Marketing. Writing. Marketing. Writing. It continues to be a balancing act. This week, I’ve been working on marketing The Red Kimono, as well as writing a short story I plan to submit for the upcoming Bigfoot anthology which will be published by High Hill Press. (Click here for more information.)
# # #
Christina Katz discusses the necessity of both promotion and writing in an article posted on The Bellingham Herald website. In the article titled “Changes in the Publishing World Means Writers Must Become More Adept at Self-Promotion,” Ms. Katz states:
Hungry writers who hustle can build up a following in a matter of years, but not sooner than that.
That’s a humbling and true statement.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/06/17/2565012/convulsions-in-publishing-world.html
# # #
The best thing about this post was that it clearly explains that there are other options besides that “pie-in-the-sky” dream of getting “accepted” by a New York publishing house. Besides, as Ms. Parker goes on to say:
After a year of attempting to go “the New York Big Six” publishing route and dealing with rejection on The Red Kimono, I am thrilled that my book is going to be published by the University of Arkansas Press. Also, I’m currently putting together a prequel of sorts to release on Amazon Kindle.
Some of us have to get that “traditional publishing route” out of our systems. I suppose that’s okay, as long as we remember that there are other paths out there.
# # #
What I am saying is this: Try to notice time in your day, even if it’s only 15 minutes, when you are not doing something you enjoy or something you have to do. What time do you already have that you can reuse as writing time?
In other words, Ms. Strawser’s suggestions help you to find writing time in ways that avoid the “guilt” associated with giving up something you enjoy.
# # #
― Maya Angelou
Pingback: Madison Woods » Monday: Goal Check
I’m one of those who have to get the traditional route out of my system 😉 But I also enjoy the prospect of self-publishing certain things. Great mashup again, Jan!
LikeLike
Thanks, Madison. It seems most new writers need to get that out of their systems. 🙂 BTW, your new site is gorgeous!
LikeLike
I followed the link to “find writing time” and enjoyed the article. I agree that we shouldn’t feel guilty for every minute of time not spent writing or being ‘productive’ in some other fashion. I would like to spend more time writing, but everything comes with a price. Sometimes a few hours with the grandkids is worth more than five pages of copy.
LikeLike
Thank you, Russell. It’s always nice to read something that tells us it’s okay not to feel guilty. 🙂 You’re right–we have to set our priorities.
LikeLike
Great mash-up, Jan. First, a huge congrats on your annoucement about The Red Kimono. I love the title (loved Broken Dolls, too) and can’t wait to see the finished copy. Smart idea to get a prequel on Amazon. Three cheers, my friend!!!
I, too, am seeking the traditional big-time publisher for my novel. However, I went the indie route (not a vanity press for my two picture books. They provide theillustrator, find a distributor, get th ebook on Amazon, BN.com. BAM.comand others. It has been a fun ride and I’ve been very pleased with the finished product. And Jessica Park is right. Readers could care less who the publisher is. I think writers are the only ones who ever look at the spines for that info!
LikeLike
Thank you, Beth. 🙂 and a big congratulations on your new book, THE MISSING KEY!
LikeLike
Ack. Sorry about all the typos. A pop-up menu covered my words so I was going by touch (and not well it seems).
LikeLike
Ha! Thanks, Beth! Glad to see you back in the virtual world. We missed you!
LikeLike