I attended a presentation for authors last night here in my hometown. Someone I don’t know from out of town was able to attract around 50 authors who obviously wanted to learn more about publishing. I didn’t stay for the whole presentation. But what I heard was pretty basic stuff that authors need to know.
Before I left, I handed the presenter a copy of my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book,” in hopes that she would recommend it to members of her audiences. It appears that she has no books of her own on the topic or any other topic.
I know others who travel around promoting their own books. They get so many questions related to publishing that they buy my books at a discount to sell to members of their audiences who are interested in knowing more about the world of publishing. I’ll let you know if this presenter is interested or not.
You might ask why I wasn’t the one giving the presentation last night, instead of a freelance writer from out of town. It’s because I was sleeping on the job. I actually sent my resume to the librarian a year or so ago with my suggestion that I give such a presentation. I certainly have the credentials. I guess that the timing was off and my proposal was lost in the shuffle. And then I dropped the ball. I should have pursued the idea and I got busy and didn’t.
Let this be a lesson to you all.
• Look for speaking opportunities where you can promote your book in all of the logical and obscure places locally and outside your area.
• Contact the appropriate individual with your presentation idea.
• When invited to do so, send your program proposal.
• Follow up and follow through.
And, for those of you who are not yet published, but who hope to be, attend presentations such as I attended last night. Trust me, you will not learn everything you want/need to know in one presentation, from one expert/professional, from one book or from one website. But you will learn something of value to your project every single time you reach out.
Assignment
I love giving assignments. Here’s one for you. This summer, I want those of you with books to promote to create a program, approach the program chair for a local civic club organization, group or organization and set up a presentation.
Those who have yet to publish, read a new book on publishing or attend a writers’ group meeting, writers’ conference or other presentation for authors.
Report back to me with the results of your efforts.
Visit both of my websites this weekend and see what value you can find there:
http://www.matiljiapress.com
http://www.patriciafry.com
I just read Publishing Basics: Navigating the Self-Publishing Minefield by Robert Bowie Johnson Jr. & Ron Pramschufer. A whole new world of possibilities has opened up to me, as I never knew I had this option. I am looking forward to learning more and becoming my own publisher.
Best,
M. Browne