Marketing

Like many people who dream of becoming an author, I had some lofty ideas of what being a published author was like. It must have come from a "Hollywood" movie or something, but I had dreams of going up on a mountain in the quiet of the woods and typing away on my laptop while my publisher marketed my most recent brilliant work of fiction. There were visions of book signings with rabid fans waiting in long lines just to meet me. (Did I tell you I have a vivid imagination?) I hate to burst any one's bubble, but it just doesn't happen that way for most first timers out there.I am so blessed to find a publisher who will read unsolicited manuscripts. I participated in a web instruction event by a book agent. He said that most of the "stuff" he got in the mail was pitched after the first paragraph. If it didn't "grab him as something fresh and compelling" in those few words, it wasn't worthy of his time! After listening to his brilliance for an hour I was one very depressed author. The experience with Tate Publishing and Enterprises is a very personal one. Every phone conversation has been productive and helpful. The professionals assigned to each phase of the book development are invested in the success of each book.I have to say that marketing is not something I knew much about, but after reading a ton of information and studying the blogs of various authors and groups, I have gotten my feet wet. I keep a journal about every last thing that I have tried. Each attempt is marked with the number of books sold or people affected by the event. Every mail out is registered as to how many cards, letters, author/speaker brochures, or event fliers were sent and what the response was. I think I will have a better idea of how to spend my marketing dollars for my second book, "Elk's Resolve".At a book signing in a small book store the proprietor told me that Tate is very aggressive in putting their author's names and titles "out there". With every box of books from Ingram/Spring Arbour are fliers about the offerings from Tate authors. I was impressed with that bit of information. There have been time when I had felt that I was shouldering a lion's share of the marketing, but after talking with her, I realized that there is so much more to the publishing business than I will ever learn or know. I am glad to leave those parts to Tate. The very next time I looked at a blog from a group of authors, I saw that they were discussing how their "big house" publishers were having them do their own marketing. They were upset that times had changed. At this time those publishers are downsizing and a bunch or authors were let out of their contracts. I imagine they would be glad to do a little marketing if they had a chance.I said ALL of that to say this. Tate does a lot of things for the author that we do not see every day. Eventually we see the effects of it. It takes a lot of publicity to get name recognition for authors. If you don't believe me, ask "the man on the street" to name their favorite author. They will most likely say someone from the New York Times best sellers list. Then ask them who their favorite Christian author is or to name ten television preachers. I promise you that the majority of Christians are somewhat stumped. We have to be out there with our face and our voice connecting with people. That has been the best way that I have found to market my books.Elaine LittauTate Authorof"Nan's Journey" and "Elk's Resolve"