Still being a fairly new published author, I thought I would share some of the things I've learned about getting noticed and building a 'brand' as a new author. Here are a few tips for those of you still navigating the waters of this vast and sometimes confusing industry, the way I am:
1. It should be obvious but--write!
The only way anyone is going to notice you is if you have a product to show them. I'm published in numerous anthologies and I submit often to anthologies for two reasons. One, it gets me out there to readers. Since I'm new, it allows people to sample my work without taking a risk or making a huge monetary and time investment. Hopefully, they'll like what they read and seek out my longer works. Two, it establishes a working relationship with publishers, so I can learn more about them, create connections, and make the best decisions for my career. Write, write, write, so you can submit, submit, submit! And then readers will read, read, read!
2. Embrace social networking.
You might not like Twitter and Facebook, but millions of people do and they hang out on them. If you want to connect with readers and other authors, you need to at least participate a little. I've been a big fan of Twitter for years so it was easy to transition into a 'professional' account, but it's very different in tone than my personal account. Especially when you're a new author, be careful what you say and do on social networks--anything you say can and will be held against you! Be friendly, informative, helpful, and chatty. Promote yourself, but don't cram your work down people's throats. Rather, invite them to come to you and open up room for discussion. The more personable and approachable you are, the more people will want to chat with you! Rather than being a constant advertisement for yourself, let your personality advertise for you.
3. Make friends--or at least acquaintances--with other authors.
Especially those who have been in the game for a while--they have great advice to give and examples to live by. Also, it's always nice to have someone around who understands exactly where you're coming from. Who knows, you might even find some really good friends or even a mentor! Also, authors who are friends promote each other.
4. Don't take reviews too seriously.
There's something to be learned from even the worst of reviews--and the best of them--but if you let them haunt you, your self-esteem will crash and you'll never get any work done. Taking things with a grain of salt isn't just true of bad reviews. If you spend too much time patting your own back and basking in your glory, you'll forget to continue doing what got you that adulation in the first place. There's a kernel of truth in every review, good or bad, but take it and move on to your next work, understanding a review is only an opinion and you can't control what other people think. And if someone gives you a really bad review, remember: a publisher thought it was good enough to pay you for it!
5. Don't think you have to spend tons of money to promote yourself.
Paid ad space, promotional swag, and attending conventions are all great, but there are tons of other ways to get yourself out there if you're a starving newbie author: social networking, blogging, guest spots, link exchanges, free promotion amongst authors, and participating on mailing lists are just a few things. Don't think you have to put off eating this week to promote your latest release. If you have the money, that's great, use it. But if you don't, you don't have to be left out of the game.
Learning the ropes when you first jump into published author-hood is always a little tough, but there are lots of people out there to help you, and lots of advice being published for free…like this blog post!
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Lydia Nyx is from Cleveland, Ohio. She writes everything from contemporary to historical, as well as paranormal, horror, and urban fantasy, and she prefers all her fiction with a male/male twist. She currently resides in a little apartment with her teenage son and a crazy cat and spends countless hours of the day entertaining the dirty fantasies in her head. As a 'day job' she works as a waitress, which gives her lots of free time to slack off and plot stories. Writing since the age of 13, she has always wanted to be an author, and hopefully one day writing will be her only 'day job.'
Find Lydia at her website: http://www.lydianyx.com/
And her blog: http://lydianyx.blogspot.com/
12 comments:
Great post, Lydia! Your advice on author branding is sage, and you're absolutely right - there's a lot of free stuff on the web to teach newbie authors like us! Cheers to you! Best wishes in the whacky world of writing!
Don't forget doing worshops at writers' conferences.
Great advice, Lydia. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lydia and welcome to the Musa family. You make some good points in your post. I try to think of myself as a writer first and second, and then any branding comes third!
Great advice--especially that last bit. I know many writers spending much cash on promotion. I hope it works for them, but I can't afford it. I'm still paying for my education, my daughter's education, and I do enjoy a glass of wine occasionally. :)
Excellent post, Lydia. Readers want to connect with authors and you've shown us the best ways to do.
I can tell you're an experienced short-story writer, you put things so succinctly! Thanks for the info, nudge, and encouragement.
Great advice and welcome to Musa, Lydia!!
Your advice is so well stated. I wish I could follow the most simple and obvious bit: "Write"!! Thank you for nudging me a little on this...
Thanks, Lydia, for the great advice. It all seems a bit daunting from where I'm sitting at the moment. Welcome to Musa, btw.
Thank you everyone so much for all the wonderful comments! I'm so pleased you enjoyed the post!
I enjoy, lead to I found exactly what I was taking a look for. You've ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
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