Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Okay, published authors - my debut novel Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? releases on Tuesday.

I don't know what to expect. Give me any advice here or on my Facebook page: Abigail Sharpe Books. Help!!!

is this privae publishing?

David, I don't understand the question. Do you mean is it self published? Or with a publishing house?

... or do you mean on Facebook? Anyone can see the status, but you have to be logged in.

I got some great advice once, "Don't expect anything. Anything you do get is a bonus." Occasionally someone 'makes it' early on, at least, theoretically that could happen, but expect to do lots and lots of marketing,scrounging up reviewers, writing new books, and possibly even re-writing your current book before things seem to get moving. I heard that there are like a thousand ebooks(term used loosely)published every day, so even if you have a truly excellent book, perseverence is the key. If I remember right, Stephen King had tried hundreds of manuscripts before he made it big.
That said, maybe you'll be one of the lucky few and hit your target vein on the first poke. If so, more power to you. It was bound to happen to someone.

I'd be totally down with me hitting that target vein. :) I've already been roughing it on the marketing trail (along with the publishing company) and Who Wants to Marry a Doctor? comes out toward the end of this year.

I'm not touching my first book again, though. Thanks for the ideas and encouragement!

I have found that writing the books is the easy part. Marketing makes my brain spin out of control. I have found one useful tool. Expand the realm of promo. I email magazines, blogs, and groups that have similar likes and interests as the topic of my book. For instance, my heroines are curvy so I contacted Curvy Magazine with my first book and did an interview that was featured in one of their issues. Branching out and looking outside the box can open up your audience profile and makes for an increase in sales and gets your name out to readers. :)

I have to agree with you, Pauline. Writing the books is the easy part, and fun, too. But the marketing - YUK! I'm a pilot, not a salesman. Think I'll borrow your email idea. Sounds like it could be worthwhile in my case. Thanks.

Pauline wrote: "I have found that writing the books is the easy part. Marketing makes my brain spin out of control. I have found one useful tool. Expand the realm of promo. I email magazines, blogs, and groups tha..."

Hi Pauline--I love your idea of targeting specific interest groups like Curvy Magazine! I did something similar with towns that I mentioned in my book--I sent press releases to the local newspapers. But now you've got me thinking about particular interests that I mentioned. Great idea!

Thank you all! I made it through and now I'm basking in the glory of officially being a Published Author. Yay!!!

Congrats, Abigail!

Abigail wrote: "Thank you all! I made it through and now I'm basking in the glory of officially being a Published Author. Yay!!!"

Congratulations!! Welcome to the jungle! Lol. ;)

It's kinda nice on this side.