I thought becoming a published author that all I'd have to do was sit back and reap the rewards of my dreams coming true. I would just continue writing my books and find a publisher. That's all there was to it, right? How naive I was!
Since getting my first novel published in 2005 I've acquired two websites, two blogs, joined myspace, bebo, 31 yahoo groups and something else I can't remember the name of. I've spent hundreds of dollars on promotion from expensive magazine ads & contest prizes to designing my own post cards, magnets, labels and book marks. Not to mention the postage spent on mailing those promotional items out to various organizations. Oh yeah, and let's not forget the cost of materials and ink for printing out those great promotional items.
I've also acquired a pen name. A necessity when you work for a family oriented company and you get your first erotic novel published. I didn't want to put myself in the position where I have to explain how a nice, quiet grandmother like me can write such, ah, explicit books.
How does one keep up with it all AND work a full time job to boot? And this year I'm hoping to do a couple book signings...my first. Am I biting off more than I can chew? There's days when half of me just wants to focus on writing, something I love to do, submit when I'm done and then move on to the next book and not worry about anything else. But the other half of me realizes the importance of being out there, promoting and building a following for people who like my books. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's just there's not enough time in the day to do everything.
How naive I was in the beginning but how much I've learned! And I can't forget about all the author friends I've become acquainted with and their generous advice and assistance when I needed it. And the wonderful readers I've come to know.
Dues have to be paid and success doesn't happen over night. I only hope I'm still young enough to get it all accomplished by the time I retire from my real job. It would be nice having a hobby that pays off by that time:)
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4 comments:
I'll be interested to hear about your signing experiences. Good luck with them!
:)
I'm amazed by all you do while working and writing! And thank you for the photos of Greece -- beautiful.
Have you done any book signings, Sarita?
I think we're all in the same boat. When I first became an author I was surprised to find out that a lot of us work full time jobs on top of writing.
Glad you enjoyed the pics.
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