Once upon a long time
back, a writer’s work ended after the
manuscript was submitted to a
publishing house. After that, all that the
writer had to do was to work on rewrites the editor demanded, and go over the
edits and the proofs and maybe do a book reading or two.
The scenario has
done a complete volte face now. Today publishers are not just looking for
perfect and polished manuscripts that require very little editing, they are
also looking for writers who come with ready made platforms: blogs, websites,
facebook like pages and twitter followers.
This way the
publishing houses with limited budgets to market each writer, do not have to
spend a lot of money if writers arrive with marketing packages and are willing
to plug all gaps to give their books a leg up and the much needed visibility.
In this
scenario, it becomes important for writers to be a part of several forums: book
clubs, writer’s guilds, facebook, twitter, other social networking sites and
start their blogs and make connections with other writers and their readers.
Many
writers wait too late to join and build
platforms. By then their books are out and have faded from memory. I realized
the value of Facebook a year and half back, when a good friend of mine who
never reads books, mentioned an author’s book launch. At my raised eyebrows, he
sheepishly admitted that he had read about the book on Facebook as
the author and he had few common
friends, and the common friends had shared the launch photos.
I was
impressed. If genuine book haters (my friend is one of them) become aware of book launches via facebook,
then what about book lovers like us. Social networking sites, though a big time
suck, can be a huge blessing for us if used effectively.
The ideal time frame is to slowly start making genuine connections with the writing
fraternity: writers, publishers, editors and agents, and also the readers when
the book contract is signed, maybe even before its signed. Practically everyone
is on facebook and is net savvy, so making connections is not that difficult. This way people are familiar with the writer’s name even before the book is released. The point to be noted is
connection and not forcing oneself on
others. If the writer comes across as too pushy, there will be no
denying the fact that people will shy away from such a person.
These
connections help in spreading the word when books are launched, in the way of
author interviews, giveaways, book reviews and guest posts. Waiting too long to
take the plunge doesn’t take the writer far. Writing is time consuming, so it
becomes all the more important for writers to do everything they can to give their books visibility and
spread the word around.
I was one of
the late starters. My first lot of books have faded from public memory. I
didn’t do much to market them, other than the mandatory newspaper interviews
organized by my publisher.
My advice to other writers would be to get Market
Savvy. Are you all big time social
networkers? At what stage of your writing did you all start building a platform
and making connections. What are you all doing to give your books visibility? Which
sites have you joined? We would love to hear your views.
