Is Selling Your Books Selling Out? [discussion question]

Writers have always had to help market themselves, through signings, book tours, and interviews. So it’s fine, though it does sound like an awful lot more work these days, especially if you self-publish.

Selling out to me means writing crap or formulaic work simply to make money. That’s different from writing a story that comes from your heart and then persuading people that they want to read it.

I totally agree with Ann. I am learning that IT’S PARAMOUNT a writer actively work to market their books. How you choose to go about that is important to consider.

Nowadays, Agents and Publishers all want to know – “what does your platform look like”. How many Followers do you have, how many reviews did you get for your book, who are some of the “Known” writers who can vouch for you. Yes, book tours and interviews are still a part, but there is just so much that a writer needs to do outside of writing and most probably on their own initiative.

Again Ann is right. If you put work out there that has no pride and no soul just to turn a buck – you’re probably selling out. If you don’t care, no one else will care. Just take the time to get to know people and let them know you – people will WANT to read your books.

A writer friend recently told me that marketing is all in how you approach it. If you dread it, people will know it. But if you say, hey I’m going to have good time with this, have some fun, let my hair down (for me that’s figuratively speaking) and just enjoy the process it will be reciprocated and people will respond.

Hey Ann – 2 months ago you and I didn’t even know each other – now we’re friends. Just do that again 10,000 more times. Piece of Cake!!!

-James Lee Schmidt (J.L.S.)

I agree with all of your sentiments. While we wish we could just “write and give it to someone to promote it”, writing doesn’t work like that anymore. We have to market our work and believe in it… otherwise, there are seven skillion books out there that other can choose. We have to be able to tell others why they should choose ours!

This is such a challenging question. The statement that hit me hardest in that interview is the one that hit her: Do you really believe in this book? If you do, how would you behave?

That has seriously impacted the way I think about marketing. I need to chew a little more before saying more!

I agree with Ruthanne. That one line where we ask if we believe in our books is a powerful one.

I have to change my loathing for marketing to making it fun. Not there yet.

Oh boy. I really wish I didn’t have to market, but, as a self-published author, I’m all I’ve got. If marketing my book is selling out, then I’m doooooomed.

I agree with all, if you believe in your book, then you are contributing to the literary discourse that has continued for thousands of years. (Kinda felt like NOT writing that sentence, but I feel strongly in it. That’s micro-publishing and marketing. 😉