When I began this blog in November 2011, I had two main purposes in mind.
- Share what I had learned about writing with others, to encourage creativity in those who might like to write but hadn't yet.
- As a place where I could write about my own projects, the books, my process, inspiration, etc.
The year before I brought out that first eBook had been one of editing manuscripts that sometimes I hadn't looked at in years. I wanted my writing to be as smooth as I could make it. That work led to improving those skills which meant no matter how well I thought something was edited-- months down the line, I could do a better job.
Which, led to one of my first big insights into writing and publishing-- if you wait for perfection, you will never put anything out. No matter how good you think you are today, you will be better tomorrow if you keep working at the craft behind what is also an art.
Editing and writing are mostly solitary efforts for me. I learned something new about writing and marketing as soon as I brought out that first book, Desert Inferno. The next step is communal. Yes, it still does involve solitary work (writing blurbs, figuring out promotions) but generally speaking getting others to see your work takes getting out into the world where they will be. Amazing insight, isn't it!
So I met other writers and soon this blog got a new purpose-- sharing its space with them as they sometimes shared theirs with me. At the same time I was trying to go places in social media where I could interact with writers and readers.
There is a lot of debate as to how much social media helps in marketing. I have no idea, but from what I can tell, it hasn't impacted my sales-- ever. So I am seriously considering how much time I put into Facebook, Twitter or any of the 'book' groups where I currently have varying levels of participation.
Facebook is the hardest for me to use effectively as a writer. While I have a Rain Trueax presence there, I also have a place there where I interact with family and friends unrelated to writing. Two different spaces and never the twain shall meet. Since I had the family/friend one before I got into publishing, I haven't been comfortable pushing my books or anybody else's in that space. But it's the only interactive one.
The debate I have read regarding advertising on Facebook makes it sound like a money hole and not likely to find readers. I haven't done much in the way of advertising anywhere. I would if I thought it'd really reach the kind of reader who I think might like my books. As it stands, I don't think so.
Currently I am doing the writing that will promote Storm in the Canyon when it comes out. I created a trailer for it. I also am trying to put together material to promote the paperback which will follow-- Diablo Canyon.
The paranormal romantic trilogy, When Fates Conspire, The Dark of the Moon, and Storm in the Canyon will be available as eBooks. Diablo Canyon, which will have them all, will not be an eBook.
The end price for buying the trilogy individually would be about the same as the paperback; so I feel the fairest thing to do is keep the paper version for just those who want books. It will enable me to promote it in metaphysical bookstores (if I really do it-- one of those talk is cheap situations) because while it is a paranormal, there is nothing in that I don't think could be real. It's not a vampire or zombie story (although it does have shape shifting, a spirit world, and monster gods. But none of that is something I haven't read others have experienced for real.
Below is one of the things I created to showcase the trilogy, which was definitely a case of one thing leading to another. It may not be a cover-- just a kind of flyer maybe with some more words alongside it. I am undecided on how to use it other than in social media-- well, excepting Facebook :).
