About a
year and a half ago, I initially wrote on this topic. I decided to update it
because I believe the opinions expressed are proving to be truer than ever.
Draw your own conclusions.
How do
writers become bestselling authors? Publicity seems to be one crucial element
or factor. To get fans, writers have to become known in the first place. Donald
Trump has a talent for drawing attention to himself. Trump has observed in the
past that there is no such thing as bad publicity, only publicity--which
attracts attention to an individual and his or her work.
In the
case of writers, publicity traditionally would be accomplished through the
efforts of a publisher who has a PR staff that solicits significant reviews and
promotes an author through numerous channels. But nowadays, this is often not
the case. Many publishers now want to know that writers have the ability to
promote and publicize their work themselves via social media before the publisher
will issue a contract. Also, many writers are currently self-publishing their
work. This too changes how publicity can be obtained.
Trump is
an example of someone who breaks the rules. He promotes himself as a maverick
in politics. Perhaps what Trump offers
to writers is the idea that we need to free ourselves. We have to look for
creative ways to promote and publicize our own work--just as writers shouldn’t
feel it necessary to write to any pre-conceived formula. We need to express
what is unique to ourselves in our own way.
My belief
is that we must write exceptional work that stands out from the herd. This is
one important way we can get recognition and acclaim. Not every reviewer will
give a fair or just review, but if we continue to provide quality work,
eventually we will get noticed for it.
As for
me, I have a new novel, THE INHERITANCE, a romantic mystery from Intrigue
Publishing, which I hope will excite reader interest. There have, in fact,
already been some very good reviews from readers which I greatly appreciate:
In regard
to Mr. Trump, it will be his actual ability to serve the country with good sense
and integrity by which he will ultimately be judged. The key to success is
having something of quality to offer.
Authors
need to be unique and original, not imitative in their writing. Hopefully
word-of-mouth will follow and help build a readership. Promotion and publicity
help but they have to be backed by more than mere promises and rhetoric.
Fellow
writers, what are your thoughts and opinions on getting recognized? Are you of
the opinion that bad reviews are better than no reviews at all? Is there
anything you recommend in particular in regard to promoting your own work that
has worked well for you?
Readers,
what would like to see more of from writers?
