So, the other day I released my third novel. Needless to say this is something that has become the entire focus of my life right now. That’s the problem when you decide to publish something yourself. That means you are the editor and the marketing department. Of course, there are people who have jobs and spend their entire days doing nothing but promoting people’s books. Since I have a regular full-time job this means I spend a lot of time pretending to work and really trying to find ways to promote my book.
So, it seems, according to some, that one of the best ways to promote my book is to have a blog. Who knew? Here I have been writing in my blog for several months and I haven’t promoted any of my books until yesterday.
Now I have a problem. Do I continue to talk about my books on this particular blog? Or do I create a new blog and dedicate it just to promoting my books. I like that idea because putting my name and my book out there to as many people and places as possible is a great thing. However, this has kind of become my major center for my blogging and I like posting here and I like to tell the people who come here to read my stuff about the other things I am writing.
You see the problem. In the meantime I have been spending a lot of time nosing around on bulleting boards and forums and even those ancient newsgroup things that apparently some people still subscribe too. I figured newsgroups had gone the way of the dodo but they are still there and some of them still have thousands of subscribers, at least, according to the details you get when you read about the various newsgroups.
I also spent some time on that giant vacuous place known as MySpace. I was once told that using MySpace is a great way to promote things like bands and such. I guess a book isn’t that different than a band especially how many bands and singers have made something out of themselves by selling their own music for a long time. However, they can also show up to open-mike nights and perform and then sell CDs out of the back of their car. I can’t just show up at bookstores and start doing readings and then sell my books out of the back of my car. Most of your Barnes and Nobles frown on that.
I have also written a press release. I spent a lot time sending that damn thing all over the place. I signed up for something called PR Web which is supposed to release the press release to the entire world sometime tomorrow morning. Then I signed up for a bunch of free press release services too. That damn press release should be flying all over the internet and the world as I type this. Now, if it would just get read by the right person.
I have studied lists of writers bulletin boards. I have looked at lists of forums and message boards. I have posted polite-sounding bulletins and notices about my book. I have signed up for so many forums and message boards that I don’t think I can even keep track of them anymore.
The thing is, I have no idea if any of this is working. It’s like standing in the forest of on top of w windy mountain and screaming and hoping that maybe, just maybe, someone a few hundred miles away might hear an echo.
I have spent hours and hours by now sending press releases, posting blog posts and posting messages on bulletin boards and forums and newsgroups. Will any of it matter? Will a single person outside of my family and friends even look at my website or buy a book? Will Batman and Robin survive the giant clam?
So, in another bit of shameless self-promotion let me plead again. If you would like to read a good book, visit my new home page. It’s pretty simple. It’s www.bryanalaspa.com. My new book is called “Dust.” Guys, a lot of stuff blows up and there is a lot of action. You’ll like it.
Like I always say, I am not even asking you to read the book. I honestly don’t care if you do, although that would be nice. I just ask that you buy a LOT of copies.
I have a miserable job in HR Hell to quit.
