As big publishing houses swallow smaller ones and e-books threaten to take over the publishing world, an author's role in the promotion process grows larger and murkier. While I have little difficulty working the news of my novel's release into a variety of conversations, I'm less sure about subjecting friends, family and would-be readers to a barrage of thinly disguised "buy my book!"messages. Telling people about my book's release in the context of a conversation is organic, born of my own excitement about the culmination of more than five years of work. Parlaying this enthusiasm into a stream of promotional information leaves me feeling, well, unenthusiastic. And a little nauseated.
I know word-of-mouth is important -- essential, even -- for a first-time novelist. I get that. And, to a certain extent, I buy into it.
But I've watched fellow authors (none on this blog, I am happy to say) turn a book launch into a months-long monologue, usually at the behest of a publisher or agent who tells said author that this blitz is necessary to boost sales. I know the author is just following directions, but I also know what my reaction is.I stop listening. I stop reading their Facebook statuses, I stop checking out their blogs. I do exactly the opposite of what they hope I will do.
So, now that I am that author whose book is due out in less than six months, I am working hard not to be that author who sends people running in the other direction.
I'd really appreciate it if you'd help me out. Tell me - what piques your interest in a new title? What makes you read a book by someone you've never heard of? And what spurs you to do exactly the opposite, turning away from the title, ignoring the new author, running screaming toward the tried-and-true?
