The State of The Industry
SIGH.
Today I was full of self-doubt. I had a day that just made me question if there was a secret formula in this industry to being seen, to gaining exposure, to people finding my books and giving them a chance. I was feeling pretty negative about it all. I even chatted with a friend saying maybe it was time for a break from social media and marketing to just go back to writing– for no other reason than because it is what inspires me.
You know the type; the author who is a hermit. Live’s in a remote cabin somewhere with no internet and never attends signings.
This community is amazing. I value every part I’ve encountered thus far. It isn’t all easy though. It takes work. It takes time. It takes putting yourself out there day after day and hoping like hell that readers will find you, like you and then ultimately connect with you. It’s hard when you try to engage and get crickets chirping repeatedly.
Facebook is terrible at even showing the posts and there are just so many other sites to eat up one’s time.
Those authors who make a living off their writing- the ones with hundreds and thousands of reviews– work their asses off to attain that. It’s overwhelming at times trying to keep up with it all. Post here, there, everywhere. Reach out repeatedly to bloggers, readers. Push, push, push. Go, go, go. Hurry, hurry, hurry.
But then THIS happens…. THIS happens on a day when I’m feeling slightly down on myself and the world magically clicks back into place. Sandie Morayla of Book Boyfriend Reviews had no idea what kind of mindset I was in today but she sent me the link to her review and THIS review made me tear up. (Actually- two dropped) . It was exactly what I needed–when I needed it.So read this review simply because of the time and effort Sandie put into it. And remember- writers are people too with lots on our plate just like everyone else in the world. Sometimes- we just need to have that ‘annual performance review’ confirming we are indeed good at our job and that we get to keep it. And hell, maybe we’ll get a cost of living raise thrown in.
That is all… carry on.
