3T Writing Tidbit - I hate selling, but without sales I'll starve

 The creativity to write books doesn't always exist alongside another very important talent needed by authors to be successful -- selling.

Basic fact is, if you want to be a successful author, you have to sell books.

Now, I do not like selling. Didn't like it even as a child. Frankly, most of the band candy I sold was to myself.

You may be like me and wonder how you'll be successful. Well, here's a small thought to help you.

It's not about what I need. It's about what I can contribute.

Readers are actively looking for good books. Your book is good, right? So why not just let them know about your book?

 

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.   

2T Repeat Performance - Vampires, Volvos and Time Travel

I've done a number of blog tours over the years, posting on different sites. Now I'm bringing them to you!

Originally published June 1, 2013 for the Samhain Blog

Back when I was the Volvo Goddess (I ran an automotive marketing database and let me tell you, I could make that data sit up and beg) I found myself doing a strange thing every September.

I started dating my checks with the next year.

The problem is, car models jump the gun, year-wise. 2013’s cars were on sale in 2012 and 2014’s will be on sale soon. You can bet marketing firms are already gearing up ads for 2014’s shiny new models, and 2013 isn’t even half done.

I learned from that experience that if you work in next year long enough, you start believing it’s already here.

That first timewarp was beaten, hands down, by being an author. As I’m writing this (on May 24), I have just finished the first draft of Downbeat, Biting Love Book 7, which is scheduled to go on sale March 2014.

Problem? Biting Love Book 6, Beauty Bites, hasn’t even been released. I’m deep in a story that takes place after a book that only a handful of people have read so far.  What makes it worse is that my editor loved the Beauty Bites hero’s sidekick so much she suggested—strongly—I make him the hero of his own story. Soon. So Book 8 is already rolling around in my mind.

Now when I start talking about my stories I yak about characters nobody has met, and even my bestest reader friends look at me funny and suggest we change the conversational channel. It’s enough to drive a sane person nuts.

No wonder us poor authors are a little west of weird. J

Mark your calendars! Beauty Bites, Biting Love Book 6, is coming August 27.

Downbeat, Biting Love Book 7, releases early 2014

Biting Love Book 8, Aiden’s story, will release soon after that if Christa has her way J

Hugs!
Mary

Strong men. Stronger women.
http://maryhughesbooks.com