First of all, let me start off with… Aaargh!!!!! What a day this has been. But if you think an Author’s life is all roses and pink-colored glasses, guess what, it’s not that way at all.
Life for an author is a struggle. I imagine this continues until you make it big. For those very few who do, I commend you for getting past the struggle and finding your own way through it- a secret that the rest of us are still scratching our heads and trying to figure out for ourselves.
As one of the majority of struggling authors, I have found that authors are just people, having the same personalities, nuances and quirks as everyone else. The only difference is they write, hoping to make a living out of it. Being an author doesn’t gift you with a magic wand or special powers (wouldn’t that be great, though?) to make your endeavor easier. There’s no one to hand you a simple step-by-step “How to be famous” handbook. Finding authors that can advise you, coach you and/ or even help advertise on their FB wall to get the word out about your book is extremely hard to find but when you find one, latch on to them for they are worth gold in this sometimes secretive, harboring precious details “special society” you have now become a part of.
It’s a struggle and unless you’re a celebrity or have connections, the sales will be slow to nil but don’t stop. Keep plugging along, at least that’s the wise advice I got today from my good friend, Michael, when I was ready to ball my eyes out for all the frustrations I’ve endured, lately. I know now why authors self-publish. As much as I like traditional publishers and crave the status and camaraderie of an agent to help me with my work, having one book published a year doesn’t keep up a momentum to increase one’s fan base or does much for one’s self esteem.
As the year draws to a close, think about your goals and focus on one big one that can start the flow going for the others. For instance, I want to sell books but in order to sell, I also have to write. I have marketed, participated in Author Takeovers, spotlights, interviews, book tours, contests and giveaways until I can turn rainbow colors but if I don’t have any books to talk about, I can’t promote, market or advertise and my readers will have nothing to look forward to. So, the key is write, write, write and don’t forget it.
The more books you get out there, the more you can talk about, the more you can generate a fan base, and the more known you will be (we hope). This is what I’ve learned from today’s frustration. That and the confirmation that every author needs a strong, dependable friend or a support group. Mine today was Michael, quoting to me words from the song “Gone, gone, gone” by Phillip Phillips, “Like a drum baby, don’t stop beating.” Don’t let my passion die. Don’t stop writing. That’s pretty much Michael’s words to me, in a gist. And for you, my dear colleagues and friends, don’t you stop either.
Here’s to a better, more profitable New Year for all of us! Cheers.
TK Lawyer 