The #WritingCommunity on Twitter is wonderful. I find support and good wishes flowing all the time. I try to recognize my #writer friends on Twitter. We are part of a Mutual Admiration Society of Back Patters, and it is wonderful.
Many of my friends have purchased my book, and I purchase books my Twitter friends write. A quick study of this circular scenario reveals that Amazon is the only one getting rich! I am not badmouthing the Twitter #WritingCommunity, but I believe more is to be done.
For a book to become “famous,” it must break into new circles beyond social media. I am on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok and am sure that these venues generate book sales. Sales have been “good,” but Members of the Cast hasn’t “taken off.”
One strong promotional device has been book talks. I have spoken to book clubs, motorhome clubs, and my local Gold Country Writers group. After the seven book talks, sales have slackened except for five books in one day, perhaps for Christmas gifts.
It may be that my book launch and promotion were lacking. I made an effort to communicate the launch and felt it was successful, with 43 books sold the first three days. I wish I had asked folks to review the book on Amazon. Forty-one have, but the ratio to sales is too small.
Reviews make the book look successful on Amazon and Good Reads, but a book needs chatter for success. We need reviews that break out of our circle of friends. A reviewer said, “This is the best book I have read in forever,” and I thought it high praise. Apparently, few noticed. The circle is widening when I am told, “I have loaned your book to…”. Dreams would have one of the borrowers tell someone of influence, “You must read this book.”
We need to do in-person book promoting, but it isn’t easy. I suggested Abigail Silver’s Child of Awareness in conversation and followed up with a reminder, but I don’t know if it resulted in a purchase.
Following my own advice, if you read Members of the Cast and did not review it on Amazon and Good-Reads, please do.
Happy Writing!
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