Social media is the modern way to market a book, but it is not easy in the highly competitive field of publishing. In the 80s, I went through the traditional form of publishing with an agent who submitted manuscripts to publishing houses, and social media was unheard of as the internet was still in its infancy. Later, I moved to L.A. to work at Paramount Pictures and wrote an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 4, Eps. 76 entitled “Family”. I decided I preferred writing novels to scripts, moved back to Kansas, and decided to publish independently. I set up book signings, donated to libraries, hired a publicity team and started to attend comic cons. My team created websites for me, one as an author, and the second for my ‘Dead Hearts Novel Series’.

Lessons Learned

When my second novel was published, an editor from Simon & Schuster noticed me on the internet and edited this novel for me; I had hoped to sign with this publishing house, but it did not happen. I also attracted the attention of a small publishing house and published my next two books with them. By then, I utilized Facebook, with a professional site and a personal site that eventually turned into a fan base. Another author introduced me to a new publisher who republished my fist four novels, then put out four more in the same year. The publishing house utilizes Tweets and Facebook and book review sites to campaign for my novels. However, I write four novels a year and the publisher was unable to meet my needs, so I recently released my ninth novel as an indie.

Write What You Love

While publishers try to discourage authors writing outside of their main genre, I disagree – write in any genre you want and have fun! If you are not having fun as a writer or find it grueling, tedious and unsatisfying, do not do it. Since I do have fun, I also inspire my fans to have fun at events as I include them in discussions about my novels, how to write their own novel, how to be published, and most importantly, how to market their novels.

Book Reviews

I ask all my fan-friends to post book reviews on Amazon.com, Bookbub and Good Reads. I cannot stress enough the importance of book reviews. For every 50 reviews on Amazon.com, they will refer your novel to readers. Every time you release a novel, make sure you have beta readers review your book and post reviews the day after eh book comes out. Ask them to post on their Facebook sites, give away promotions, lower the price of your books for repeat customers, and let the public know what event you will next attend.

Pounding the Pavement

If you want exposure, then you really have to do it yourself, and then inspire your fans to help you. You cannot simply rely on your publisher or book sales to bring national and international attention to your novels. Whenever I attend a comic con, I provide a promo kit with photographs and lists of panels I attend or host. I am frequently asked to attend a con as a celebrity or a guest, but to get to this point, you must work hard, let people know who you are, publish good novels, and beat the streets. I donate books to high schools and libraries. I sign up for podcasts and at comic cons always seek out the live podcasts to talk about my novels. Radio shows and advertisements in the newspaper are also a good way to be noticed. Using your home town as your main fan base, which means attending every event you can, and assists up and coming book cons, or supporting other artists (all types of artists), you will soon have a large following and folks you can depend on to support your and spread the word about your novels.

Networking and Social Media

In this business, you must network and use every social media channel available. It takes time, money and effort to be a published author, and your work never ends when you finish yet another novel. Fame and fortune does not happen overnight, and if this is your goal, you are in for a disappointment career. As a writer, you should love to write, and you should want to be read; everything else is just icing on the cake.