Many authors think that once they have written a book the work is done. In reality the work is just beginning. You have to become a marketing maven (or the male equivalent!) and learn to embrace the art of shameless self promotion.
In a recent post, Angela Hoy writes about the need for promoting and marketing ones' own book once it hits the streets. Sure, your mother and significant other and family members will know you've written a book, but will your boss? Your banker? The person who pumps your gas? It's quite likely they won't... unless you tell them.
Before I published my first book I was a bit shy about telling people that I was a writer for the True Romance Magazine (published by Dorchester) but once I held that mag in my hands, I was thrilled and told everyone. I carried that magazine around with me until the next issue came out with my story in it. The pages are ragged from being put in and out of my purse, but I want people to know I am a writer and once they know, I want to be prepared to show them something that I have published if they ask. Well, sometimes even if they don't ask I will show them. Even two years after the publication of my baby name book, I still carry a copy around in my car.
I am a writer and I am proud of it. If you have published a book, you have to take pride in it and use it as your business card. Someone may have said it before, but Yvonne DiVita, CEO of Windsor Media continually tells her authors that their book is their business card. It certainly makes a more lasting impression than a bit of cardboard with your name on it.
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