“If you want to promote your book don’t sell it.” That’s fast becoming an axiom on the Internet, as many authors are discovering. Endeavor to spam walls and blogs with repetitive pitches for your book(s) instead of genuinely interacting with the community and you can find yourself easily ignored, your email address blocked and, you even entirely “un-friended!”
The writer-reader relationship–particularly the potential book buying reader relationship–is a tricky thing. Community is not an “I,” it is a “we.” Being mindful of the distinction is key to raising awareness of your platform and fostering positive, popular support for your work. Author, tribal writer and social media provocateur Justine Musk, an early proponent of the potential power of social media for indie creatives of all ilk, returns to the SCWC to discuss how she does it so well and how might you.
In fact, we’ve got a number of SD26 workshops devoted to understanding and managing the varying online tools available to authors who, as addressed in our Jan. 3rd “Latest News” update, should really be focused on writing.
Though the advance submission deadline has passed, several readers are caught up and remain open for at least another week. This includes ZOVA Books Editor-in-Chief Daniel J. Silva–just added to the schedule–Maralys Wills, Andrew Wetzel, Marla Miller and Mike Sirota. For all others, please email Michael to ensure availability.
Another staff addition, joining us for the first time, attorney Martin S. Rudoy, who’s handling the estate of the woman found hanged, naked, bound and gagged in the famed Spreckels Mansion in Coronado last year. Marty is also a screenwriter and will address working with lawyers and using the law to bolster the believability of legal-based scenes and stories.
Good “Muse”
On the good “muse” front, a couple of things to report. Author/workshop leader Mike Sirota, who’ll be conducting the “To Outline Your Story or Not?” workshop, has his latest coming out this month. The Burning Ground (jacket above), “a chilling novel of vengeful spirits,” launches from ZOVA Books with a party starting 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16th at Mysterious Galaxy bookstore in San Diego . . . And NovelCram track leader Drusilla Campbell’s latest, Little Girl Lost (Grand Central Publishing) is now out to stellar reviews. Among them, today’s San Diego Union-Tribune. Good job, Mike and Dru.
The online schedule has been updated as of today. There’ll continue to be tweaks, as usual, but be assured it’s getting close.
More soon.
