The Challenge of Finding an Audience

Staci here, thinking about one of the biggest challenges facing a writer. It’s not the actual art of writing, though that is ripe with its own challenges, from finding the time and inspiration to write to making sure the plot is compelling and sensible to wrapping up the story in a satisfying way for the reader. But rather, I’m referring to the challenge of gaining reader interest and then keeping it.

Now, I should mention that I don’t have a book published, so this is pure speculation on my part. But I can imagine that glorious day when it finally happens. I go down to my local bookstore and stare with pure giddiness at the binding of my book as it sits on the shelf. Then the cold hand of reality squeezes my innards as I think “What now?” Because now comes the hard part of letting the world know that my book is out there. How can I make sure that my mom and my sister aren’t the only ones buying a copy (And really, I’d give them free copies, so they wouldn’t even be buying any.)?

Thank goodness for the Internet. Though its existence is not a guarantee that word will get out, it certainly broadens the realm of possibilities. With national book tours a thing of the past, a writer needs a way to reach an audience all the way across the country, and blog tours, social networking sites, and author web pages can make that happen. The Internet has completely changed the landscape of self-promotion.

Several years ago, I came across two then-current mystery authors whose books I thoroughly enjoyed. Each disappeared off the landscape, one after publishing two books, one after publishing several. Both were (are) excellent writers, and I always wondered what happened. Did they decide not to write anymore? Did something in their life, perhaps a sick parent or spouse who needed care, interrupt their writing time? Or were they unable to build an audience base and were dropped by their publishers? This was before the Internet had really hit its stride. Maybe if they’d had access to blogging and Facebook, they’d be on the New York Times bestseller list right now. Or maybe not. Sometimes good writers fail to gain a foothold for no discernible reason. I suspect the challenge of gaining reader interest takes just as much time and effort as planning and writing the next project, with no guarantee of success.

So I ask all the published authors out there (and anyone else with an opinion), other than the Internet and local book signings, what are some of the best ways to reach and build an audience?

Comments

[Susan C Shea]

Well, of course, that is the question, Staci, and the subject of scores - maybe hundreds - of articles and internet dialogues. We're in the middle of a revolution and that's perhaps the hardest vantage point from which to see the direction the future will take. For now, most writers will tell you they do everything they can think of and afford, from real to virtual tours, contests and giveaways, social networking, book talks at clubs, e-editions, etc. My comment: it's the authors, not the publishers, who do 90-100% of the grunt work.

[Staci]

Susan, I definitely agree that the writer does most of the promoting (from what I've heard). And what works for one writer may not work for another. Of course, if there was only one correct answer to self-promotion, everyone would be famous and on Oprah!

[Camille Minichino]

Staci, I didn't comment yesterday because I know the ONE thing we all must do to become bestsellers, and I didn't want to share.

Now, I have a bridge to sell . . .