When a book is launched into the world, the publisher throws
an elaborate launch party, with champagne and caviar. All those that matter in the literary world
are invited to the glittering affair.
Then there’s the book tour, where you’ll read at all the best
independent bookshops in the country, there are radio and television interviews
to prepare for. Glossy magazine
journalists write stories, with professional and colourful photographs of you
with the kids and the dog, giving the back-story to the book and the
author. Followed swiftly by a bidding
war for the film rights and once sold, the author is flown out, first class, to
meet the producer and offered a part in her own story, starring beside Brad
Pitt.
Now... I believe, there is somewhere out there, in a galaxy far
far away, a parallel universe where all of this could well be happening. Alas, it happens to one in a million on this
planet. What really happens when an author gets published is; the author gets
ten free copies to give to family and friends, a quick gin and tonic, possibly
a slap up meal out with the family or a few beers with some close friends. Your local bookshop, where you’ve been a loyal
customer all your life, agrees to let you do a book-reading and signing and
occasionally if your book fits, your local school might have you in to do a
writing workshop... but the students can’t afford to buy the book and ask if
it’s in the library.
After that... if you’re not on the ball... Nada.
What really matters once your book is out there are the
reviews. Book reviews are so important to authors and have a
tremendous impact on sales. Along with good
marketing and book ratings, the reviews are the most persuasive book-buying
influence of all. People want to know
what others think of the book before they buy it. Some will kindly post a review on Amazon,
facebook or twitter and share their thoughts, while others keep it to themselves
and make a private note to either support the author, or to never again read
another word they’ve written.
For
the author, it can be scary and intimidating, particularly as there’s always
the possibility of a negative review.
But you’ve put your work out there for the world to read and to be
judged, not everyone is going to be a fan but you have to take the risk to get
the exposure. Rejection and negative comments
are going to happen; it’s all part and parcel of being an author.
Dead Game had thousands of downloads over its short free
spell on Kindle. The end verdict was... number
one in fairytales, number two in fantasy and number fifteen overall. The exposure has been amazing and personally
I’d do it all again tomorrow if I could.
I love the fact that people are reading my work. Reviews on Amazon are now coming in.
What will
the world think? I’d really like to
know.
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