F³A: Frustration

I kind of ranted  yesterday to my supports at the Class of 2k12. I'm frustrated with this business. I'm burnt out. I'm tired of promoting the same book. I want a new book out there to promote. But these things take time and time is something I have very little of. I already have three books done. But I need time to revise, to query, and to get a new one written and go through the same process.

While I'm doing that I have to work a day job, attend kids soccer games and music performances and spend time with them. Spend time with my boyfriend. Shop for groceries, clean, do laundry, exercise, eat, sleep.

Promote that damn book.  I think I'm going to hang it up with the book though. I'm tired of it. It's going to have to sell itself from now on. I mean, I have a couple visits already scheduled, one each month until February, but then I'm done. Until the next book.

And the next book...I think I'm only going to agent shop until the end of the year, then I'm seriously going to look into self publishing. I don't know 6% of sales as opposed to most of the % of sales. Yeah, I'll need to hire an editor, maybe a cover designer, or at least someone to consult because I can pretty much design my own. I can make my own trailer, design my own swag.

I have friends that have done this. They like it.

I have a fan base. Many of them are just waiting for my next book to come out. If I wait to be traditionally published, if that even happens again, I'm looking at 2-3 years from now. Are those fans even going to care by then? Probably not.

I do feel good about one thing. I'm writing a new book during NaNo. I still like writing.

What would you do?

Friday Scribbles:

Next Pandora Song: Icky Thump by White Stripes (Beck Radio)

Book of the Week: Um, book: I've not had a damn moment to read, so...we'll go with my Rainmaker Retreat manual from my legal marketing conference.

Redbox of the Week: The Avengers "Puny God" favorite line.

Quote of the Week: "Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward."
Kurt Vonnegut

Happy Friday 

Monday Monkey Madness: Helping Out Your Favorite Writers

Photo by Michael Elliott

There are many ways in which you can help your favorite writers get their books the attention they deserve. This is especially helpful to those authors who don't have the big blockbuster series that have major backing from their publishers.

Two ways are through Amazon.com: reviewing and tagging. 

If a book gets a certain amount of reviews, Amazon will give it better visibility on their site which will result in better sales.

You could also tag the book. This is close to the bottom of the product page, labeled under 'Tags Customers Associate With This Product'. You can agree with tags already in place or add your own. You're allowed up to 15 tags. This will also give the book better visibility.

So, if there is a small quiet book, *cough* Never Eighteen *cough* that you really enjoyed, consider doing this to help the author get the word out about the book.

Have a great Monday.

Insanely Yours,

Megan   

F³A: SWAG

I just heard what this stands for.  Stuff We All Get.  I don't know if that's for realsies, but it makes sense.  I've been ordering SWAG for the release of my upcoming novel Never Eighteen (which can be preordered by clicking on the title, by the way :).  So far I've ordered buttons (which I received in the mail yesterday, squee), and silicone bracelets and am looking into other stuff, trying to come up with some original ideas.  I pose a question to you.  What kind of SWAG do you want to get from authors?  Aside from the regular bookmarks, stickers, and such.

Also, I've got a crazy idea for book promotion once it releases.  I'm going to have to jump through some hoops to actually do it, but I'm going to try my hardest.  I may need the help of my friends. Not revealing what it is yet, I'll let you know when I figure some things out.

Happy Friday everyone, here are the nibbles.

Random Pandora song (I have no idea where my iPod is at the moment): Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz, but piano version. Not sure about the video, but I like the song. (on the One Republic station)

Movie of the week: True Grit.  I fell asleep, because I was so tired, not because the movie was boring, but I fully intend on watching it this weekend.

Book of the week: I'm between books.  A couple weeks ago I did start The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, so I think I'll stick with that one.

Quote of the week: “We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly” ~ Sam Keen