Sometimes I Feel Like a Mosquito

That's right. I do. Sometimes I feel like a mosquito. I sometimes wonder if I'm becoming your annoying friend who all she ever talks about is her books. I wonder if perhaps I've had too many Facebook posts dedicated to my books. Or perhaps I've written one blog plea too many. Sometimes, I feel like a literary mosquito. I'm not quite a horsefly, you all would have squashed me dead by now if I were. But I'm worry of becoming the constant buzzing that you start wanting to knock out with a baseball bat. Or a music stand, if you've been watching Jumanji lately.

But here's the thing. I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place. I don't yet have the funds to start investing in my own marketing. I see the cute bookmarks and the pens. I've heard about the book signings, the events where authors have sold hundreds of books and gained new adoring readership. But those things cost money and often they cost a LOT of money. Money that I simply do not have.

And so I exclusively rely on word-of-mouth because really that's the only free marketing strategy I have. It's difficult because I'm not much a salesman. I worry too much and far too often second guess myself. I worry that my books aren't really as good as I thought they were. I worry constantly about annoying you. In essence, I just worry.

But because it's the only option I have, I force myself to keep going. I put up pictures, posts, blogs, etc. hoping to get the attention of even just one more reader. And yet my sales stay woefully at zero.

And that's when I worry most that I'm annoying you more than I'm getting my message to you. You're starting to hear just the irritating buzzing of that mosquito that you can't quite locate. Please don't be annoyed. (And don't squish me with that rolled up newspaper!) I'm not trying to annoy you. I'm trying to get the word out. Unfortunately you're the only listeners I have right now. But there is something you can do to help. When you see my posts, do me a favor. Take a moment to read them. Tell your friends about them. "Like" and "Share" them if you so desire. Help me get the word out that my books are published! They are available! A whole new world of adventure is waiting for you to delve in. There are two books in my Charming Academy series and then the memoir of mischievous things I did as a child. Two of the three books are on Smashwords as eBooks if that is your preferred method of reading. And by this weekend (if I have to sit on the man to get it done!) the other book will also be out on Smashwords.

And if you have ideas for me about marketing my books, please share! I'm always looking for new ideas. If you have read any of my books and want to let others know how you felt (and you can be honest) go on to Goodreads and leave a review. Those reviews do help! I enjoy seeing the feedback I receive because it helps me become a better writer. I am only an author because I have those who have read my books. If you are thinking about reading one or all of them, I encourage you to jump right in! Find your favorite cozy chair and get in on the adventures.

And whatever you do, don't squish your annoying mosquito friend. :)