Many
authors come to me, asking, no, telling me they should be media superstars and
feel perturbed at not yet having made it big.
This especially happens when authors have had successful careers and
feel they have good credentials to designate them as a leading expert in their
field. But rarely do authors want to
examine specific factors that play a role in their ability to get publicity.
For
instance:
·
How
good is your book, especially compared with the competition?
·
Just
how unique is your message or viewpoint?
·
How
do you stack up to other experts on your topic, including non-authors?
·
Is
the timing right or did you miss your window?
·
Are
you willing to do heavy lifting and pay handsomely for a professional
publicist?
·
Are
you more ego-centric and less concerned about helping others, solving problems,
or supporting legitimate cases?
Many
authors fall short of generating a quantity of publicity or quality media
coverage. They do too little, too
late. They try to go it alone or
mistakenly rely on their publisher.
Often they need to hire a publicist, but must choose wisely.
Authors
are not grounded or realistic. They are
often wildly ravenous for media exposure.
They want the attention, the validation, and the book sales. But they must crawl before they walk and walk
before they jog, and jog before they sprint. Some authors want to sleep all
that and win the decathlon without training.
Part
of the problem is the media itself. Too often we see outrageous instances of a
stupid video getting a million views and going viral out of nowhere. Or we read about an odd story that gets
picked up by every newspaper and magazine.
Or someone writes a book and hits the best-seller list and every author
looks at this and claims: “I’m just as good – if not better – than them.” It’s like someone sees a guy win the lottery
by playing his cousin’s birth dates and plunks down 50 dollars in tickets in
hopes of replicating the feat.
The
lure of the media is just too tempting to ignore. It seems obtainable and it can be so rewarding
when one gets their 15 minutes of fame.
But the process of getting media exposure is like trying to win a
carnival game: It looks easier than it is – and many factors conspire against
you.
There
is only so much media to go around but the number of published books and
authors seeking publicity seems to be growing.
The competition for the attention of the media and reading public is
fierce.
Authors
often feel they aren’t as famous, influential, or successful as they should
be. They blame their publisher. They blame their publicist. They blame a dumb public. They blame the media. And each of them may play a role, for sure,
but it really begins with the author.
Is
the author:
-
Egomaniacal
and not realistic?
-
Not
actively pushing the book because he believes the “great” content should sell
itself?
-
Not
doing a variety of things to promote and market the book?
-
Lazy
when it comes to the use of social media?
-
Pushing
a book that is flawed or mediocre at best?
-
Promoting
eggs when people want bacon?
Authors
deserve to have the widest possible exposure for their books but they compete
with one another and when millions of books are flooding the marketplace, few
will get to stick out.
Many
books don’t need to become best-sellers or sell 50,000 copies to be a success. But if you’re looking for the media to turn
you into a star, don’t expect fame and glory until you examine all the factors
that can impact and influence your marketability.
Interview With Author Ima Bratt, In character
What type of books do you write? My books are best suited for mature
children and/or childish adults.
What is your newest book about?Although the title is a bit misleading, my
book "Rather Unpleasant CAUTIONARY TALES for Ill-Mannered & Immoderate
Children" is a collection of rather unpleasant cautionary tales for
ill-mannered & immoderate children.
What inspired you to write it?I like to think that the stories I relate help to prevent
potentially good children from becoming potentially wicked children that left
to their own devices become potentially wicked adults. Heaven knows we don't
need any more of those. You see, it’s not about making a name for myself, it's
about creating a better world. But please, there's no need to
thank me, really... I do it for the children.”
What is the writing process like for you? Well, in order for me to write my
shocking exposés, first I have to stalk...I mean “observe”,
potentially wicked children in their own habitat. This requires that I
wear disguises, and in some cases camouflage, to avoid discovery. This is
often a very grueling undertaking and, if I'm crouching in the bushes, can
cause cramps. Other than that, I'd say my process is much like that of other
writers- I sit down with my notes in front of the computer, down a box of
Ho-Ho's in less than 60 seconds, and then riding the sugar high I type
furiously until I crash and pass out. That, I believe, is how classics are
born. Dr. Suess must have had an enormous Ho-Ho bill.
What did you do before you became an author? I lerned how to spel.
How does it feel to be a published author? Quite thrilling actually. But I won't
let it go to my head; I've vowed never to forget the little people.
Any advice for struggling writers? I've heard that the more you struggle the
faster you sink...move sloooowly.
Where do you see book publishing heading? Albuquerque.
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Brian Feinblum’s
views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of
his employer, the nation’s largest book promoter. You can follow him on Twitter
@theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This
is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2013
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