Do you ever wonder why some authors get all of the breaks? They are always out doing book signings, getting press, participating in events and announcing big sales figures. Could it be that they’re the lucky ones? They happened to bring their books out at the right time and seem to stumble into sweet deals. It could be.
But most likely these authors are constantly seeking opportunities, recognizing them and accepting them. They are making their luck—creating their “good fortune.”
I’ve been in contact with most of the SPAWN members who participated with us in the SPAWN booth at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books a few weeks ago. And opportunities stemming from that event—that exposure—are still manifesting for some of them.
One children’s book author is talking to the owner of a small chain of restaurants about book signings or some other activity that would bring recognition to both the restaurants and the author.
The author of a novel was contacted by a librarian she met at the book festival. The librarian had read her book, was impressed and invited her to participate in a large event the library is holding soon. She also said she will be recommending this book to patrons.
I had dinner with a SPAWN member this week who is speaking to a group of his book’s audience this morning at a private school. The school purchased copies of his book for each member of the audience. This opportunity came about when he sent a copy of his book to someone who later became a counselor at this school.
Do you recognize opportunities when you see them/hear about them? Are you taking advantage of them?
A SPAWN member contacted me recently asking if I knew how she could get her book reviewed. Well, I write about getting book reviews often in the SPAWN Market Update (in the member area of the SPAWN website) and I frequently provide strong leads for magazines, sites, etc. that publish book reviews. If this member had been reading the newsletter and studying the archives, she would have more opportunities at hand than she would know what to do with.
An opportunity is useless without action. But the first step in successfully using an opportunity is to discover it. You must go in search of opportunities. Seek them out. Know where to look for them and then pursue them.
Next, you must recognize an opportunity. I see authors look opportunities right in the face and not see it for what it is.
Once you identify the opportunity as such, and you know it is a good fit for you and your project, embrace it. Pursue it. Challenge it. Conquer it. How?
Join that writers’ or publishing group. If you are a member, partake of their offerings. Read the newsletters, follow the leads, attend the meetings, get involved in their activities. Follow up on leads that you learn of. Pursue avenues of potential exposure for your book. You cannot take this sort of action on behalf of your book project without being confronted by the opportunity to learn and to grow.
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