Full Disclosure, Part Two

Here are some of my particular struggles: there is this gnawing conviction about the marketing gig which I cannot seem to overcome. There is no getting around the fact that it involves self-promotion. I don’t have anything against talking up our work—on blogs, websites, with other interested people in the biz or out of the biz, and certainly with those we’re close to. But when I say “talking up” our work, I mean how much we enjoy the story, care about the characters, how the story came to be, what we hope will happen with readers, why we write—all that kind of stuff.

The Gatorade slogan “Is it in you?” . . . the answer is no. Not in the sense of thinking up “new” ways to sell a book which has a particular audience. How many books appeal to all readers? How many novels have their niche people? The easiest way to identify your own market is to have a few authors which have a similar approach to writing stories as you do, a few books which address the general theme you’ve chosen, some way to compare your novel to others which have done well.

Master marketing authors like Karen Kingsbury and Tricia Goyer go the extra mile and spend their own dollars to provide contests, opportunities to meet their readers, gifts, and website updates as to how to cash in on all their offerings. Mary DeMuth works very hard at the process and has a mentoring heart. In the end it’s still the stories or the impact/perceived need of Tricia’s and Mary’s non-fiction books that produce sales.

If you believe as I do that you don’t ever set aside the spiritual aspect of any endeavor, then you know you have to determine what God has for you to do before you decide if you’re going to do what man is requiring of you. They don’t have to be in disagreement, but neither is it guaranteed they’ll agree. This is the conflict. I have no doubt that Karen, Tricia, and Mary are all about the Lord’s will in their lives. And they make a concerted effort to both serve and attract their readers. But I also know that what God has for them or for you or for me might be in total contrast to one another.

When does one more author sponsored book giveaway or contest to win their books or a gift basket or something turn into saturation and/or create a greedy reader? I belong to CFBA. Bonnie Calhoun operates this huge mutually beneficial to authors, readers, and potential readers alike, gig with incredible expertise. She’s a joy to work with in receiving the books or avoiding catastrophes of late-arriving books. It’s easy to belong, and I get free books, a chance to interview authors of my choice, and really don’t even have to post my own reviews although I wouldn’t do it any other way. The advantage to this is there are no gimmicks. It’s a straight shot: publicize the books you read. If you do, you get them free. It’s a fantastic deal for voracious readers like me.

I just can’t be someone else. I can speak in front of a crowd. And I can talk about my novels. Tell you to buy one? Only if I know what you like to read or what I think you like to read—otherwise nearly impossible. Have gimmicky giveaways for my books? Not gonna happen or very unlikely. So, do you hear what I’m saying? My future in this marketing-crazed publishing arena is limited at best. Unless I can figure out a palatable way to effectively “sell” my books to readers, seeking out publishers is a moot point.

To be continued . . .

**Okay, having said all that about marketing, it’s easy to market someone else’s books, so are you ready for my first DOUBLE BOOK GIVEAWAY CONTEST?!**

Center Street, Hachette Book Group USA, has agreed to give away both of James Scott Bell’s newest novels. Monday I will review the second in the series Try Darkness which will head up next week’s CFBA blog tours. I would’ve liked to read Try Dying first, but time and circumstance has me reading them in reverse order. If the first is even close to the second in the series, it will be a very good read.

So, if you would like to be the winner of both Try Dying and Try Darkness, here are the contest “rules” (you know how I love rules):

1.Guess the color of my eyes.
2.Guess my height.
3.Guess how many horses I have.
4.Guess which actor loosely inspired The Famous One.

There you have it. The one who comes the closest to getting them all right will win the books. Leave your answers in the comment section. Oh, sorry: USA mailing addresses only, please.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday unless there is a tie-breaker.

*Please continue to pray for Kristy Dykes and her family.*

Father, thank you for the opportunity to write this blog. Thank you for the blessing of being able to give away good books. Thank you for all you do in my life. I’m desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Comments

[dayle]

Ok, here it goes.

1. brown
2. 5'5"
3. 2
4. Johnny Depp

[Nicole]

Alright, Dayle. Thank you for your entry!

[Mark]

1. Blue
2. 5'6" (using the Price is Right $1-over-the-last-bid strategy here)
3. 3 (ditto)
4. Johnny Depp (naturally)

[Nicole]

How can you be funny even when you're entering a contest, Mark? Thanks for your entry.

(This is fun.)

[Kay Day]

blue
5'8
5
Johnny Depp

[Nicole]

Thanks for participating, Kay. This is becoming fascinating!