I receive lots of emails from aspiring or novice writers, and I tell them all the same thing. Self-publishing is a viable option, but you should pay your dues and submit to the traditional publishers first. Aim high! But keep in mind that less than 2% of manuscripts are accepted. To some, this may seem a defeatist attitude, but it’s reality. So be prepared to work hard and look for opportunities. I spent years doing it the “right” way and I don’t regret it. I learned so much. And I think that is one of the reasons why I was finally picked up by a traditional publisher. I had walked the walk. Self-publishing was an option and a choice. It won’t work for everyone. I think of it as building a ladder and climbing it, one rung at a time. You have to start somewhere — usually at the bottom — and work your way up. I meet too many authors who want the quick fix. There really is none. Just as you should be honing and perfecting your craft of writing, you should hone the business side. Getting published is business. And it’s not for everyone. That said, if you want it badly enough, MAKE it happen. Dare to dream…and dream BIG!
How was your virtual book tour?
My VBT was a lot of hard work and organization but it was well worth it. I felt that it was a complete success, especially since Whale Song became an Amazon.com bestseller as a result of the virtual book tour. I am really glad I decided to organize it myself; I was able to meet some wonderful hosts and supply different articles/interviews to each so that my 1-month VBT was not repetitious.
I heard an author say the other day that virtual book tours don't build an audience because only the people that already know you follow you around. Now that you have been through a virtual book tour, do you think he's correct?
I definitely have to disagree. I believe that more 'strangers' followed me around. First, the hosts I contacted did not know me well. Only a few were people I had worked with before or knew prior to the VBT. Every blog or radio interview has there own traffic, there own regular visitors and there own new hits. So I was exposed to a wide range of readers and people who had never heard of me before. Throughout my virtual book tour, my sales were great--not only for Whale Song, the book I was promoting, but also for The River and Divine Intervention. Their sales also took off.
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