The up-at-dawn, pride swallowing, ever-humiliating task of self-promotion
The last three months have been very up and down for me since my novel, Seven Days to Tell You, was nominated for the People's Book Prize 2011. This is a prize awarded to the most popular book published in the UK by independent publishers. The winning book is the one with the most readers' votes. The only way to win, is to have the public vote for your book. There's no money given or book deals, but to have my book recognized by the public is enough for me!
So when I first heard about competition, I approached friends and readers who said they liked to the book to vote. I was really touched how willing people are about doing something to support a novel they enjoyed. I love having the opportunity to help others - so I don't know why it makes me cringe so much to ask others to help me. I guess I needed the lesson in humility.
But I'm learning! After close friends voted, we needed more people to go online, register and vote. This meant widening the net. My publisher, Hookline Books, did a book giveaway in order to get readers reading and if they liked it, voting. I felt a little funny about that - I spent seven years writing my novel and it was being handed on to anyone who asked - but I was told by marketing gurus that 'Giveaways' was the new way of promoting novels, known as 'platform building'. My publisher said that you shouldn't use social networks to ask for something unless you're offering something of equal or better value. A few readers wrote to me having received the book and said how much they loved it and were very happy to vote. Up again.
Down again when I sent emails to all the people I knew - even school friends I'd not seen for years - my face was red while writing it! Oh, the embarrassment! Why? I should be proud - but I felt like a worm! (Is this why we disrespect politicians so much?)
We are now in the last week. I've approached people at work and distant relatives. I even asked the man who'd installed our alarm system if he'd like to vote for me!
Since I was a child I wanted to be a writer - I thought I had the character for it - shy, sensitive, observant, socially retiring - but these qualities don't mean anything in the world of cold-calling, book give-aways, meeting the public and pestering your friends...and, I'll admit it, even getting my husband to ring round his ex-girlfriends and asking!
And now for the fun part: if you, dear reader, would like to make your voice heard, your vote would be so enormously appreciated. The link is: http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/book.php... Voting ends Wednesday 29th February.
Thank you!Seven Days to Tell You
So when I first heard about competition, I approached friends and readers who said they liked to the book to vote. I was really touched how willing people are about doing something to support a novel they enjoyed. I love having the opportunity to help others - so I don't know why it makes me cringe so much to ask others to help me. I guess I needed the lesson in humility.
But I'm learning! After close friends voted, we needed more people to go online, register and vote. This meant widening the net. My publisher, Hookline Books, did a book giveaway in order to get readers reading and if they liked it, voting. I felt a little funny about that - I spent seven years writing my novel and it was being handed on to anyone who asked - but I was told by marketing gurus that 'Giveaways' was the new way of promoting novels, known as 'platform building'. My publisher said that you shouldn't use social networks to ask for something unless you're offering something of equal or better value. A few readers wrote to me having received the book and said how much they loved it and were very happy to vote. Up again.
Down again when I sent emails to all the people I knew - even school friends I'd not seen for years - my face was red while writing it! Oh, the embarrassment! Why? I should be proud - but I felt like a worm! (Is this why we disrespect politicians so much?)
We are now in the last week. I've approached people at work and distant relatives. I even asked the man who'd installed our alarm system if he'd like to vote for me!
Since I was a child I wanted to be a writer - I thought I had the character for it - shy, sensitive, observant, socially retiring - but these qualities don't mean anything in the world of cold-calling, book give-aways, meeting the public and pestering your friends...and, I'll admit it, even getting my husband to ring round his ex-girlfriends and asking!
And now for the fun part: if you, dear reader, would like to make your voice heard, your vote would be so enormously appreciated. The link is: http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/book.php... Voting ends Wednesday 29th February.
Thank you!Seven Days to Tell You
No comments have been added yet.
