Time For A Reality Check For Authors?

Many writers believe in their ability to pen a very good book. They may have quirky hangups and insecurities in other aspects of their life, but they know they can write and manipulate a sequence of words to say something profound, funny, shocking, inspirational, or instructional. But what happens when writers meet other talented writers and see their competition up close? What happens when they read other great books from their contemporaries?

They either get humbled, maybe even depressed to learn that they are not superior to other elite writers. Or, they get motivated by the competition and work harder, longer, and smarter to rise up to the occasion. Either way, there comes some level of acknowledgment that there is a greatness spectrum, and you are but a point on it, and not at the very top of it.

Here is something to chew on. There were three million new book releases last year. If you think you are better than 90 percent of them, that still leaves 300,000 books that are better than yours. If one reads 300 books a year — almost one a day — it will take 1000 years — or a dozen lifetimes — for them to get to your book. After reading the 300,000 better books (and that is if they ignore the 1000 years of producing another 300 million better books).

Ok, let’s say you are better than 99 percent of what was published last year. That still leaves 30,000 books ahead of yours.

It is time for a reality check: Are you as good as you think you are? Can you take steps to do more, be better?

Now, whatever you do to be a better writer, even if you do pen the very best book in the world, will mean little unless your book marketing is executed effectively. In fact, better book marketing can even help books that are good, but not great. It is a powerful equalizer.

To succeed as a writer the formula is: Merely write a good book and market like crazy. The sooner you understand and embrace your reality, the quicker —and better equipped — you will be able to pursue the fulfillment of your goals.

Look at other aspects of life where one can’t just rely on a natural talent to experience fulfillment. Women who feel insecure with their looks or body will work harder in bed to please their man. Some good-looking women can be sexually lazy. Same is true for guys who aren’t packing the biggest gun. They will work harder to service their women by other means, while stud-looking guys won’t even think to go the extra mile to make sure she feels satisfied.

Or, take your job as an example. Being smart or skilled in one area may get you so far at work, but you need to make an extra effort to befriend your boss, volunteer for extra work, or help make a colleague better in order for managers to see you as worthy of a promotion. In other words, being great at what you do may not be enough; you have to do more in ways that you may not have even thought were important.

I started playing pickleball in the fall, taking a weekly class of instruction and play for beginners. I quickly became one of the best players in the group. Ok, I was being modest. I was a monster out there, winning almost every game no matter who I partnered with. I felt like I was good enough to play against anybody. So, I moved up to a higher level.

I discovered I was only better or as good as half the group — and inferior to the rest. It is going to take more practice, better execution, and a savvier strategy to beat those who outplay me. I am up for the challenge. But it was a reality check to suddenly come upon a wall and realize I will need to do more to break through.

Just how good of a writer are you? How about your book marketing prowess? Start making the changes that you will need to advance to another level. 

 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, 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 four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

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).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, 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