Sunday 8 September 2013

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. - George Bernard Shaw

It's Sunday. I'm tired. I don't really want to do much. In fact today is the first time ever I am blogging from my Ipad. I am currently lying on the corner bit of the corner sofa watching something mindless on TV and thinking about what is going to take the least effort to cook. 

I feel guilty. Next to me is Mary Cavanagh's book on publicising and marketing your book. I should be stuck in that. The release of The Bittersweet Vine is imminent. This time next week it will be available nationwide. I should be drumming up business. Creating a buzz. At least lining up some bloggers to host my blog tour. Now I get the idea of creating a buzz per-launch but how much does that work in reality? I know that I, myself have a memory of a goldfish. If I read about a new book unless I write the name own somewhere I want to buy it now. I don't want any or the per-order stuff. I will have forgotten about the book by the time it is released. That is unless I read about it again somewhere and then I think 'oh yes, I read about that before. I must get it.' Well there you go I have just disproved my initial argument in one sentence. Pre-book buzz is essential because in marketing it's all about repetition. Back in the days when I studied marketing ( I know, you wouldn't think would you. It was just one module of my degree and my worst subject.) they said that for people to remember something they have to hear it three times. Repetition. So the per-release book buzz is essential. If you go on about your product enough times the name will stick in your head. Hmmm have I mentioned my new novel is called The Bittersweet Vine?  Here is the blurb, 

Maria Shroder wakes up on the morning of the 28th of September as though it were any other. She is   alone in her apartment, her music is playing softly in the background… but her wrists and neck,  though void of any marks, are sore. Having no recollection of the days that have passed since her abduction, Maria discovers she is suffering from hysterical amnesia. What is it that her mind is protecting her from? Maria sets out on a journey to uncover the truth, a truth that strangely seems to involve the book club she has just joined. In her desperate attempt for some answers, Maria is forced to first unearth the secrets of her past. Only then will she be able to unlock the memory of those forgotten days.

So that's my it of 'buzz' today. Earlier I ordered some postcards too from Vista Print. I am sure you will see them soon coming to a coffee house near you! I find postcards really helpful. Bookmarks too are great or marketing but I haven't found somewhere as onvenient and cheap as VistaPrint to get some done. 

There you have it. The marketing has started. If you are a regular follower of this blog you will know that it was not so long ago that I was staring at a similar mountainous feat with Goa Traffic. I made it through in the nod and hopefully I have the experience to make The Bittersweet Vine even more of a success.

Whatever you are working on this Sunday, or if indeed you are sat on the sofa feeling guilty enjoy!




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