This Neil Gaiman quote is pretty darn spectacular:
“Everything good that happened to my writing career happened because someone, normally another writer, helped me. Suggested me for something, put in a good word, and so on. The idea was always that you help others and they help others in their turn. It’s not a win or lose game.”
-Neil Gaiman
So very true! But despite the camaraderie, the book promotion process is brutal for we indie authors. I love showcasing fun stories about connecting with former students or sharing input from book club readers–or details about events.
I’ve loved the response thus far to my debut novel, Slivers, and continue to feel a second wave of gratitude when readers dig into my memoir, Surviving Sue, published three years ago.
But there are quiet days and weeks when the calendar lightens up, the phone doesn’t ring and my email gets strangely quiet. I assume it’s a nudge from the universe to get crackin’ on my next book, so I get to work, but there’s still a pesky voice within, irritating the heck out of me:
That’s it. That’s all. Hope you enjoyed the fanfare ’cause it’s done.
Is it–finito–I wonder? I check for fresh reviews daily on Amazon (for Surviving Sue) and on Goodreads for both Surviving Sue and Slivers. Has the ta-dah concluded?
I did the most daring thing two weeks ago when the slump hit. I actually “DM-ed” a celebrity author whose book aligns with my purpose and mission, asking if I might send her a book. Or two…
I joked to Wynne Leon that I now know the precise number of characters allowed in a private message on Instagram. I used every single one in my fervent message, trying to sound like a reputable, credible author and not a crazed fan. (No reply received, in case you’re holding out hope for me.)
No, this isn’t a Vicki Pity Party. Honest, it’s not, but if you have suggestions, ideas for further promotion, readership, I’m all ears.
Unsure if I should be a Substacker, I dusted off my platform there, wrote one article and have a whopping six followers.
- Should I invest more time on a WordPress alternative?
- Should I record audio versions of Surviving Sue and Slivers, as some have suggested.
- Should I summon the chutzpah and visit more local, indie bookstores, offering my wares–books and workshops?
Or…do I simply face forward, fingers on the keyboard and continue my “work in progress”? I’m about 7000 words in and it’s flowing but I wonder if I’m hopping to my next book baby too soon.
So here I sit, humbly asking for a favor. If you’ve read and liked my work and wouldn’t mind offering a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads, I’d appreciate your support. (No, there’s no eBook for Slivers yet…)
Amazon.com: Surviving Sue: Atkinson, Dr. Vicki
Slivers by Vicki Atkinson | Goodreads
Surviving Sue by Vicki Atkinson | Goodreads
And…if you are so inclined, referring and recommending my books to others, sharing the links to this blog and/or my business site, Atkinson Group Solutions, to learn more about workshops, like those highlighted by the Chicago Writers Association, would be lovely.
Putting in a good word, the old-fashioned way, no algorithmic high hurdles required. Thank you, friends, for your patience, support and consideration. It means the world to me.
-Vicki 💝
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue and Slivers.
Check out this link to learn more about my book Surviving Sue – all about resilience and love. Check out this link to order Slivers…a ghost story with surprising twists. Click here for the interview with my publisher, Rick Kaempfer from Eckhartz Press.
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