BookMarketingBuzzBlog

Friday, November 13, 2026

Why Do Authors Sabotage Their Books?

You are reading this because you are guilty of the top offense when it comes to an author marketing a book. You have undermined your book’s chance of success — and you want to stop being the problem. But you don’t know how. Or you do, but you still can’t put the brakes on your journey to anonymity.

“Help,” you say.

First it is whispered, like a helpless child in shock. Then you find your voice, fully disgusted by — and fed up from — the sabotage of your very own book. You scream: “Help me!”

Okay, maybe now you are open to answers. You look back and see lethargy, ignorance, fear, random guesses, or ego have not served your book well. Perhaps you have identified the problem, and believe it is not you. Don’t be silly. Denial will not help your book but it might convince you to feel better.

You will blame it on others. You will say:

“The publisher did not do enough” or “I am a self-published author who can’t do much without a publisher.”

“I tried but heard back from nobody.”

“Only famous people get media attention.”

“Too many books are published; how can I compete?”

“I live in a small town with few opportunities to market.”

“My genre is niche.”

“Social media is a waste of time.”

“I advertised and had poor results.”

“I hear I need Bookstagram or TikTok but don’t know how to get influencers.”

All of these are just excuses and each one has a workaround.

It is true, it is not necessarily completely your fault that your book sold 27 copies, but you can be the reason it will sell better. You certainly can make a difference in your book’s success journey.

So, why do authors sabotage themselves?

* Human nature to cripple your efforts

* Lack of guidance or bad advice

* Don’t put in the time and/or fail to get help

* No awareness of what to do

* Lack of knowledge or skill of how to do things

* Fail to invest enough funds into marketing

* Fear-gripped and left stuck in place

* Scams or a failed past leave you unwilling to trust others

Well, what is the answer?

Change your ways. Try this:

* Do the opposite of what did not work.

* Do more of what did work.

* Acknowledge failure, take responsibility, and explore how to do things differently for the better.

* Live and learn. Failing is nothing to cry over or be embarrassed by, but only you know if you tried your hardest, made the smartest moves, embraced help, or acted on good information.

The approach authors must take is

Ownership: Take ownership of your book marketing. Don’t rely on others or leave things to chance.

Opportunistic Mindset: See opportunities everywhere. You don’t just do what is asked or accept offers made to you; seize moments to turn nothing or something into an opportunity.

Ask, Push: Nothing happens unless you ask questions, solicit favors, beg people, or constantly assert yourself into conversations. Being polite and quiet places you as a sideline observer.

Experiment & Diversify: Try a number of big and small things to drum up support and attention for your book. Don’t put your efforts or resources into just one area.

Network: Whatever you do or know will always be enhanced by whom you know — and who and what they know. Keep networking. Every connection is worth a number of book sales.

Learn: You need to get smart about marketing, advertising, and public relations. Read up, take a course, listen to webinars, attend conferences, model other authors in your genre, ask AI… do whatever it takes for you to be aware of what could or should be done to market your book.

Invest in Help: You need help. Lots of it, from people who can do things for you or show you how to do them. You can pay, barter, or beg for help from professionals to friends and family.

Marketing Plan 101: Identify what you will do and break it up into smaller, scheduled steps. Figure out the best ways to market your book and come up with a plan on how to effectuate what needs to be done. Explore what can be done with book awards, testimonials, professional reviews, bestseller lists, social media, speaking, news media, your website, book giveaways, advertising, etc.

Dedicate Time To Marketing: No matter your strategies, budget, connections, or capabilities just assume that you need to put in some time to market your book well. If you fail to leave time each day or week to marketing, you simply fail. I know, you have a job, kids, a sick spouse or ailing parent, chores, hobbies, writing, entertainment, and sleep competing for your time. Make book marketing a priority!

Be honest — is the book any good? Do you present it well? How is the title? Cover? Price? If all that is fine, and it is not selling, marketing is the issue.

Don’t look to embrace excuses and lay blame on others — or say you had bad luck. Determine and acknowledge that you can make a difference, that you can generate more book sales, and that you are responsible for the results.

See a therapist, get advice from writer associations, outsource to a book marketer, hire a public relations coach, try harder, act smarter, work longer, and above all else, stop sabotaging your book!

Need Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 11 million page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” Copyright 2026.

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook. It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Interview With Author Marilee Albert

1. What inspired you to write this book? My time as a mom in the suburbs and the unexpected difficulties of that life. I was also considering moral arguments as I saw different financial catastrophes affecting people, namely the crash of 2008 and the pandemic. These moments made me question my own moral limits.

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? It’s about marriage, love, sex, family, death, and morality. And it’s written for anyone who has struggled with their life choices, and has ever questioned their values and their own moral limits. Plus, anyone who loves a page-turning mystery!

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope first and foremost that they’re entertained! And I also hope they look a little into their own psyches and maybe gain a better understanding of themselves and the people in their lives, as well as their neighbors and acquaintances. What’s really going on behind the scenes of another person’s seemingly pristine life? Rather than fostering cynicism, I hope my story forges more empathy for those around us. I also want to build a better world. The things my characters do (in the end) are not what I think people would do in real life, but rather what I wish people would do.

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? My publisher chose the cover but I absolutely loved the first choice they sent me. I wanted a cover that didn’t give anything away, or limit the audience, or direct to one particular theme. The book is so multifaceted that I wanted the cover to be intriguing but as neutral as possible.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? Sit down and get started. Don’t be afraid to write badly because you’ll be rewriting anyway. And stay away from AI. It may be tempting but it will slow you down. AI can’t write, trust me! Rewrite and rewrite and rewrite more. Then get the manuscript into the hands of some smart friends. After that, rewrite more. Only when you feel you have the best manuscript you could possibly have, start querying. And finally, keep going when you get the inevitable stream of what seems like an endless stream of rejections.

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I believe (with heaviness in my heart) that a lot of people who never sat down to write a book will use AI to write and will flood the inboxes of agents and publishers with work a computer did for them. I hope that trend tapers off because it’s going to be a very dark time for writers who have spent decades developing unique voices. It’s disheartening, and all I can do is pray that AI is detected, the trend declines, and the work goes back to the humans. The joy of creation is what matters, not the result.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? I’m one of those people who jump into new and different worlds. That has given me a lot of material to draw from. But with this book, what really came in handy was paying attention to the day-to-day details of suburban life and the unique characters around me. Details are what give fiction texture and what brought my book to life the most. Another important influence on this book was my own obsession with true crime. That came in handy more than anything else because it exposed me to different dark sides of human behavior, and also gave me details I needed for my main character’s own true crime obsession. She believes she’s watched enough that she can beat the system, so I had to know my stuff.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? Because I’ve never taken a writing class, my writing style mostly developed in a vacuum. I think that’s why my style is loose, somewhat scraggly, and a bit rough around the edges. Also, I come from screenwriting so I’m sparse. My goal is to tell a story directly, not try to dazzle with colorful words. Not to say I don’t want to viscerally set a scene, because that’s important too. My background in academic writing (I studied philosophy) also trained me to write clearly. I’ve read a lot throughout my life, so of course I’m very influenced by my favorite authors. A few I admire and aspire to are Iris Murdoch, Patricia Highsmith, Jonathan Franzen, and Gillian Flynn. I wouldn’t say my style is similar to theirs, just that they are guiding lights.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? Lots of rewrites! I went from telling the story from one POV to getting notes from a trusted source to include more POVs. The amount of rewriting I did over ten years was staggering. If I had known how many years I’d be laboring over this manuscript I’m not sure I would have started!

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because it’s a fun, page-turning, twisty mystery that will keep you entertained from beginning to end, while also making you think about your own life and choices!

About The Author: Marilee is a Los Angeles native who studied philosophy at Yale before moving to Rome, where she began her career as Francis Ford Coppola’s philosophy tutor before working in development for RAI. As CEO of Kepler Media, she writes and develops thrillers, true-crime, historical dramas and music-driven stories. She is currently producing Denke’s Blacklisted script Sex Greed Money Murder and Chicken Fried Steak, slated for early 2027.

For more information, please see: https://www.marileealbertbooks.com/

Need Marketing Help?

About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Interview With Author Vicky Oliver

1. What inspired you to write this book? I am a fourth-generation New Yorker whose ancestors lived in Manhattan during 1908. I have all the family trees, photos, and other ephemera handed down from my relatives on both my mother and my father’s side of the family. I have a burning passion for history and for uncovering parts of New York history that few people know much about. In 1908, Manhattan was a cauldron for three movements: the early women’s rights movement, the labor movement, and the anarchy movement. I wanted to set my story against the backdrop of this fascinating time period.

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? It’s about the love between two sisters who grew up in the same family but have very different values. Their bond is strong, but they also confound each other. The older sister, my protagonist, Helena James, wants to protect her younger sister, Summer James, from making a terrible life decision.

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? Some context. My story takes place over a hundred years ago, but we see many of the same issues and conundrums replaying in today’s headlines. I believe that we have to look backwards to make sense of where we are today. All that said, FIREBRANDS is a very fun, accessible, “breezy” read. I tried to inject a lot of humor and fun in the story because I believe that my task as an author is to entertain and inform.

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? The title came right out of the character’s mouths. Several characters tell Helena not to be such a “firebrand.” When I considered how many times the people around her said that and also how many characters in the novel are firebrands in their own right, it just seemed like the perfect title. I had the initial idea for the design and worked with several artists to create a mock cover, but the folks at Histria Books really improved the design and brought it to a whole new level. My original cover used pastel colors and green, not red. I thought red was too obvious—until I saw it. But once I saw it, I fell in love with it.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

I would never tell a fellow writer to run. The truth is: writers are driven to write. They can’t help it. If you’re a writer, you have to get up every day, throw yourself into your words, and love, love, love the process because you will never work harder at anything in your whole life. My advice, based purely on my own experience, is that it will take a lot longer than you ever dreamed to get published; the journey will be rockier and may be harrowing; but if you stick with it, it can feel exceptionally rewarding.

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? Because so many writers are choosing to self-publish their stories, the field is cluttered. It’s harder for all writers to get noticed. We have to push much, much harder than even a few years ago. This can feel off-putting at times—to be out there, “selling” each and every day, trying to build our brands. But again, most writers don’t have a choice. They are driven to write, and then they have to be willing to sell. The expectation is that we will be partners with our publishing companies and that we will amplify all marketing through social media and all means at our disposal.

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Yes. I wrote six career books, among them: Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers, and Other Office Idiots (Sourcebooks), so I tend to view my protagonist and the people around her through a career lens. My protagonist, Helena James, is ambitious, and that’s one of the aspects I love about her. Before I wrote career books, I was in the advertising business, and one of the characters in my novel is in the advertising business as well.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I believe that I write in a lush, cinematic style. I read all the old masters, but I am not aiming to be any of them. I don’t want to be Henry James. I want my writing to “wink” at Henry James, but have my sentences be fun, easy, and accessible.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? Getting published in this marketplace is a bit of a feat. I revised my novel about 300 times. Some of these were small revisions; others large. Today the expectation is that one’s novel should almost be ready to publish when it’s submitted. I kept revising and tweaking mine until it was.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

I feel the characters and the story will resonate—and also, I hope the story will stay with readers. Even though Firebrands (Histria Books, 2026, distributed by Simon & Shuster) is about events that take place in 1908, it’s very timely to today. It’s very much a story of our time.

About The Author: Vicky Oliver graduated from Brown University with a double major in English Honors and Political Science and received her MFA in Fiction from the New School in 2022. Her novel, Firebrands (Histria Books, 2026), is distributed by Simon & Schuster, and has won these awards: Killer Nashville Claymore Award Finalist for Best Historical Fiction; Writers’ League of Texas Award Finalist for Best Historical Fiction; and 5 Stars, Reader’s Favorite: “Very Highly Recommended.” Oliver also writes nonfiction and has published six career books, including 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions (Sourcebooks), which sold 100,000 copies. She is the Nonfiction Editor as well as an Art Editor at LIT magazine, the journal of The New School’s MFA program. Vicky’s savvy career advice has been featured in over 901 outlets, including the New York Times, WSJ, New York Post, and Esquire. Learn more at https://vickyoliver.com/firebrands-fiction-author/

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About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

Interview With Business Book Author Dr. Mosongo Moukwa

1. What inspired you to write this book? After more than 30 years in business, I've met many entrepreneurs who appear successful but are exhausted. They have customers, growing revenue, and employees, yet little time to enjoy what they've built. They started their businesses seeking freedom but became trapped by them. I wrote Beyond Survival to show that business success shouldn't come at the expense of living a fulfilling life.

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for? Beyond Survival: Creating a Business That Loves You Back helps entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that provide freedom, purpose, and fulfillment. It's written for business owners who work hard but aren't enjoying the rewards they expected. The book shows them how to uncover hidden opportunities, make better decisions, and build businesses that support their lives rather than consume them.

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope readers realize they don't have to sacrifice their lives to build successful businesses. I want them to discover overlooked opportunities, make better decisions, and regain control of their time and future. Above all, I want them to redefine success: not just by how much money they make, but by the freedom, purpose, and fulfillment their business creates.

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? I chose Beyond Survival because too many entrepreneurs are simply surviving rather than enjoying the businesses they've built. The subtitle, Creating a Business That Loves You Back, reflects the transformation I want for them. The butterfly emerging from its cocoon symbolizes renewal, transformation, and freedom, representing the journey from struggle to a more fulfilling life.

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? My advice is to write with purpose and authenticity. Don't worry about making every sentence perfect at first. Focus on the message you want to share and the difference it could make in someone's life. Writing requires discipline, patience, and perseverance. Above all, remember that your story and experiences may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I see three major trends: the continued growth of self-publishing, the increasing use of AI in writing and publishing, and readers seeking authentic stories with practical value. I believe publishing will become more accessible, but also more competitive. The authors who stand out will be those who bring original perspectives, genuine experiences, and meaningful value to their readers

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? Absolutely. This is my second book, and I've been reflecting on its central message for many years. My more than 30 years of business leadership, that include my own entrepreneurial experiences and work with business owners, provided valuable insights. I've witnessed both the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship. The book brings together those experiences and lessons I've learned about profitability, freedom, purpose, and fulfillment.

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I would describe my writing as reflective, conversational, and practical. In both books, I draw on personal experiences, leadership lessons, and real-world stories to challenge conventional thinking. My approach shares similarities with Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose and Stephen Covey’s focus on principles and personal effectiveness. I want readers not just to think differently, but to live and lead differently.

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book? One challenge was turning years of experiences, observations, and reflections into a meaningful message. I wanted to balance practical business advice with the human side of entrepreneurship. Another challenge was deciding what to leave out. My goal was to write a book that would not simply inform readers but inspire them to make meaningful changes in their lives.

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because Beyond Survival addresses a question many entrepreneurs quietly struggle with: Is building a successful business worth it if you have no time to enjoy your life? This book offers practical strategies to increase profitability, regain freedom, and rediscover purpose. If you're working harder than ever but enjoying life less, this book could change how you think about success.

Author Bio: Dr. Mosongo Moukwa is a business profit strategist and executive coach who helps established business owners uncover hidden profit opportunities, make better strategic decisions, and build more profitable, less owner-dependent businesses that create freedom and fulfillment. A former global corporate executive with over 30 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience, he brings a unique perspective to business growth and success. His insights have been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine, International Business Times, and The Chicago Tribune. A bestselling author and international speaker, he is the author of Be a Leader of Significance and Beyond Survival: Creating a Business That Loves You Back. Website: https://www.mosongomoukwa.com

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About Brian Feinblum

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum