GRINDING
I know you have heard this before, but anyway check your spelling and grammar. The good thing about being a self published author you are able to make the necessary changes that you like. You can change and add endings, beginning or climaxes to your story before every print. It’s yours.
My most lofty obstacle is marketing. Read all the articles that you can when it comes to marketing. If you don’t take one tip you are sure to take the other. Do your own low budget marketing if you can. You may print flyers for your novel instead of getting professional flyers and bookmarks. You’ll be fine. It’s ok to take baby steps in this business. You may create a myspace account before you get an actual website. You’ll be all right. You may print posters before taking out ads. Remember it’s all at your pace. FYI if you weren’t aware of this business concept. The publishers that are willing to print, market and sell your book will not work as hard or invest as much time as you would.
The awesome reality is that you are making an undisclosed amount of income. You do have to report your income to the IRS, but you are still working for yourself. Budget your revenue against your daily expenses. If you have a substantial amount of income after you have finished balancing the books you will confirm that you have taken the right steps. If you can work for yourself go for it. This self-published author market is a new concept, but it is accepted by the public. Make your money, watch your back and pay the IRS. The best way to protect your investment on the street is to have the necessary paper work that is acknowledged by the authorities. Get yourself a Certificate of Authority at the Department of Taxation and Finance. This certificate will permit you to sell your books as long as you observe the vending rules.
If you really want to know what I am about I suggest that you visit my website MFBooks.com. This is where you will fall into my realm. My fiction is overwhelmingly realistic, but remains suspenseful and erotic. My conscious does not allow me to sell to under age readers, but I do invite you to plunge into the fantasy of “Nothing’s Wrong”, guaranteed to keep you wetting for more.
All of my obstacles have been overcome until more are revealed. I hope that you live and learn from these scenarios. Good Luck.
I can be reached at DrM.F.@MFBooks.com for further information.
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January 8th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Can not agree with you more. When you first write your book you think that’s the hard part sitting infront of blank pieces of paper. But marketing is by far the hardest part. We need to stay focused everyday. Selling our books is a serious venture. It takes all we have in us to do it. But hearing all the great things readers have to say about our books is priceless.
Georgette Symonds author of “Look Not Upon Our Sins” which is an Irish version of “Roots” http://www.georgettesymonds.com
January 9th, 2007 at 10:14 am
You are so right. You can publish your own books without being top notch you know what I mean. If you have the willpower the patience and the dream you can make it anywhere if you just put your heart and soul into what you do best!!
January 10th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
It’s all about the hustle. For this reason, I don’t see the need to sign with a publishing house; only to share my earnings with them and I continue to do all the work. I don’t think so.
January 12th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Once my short story “Joe America” is published this spring, I am going to need assistance in distribution and promotion.
Thank you and Happy New Year!
Boston Ben Haith
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 am
I am working full time in the day and grinding non stop in the evenings advertising my up coming adult novel. I find it challenging at times to promote myself, but the public has welcomed me with open arms, which makes it a lot easier to just hit the streets and do the darn thing.
January 23rd, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Hi Dr. MF
My name is Pamela Braxton. My daughter is in middle school and they have a class project (creating a magazine or book). Could you help with start-up ideas (software, printer, etc).
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Pamela Braxton
February 3rd, 2007 at 12:43 am
Many blessings to you for writing a wonderful article. It was insightful and extremely helpful. The comments by others were also insightful and helpful. I affirm your success on the sale of your book.
Sincerely,
Ananda Leeke
July 17th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hey you! It seems like we’re stalking each other, I just happened to come up on your face scanning the articles on selfpublishing.com. To sell a significant # of books you have to be somewhat of a hustler and a saleswoman/man. You need to have a one or two sentence log line that captures attention of a potential customer and not be afraid to approach or speak to people. You have to know your customer. And you simply cannot let the negative people (the “I don’t reads!” and the ‘nose up the airs’) crush your spirit. I’m not a born hustler, but I learned quick. I wish you all the blessings on your book!
- J.Gail, author of KARMA’S A BITCH
July 17th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
i think i lost my last post
hey girl i think we are stalking each other LOL. and rorie i see you too, we all must be meant to do something together. I just happened to be looking at old archives on selfpublishing.com and saw your blog. You have to be some level of a hustler and saleswoman/man to sell a significant # of books. And you can’t be afraid to approach or just speak to people. You have to know who your target customer is and focus your energy on them. Don’t be discouraged by the negative people you may meet (”i don’t read!” or the ‘nose stuck in the airs’) - they don’t matter. You have to be consistent and understand that there will be good days and bad ones. I wish you all the success with your book!
- J.Gail, author of KARMA’S A BITCH