first posted on Goodreads, January 9th, 2022.
I'll admit right now. I have not spent the last year ever since publishing The Bridging Flower marketing. I have done little about my book.
There were always excuses. I'll wait until the second novel is also published. I don't like this project enough... I don't know, I just can't find a following.
It's been a little over a year since my first novel came out, six months for the second. And it all comes down to getting over the fear of other eyes on your writing.
All I can say right now is that sometimes, taking small steps can be what's right for you.
It can be as simple as starting an Instagram account, using hashtags and sharing tips. Maybe you can send your book to one person who fits your target audience to start with, or begin to form connections that will guide you through what comes after publication. For me, a small step I took was donating two sets of the series to a library book-exchange shelf and to a family charity store. Recently, I've even wandered into TikTok. Things are moving slowly, but throughout it all I'm building my confidence. Part of what stops me is myself, who I am. I'm not the kind of person who can shamelessly promote without caring what other people think, or overthinking things.
Once you publish, you can't go back. You can either let the book hang in the air, or you can move forward with it.
I am taking small steps right now. If you're finding it hard to build a following, or you feel like it's too late to start marketing AFTER your book is published, I hope you know that you're not alone.