The one thing I learned in my journey as an Author was to help my fellow writers/authors with as much knowledge as I could. Knowledge that I found was very hard to come by simply because so many were unwilling to give.

I guess I could understand that in some way so I’m not here to bad mouth any one, but am about to extend a free hand. I probably won’t be able to cover my whole journey in one blog so this will more than likely extend over a few. I will ask that others please extend your hand as well with whatever information you are willing to give.

Please note… in this forum we are not here to judge or be judged but simply here to gain and share knowledge. My journey may not be your journey but I am here to share and to learn as well.

With that said, let’s get ready to rock ‘n roll people!

So your book is published, where do you go from here?

Please know the success of your book starts with “you” . If you don’t believe in your product 200% no one else will! Not only do you have to believe but you must also be willing to work and work extremely hard to move closer toward your success, and don’t allow anyone to take away your momentum! You’ll have some good days and bad days but stay encouraged.
After I self published my book I sought many markets to put them in, starting with the bookstores. Numbers count and that’s how we make the best seller lists by the “numbers.” Soliciting the book stores may pose somewhat of a challenge especially for the self published Author, so you must educate yourself before you solicit those types of markets because they are not there to coach you along or teach you anything, after all you’re the Author, so be ready for that type of response, especially if your book is self published through a print on demand publisher aka POD Publisher, but know this…
If you worked with an online publisher make sure the deal you signed included Baker and Taylor as one of the warehouses used to carry your books as well as Ingram, and that you are also listed with Bowkers Books in Print. Most if not all of the bookstores and libraries will be able to get copies of your books and stock their shelves if they are available through those ware houses. If you didn’t publish through an online publisher and still self published your book then you will have to register with each warehouse separately and work out a deal. Be sure that your deal does include a return policy so stores will feel comfortable ordering your books and having the ability to return them if they overstocked their shelves etc., as long as the books are returned in saleable condition.

Read your contract information, compare notes and chose wisely! Again no one (meaning those industries) is there to teach you anything, so do your homework and be prepared. Even after you have paid for and signed to have your books carried in the warehouses still doesn’t mean that they will go ordering your books to fill their shelves and that’s where your foot work come in. Know that in this industry everybody is in it to make money and warehouses stocking books on their shelves for the possibility of a store calling them to order your books are not great. Unless you are among one of the greats i.e., Harry Potter, etc., so be prepared for that as well. The warehouses will begin to stock your books based on the need/popularity. They will not stock your books on their shelves if only a few books are being ordered so get out there and make those calls, solicit the stores, the independent stores as well because they order from the warehouses as well. Increase the popularity of your books by exposing them on the websites, your personal websites, other sites you’ve joined. Relentlessly get the word out about your books and make sure they are being purchased. Solicit your family and friends, make a book trailer for your book, print/create flyers to pass along to everyone that crosses your path in the grocery stores, shopping malls,doctors office hospitals, dentist office, parking lots, bus stops, train stops, the cleaners, coffee shops, your neighborhood, schools, car dealerships, the post office, just to name a few. It can be done and your books will sell in addition to your getting a following and people with begin to know you and your work and they will pass the word along as well.

When you want to have a signing at a book store call the store up and tell them you are an Author and you’d like to have a signing in their store and for them to order your books. Please be sure and tell the store just how many books you think they should order because remember that store has a budget to adhere to and even though they can return books that were unsold from your signing some stores will order a very small amount and there is nothing quite as embarrassing as having a signing without enough books on hand.

Don’t be the Author that sits behind the table waiting on people to come by and notice you, you be the enforcer and approach them. After all you have a product that they need and cannot be without so make sure they have it!
I like to make sure I have my crew in order for every signing especially when I do a signing in the bookstores in the malls. When I arrive people are already waiting for me outside the store because of the hype and can’t wait to see me, hug me, kiss me, have me meet their family friends, husband’s wives and children! And all because of my crew. They already know about me and my books and have decided which one or both they want me to sign. I love it when I see people walking in the malls with my flyers in hand or when I approach them and they tell me they got my info (and show me) from two or three other people and they were coming in to meet me. I love it!!

When you do the big arenas like the huge convention centers, the one here I did was the McCormick Place which had thousands upon thousands of customers I had my crew hitting the escalators, stairways, doorways, main entrance, major walk ways through the center, I mean they covered all basis. That was a huge event and people like Les Brown were there (his booth was right next to mine) and other big name Authors and speakers but I’ll bet you half of the people that were there in attendance had my information. The reason only half had it was because I ran out of flyers!

Stand out among the rest of the Authors. I’m not saying block their sales because that’s not polite because you want to always be respectful, but create your own uniqueness in such a way they have to stand back and take notice of you! Always go over and introduce yourself to the Authors around you and give them a flyer/brochure of what you have and take one of theirs. And please don’t go to any event looking drab! Ladies become more of the glamorous beauty inside you and smile at the fellas and approach them they love it!! Make sure you don’t leave out their wives or girlfriends but make that first approach. Fellas same thing. Accent what you have working for you and I mean that literally and make them want to come on by and holla at you and buy ‘dem books! Stand out in the sharpness of your appearance that people will want to know “who is that movie star?” and will flock to your table to find out. You ever go to something and notice something else going on and wondered what it was…? And you found yourself making your way to the action. You have to be that person at your signing. I’ll tell you there were so many people taking pictures of me at McCormick place that knew me they had people walking by taking pictures just because. This one guy cracked me up. He didn’t even wait to talk to me he just smiled and was like I’d better take this picture because she must be somebody! …hahahaha

First time Authors I know you’re afraid and maybe even shy but that don’t make the book sell so dive in! practice in a smaller avenue like the grocery stores approaching people/shoppers. Have your biz cards in hand or book marks or flyers. There’s a way to do anything so make it work for you and get the word out. Never miss an opportunity to sell. When you are lucky enough to reach a mainstream publisher with your books they will love your willingness to work!

One of the most important things I’ve learned in my journey is realistically you have less than a minute to attract attention to your story and gain their interest.
We writers/artists are so excited and have so much we want to say especially when it’s our turn at the mic. (you know what I mean…?)

The flip side to that is for the most part, the agent, mainstream publisher or whatever powers that be you’re trying to reach have heard it all… get hundreds if not thousands of queries and are looking for, craving for something to jump out and bite them on the ass!
Make ‘em holla people! Make your work count! Keep it short but powerful so you are not forgotten among the pile.

Here’s an example of my book “Xceptance” since its release in July 08 it has done exceptionally well and still climbing the charts:

In the 1960’s, Mississippi born Loraine would take Chicago by storm. This gal was built (as they would say), like a coke-a-cola bottle and could belt out a tune that would make Aretha Franklin stand up and take notice. Chicago wasn’t the only place. The folks down in Memphis gave her praise and would come from miles just to listen.
All that glitters ain’t gold and after having six children, she would eventually have a lot of explaining to do, particularly to Walter her husband at the time in Chicago. If the Panama Limited could talk a lot could be said, especially about Stigg who worked the 57 line from Chicago to New Orleans.
She walked away from her children more than 13 years before, and now has to face her lies and deception head on struggling to seek forgiveness.
So many lies had been told about who Augie’s father really was, Loraine didn’t have a clue and Walter wasn’t about to claim ownership and didn’t give no never mind about the situation either, and would not be moved.

This tells a lot about the story, gains interest, zooms right in on the main characters and forms a strong foundation for the basis of the story.

What makes it different is the time line and the nostalgia. It projects the “All hell naw” factor because you already know its goan be some mess and it’s about to be on! You know the author would not disappoint as you travel through time in this story because you were given a taste of some of the references all ready. Even though the characters are black it projects a universal story. That being drama, family dysfunction, and destruction at its best. And y’all know ‘erbody like drama and getting all up in somebody else’s business! Shameless but true! This also sparks curiosity and they will want to know more. Once you have their attention bring it home and seal the deal!

Like I said… stand out, keep things short, gain interest, keep yours at the top in the “contact Author folder”!

Useful sites:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/

www.vistaprint.com (get your free flyers,biz cards etc) so check them out!
Wordhustler.com (seeking a mainstream publisher they can help with your submission)
www.authortreehouse.com
www.booktour.com
www.bookcatcher.com
www.ifreelance.com
www.jiffyshirts.com