I’d not been prepared for the emotion involved in having the book finished. I was really excited.
But I’d been so concentrated on actually publishing the book that I hadn’t really thought much beyond that. So after I’d finally released the book on Amazon, I breathed a sigh of relief. I’d finally made it.
Again, I wasn’t expecting the roller coaster of emotion then. As the sales of the book stopped at 5 copies for three whole days, I started feeling really down about it all.
A timely sermon, a bit of a re-think, a chat with friends and I realised that the publishing wasn’t the end, it was just the beginning of the next phase.
As I’m a self-published author, I’ve now got all of the leg work in front of me to show people that they really do need to buy my book!
the Facebook page I started has to be fed. The 500 odd people that have now been exposed to it have to be captivated. They have to like the page so much that they’ll want to share it with their friends.
The Author’s blog (that you’ve currently reading), has to grab, excite and compel.
The little advertising cards I’m handing out have to matter. I started handing them out because I saw the little card as the end. I’ve got to stop that and look longer. The card is a waste of money if I haven’t engaged the person I gave it to. They have to be inspired to act on that card (so my apologies to those who got a card, but walked away without getting me or my book – I’ll try to do better next time).
I really do think my book is good and that it’ll provide entertainment for my readers, but like anything worthwhile, it’ll take time to fulfill my great expectations.