Pages

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Promos and Motivation

I've read a few books lately on Indie publishing, and it seems the thing they stress the most is social networking - promo, promo, promo.

Being a naturally reclusive type, that is a bit hard for me.  However, it did occur to me that while I might have a hard time self-promoting, I don't mind at all to promote other people's work when I like it.  In fact, I started to wonder why I'd never invited any of the authors whose cover art I did to come by my blog and talk about their books.  Seems a natural thing to do, right?  And why haven't I done more book reviews?  I've read tons of books this past year - many by my blogging pals.  I could have been active in promoting them - I have no problem pumping up other writers on my blog, facebook, and twitter.

So, to those of you I've overlooked:  My deepest apologies; I'll remedy that situation very soon.

To myself... maybe I need to create an alter ego to peddle my own stuff? lol

Meanwhile, I've got three - count 'em three - WIPS I want to finish this year, but I'm finding it hard to stay focused and motivated.  However, I did narrow it down to two to focus on, but I still need to choose one to finish first, and decided to ask for you help in choosing by posting two excerpts to vote on.  You can find the candidates in the header tabs above.

With that in mind, I also decided to take a page from the awesomely talented Avery DeBow and try a Mad Lib (or, as she called it, Bad Lib) approach to finish the chosen story. Avery had posted a bit of a story each week, and asked for people to supply words which she had to include in the next week's excerpt. Her end story was incredible, and while I don't have the same amount of talent as Avery, the utter horror and shame should I fail to produce something might just be motivation enough to keep me going.

Mind you, both of those ideas fill me with utter terror.  You might not bother to show up.  You might hate both excerpts and refuse to vote.  You might hate the mad lib and not participate.  You might hate me.

And worst of all, I might be incapable of producing anything usable in such a manner on a weekly basis.

Oh, well.  All I can do is try.  If you don't want to play along and torture me even more senseless than I already am, I suppose I could just randomly pick words out of the dictionary.  It does lack that motivating, public humiliation factor, though.

UPDATE 6/30: By the way, if you participate, I'll promote your book across facebook, twitter, amazon, etc., and you'll be entered to win a free cover art package should you wish to receive one.  Just let me know.

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like a plan. whatever shakes you up, gets things moving. Luck with it all.

    ReplyDelete
  2. When I read Forgiven, I didn't want it to end and was sure it would be my first choice. Then I read Midnight Ink, and Wow! Write that book, lady! I want to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Edie! Well, at least that's one vote. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'll have a look tomorrow, Kate. PM me if I don't on fb. Great idea. I'm editing crazy myself ATM
    Back to letting my eyeballs bleed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much, Cari! Good luck with those edits. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know I'm a little late here, but my vote goes to Midnight Ink.

    I don't have a book to promote, but count me in for word encouragement if you decide to Mad Lib.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for playing along, Travis! I'll decide on the Mad Lib as soon as the contest is over.

    ReplyDelete

Say what you will...