Level The Field

Writers have always used the tools available in their time; from quill pens and parchment to the old Underwood typewriters, word processors and computers. But the balance of power has long been stacked against them when the work was finished.

Getting the books to the audience has always been a challenge and while some writers are excellent at their craft or have an urgent message to share they are not necessarily good at marketing and promotion or have the time and energy required.

Enter agents and publishers-a Godsend to writers; a great tool to get the job done! IF you are fortunate enough to get their time and attention. They are busy people too and while they may be great at what they do they simply do not have time to read every work that fills their mail box. Nor do they have the budget to finance and promote all the works they feel are deserving of the effort.

I understand that many traditional publishers, while using the latest tools and technology themselves are naturally upset about the new tools available to writers to produce and market their work via non-traditional channels like Amazon and Createspace. And it is not hard to understand why. All writers would like to reach a large audience; they all have something to say and most would love to have a Best Seller at least once-and for that the validation of a well known imprint is invaluable! But like everything else in life the process can be daunting, frustrating, long and a little like winning a lottery. It usually is an arduous uphill climb that takes a lot of time away from the process of creation.

Enter the Internet with its tools like Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and Createspace. Though writing and publishing a book still takes help and expertise these tools level the field making it possible for writers to build and reach an audience without all the hoops of the traditional routes of the past.

The world of technology changes fast and while most of us embrace this change those who do not are destined to go the way of the dinosaurs. I myself do not wish to be discovered after I am gone.

You can help today's authors level the field by doing what readers have always done; talk about and share the books you love or the ones that spoke to you in some way. Then use the tools available on the Internet and share, share, share.

I and many others will thank you.

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