MARKETING THIS BOOK

I received a call from the marketing department of my POD publisher yesterday. Very nice of them to notify me that my representative there had left the company. Very nice to be introduced to the new lady--who was that masked lady again? But, as usual, they wanted me to seriously consider spending thousands of dollars to promote my book.

And, as usual, I told them, in no uncertain terms, that I cannot afford their marketing "packages" which get no better results than I can get on my own. Do I need help with writing a press release? I don't think so, as I have written them for two other books and helped other authors do the same. Do I need them to write book reviews for me? I don't think so, as I write book reviews for an online magazine and several writing newsletters. Can they help me with reader lists? Thank you, I can come up with my own since you, Mr.Publisher, ask me to submit people who might be interested n reading my book in order for you to create this list that I have already created. Confusing? It's not only that, but crazy.

Don't fall for marketing ploys. You are your best marketing tool. Let everyone of your family and friends know about your book, send press releases to the local newspapers and all the online newsletters/magazines you subscribe to (that will allow you to do so), and make sure you put all the information about your book in your email signature line. Carry business cards with the book info on it with you and hand them out to everyone you meet.

You can market your book better than anyone.

ROYALTIES

While I was having a great time out on the Pacific on a lovely ship and visiting nice Mexican ports, my publisher was working day and night with the books-trying to figure out the large numbers I was expecting him to type into that royalty check. Several days after our return, the check arrived in the mail.

I am still laughing, readers. Let's see, I seem to remember I was to receive 40% of the listed price of my book. That sounds real good, doesn't it? Until you figure out that it actually equates to about .40 per book sale. And it is less if sold on Amazon because they demand payment of your laptop,first child, and who knows what else from the publisher, before they, or you, get your cut.

Needless to say, the royalty check I received would not buy me a new cartridge for my printer. I guess that means I should do a better job of promoting "Pink Poodle" and maybe my next check will purchase a cartridge and a ream of paper to print it on.

Ah, the joys of being an unknown writer.