I always knew getting a book published would be challenging. However, I had no idea the total number of obstacles which would need to be overcome.
Before I wrote my first word, I thought writing, or rather finishing, a book would be the hardest part of becoming an author. Silly me. Writing is hard, don’t get me wrong, but discipline, perseverance, a Masters degree, time and a lot of alcohol helped (honestly, a LOT of alcohol). The only way to get a book completed is to sit down and make it happen. You have to get the words on the page. Initially, they weren’t great words. They weren’t even good words, but I could always edit/revise/modify once it’s written. There’s not much that can be done with a blank page. 
After much writing/rewriting and then rewriting, I had a completed manuscript. My next hurdle was finding an agent. You don’t NEED an agent to get published, however, considering the fact that most traditional publishers don’t accept manuscripts that haven’t been sent by an agent (unsolicited manuscripts), your odds of landing a publishing contract are significantly limited without one. I think I might have purchased every book on finding an agent. After many failed query letters, I managed to get an agent. However, finding an agent doesn’t guarantee that your book will get picked up by a publisher. But, let’s assume the planets are all aligned and you have sold your book. Now, you might think you have nothing more to do other than rest on your laurels and wait for the royalty checks to roll in.
Here’s a tip. DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. Unless, you’re the rare unicorn that manages to get a six-figure book deal as a debut author that sets the world on fire and launches your career into the stratosphere, there is still more work to do. There’s promotion and marketing. “But, I have a publicist. Isn’t that their job?” If you’re lucky enough to get a publicist (not all traditional publishers provide them) they will do some promotion for your book. However, the authors job isn’t done. You need to promote your book by writing blogs, doing book tours, book readings, book signings, attending conferences and sitting on panels, etc. etc., etc. Oh, and in your spare time, you still need to write the next book.
Just when you think it’s safe to sit back and relax, that’s when you have to take your game to the next level. What’s the next level? For me, it’s social media, graphics and videos. Not a fan of social media? Me either. However, if it’ll sell books and allow me to continue to live my writing dream, then I will #hashtag, tweet, follow, and Like. Why are graphics hard? Let me put it this way, it’s hard enough to condense a 300+ page novel down to a 1-2 page synopsis for your publisher. Now, you need to make that fit into a 280 character tweet which will entice a potential reader to like/tweet/retweet/share and ultimately buy your book (that’s a lot of pressure for one graphic).
Today, I created my second book trailer to (hopefully) increase preorders for my upcoming book, WED, READ & DEAD. I may not be Stephen Spielberg, but then again video production wasn’t what I went to graduate school to learn. Sure, there are people who do this for a living. Why don’t I hire one of them to create a professional book trailer?
Good question, maybe one day I will, but first, I’ve got to sell a LOT more books. In the meantime, here’s my book trailer for WED, READ & DEAD. I hope you like it and will preorder a copy of my book.
AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER – RELEASING APRIL 30, 2019
Amazon: https://goo.gl/b4nVhC
B&N: https://goo.gl/tWH45e
Kobo: https://goo.gl/15YSU7
iTunes: https://goo.gl/6HAPMu