Publishing Is Tough, but Are You Going to Quit NOW?

No matter how difficult your circumstances become, life goes on.  The fact that the housing market has reached all-time lows doesn't mean that people no longer need a place to live. And while it is getting more difficult to find jobs and earn a living, we all still have to find ways to meet our basic needs. And for those of us who seek to reach some level of success in the publishing industry, it is too easy to focus on all of the current challenges. People do still read, (believe it or not) and they are looking for new voices, great stories, and helpful information. The world still needs writers. In order to meet the needs of the readers, we must find ways to adapt--that is what the most successful people do.

Realtors, brokers, and home builders all agree that it is tougher to sell homes due to the economy, unemployment rates, and the subsequent flood of lower-priced inventory available. One thing they know is that when everything is all said and done, people still need a roof over their heads. So to survive, they adapt. They find new ways to market properties and make them stand out from the rest (polish your manuscript). They become more knowledgeable about financing to help qualify their clients (study the industry and step up your game). They use modern technology and social networking (build your platform). Many cater to a niche market (identify and connect with potential readers). They are creative, aggressive, innovative, and they stay in the game (emulate all of these things). Success in publishing is no different.

I believe that now is an exciting time to be a writer. There are so many avenues to publish your work from blogging, to freelance writing, to self-publishing, and, of course, traditional publishing. Writers can have the best of both worlds. Rejected manuscripts no longer have to sit in a desk drawer or be archived on a computer hard drive. Writers can generate interest in their work, publish it, and promote it with the possibility of still landing that elusive book deal. If you have a great product, a vision for it, a clear plan, and you are willing to roll up your sleeves, it is possible to be successful in the face of adversity. But, you have to believe it and you have to keep your shoulder to the plow.

Check out literary agent Rachelle Gardner's post, "Is the Sky Falling?", where she advises us all to "pull on our grown-up pants and deal with it". There will always be challenges. Life is full of them. 
Are you going to quit now?

Author Darlene Quinn Explains Why Writers Should Promote Each Other on Facebook

(Darlene Quinn's article sums it all up for me. Enjoy and take heed!)

"For some writers, self promotion is a hard pill to swallow. We are authors and artists, not sales people. Self promotion makes some of us feel uncomfortable and cheap. After all, they always say the hardest part about being an artist is selling your own work.

"For others, self promotion is easy and glides through Facebook like a bad virus. For the everyday family member, friend and fellow writer, the multiple postings and unreciprocated feedback can be distracting and downright annoying.

"The key to promoting your book on Facebook is to let others do it for you, while you promote the work of others.

"The number one rule of Facebook is to be Social, not self-centered. You cannot build meaningful relationships with fans or fellow writers by talking about yourself all the time.

"That said, consider these points in regard to promoting literature on Facebook.

"Announcements for book releases, awards and other literary achievements should be shared in a modest, yet effective, way. You on the other hand should also share the achievements of others within your network and groups. It’s so much easier for the Facebook audience to respond to a “suggested reading” or a “have a look at this new cover art” posting or “take a look at this new book trailer” share in the form of a third-party endorsement. This represents a trusted friend recommendation, as opposed to a used-car salesman’s approach to self-promotion.

"Are you getting the picture here? How many times have you entered a group and saw one random member monopolizing the posting thread with his or her own self promotion and thought, OMG, he or she is at it again!

"Imagine the power in numbers if we writers took one modest, yet effective, post and shared it with our friends and fellow writers. That is the viral power of Facebook..." Read the entire article HERE.

[Darlene Quinn is the author of Webs of Power, Twisted Webs, and Webs of Fate.]

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...