Marketing My Books

The most difficult thing for me to do as a writer is sell my books, for a few reasons. One: it’s a time-sucker. It takes time away from writing – that’s a biggie. Another: I don’t like to brag about my work. It seems unprofessional even if it is a realistic need in this industry, but I have this little voice saying “Monica, who do you think you are? There are so many writers better than you are.” And there are – and many who aren’t as good (since I am being realistic) – but I would never tell them what I think. Every author needs whatever confidence they can muster, and every author gets better with time and practice. It’s a joy to see new authors leap at their blank pages with such eagerness.

That’s my book, Senior Moment, in the bottom left of this right-hand display at the Museum of Industry. Thanks to Sarah Butland for sending the photo.

Maybe the most important reason I avoid selling myself and my work is that marketing can be an expensive effort with an uncertain return. The cost of websites and domain fees, posters, signs, ads, hours spent at signing where the only people who show up are friends and family – I could be washing the dog for all the benefits I perceive in that kind of activity.

But a couple of weeks ago I took part in a most encouraging book fair at Glasgow Square in – obviously – New Glasgow, NS. A lot of my writer and publisher friends were there, I made a few more friends, and I sold a few books.

Even if I hadn’t sold a thing, it was good to be among “my people,” after a long spell of Covid- and post-Covid-related shattered confidence about being in public.

Today, June 11, I will spend the afternoon at the Museum of Industry in Stellarton, NS., selling and signing my books. I will be there again on Saturday, June 15.

Finally! Books, writing, and publishing are seen as a real industry by the museum that celebrates just that.

This event, with kiosks, as shown above, displaying books and offering audio recordings of participating authors reading from their works, is also a project of Creative Pictou County.

See https://creativepictoucounty.com/

Later this week, on the afternoon of Thursday, June 13, I will be selling and signing books at Read it Again- New and Used Books & Gifts – find the shop on Facebook.

Some years ago, I got involved with a project “Books Start Here” promoting the Nova Scotia writing, publishing and book-selling industry. For me, it was a way to work out my anger at the Nova Scotia government, which was buying American books for Nova Scotia schools instead of supporting their own citizens. I understand that has changed – the project became a national protest, and opened the eyes of many.

For instance – Nova Scotia school libraries had books about apple picking in Wisconsin, USA – leaving our own Annapolis Valley uncelebrated. Wha…?

Writers and other artists tend to work in their home communities, where they buy their work supplies, their groceries and their groceries. Artists’ usually meagre incomes make vacations away few and far apart, so they also tend to spend their leisure time and money close to home. Support for local artists (including authors) supports you. What goes around, comes around.

I am uncertain of prices as I seldom indulge, but I think the average book costs about the same as a case of beer or a package of smokes – and lasts a lot longer.

So – buy books. Books start here!