Dear Readers,

If I have learned one thing since the release of my novel, it is that I should have paid more attention in the marketing class I took in college. The “C” I received, coupled with a “D” in Business Law meant that I was in no way bound for the world of business. Fair enough. I was working as a firefighter at the time and thankfully we don’t have to market our services. People always need us and there are a handy three digits they can call to summon our assistance. Writing a book though…….that’s a different animal entirely.

My book has sold well enough to make me happy, though not rich (of course, I didn’t expect riches). I cracked the top 100 in a couple of Amazon categories for a bit. It even won an award and is in the running for a few others. The biggest hurdle is reaching potential readers. And even when you do, no one wants to see a barrage of “buy my stuff” posts. Juggling an author Facebook page and Instagram account is tough work when you are also trying to write another book and go to work every day. I actually think my cat Anastasia has sold more of my books through her Facebook page than I have through mine. Hmmm. I guess that’s a marketing tip for you.

I have to say that the learning curve for publishing and marketing a book is pretty steep. Luckily authors are very helpful to one another, and I’ve learned quite a bit from some of my colleagues. But my quest to land my book in the hands of every interested reader is proving to be a Quixotic one to say the least. Hopefully when the audiobook comes out later this fall it will reach a new demographic and broaden the overall reach of the book.

I do have a great book blurb though. Upon reading So Others May Live, my son reported back to me that “It didn’t suck.” How is that for a slogan? “Buy my book! It doesn’t suck!”

Until next time, Dear Readers, take care of yourselves, and one another.

L.H.