Some weeks ago (September 2, 2011, to be exact) I wrote a blog post about how it’s okay to have fun while promoting your book. We keep talking about how much work it is—and it is. But it can also be fun and I urge authors to let it be fun and to make it fun. I’m speaking to a group at the Camarillo Library tonight in Camarillo, California and I expect to have fun meeting authors and hopeful authors and helping them understand more about the publishing industry.
Most of us have fun when we’re writing. We enjoy the process. We look forward to the time we set aside or can eke out to write each day/week. But what about your audience? Are you striving to make your book enjoyable for your readers, as well? Or do you even think about your readers while you’re writing your book?
I’ve written other posts (and articles) focusing on the importance of your audience. Sure you want to impact your audience with your words. That’s why you’re writing—to inform, entertain and/or share your story with others. But most authors don’t keep their audience in mind throughout the writing process.
Perhaps you are better at this since you’ve read my posts on this topic and realize how important it is. It might be that you consider your readers before deciding how to organize your business book or you give your audience a quick thought as you construct a scene in your story. But what about the fun aspect? Will your readers enjoy reading your book? Are you writing it so that they will have as much fun reading it as you did writing it? Even a mystery, how-to book or memoir can be fun to read if the right elements are present. For example:
• Is your how-to or business book written in a friendly, light manner? Or is it too stiff and serious? I can’t tell you how many people tell me how much they appreciate my easy-to-read, friendly writing style in my informational books.
• Is your historical novel or travel memoir actually enjoyable to read or is dry and mechanical?
If you’re having fun writing your book, try to pass along some of that fun to the reader. They will appreciate it. No one wants to spend their reading or studying time trying to work through difficult phrases and dour thoughts. We don’t pick up a book because we want to be talked down to or scolded, for Pete’s sake. We read for enjoyment. Whether we choose a book for entertainment value or we strive to learn something, we want the experience to be enjoyable.
Think about that this week as you work on your latest writing project. How can you make your book more fun for the reader?
And don’t forget to start (or continue) working on your marketing plan. Order your copy of Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author today. Amazon has both the print version and the Kindle: http://amzn.to/oe56Ia
You can also purchase it from bn.com and IndieBound.com or Patricia Fry’s website: http://www.matilijapress.com/promoteyourbook.html