Writing Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 5 "What I learned."Help with writing, mine and yours.
44 total reviews
Comment from Spitfire
I went to a book fair in the Villages, Fl, about seven years ago and the same was true then. And that was well advertised. Still, you made out well, it seems. And the networking would be fun too.
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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I went to a book fair in the Villages, Fl, about seven years ago and the same was true then. And that was well advertised. Still, you made out well, it seems. And the networking would be fun too.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support.
Comment from DeboraDyess
Hi, Barbara ~
Congrats on being the best seller. I haven't tried an author event yet. I need to check into them in our area. I'm further west than you, closer to the center of the state.
I loved your information. Thank you for sharing. My only suggestion has nothing to do with the article. I'd just suggest YOU doing the promotion on your FB page, with flyers, etc. You shouldn't have to, but lesson learned, perhaps. I will certainly remember it for when I give it a try. :)
Blessings,
Deb
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Hi, Barbara ~
Congrats on being the best seller. I haven't tried an author event yet. I need to check into them in our area. I'm further west than you, closer to the center of the state.
I loved your information. Thank you for sharing. My only suggestion has nothing to do with the article. I'd just suggest YOU doing the promotion on your FB page, with flyers, etc. You shouldn't have to, but lesson learned, perhaps. I will certainly remember it for when I give it a try. :)
Blessings,
Deb
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support. I have promoted on Facebook.
Comment from T B Botts
Hi Barbara,
I've never been to an author's fair. I'm a little bit shy, believe it or not, so I'm not sure if I would go to one. I've been to a total of three book signings, and those were all advertised. Prior to going to my first book signing in Juneau, I had hand delivered a few copies of my book to the Juneau Empire newspaper, and a local artsy kind of paper. They both ran articles on it, so I got a lot of exposure, and Hearthside books in Juneau asked me to have a book signing. It was terrifying, but everyone was supportive, so it worked out. I think I sold fifteen books then. I've sold a number of them on Amazon, and even to various authors on Fan Story. There is a lot of competition out there, so it does pay to advertise. I hope that you sell tons more. Thanks for sharing gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Hi Barbara,
I've never been to an author's fair. I'm a little bit shy, believe it or not, so I'm not sure if I would go to one. I've been to a total of three book signings, and those were all advertised. Prior to going to my first book signing in Juneau, I had hand delivered a few copies of my book to the Juneau Empire newspaper, and a local artsy kind of paper. They both ran articles on it, so I got a lot of exposure, and Hearthside books in Juneau asked me to have a book signing. It was terrifying, but everyone was supportive, so it worked out. I think I sold fifteen books then. I've sold a number of them on Amazon, and even to various authors on Fan Story. There is a lot of competition out there, so it does pay to advertise. I hope that you sell tons more. Thanks for sharing gal.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 27-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support.
Comment from Bruce Carrington
It's disappointing, that's what it is. I read it three times before I decided to comment on it.
It's depressing. Seeing more authors than readers. It's a dream-crusher.
The most important thing, Barbara, is that you took it all in and you talked to people. You talked to other authors. You made connections. You took the best out of the worst and it's a lesson.
It's inspiring, it's motivating, it makes you push on.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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It's disappointing, that's what it is. I read it three times before I decided to comment on it.
It's depressing. Seeing more authors than readers. It's a dream-crusher.
The most important thing, Barbara, is that you took it all in and you talked to people. You talked to other authors. You made connections. You took the best out of the worst and it's a lesson.
It's inspiring, it's motivating, it makes you push on.
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support.
Comment from estory
Your post really emphasizes the difficulties, I think, for unknown authors to get people to read their material. Unfortunately, self publishing on Amazon really only means that your stuff sits out there in limbo because nobody knows who you are. This is what keeps me from self publishing. It really is a waste of money. To spend $5,000 to sell six books isn't going to cut it for me. Today, everybody has a book, the ethernet is flooded with them, and nobody reads anything anymore. It isn't enough to have something to read, people have to want to read it. We are competing with video on tik tok and video games. It's a losing battle. estory
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Your post really emphasizes the difficulties, I think, for unknown authors to get people to read their material. Unfortunately, self publishing on Amazon really only means that your stuff sits out there in limbo because nobody knows who you are. This is what keeps me from self publishing. It really is a waste of money. To spend $5,000 to sell six books isn't going to cut it for me. Today, everybody has a book, the ethernet is flooded with them, and nobody reads anything anymore. It isn't enough to have something to read, people have to want to read it. We are competing with video on tik tok and video games. It's a losing battle. estory
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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True. The books need publicity and that's hard to get. Thank you for the support.
Comment from Paul Manton
Thank you Barbara, for this really enlightening article. I must say, if I had traveled any distance to meet more authors than 'public' I would not have been as sanguine as you! What is so good about this writing is your positive attitude to what I should deem adversity.
You have developed every plus you could with regard to (admittedly scant) sales of your books, but, in particular, a system of networking which may very well benefit you in the future. I though that I was an optimist, but in this article you have shown me how it is done!
Breaking the information into four sections was also helpful - so out of a little I have gained a lot.
Thanks again, Barbara.
Paul
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Thank you Barbara, for this really enlightening article. I must say, if I had traveled any distance to meet more authors than 'public' I would not have been as sanguine as you! What is so good about this writing is your positive attitude to what I should deem adversity.
You have developed every plus you could with regard to (admittedly scant) sales of your books, but, in particular, a system of networking which may very well benefit you in the future. I though that I was an optimist, but in this article you have shown me how it is done!
Breaking the information into four sections was also helpful - so out of a little I have gained a lot.
Thanks again, Barbara.
Paul
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support. I did have fun at this event, but had hoped to build up my fan base. That didn't happen, oh well, back to the drawing board. My publisher is working with his marketing team to get me more publicity. Hope his efforts work better than mine did. LOL
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Good luck with that, Barbara.
Best from Paul
Comment from karenina
Here's to the benefits of promoting an event, right?
(Sometimes I wonder...)
I've attended a few of these locally and I can attest that authors generally outnumbered other attendees...
(Some bought each other's books which was really very special!)
You made the paper...
You sold seven books...
Woo-hoo!
Writing is a reward in itself!
Karenina
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Here's to the benefits of promoting an event, right?
(Sometimes I wonder...)
I've attended a few of these locally and I can attest that authors generally outnumbered other attendees...
(Some bought each other's books which was really very special!)
You made the paper...
You sold seven books...
Woo-hoo!
Writing is a reward in itself!
Karenina
Comment Written 26-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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You're right, writing is the real reward. I don't need the extra money. Thank you for the support.
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My pleasure!
Comment from Iza Deleanu
No worries , your books are beautifully written and keeps the reader coming back for more. From your post I gather you are not a shy person and you are opened to whatever the Gods of writings are sending on your way. Good luck with your book tour.
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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No worries , your books are beautifully written and keeps the reader coming back for more. From your post I gather you are not a shy person and you are opened to whatever the Gods of writings are sending on your way. Good luck with your book tour.
Comment Written 25-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 26-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the kind support. I have many problems, but shyness isn't one of them.
Comment from w.j.debi
Thank you for sharing your experience at the author fair. Advertising would have helped. People can't attend if they don't know about it.
It sounds like you turned it into a positive experience anyway with contacts and a couple of newspapers doing features. I'm glad you were the best-selling author. Way to go!
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023
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Thank you for sharing your experience at the author fair. Advertising would have helped. People can't attend if they don't know about it.
It sounds like you turned it into a positive experience anyway with contacts and a couple of newspapers doing features. I'm glad you were the best-selling author. Way to go!
Comment Written 25-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support.
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
I'm glad you had a positive even if it was small perhaps more intimate and friendly. But it must be frustrating how poorly was advertised. Thank you for sharing the information... that's nice of you.
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023
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I'm glad you had a positive even if it was small perhaps more intimate and friendly. But it must be frustrating how poorly was advertised. Thank you for sharing the information... that's nice of you.
Comment Written 25-Aug-2023
reply by the author on 25-Aug-2023
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Thank you for the support.
