. You get the idea.

I started marketing a year before my book was ready for publishing. As a new author, every step was a steep learning curve. Whether Indie or traditionally published, the author is often responsible for most of the marketing. And as an Indie publisher, the creation of the book’s interior and cover, as well as the coding for the eBook version, is in the hands of the author.

I read so much material and watched so many videos, I couldn’t possibly accurately list them all here. But I assure you that nowadays, good articles and ‘how to’ videos are pretty easy to find.

I created binders of information and sometimes wondered how I’d get through it all. But, bit by bit, I got more and more organized and my publishing and marketing plan took shape.

It started with an author platform—which is an ongoing project.

I learned how to create my website and social media presence—Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn. My website traffic grew slowly, but it grew (even without a product yet to sell). Social media presence is trickier. Authentically engaging with people while learning how to tell them about you and your book, without becoming a nuisance, is… well… often hit and miss. And, sometimes, the friends and family we thought would support us don’t always come through. Learning how to move forward without them is, at times, difficult, but critical. Believing in and trusting in yourself and your book is important. You put a lot of work into your book, every word chosen with purpose. So, support your efforts with self-compassion, and, well, heart-full, mindful intention.

An unknown author doesn’t build a fan base overnight. It takes dedication and effort and humility and patience.

Having said this, I’m glad I created my website when I did, and I’m proud of my efforts. Now that I’ve published my book, visitors to my well-established website have both my blog and my book to consider.

I’m published!

Time to keep at it. Pardon me while I smile…