Authors, Don’t Blame The Wind For Poor Sales

 

Authors often lament about the poor sales of their books.  They believe their books are very good and are perplexed when nothing seems to produce sales. They complain they don’t have time to market, can’t afford to outsource, or, they have tried to do things, even hire help, and received poor results.

They will become bitter and blame the world for their inability to sell books. But they won’t fully embrace all that is available to them.

They could be more active on social media but they dismiss it because they don’t understand how to use it. They could be speaking about their book but feel too shy to speak, or too awkward to ask for an invite to speak at a bookstore, library, school, or church. They could apply for book awards, buy paid reviews, network, pursue the news media, and pursue any number of marketing avenues. But they don’t. It all seems so foreign to them, as if it is not for them to do but for someone else.

Your success is based on you: what you think, say, and do. It is not about bad luck, challenges of the marketplace, the economy, reader habits, other books, or how you are published. Yes, they are all factors but the most limiting aspect of your book’s success is you.

We always conveniently blame our situation on others. Here is a case in point.

I recently played in a pickleball tournament, winning twice but also losing three games. Did I have a weak partner in one of the games? Yes. Were the 20 mph winds distorting play? Indeed. But in the end, I can’t blame anyone but myself for this lackluster doubles performance.

I have to take ownership of it and stop making excuses or blaming others. I have to be honest with myself, which is a difficult task at times. In my heart, I believe I am better than most players, and on any given day have a good chance of beating most anyone. But, if my record does not reflect what I think is my potential, then I need to play better. It is that simple.

You may feel you have a right to bitch and whine. You do. There is a place for that. Cry, yell, punch something… and then do something about it. Get it out of your system and now get yourself focused on what needs to be done — and execute.

Life is not always fair and just because you have a great book, you are not entitled to anything. The choices are clear: Do nothing and accept your fate. Or: Try your best. Or: Hire the best. Do both? Your future is in your hands and no one else’s.

Do You Need Book 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 5,250,000 page views. With 5,400+ posts over the past 14 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 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, 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