Publication - Advertising Ideas, Blogging Reasons

18 December 2011, Publication - Advertising Ideas, Blogging Reasons

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.  ...

In the process of blogging, I don't have anything to prove, and I don't have anyone to impress.  I'd like to simply communicate and share ideas on writing.  In general, I haven't found blogging to be much of a give and take process.  I wish it were more like that, but I don't mind.  I'm certain there are many smart people and ideas out there, but I think they are all blogging too.  That is, those with competing ideas are all involved with providing those ideas through their blogs, or they are selling them.  I suppose I could write another book and sell it, but I'm more interested in writing fiction.  I'm also more interested in helping authors improve their writing.

Let's face facts, we all can improve our writing skills, and I don't mean spelling and grammar--I mean the true skills that make terrific writing.  I'm happy that I can use this blog to improve my own skills and the skills of others. 

Let's go a little further, any author who doesn't realize their writing can be improved is a fool.  This is simply the demarcation between a professional and an amateur.  The amateur is not confident in his own writing and is afraid and unwilling to have another criticize it.  The professional begs for feedback.  The professional desires criticism and sees all of it as constructive.  Again, I'm not talking about grammar and spelling.  Grammar and spelling are skills that writers must have as a basic skill--these are the simple problems that editors and editing can easily repair.  The skills that authors really need are those that come long after basic grammar and spelling have been conquered.  Those skills are the development of a good theme, plot, and storyline.  Further, the development of a world that entrances your readers is the extended skill of a great writer.  This is truly what we, as writers, should all aspire to.

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/.