Publication - Advertising Ideas, Blogging Topics

16 December 2011, Publication - Advertising Ideas, Blogging Topics

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  ...

Blogging is a great exercise in writing as well as a great means to communicate your ideas to the world.  The problem with any exercise or responsibility you take on is you need to continue what you start.  So, if you want to blog, be ready to blog for a long time.  If you think of it as an exercise in writing (that was my point before) then blogging becomes a method for self improvement as well as a means of communication (point two).

The biggest problem for many bloggers is subject matter--you gotta have something to write about every day.  To me, this is part of the exercise.  I really don't have much difficulty coming up with something to write about every day.  I do try to be cohesive and keep to a theme--perhaps that is why finding subject matter isn't so difficult. 

To be cohesive and to produce good topics to write about, keep some kind of theme going.  The blog won't blog itself, but it will be much easier than something entirely new and unconnected everyday.
I'll write more about blogging tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.