The Side Benefits of Book Marketing

If you've published a book, then you're involved in promoting it. Like it or not, unless you're a BIG name author, if you want your books to sell, you must spend more time than you'd like marketing them. How you do it depends on the type of book you write, your identified audience, and many other factors that depend on your own willingness to pursue. I write mystery novels, set in southern California, with stories that unfold through the probation system where I worked. I include familiar local places throughout my books. My primary audience is those who live in my area and are mystery fans. One of the ways I acquaint people with my books is to ask those I meet in various local places if they read fiction. If they say "yes" then I offer them a flyer which provides brief information about my books, my background, and how the books can be obtained. This has led to not only sales, but to meeting many interesting people who have invited me to speak to their book clubs or other social groups. Recently I met Lorna at a local restaurant. She was having lunch with a friend and my husband and I were seated nearby on the restaurant patio. She graciously accepted the flyer my husband offered and subsequently bought my books. Lorna is an aspiring writer who recently moved to southern California. I invited her to attend our branch chapter of the California Writers Club, which she did, and our friendship is beginning to bloom. Lorna has faced some personal challenges in the last few years and moving to southern California is part of a fresh start for her. She has started a blog and I was so impressed with it that I wanted to share it with you. It is not only personal but uplifting. I hope that you will take the time to read it as we all go through difficult times and her encouraging words could benefit anyone. You can visit Lorna's posts at: www.ajourneytotheotherside.wordpress.com