Marketing the Necessary Evil

This last week I finally reintroduced my fingers to my keyboard. I took some time off this last month from writing the sequel to Seventh Earth so I could work on marketing Seventh Earth. I didn't anticipate how much time it would actually take to market a book. Working with a small publisher with a limited budget much of the marketing of Seventh Earth has been up to me. I knew that would be the case and I accepted it. Even if I had been picked up by a larger publisher for this first release I would have still been tasked with marketing my book. Sure a larger publisher would have the resources to arrange and pay for major ad and release campaigns but still, even with a large publisher the author has to put forth a great deal of effort to make the book a success. I read recently that many authors think that once they find an agent and publisher that they can sit back, relax and let the royalty checks flow in. Now if you are an established author with a good following that may be the case. However, for us first-timers that is not the case. To be successful an author must be willing to market. This is often a difficult and somewhat daunting prospect considering that many authors seem to be introverts.

To give you some idea of some of the marketing I have done I have created the following list. Now keep in mind that this is just some of the marketing I have done.

Hosted a book release party
Set up and attended book signing events
Created Seventh Earth T-shirts
Designed and printed bookmarks
Contacted public schools to set up author visits
Designed posters
Developed and continually update the website
Run a blog
Contact the media
Give away free personal copies to the media
Write press releases
Write news articles

I am always looking for, and thinking of new ways to market. To be honest I would much rather spend my time pounding away on the keyboard engrossed in a gripping story, but in order to afford to continue to write, I must sell.

Now don't get me wrong, I do love marketing my book--probably because I believe in it and because so many have said how much they love it. But its tough pushing a book when you have several others bursting from your fingertips begging to be the next.

Christmas Gift From My Wife

Here I sit in a small room, no larger I imagine, than a cell found within the great walls of a prison. The angle of the ceiling prohibits me from standing up straight in all but half the room. There is no outlet, no three holed prong flush against the wall offering unlimited electricity. The only power comes from a forest green extension cord stretching from the hall to the room like a deadly snake with a powerful bite. The carpet in the room is still soft and plush, having rarely seen the bottom of a foot. The heavy scent of fresh paint still radiates from the dark, navy, walls lined with Van Goghs and black and white photographs. This room is mine, my sanctuary, my escape. This is where creation will happen, where worlds will be formed, where battles will be won and lives will be lost. This is where stories of great kingdoms will be found from ideas, born from dreams. This former closet is now my room, my gift from my love. No bigger than a prison cell to some, this room is larger than life to me. Thank you, my dear wife, for creating this magical rabbit hole for me to hide and turn my dreams to reality.

Book Release Party

Here are a few pictures from the book release party held in College Station on December 4th. Despite the unusually cold weather we had about 50 people show up. It was a whirlwind of meeting, greeting signing, eating and thanking. I was very surprised and thankful for the huge turnout.We had several door prizes we gave away, including three Seventh Earth T-Shirts and a signed copy of the book.

We even had a few attending the book release party who had already purchased a copy of the book and came to purchase more. It was great to hear their feedback about the book.

My kids even got into the Seventh Earth spirit and daunted their Seventh Earth T-shirts. Unfortunately I didn't have a shirt small enough to fit the youngest.

First Reviews Are In!

With my book officially out and into the hands of the public not quite a week I am beginning to get some feedback from readers. I knew this day would come and to be honest its been a bit nerve racking, to say the least, waiting for this feedback.

So far, however, I am pleased to say that the feedback has been better than expected! One reader, a small business owner in Michigan, wrote in the guest book of my website the following:

"What a read! I could not put it down. The story is MAGNETIC!! I felt as if I were right there. A great combination of STARGATE, BATTLESTAR GALLATICA and STAR TREK! Looking forward to more from this author. Keep it up. The Universe awaits you."

Another reader, a junior attending high school in San Antonio, wrote the following on my wife's Facebook page.

"YOUR HUSBAND'S BOOK IS AMAZING!!!"

A third review of my book comes from a young reader whose mother had purchased a copy. Her mother reported to me that her daughter read the book from front to back in one sitting as she could not put the book down. The mother said she walked into her daughter's room in the middle of the night to find her daughter up in bed reading. The girl said, "Mom, this book is so good. I can't put it down. I have to keep reading."

Now I know that this feedback is not from the New York Times or USA Today, but for me it doesn't matter. Sure I would love a critic from the Times to review the book. But for me it means more when a reader comes up to me and tells me that they love the book and can't wait for the sequel. That's what I love. That's what is important to me. That's when I truly feel like a writer.

Book Updates and Where to Purchase

Just a few more days until the official release of Seventh Earth. We are already planning several events. There will be a book release party in College Station on December 4th and on the following day a release party in Utah on December 5th. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the party in Utah as I will be at the one in College Station. However, I will most likely be doing a book signing near Christmas in Utah. I will post the location and date on my website as we get closer.

Many have asked where they will be able to purchase Seventh Earth. The best answer to that right now is on Amazon.com as at first the release to bookstores will be somewhat limited geographically. However, feel free to ask your local bookstore if they have it in stock. But again, the best place at least for now will be to purchase it online at www.amazon.com.

Advance Copies Now Available

There are advance copies of my book now available. You can purchase one by going to www.seventhearthseries.com and clicking the amazon.com link. Because the official release is not until November 24th the only way you can find the book on amazon.com is through the link on my website. So in other words. if you try to go straight to amazon.com to purchase my book you are not going to find it. And yes, if you do purchase the advance copy it will ship right away. Its not like going to Walmart and purchasing an advance copy of a movie only to find out you have to wait for two months before you actually get the movie. This you will actually get within a few days after you purchase it.

Book Release Party!!!

With the overwhelming support that I have received from so many of you I have decided to host a book release party. Although the book will be available for purchase on November 24th, because of the holiday schedule I have decided to hold the party on the evening of December 4th. That should give people enough time to get over the turkey overload and be ready for some good reading.

The party will be in College Station, Texas. I am however thinking of scheduling a book signing event in Utah in late December. I will be in Salt Lake over the Christmas holiday and figure I might as well take advantage of the opportunity.

So, if you are in the Salt Lake or surrounding area and would like for me to do a book signing please send an email to seventhearth@ymail.com. If I can get some interest I will see what we can do about finding a venue. Heck, I would be willing to do it out of some body's home if needed.