So You Wrote a Book: Next Steps for Newly Published Authors
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Matt Tompkins
Congratulations! You wrote a book, revised and edited, and shepherded it to press (or, e-press). Now what? After taking a brief moment to celebrate (go ahead and have a personal dance party—I'll wait…) you will want to take some steps to promote your work—to see that it gets the readership it deserves. Here are a few suggestions: Get social. One of the best things that you can do to bolster the success of your book is to leverage (or establish, and then leverage) your social media presence. Don't shy away from shameless self-promotion. You've put in a lot of hard work, and created a book that you're proud of—shout it from the (virtual) rooftops. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all good options, and there are more sites and apps sprouting up all the time. You may also want to consider following groups and organizations that are well matched to your book's topic. Get personal. Schedule readings and signings at local bookstores, community centers, and events. You don't need to be a famous author to do this. Despite the constant cries lamenting the death of bookshops, almost every town has at least one independent book store, and they love to host local authors for readings and signings. You can also try booking a booth at a local craft fair or farmers' market, or setting up a table at conventions and festivals. This will get you face-to-face with people who might not otherwise have picked up your book—people who might wander by and become your newest fans. Connecting with an author face-to-face, and hearing her read from her own work, is one of the best ways for the uninitiated reader to get a feel for who you are and what you're about. Get reviewed. There are hundreds of book review blogs and websites out there. By strategically sending copies of your book to outlets that regularly review small-press or self-published titles, you may find that someone (or multiple someones) will gladly do the legwork of writing a punchy, descriptive response to your book—and then sharing their thoughts with their pre-established readers.
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